Published: July 03, 2009 05:53 pm         

Readers' Forum: July 4, 2009

Insurance group holds high ground

Union Hospital claims it would be costly and an administrative burden to switch to new billing forms in order to bill for services provided by its affiliated outpatient facilities.

Preposterous! They have a system to pay the fee to the physician or physician group that provided the service. So where’s the burden?

It’s my opinion that Union Hospital Health Group has bought out the competition; they prefer to call it “under management”. Union’s chief financial officer stated that Union has “taken over” service from other providers. This has created a monopoly that will only result in higher cost to the public through higher health insurance premiums.

Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield must prevail in this dispute.

— Richard Young

Terre Haute

A few thoughts on the after-life

Ian MacIver’s recent letter in defense of Stephanie Salter’s columns that he says make people think got me to thinking, especially about the various religious beliefs people have that MacIver identifies.

I’ve been to so many funeral visitations lately that I realize I’ll be going to my own someday, and that got me to thinking about Heaven. But before I try for it, I have some practical questions about that place.

Will I need some new clothes, or will I just run around naked all the time?

What does one eat in Heaven? Organic food?

Will I live in a new house, in a commune, on the street?

If I get to play golf in Heaven, will I be allowed to cuss if I miss a three-foot putt?

If you are a hunter, will you be allowed to shoot animals in Heaven? If so, do they die?

May I take my .38 revolver with me or will my Second Amendment right be taken away at the Pearly Gates?

If there are gates, there must be fences. If Heaven is fenced in, how will illegal aliens be able to enter?

What is the ruling for hard-working people who deserve to go to Heaven but have other obligations? You know, people like Tennessee Ernie Ford who told St. Peter he couldn’t go because he owed his soul to the company store.

If members of Heaven will share and share alike for the common good of all, is that not socialism? Will it keep the Republicans out?

If Islamic suicide bombers expect seven virgins when they go to Heaven, may I request just one cute little concubine? (Would my wife have to know about it?)

Will God finally let me see Him, or will He continue to play hide and seek?

Sunday tithers reading this are probably shaking their heads in disgust at such blasphemy, but hey, how do I learn if I don’t ask questions?

I don’t know. It appears that Heaven has a lot of uncertainties, and it’s eventually going to be very crowded. I think I’ll just stay home. If I miss out on eternal life, who knows, perhaps eternal sleep won’t be too bad … as long as I stop having stupid dreams.

— John P. Torphy

Terre Haute

Duke Energy was quick to respond

On behalf of the Terre Haute Humane Society, we would like to thank Duke Energy for getting our electricity back up and running during one of the hottest days of the year.

On a Sunday morning, our electricity went out. The Duke Energy road crew arrived immediately after being contacted, and our electric was back on without any animals, staff, volunteers or visitors suffering from the heat.

— Susan Marr, president

On behalf of the animals,

staff and volunteers

Terre Haute Humane Society