Congrats to Obama

To the Editor:

At the request of the United Mine Workers, my brother and I were invited to attend a meeting in Carbondale with Barack Obama, who at the time was running for the United States Senate. We were greeted by a UMWA official who told us the press would do all the questioning and we were to remain silent. The issue was our health care, which was being taken away by a bankruptcy judge. My brother and I had worked our entire lives for Old Ben Coal Co., which was Standard Oil of Ohio, then British Petroleum, then Zeigler Holding and then Addington Brothers Holding Company.

Mr. Obama spoke to the small crowd and then asked for questions. Being one to never remain silent, I held my hand up and he smiled and called on me. I explained our plight and what we needed to ensure our health care. He was very receptive.

At the conclusion of the meeting, his assistant was urging him to leave but he said, "I am not going until I talk to those men." He came off the podium and introduced himself. He told us he understood our problem and would do everything he could to help us. I told him I thought he would be elected to the U.S. Senate and when he got there, to give them hell. He smiled and thanked me, saying, "How about if I tell them the truth, and make them think it's hell."

Obama went on to be elected, and we did regain our health care by an act of Congress.

My family and I will always be grateful for this legislation and this man.

Congratulations, Barack Obama.

Robert K. York

West Frankfort

Ryan should serve full term

To the Editor:

It is hard for me to believe that a U.S. senator and a mayor think it is OK to commute George Ryan's prison term.

This action will clearly show the world it is OK to commit a crime as long as you are a crooked person with a lot of power, such as the former governor of the state of Illinois. George Ryan has shamed all the people in this state. Mr. Ryan should have thought of the consequences before he committed the crimes.

And he should serve the full term.

Phil Smith

Carbondale