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Letters to the Editor, Dec. 6 Tuesday Dec 6, 2016 at 12:01 AM Privatization is good In response to David Israel's letter in the Dec. 4 Mail Tribune, I agree with Dietrich Bonhoeffer's quote, "Silence in the face of evil is itself evil. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act." But I disagree with Mr. Israel's statement, "Meetings have taken place in Trump Tower discussing ways of cutting down on veterans benefits ..." I have seen and heard President-elect Donald Trump say many times on television, "We are going to take good care of our veterans," as hundreds of veterans cheered at his rallies of several thousand people. In other words, during the Trump administration, he will not let veterans languish and perhaps die waiting for an appointment with a Veterans Affairs doctor as happened during the eight years of the Obama administration. As Mr. Israel further stated, "... with some advisers openly advocating privatizing the Veterans Affairs Department," as a conservative woman, happily looking forward to the next four years, I wholeheartedly approve of that kind of action since it has been proven countless times that administration of a project or institution by private industry is by far more user-friendly, efficient, effective and, above all, cost-beneficial than by governmental bureaucracies. Ramona Templin Medford Desperate for diapers Phoenix Food Project's Desperate for Diapers Drive will be part of Green Bag Day on Saturday, Dec. 10. Diapers of all sizes are needed, but especially baby diapers. Kids cannot be left at day care without a full day's supply of diapers. Cloth diapers have become luxury items. Kids and disabled and incontinent adults without supplies become isolated, depressed and abused. Medicare and SNAP do not pay for diapers. Parents and caregivers miss work days when funds are low and the choice is food, bills or diapers. Please bring your donations — open packages are welcome, too — to the First Phoenix Community Center at First Presbyterian, Second and Church streets, before noon on the 10th or anytime we're there! Lend a hand up: make a difference. Mail funds to Phoenix Food Project at First Presbyterian, P.O. Box 390, Phoenix, OR 97535. For more information, please leave a message at 541-778-1517 or email [email protected]. Karen Jones, Food Project District Coordinator Phoenix Thanks to foundations St. Vincent de Paul is grateful to the many foundations which have shown us such generosity this past year. Most recently we have received grants to our social services rental and utility assistance programs from Ames Fluhrer Charitable Fund, Anna May Family Foundation, Carrico Family Foundation, Coleman Family Fund, Oregon Community Foundation, Templeton Foundation, and finally, Washington Elementary School through its Community 101 program, which involves students in service, leadership and charitable giving. These grants helped us to provide assistance to our many clients who are in jeopardy of eviction or utility disconnection. We are an all-volunteer organization and welcome new volunteers in all areas of our work. Training is provided. Call 541-772-3828 and ask for the volunteer coordinator, ext. 7. Phyllis Douglas Talent No facts? Neighbors Joe and Bob were visiting about the temperature in Medford on Sunday, Dec. 4. Joe said, “The Mail Tribune reported the high temperature at the airport was 45 degrees Fahrenheit.” Bob said, “No way, it was really cold — I know it was not over 33 degrees." Joe replied, “I believe there is a standard error in measurement, but not 12 degrees, and my thermometer also recorded 45.” Bob: “I don’t care. I know it was 33 degrees, thermometers lie, the press lies, everyone lies.” Welcome to the post-truth, no-facts world where baseless arguments are acceptable. Chris Hill Medford