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EnCompass®
The AAA Companion |
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November | December 2004
Volume 78 Issue 6
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Member Feedback
Two sides to every issue — though
most AAA members favor one
I just wanted to compliment you on your ongoing and active effort to improve teen driving laws. Like the many responders you mentioned in the Sept./Oct. issue of EnCompass, I was a bit skeptical about how necessary tighter teen driving laws really are.
However, as I sat here reading the online Denver news and saw the stories about two major accidents in one day involving teens, as well as the thoughts of all the others that have happened in the past year, it occurred to me that I need to lend my support for these changes. As you stated in EnCompass, it has just become necessary since teen driving tragedies seem to be on the rise.
Keep up the great work and please consider me a strong supporter of this effort.
-Karen Susztar, email
Wow, AAA is spending more time and money pushing for more "nanny-state" legislation...Am I really in the minority who believes that parents should be raising children, not the government? Am I really in a minority that doesn't want the state making one-size-fits-all legislation? Don't people realize that reckless and inexperienced drivers cause accidents?...
-Tony Bubb, Erie
Editor's Note: As mentioned on pages 2, 6 and 10, AAA has received an overwhelming response in support of legislation that restricts teen passengers in cars with newly licensed teen drivers. Mr. Bubb's letter is representative of a few letters from members who object to government — and AAA's — involvement in this issue.
AAA Colorado agrees that the ultimate responsibility for safe driving among teens lies with parents and with teens themselves. Ideally, there would be no need for intervention by the state on this issue.
But the statistics tell us, and the news reminds us almost weekly, that a need does exist. Auto crashes are the number one cause of death for teenagers.
As Mr. Bubb points out, "reckless and inexperienced drivers cause accidents." Many times the distraction of numerous teens in a car causes the "recklessness" of the "inexperienced driver" (e.g. first-year driver) — with deadly consequences. That is why AAA Colorado, and an overwhelming majority of members who have responded to us on this issue, believe that giving teen drivers a period of time for solo driving-when they can focus on gaining experience and improving driving skills-is critical to saving not only teens lives but the lives of all who use the roadways.
For more information on this important issue, go to www.aaa.com/teens.
This story
just won't die
I was bemused when I read the response to Nancy Hoyt Belcher's "mistakenly" reporting that the horse "Comanche" was buried at Fort Riley, Kansas, when it is actually stuffed and on display at the University of Kansas at Lawrence, Kansas.
Is it not probable that both are right? The bulk of the horse may well have been ceremonially buried, either as a skinned body or as cremated remains.
-Jack D. Poland, Fort Collins
Ad causes confusion
I received the May/June of EnCompass and read the ad from MBNA on page 16 regarding higher yields, only to read the fine print and find the yields quoted were only valid from 3/9/04 to 3/14/04. Your readers deserve better!
-Wilda Christensen, Fort Collins
Editor's Note: This letter is representative of feedback received from a few readers who felt misled by an ad from MBNA offering "higher yields on certificates of deposit." MBNA contractually agrees to provide AAA members a special rate of return that is higher than they offer the general public. Also, as noted in the ad, "Yields are subject to change weekly." Ads must be prepared two months before publication, and it is impossible for MBNA to quote yields that would apply that far in advance. The advertiser chooses to show a rate, and identify exactly when the rate applied, so the reader has a general idea of what the rate might be. To obtain current yield information, readers can visit our website at www.aaa.com and refer to the Financial Services page, or call MBNA at 1-800-526-7120.
Historical
photo identified
The photo on page 53 of the Sept./Oct. issue is the Denver and Rio Grande Hospital in Salida. It was built in 1885 and burned down in 1899. A new hospital was built on the same site in 1900 and is part of the enlarged hospital today.
-Dennis Lowry, email
Let us hear from you
Reader comments and questions are welcome in EnCompass magazine. A reply or comment may be printed with your letter. Letters under 200 words are considered first and are printed most readily. Letters to EnCompass do not necessarily reflect the opinion of AAA Colorado and, due to space limitations, we reserve the right to edit for length and clarity. Send letters to the editor, EnCompass, 4100 E. Arkansas Ave., Denver, CO 80222. Fax to: 303-300-7710. E-mail:
editor@colorado.aaa.com. Letters become property of AAA Colorado and are not returned.
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