After the failure of Lehman Brothers and the purchase of Merrill Lynch by Bank of America, now the media and most everyone in America is concerned about the condition and reliability of financial institutions. It is unfortunate that there has been no clarion call by our elected officials or media pundits concerning a far more pressing and sustainable problem. America has more than the current financial industry upheaval. I cite specifically the current and deteriorating condition of the federal government’s finances and its oppressive debt burden on current and future taxpayer generations.

I’m back again because of a request from one of my friends and an Eagle reader, with a heads up on mouse catching and an ongoing mystery that I don’t expect to solve anytime soon.When last I wrote, I had caught/murdered/put out of their misery four nasty little mice. The day I delivered my guest column to our faithful and talented editor of The Madison County Eagle, Don Richeson, a profound mystery occurred in the same cutlery drawer that I had previously alluded to in my column.

Imagine how you would feel if after many years of useful activity you found yourself without a way to get around. You might not be able to drive for a variety of reasons and yet do not want to ask friends, neighbors, or family to take you where you need to go. That situation is becoming increasingly common in Madison County with the growing number of older residents who don’t drive.

Everyone sometimes has a beef with what they see and hear in “the media.” But for me, the week before last was exceptionally bizarre. On Friday of the week before last (Aug. 8), I was able to scoot out of the office early enough – as I had eagerly intended — to catch the broadcast of the Beijing Olympics opening ceremony. I made it home in time to even catch the national news broadcast just before it.

Four factors other than supply and demand have brought about the recent increase in the price of oil.

Recently, the county administration has reorganized the management and operation of its animal control and animal shelter services. We’d like to take this opportunity to inform county citizens about the organizational structure for those services.

It seems that Verizon wants to “protect” Madison County and has hired a consultant to that end. The question is why have we not — as a county — hired a practical minded engineer to study the facts delineating adequate cell coverage for our community? Placing our confidence in Verizon’s consultant is like allowing the fox to count the chickens as they go to roost for the evening. Where is the common sense in this equation?

The Madison County Rescue Squad Inc. (MCRS) thanks the Madison County Fair Inc. and its board of directors and officers for sponsoring a first time ever Community Give Back Night at the county fair on Wednesday, July 16. We also thank the Madison County community for its support on July 16. Despite the price of fuel and the tough economy of late, you — the Madison County community — donated more than $4.600 to the rescue squad and the fire company, to be split in half, as your entrance fee to the fair. The volunteers of MCRS, from the bottom our hearts, thank you for your support to our organization. Your donations will go a long way and be a big help to our organization. Your donations will help fund improvements, purchase much-needed life saving equipment and provide training to our volunteers.