When I set out to achieve universal health care as first lady back in 1993, I knew I needed to learn from Hawaii's pioneering example. So I traveled to your state and met with health care professionals and community leaders to discuss how Hawaii's approach to health care could be a model for America. I was greatly impressed by what I saw.

I was impressed by your passionate belief that health care is not a luxury -- but a fundamental right. I was impressed by this state's proud progressive tradition and firm commitment to caring for all its citizens. And I was impressed by Hawaii's rich cultural heritage and breathtaking natural beauty.

But I know Hawaii also faces unique challenges -- from education to energy to the economy. And the people of Hawaii deserve a president who won't just talk about solutions to those problems -- but will actually deliver.

United Way contributes funds to Mental Health and Substance Abuse ...

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers of Southern Oklahoma, located at 111 E. 12th St., has been providing services for the Ada area since the 1950s. "We provide behavioral health services, counseling - individual and group, rehab - individual and group. We have a medication clinic which is where we have a psychiatrist that comes in and provides psychotropic medication for those who need them. Our psychiatric rehabilitation program is a day program from 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. This program enables individuals to learn new living and social skills," said Terry Goodwin, executive director of MHSACSO.MHSACSO is a non-profit agency that provides mental health care and chemical dependency treatment to nine counties in South Central Oklahoma. Other services include screening and assessment, emergency crisis intervention, outpatient treatment, inpatient treatment, case management, day treatment, children/adolescent programs, aging programs, chemical dependency treatment, consultation, education, and prevention.

US elections 2004

For supporters of John Kerry, who have seen allegations about the Democratic candidate's military record sap his campaign, it must have seemed like a case of just deserts.

The president, George Bush, was last week looking vulnerable on the same grounds after CBS's flagship current affairs show, 60 Minutes, broadcast a report claiming he had been suspended from pilot duties for failing to meet the required standards. It was also claimed that a commanding officer had been put under pressure to "sugar coat" Mr Bush's performance reviews.

But while CBS stands by its story, allegations have now surfaced that 60 Minutes based a large part of the report on forged documents.

Although what one man - even a presidential candidate - did more than 30 years ago can seem rather trivial, the US election is being fought between a self-declared "war president" and a man who, in stump speeches, claims he would defend his country as president in the way he had defended it as a young man.

Boomers' guide to financial freedom

Just yesterday your financial life was all about scrambling to make rent, learning what a 401(k) was and lobbying to get out of the cubicle and into an office. Now you're pushing 45 or 50, you've got a mortgage and college tuition bills, and you're the boss of a crop of ambitious 22-year-olds.

Face it, you've reached middle age. Sure, you have a long road ahead - three or four decades or more. But when it comes to your finances, you're not a kid anymore.

"Back in your twenties, you probably thought turning 50 was far in the future," says Mari Adam, a financial adviser in Boca Raton, Fla. "Guess what? Your future is starting now."

Will that future work out the way you want? Hard to say, but you'd be wise to see how you're doing so far. That means conducting a head-to-toe money checkup that covers everything from investing to insurance.

Killeen Daily Herald

There could be a new addition to the Killeen family soon.

At its workshop Tuesday, the Killeen City Council discussed the possibility of adding a new sister city.

Members of the Killeen Sister Cities Inc. nonprofit organization asked the city to consider adding San Juan, Puerto Rico, as a sister city.

Council members agreed for the city to pursue the possibility of adding San Juan as a sister city and said it would be easiest to keep it under the current Sister City organization.

"There's nothing wrong with looking at the opportunities," Councilman Billy Workman said.

Currently, the city has one sister city: Osan, South Korea; Central Texas representatives visit Osan annually and representatives from Korea visit Killeen annually.

Farmer remanded for distributing sex DVD

JOHOR BARU: A 50-year-old farmer, who was detained for allegedly distributing the sex DVD involving former Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek, has been remanded until Monday.

State CID Chief Senior Asst Comm II Amer Awal said the suspect was remanded on Saturday at about 9am in Batu Pahat and police would continue investigations.

We will explore all angles in the investigations, he said when contacted here Saturday.

On Thursday, a 29-year-old woman was detained for the same offence near her beauty salon in Taman Bukit Perdana, Batu Pahat.

Police also seized one DVD and three VCDs and a laptop during the arrest.

The man was arrested on Friday.

Both have since been remanded until Monday.

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