‘It’s been ten years, now,” the strong voice said on the phone. Mari Justin is a breast cancer survivor. She, along with hundreds of thousands of breast cancer veterans have faced the demons and now crusade alongside those who are fresh on the battlefield.

The burns on the 17-year-old girl’s legs will scar her forever.

Words struggled to exit her throat: “They let us see him. I sat there, behind the curtains and sobbed and hugged my son’s leg. I pleaded, Oh God, Oh God! How can I live without him?” Ten years ago, this month, this East Valley mother buried her only son.

Let’s get my views of the gay and lesbian community out of the way first, to clear the runway for the topic of gays and the Boy Scout program. Yes, some of my “best friends and relatives are gay.” They are lovely people. But, I cannot support gay marriage, yet passionately support civil unions and government benefits that go with.

The NRA and their willing allies — denial, deception, and deflection — are working overtime in the nation’s newspapers, and our Valley dallies are no exception.

It’s very rare that I’m motivated to write a follow up column, but the dangers generated by alcohol’s sacred position in our society demands more attention. Nothing is better to use as comparison than the uproar about the private ownership of guns and the dangers of both.

“One day Alice came to a fork in the road and saw a Cheshire cat in a tree. Which road do I take? She asked. Where do you want to go? was his response. I don’t know, Alice answered. Then, said the cat, it doesn’t matter.”

“Seriously, some people need to get a life. The main news stories on national television have been about Te’o’s girlfriend saga and whether or not Beyonce lip synced at the inauguration. Please find something more news worthy to report about!”

She’s young, tall-model-slender, beautiful and with a song bird voice. I’ll call her Annie. And, today she sits in jail, serving a lengthy term for her history with drugs. Like so many others, her road to trouble started with alcohol.

As we consider New Year’s resolutions, I gladly share a story of Violet Jerome, a family friend who knew the secrets of keeping the Christmas Spirit alive, year round. Come to think of it, with our nation trapped in moral chaos, her story needs to be shared across the land.

“Just think, if the state of New York had done the right thing, there’d be two more firefighters who would be with us and enjoying Christmas with their families.”

Of course only law enforcement and military should be allowed the possession of assault rifles. And, of course, alcohol should never be served to drivers. Never. And, illegal drugs should be kept away from everyone. Period. Anything that kills should be hidden from the mentally ill, the angry, the bullies, the too-young-to-know-any-better.

Thriving families remain the hope of America. And when one does well, it’s a very good thing to put it out there as a paradigm of choice. Many are looking for better ways.

Tis the season in which family problems become magnified. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, thank your lucky heritage. Mixed up in our holiday cheer is nearly always increased strain in relationships. It’s eerie. It begins to build soon after Halloween, kind of like a dust devil that stirs up emotional junk.

Nanny state? Please Linda Turley-Hansen; do not insult me or the majority of America’s intelligent citizens who voted for and elected the president of our choice (“Stuck in America,” AFN, Nov. 16). Who does have charisma and is not just an empty suit; but is also trustworthy; was able to give us “details” of his policies instead of the statement “trust me,” and was more than a mouth piece for the right wing faction of the Republican party.

‘Tis the season in which family problems become magnified. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, thank your lucky heritage. Mixed up in our holiday cheer is nearly always increased strain in relationships. It’s eerie. It begins to build soon after Halloween, kind of like a dust devil that stirs up emotional junk.

“To the venter who thinks Linda Turley-Hansen’s Sunday commentary was ‘such hate and vitriol’: What a pity you can’t recognize truth when you see it. She is factual and accurate in all she writes. Take off your ‘liberal glasses’ for once.”

We’re battle worn. The past two years of campaigns were no less hostile than Hurricane Sandy. Election pundits tell us we’re a nation divided and stuck in this place. All the while, the critical mass of the big government crowd has taken control. We’ve been told this day would come, and it has.

“I’m a veteran, and want to thank all the restaurants and diners that opened their doors with free meals for vets. It was great of you. Thank you. We really appreciate your service too.”

We’re battle worn. The past two years of campaigns were no less hostile than Hurricane Sandy. Election pundits tell us we’re a nation divided and stuck in this place. All the while, the critical mass of the big government crowd has taken control. We’ve been told this day would come, and it has.

Election issues are like an unending drum beat: Family, jobs and national security. There’s nothing’s really new in the world of politics except personalities and here we are again. I was reminded of the same ‘ole, when I reviewed my Election Day column from six years ago. It’s worth sharing, again. Take note of what folks stressed over, even then: