Bill Moeller Commentary: We’ve Got Some Problems, But It’s Not the First Time

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Life gets “curiouser and curiouser,” not to mention “scarier and scarier.” 

So, we are adjusting to COVID-19. Then there is always Ukraine. Throw in the slaughter of innocent schoolchildren.

OK, one more concern — empty shelves where baby formula should be sitting! 

There is the panic shown by many parents who apparently didn’t know how they could manage without such a product. They didn’t seem to consider how their parents and grandparents raised their families without it. No offense intended, and I know it’s sexist and coming from an old man, but if I remember correctly, “we” had a darned good substitute back in those days. We just referred to it by a different name: mother’s milk.

But I understand, life has changed.

New mothers return to their jobs, not surprisingly, and complications can arise.

Hopefully, at least one of these problems may be lessened as one of the largest producers of said product — Abbott — has declared that it will resume production of its baby formula.

Now if we could just find out why they — and all the others — stopped shipping their products at the same time.

They’ll deny collusion, of course.

As I mentioned in my last column, I regularly attend a peace vigil in front of George Washington Park in Centralia every weekend. And you may remember that I served in the Korean War, so I am acquainted with guns. And, like the majority of veterans, I emphasize the need for safety in the use and handling of weapons.

It is unfathomable to me how we allow the sale of weapons made for warfare — not a handgun for self protection or a hunting rifle — but fully automated rifles that are made for one thing only — killing human beings.

And when they are used for slaughters, our nation — responsible gun owners included — have to demand that our government finally act to protect our citizens.



As I’ve mentioned before, our founding fathers created the Second Amendment for “establishing a well regulated militia, necessary to the security of a free state” only and meant it for one weapon only: a muzzle-loading musket.

All other weaponry was impossible for them to ever imagine when that wording became law. Wait a minute, please, while I crawl down off my podium.

The other day I was attempting to make what I refer to as “my office” a little more reasonably uncluttered and I came upon yet another box on the floor that I had forgotten about. It contains the paperwork from each of the slightly over 1,000 marriage ceremonies at which I officiated over a period of over 22 years.

Some people used to call me “Marryin’ Sam.” You’re probably retired or darned close to it if you can recall the comic strip “Lil’ Abner” where that term originated. I don’t want to throw those documents away, but somebody will eventually have to do just that.

So, I came up with this thought: If I presided at your wedding between 1993 and 2015 — and you’re feeling nostalgic — just email me at the address at the end of this column and I’ll try to see that you receive my copy of your wedding document.

And, you needn’t be concerned about your safety.

Thankfully, at least round one with COVID-19 is behind me and I shouldn’t be catchy. I am not alone — I read nearly every day about someone who followed the advice of our health providers and managed to return to their normal lives.

Obviously, it is not a guarantee — there can be complications — but it certainly helps to have the vaccinations and boosters. Wait, did I just crawl back up on the podium? We’ve got some problems — but it’s not the first time.

Let’s come up with some answers.

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Bill Moeller is a former entertainer, mayor, bookstore owner, city council member, paratrooper and pilot living in Centralia. He can be reached at bookmaven321@comcast.net.