OPINIONS

Below you will find letters from readers who have comments related to topics/articles under this section.

We would be happy to receive letters from all who have comments or suggestions about new articles, events, ideas and more...

• 
  CONSIDER RETIRING IN LITHUANIA?
  Dear VilNews readers,
  
  Rimantas Aukstuolis (see below) believes there are many Lithuanian-Americans who would like to retire in Lithuania, while Gintautas Kaminskas thinks "the shocks" you have to expect makes such an idea less attractive.
  
  I think Rimantas is right that moving here for retirement is a good idea and that you may well enjoy many, many years in your home country's warm embrace. At the same time I give Gintautas right that there are obstacles that could easily topple such plans.
  
  I do therefore offer, hereby, to help anyone who plans to retire in Lithuania. I have lived here for 20 years (I'm originally Norwegian), and I must say that I most of the time have been very pleased and happy.
  
  I've managed to get through the problem areas Gintautas refers to, and I have an infinite number of good friends and interesting tasks that make life here extraordinary interesting and attractive.
  
  I am ready to share my many experiences with you who would like to move here or just visit for shorter periods, and I am willing to tell you which experts you should seek advice from, being it within legal, health care or other fields.
  
  I can also help you to find a new home.
  
  Call me or write me if you find this interesting. To retire in Lithuania is a brilliant idea, and I promise to help you getting things in place in an excellent way.
  
  Warm Regards,
  Aage Myhre
  Editor-in-Chief
  aage.myhre@VilNews.com
  ____________________________
  
  Makes me wish I were old enough to retire...:)
  The Baltic looks MUCH calmer in this photo than it did when I was there in July 2007...Makes me wish I were old enough to retire...:)
  Jenifer C. Dillis
  ____________________________
  
  My impression is that many of us Lithuanian-Americans have thought about the possibility of retiring in Lithuania
  
  Rimantas Aukstuolis
  Dear Editor,
  I enjoy reading VilNews and, VilNews seems to touch on, if not already delve into, a variety of issues which are relevant to someone who may wish to retire in Lithuania. It might be interesting for much of your readership to more sharply focus on specific retirement issues such as comparisons and advantages of retiring in Lithuania, vs. the US. This seems to be evolving as a hot topic in the US as many baby boomers face the reality of high living costs (particularly healthcare) and diminished pension resources.
  
  Detailed and systematic comparisons of living costs, tax issues, health care and real estate ownership might even result in significant "foreign investment" into Lithuania by foreign, especially US retirees. My impression is that many of us Lithuanian-Americans have thought about this possibility. I know several who have taken action. Perhaps such "dreams" should be encouraged with facts, experiences, even government incentives. Thoughts?
  Rimantas Aukstuolis
  Cleveland, Ohio, USA
  ____________________________
  
  Trying to retire in Lithuania is in for not just "a shock", but a number of shocks
  
  Gintautas Kaminskas
  Rimantas Aukštuolis asks for other readers' on the possibility of retiring in Lithuania. Well, I tried to (2008-9). I'm deliberately not going to go into specific details of my case (that's personal), but I have to say from my experience that any Lithuanian-American (and it's not just Americans, don't forget that there are Lithuanians in other parts of the world, too) who tries to retire in Lithuania is in for not just "a shock", but a number of shocks. By the way, I happen to speak fluent Lithuanian (I am a professional translator). That certainly helps in some ways, but it's no help against the myriad of problems confronting present-day Lithuania, which are mostly to do with the lingering Soviet mentality ("naglumas - antra laimė").
  
  Living costs are lower there, but the health care system is a nightmare. You won't even get the health care you're entitled to as a Lithuanian citizen without paying bribes, and as a foreigner you're "fair game". Real estate ownership? Make sure you have a very good lawyer. Government incentives? Which Government? The Lithuanian Government? As the kids say these days: "LOL". From the lowliest local or State government officials right up to some Seimūnai (Members of Parliament) and Cabinet Ministers - corruption reigns. They enter Government "service" asking not what they can do for their country but what they can get for No. 1. (For anyone not familiar with the English idiom - No. 1 is "moi", me, myself, I - and my family and friends and clan to some extent.) That's the reality. You only need to follow the Lithuanian media to realise that what I'm saying is the truth and no exaggeration.
  
  Just for the record, I am still in love with my native land and would still love to live there: theoretically (lengthy visits will have to suffice). It's green, beautifully uncrowded, lots of nice lakes and streams, and I have no problem with the climate, not even in winter. It's wonderful to meet thoughtful Lithuanians and to communicate with them in our native language. But .... see above.
  Gintautas Kaminskas
  ____________________________
  
  An issue for elderly seeking to reconnect with families and younger professionals who seek to participate in the economies
  
  Tony Mazeika
  Relocation back to Lithuania will only be an issue for elderly seeking to reconnect with families and younger professionals who seek to participate in the economies. The vast majority of "diaspora" have citizenship from their adopted nations like the US, Canada, Australia. Ironically, the real issue is the continuing alarming emigration of young educated from Lithuania to the UK, US, Canada, etc. The numbers are a threat to the developing economy and future political stability of Lithuania. That void could be made up with people within the EU including Muslims.
  Tony Mazeika
  California
  
  
• I can only hope that we all will work together
  I was raised to have a very positive view of our ancestral homeland, and hope that we can avoid polarizing Emigres and Lithuanian citizens. I have always felt welcome when I visit, but have personally never attempted to do business. This could be a difficult process, and one that creates tension. I can only hope that we all work together for a successful and sustainable economy.
  
  Jurate Kutkus Burns,
  Florida, USA
  
  
• “We have met the enemy and he is us!”
  Dear Editor
  There has been a lot of negative commentary in Vilnews recently from some of your readers and even from Regina Narusiene in the recent piece about the need for change in attitudes toward what the Lithuanian diaspora can do for the country and what volunteerism can do within Lithuania. I guess I don't disagree at all, however…
  
  Sitting here on the shores of Lake Erie in Cleveland I'm reminded of the battle flag of Commander Oliver Hazard Perry, USN during the decisive battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812. On the blue flag were the words "Don't Give Up the Ship" which he had to transfer from his sinking flagship to the sistership, Niagara. Commander Perry ultimately won that battle against the Royal Navy and altered the military balance on the Great Lakes. In his report to superiors he stated "We have met the enemy and they are ours".
  
  To all my Lithuanian friends and friends of Lithuania I exhort "Don't Give Up the Ship" . And especially to my Lithuanian friends I quote the "Pogo" cartoon paraphrase of Perry " We have met the enemy and he is us!" Maybe our modern Lithuanian example of heroism needs to be Bishop Valancius who came to the conclusion that in the mid 19th century Lithuanians needed to sober up before they came to any national reawakening or effective resistance to Russian domination.
  
  Dealing with Russian occupation, as difficult as it was, may have been easier than dealing with ourselves. But we have sort of been here before, haven't we? Onward!
  
  Rimantas Aukstuolis,
  Cleveland, Ohio, USA
  
  
• The 2nd FBI Director (1912-1919)
  Lithuanian-American Alexander Bruce Bielaski was born in Montgomery County, Maryland. He received a law degree from George Washington University in 1904 and joined the Department of Justice that same year. Like his predecessor Mr. Finch, Mr. Bielaski worked his way up through the department. He served as a special examiner in Oklahoma where he "straightened out the court records" and aided in the reorganization of Oklahoma's court system when the Oklahoma territory became a state. Returning to Washington, Mr. Bielaski entered the Bureau of Investigation and rose to become Mr. Finch's assistant. In this position he was in charge of administrative matters for the Bureau. At the end of April 1912, Attorney General Wickersham appointed Mr. Bielaski to replace Mr. Finch. As chief, Mr. Bielaski oversaw a steady increase in the resources and responsibilities assigned to the Bureau.
  
  
• Lithuania needs writing in English
  I am positive that Lithuania - not only the expats who live there - need writing in English. A lot of it. As much as possible, really.
  
  The presence of a vibrant expat community, which is closely linked with Lithuanians or half-Lithuanians (if I may use this term), who have spent many years overseas and had been exposed to Western culture, is critical as an ultimate mind-opener.
  
  I have always been going against the flow in that I said good things about the Lithuanians who go abroad for a year, for five years or even for good. In Lithuania, it is often seen as a disaster and an exodus of biblical proportions with similarly apocalyptic implications. I see it as a natural part of being a free country. Even if it leads to some transformations that may even be irreversible, such as compromises over what is seen as Lithuanian ethnic purity (which is an artificial and doubtful construct anyway, in my view) or a changer of the Lithuanian identity, emigration is good because it opens the mind and creates new patterns of thinking. It opens up angles which people have not thought about. It changes the way that parts of the society interact with each other and their relationship with the government, the establishment, the educational elite.
  
  
• How US journalists helped stop Russian tanks in Vilnius
  How much more blood would have been shed in Lithuania, had news about the Soviet aggression not reached the outside world? In commemorating January 13, US journalists still wonder why the Soviets did not expel them from Vilnius.
  
  

CONSUL GREETINGS

TODAY: From Carl Thomas Carlsten in Telemark, Norway
VilNews is hereby inviting the honorary consuls of Lithuania around the world to write commentary articles. What we want to learn more about is what characterizes the cooperation between Lithuania and the area the consul represents. We would also like to know more about the consul's connections with Lithuania, and we are eager to listen to his or her thoughts and opinions on current topics and news from Lithuania.

First to write, is the Honorary Consul of Lithuania to Telemark County in Norway, Mr. Carl. Thomas Carlsten.
Click here to read his article...

I try to follow all the English "press" from the Baltic Times to  alfa.lt "English".
FINALLY I discover you! AND..... you place an article on Feb 16th Lithuanian Independence on the FRONT PAGE and feature an absolutely marvellous "historical" section. BRAVO! Its about time! All too often "historical" news and commemorations in Lithuania seem to be taken for granted - as if everyone there wasn't interested or already knew about it. The fact is most of us are STARVED for this kind of information and even regular English speaking tourists need historical perspective to truly appreciate Lithuanian culture - if only to help understand a tragic and fragmented history.
I will read you much and often.  I own a flat in Vilnius and just returned to the USA after spending a month there.   I will visit you next time I am in town.
Edward Kestas Reivydas,
M&R Americana Insurance Service Inc Santa Monica, California, USA

Congratulations with VilNews! Far away from home, we need a publication different from the mainstream news portals, which are often permeated with negative attitude and serving narrow, short-term interests. Your interest to history and the international dimension of Lithuania has made your previous publications a very engaging reading. I trust VilNews will remain enthusiastic, honest and insightful. Please rest assured that you have a dedicated reader in Africa.
Paulius Kulikauskas, Nairobi, Kenya

Your dedication to this e-magazine is remarkable. Thank you for providing such an informative and well-balanced news forum.
Jurate Burns, Destin Library Director Destin, Florida, USA

Congratulations - excellent presentation and wealthy content of your new VilNews !!
Best regards from Chicago - Jonas Pabedinskas

Excellent publication. You folks have outdone yourselves. Labai gerai, graziai ir idomei sudetas.Aciu Labai,
Rimantas Orlauskis , aka Orlauskas  (Colorado), USA Retired: US Forest Service, Girninkas

A hearty congratulations on launch of your new e-publication! I've already read parts of the first edition, and I look forward to future instalments. While I enjoy every bit of VilNews, I greatly appreciate your interest and courage in publishing articles on tough subjects. My connection with Lithuania? My grandfather emigrated to the US from a small village near Siauliai in 1912, and today I find myself as a member of the board of directors for the Auksuciai Foundation.
Ted Shapas, Alamo, California

One of the most important events ever for the Lithuanian American communities took place in Washington in 1990, in a protest against Soviet policies concerning the Baltic States.

The event calendar will be constantly updated, showing what goes on of meetings and events within the different clubs, chambers and organisations dealing with the Lithuanian diasporas around the globe.
Each organisation will be presented by logo, address, email, telephone – and of course the name/time of the event in question.
Therefore:

Write to: zilvinas.beliauskas@VilNews.com

The following website gives you an overview of emergency numbers you can call – wherever in the world you are – to police, fire service and ambulance.
http://www.sccfd.org/travel.html

http://www.urm.lt/index.php?1366094069

This column will bring stories of Lithuanians who have done some remarkable work outside their home country - some historical legends, others living individuals who have achieved honour and dignity in the arts, business, politics, etc. We start the series with the story of Alexander Bruce Bielaski. Few, even in Lithuania, know the story of the man who played such an important role in starting FBI, the U.S. federal police force, 100 years ago.