WWII Veteran Freezes To Death In Own Home

[Roon]

BAY CITY, Mich. -- Officials in central Michigan say a 93-year-old man who owed more than $1,000 in unpaid electric bills froze to death inside his home -- where the municipal power company had restricted his use of electricity.
http://www.wnem.com/news/18566890/detail.html

[ghostsofgiants]

1. Just the market doing what's best for the market.

Freeloading old bastard.

</sarcasm>

[Dr. Strange]

6. Not the market--the city.

The city owns the utility here, and they made this decision.

[Swede]

2. I always thought it was illegal to turn off power in the winter.

This is pretty brutal.

[LadyoftheRabbits]

5. I know it is in Wisconsin (Milwaukee, at least)

It ought to be in every state. This is a heartbreaking story. :(

[Broken_Hero]

3. Damn, survive

WWII, and all the aspects of warfare, and this is what happens to you? What a fucking tragedy....

[sohndrsmith]

4. Damnit. .... sorry. : ( : ( n/t

[Deja Q]

7. I did not know until now he was a WW II vet.

Little did he know, in 1943, that this would be his reward.

:(

Sad. Just sad. He deserved better. All vets do.

[Omaha Steve]

8. I've been away from the DU for the most of the last 3 days

I saw this and cried. My dad fought in the Pacific Theater on Guadalcanal, Luzon, etc... I can't believe we treat our Vets this way.

OS

[lizziegrace]

10. I can't believe we treat anyone this way

The only reason WE Energies hasn't shut off my power is because they can't until March or April when the risk of freezing to death passes.

We're the richest country in the world and human beings are treated as disposables.

93 years old. This is criminal.

[Callalily]

9. This is just wrong.

Just wrong on so many levels.

[Dystopian]

11. Heartbreaking

I didn't know he was a veteran. This is a tragic story...
First I feel the rage, and the sadness sets in...

peace~

[Natalya Slosky]

12. This is horrible.

I just don't have the words. How could this happen in 2009.. in America..? :grr:

[Diana Prince]

13. If you have children under the age of 2 or you are 65+

they can not shut off your utilities in the winter until March. I applied for LEAP (Low-Income Energy Assistance Program) this year. I was turned down even though income wise we more than qualify. You would not believe the paperwork required just to apply. Their reason, they needed more information to determine eligibility (pay stubs for the last 6 mo. & utility bills also) and they only gave me 3 days from the day I received the notice. Needless to say I couldn't get it all together and make an appointment in time to meet their deadline. They did inform me in the denial letter that I could apply again next year.