October 2008 Archives
"Why is it OK for smokers to take breaks all the time? If I want to go outside and hang out once an hour, then I'll just take up smoking."
--Kelly Kapour on NBC-TV's "The Office"
As the owner of an office-products company, I have a special appreciation for the dysfunctional characters and situations found on "The Office." For the most part, the show is funny without, thankfully, having too much in common with ours or most other work places. But Kelly's comment about smoking breaks, in the second episode of this season, hit pretty close to home.
At The Phillips Group, we went cold turkey as of Jan. 1, 2008. We stamped out the use of tobacco products anywhere on our property, from our headquarters in Middletown to our offices throughout central Pennsylvania to our company vehicles.
What prompted the move was our continued efforts to control healthcare costs and, by extension, to encourage the wellness of our employees. To that end, our tobacco-use policy had become increasingly difficult to defend.
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I read with disappointment the article Let's not wink at careless gesture from the Kansas City Star that took up most of your Money page on Sunday, October 26. The sexist piece criticizes Republican Vice-Presidential Candidate Sarah Palin for winking during a debate and using a "valley girl" voice. "In a professional setting, it would be tantamount to saying, '... aren't I cute?,' " the article stated.
Yes, I am calling that article sexist. The simple test to detect sexism and other forms of bias is this: would we make the same criticism about any other candidate? In other words, would we have criticized a male candidate's wink or the voice with which he spoke, accusing him of having diminished the standing of the male gender? No, of course not, because the American people know that a male candidate does not represent everyone of his gender.
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I would like to respond to the comments made by a couple parents who were interviewed by this newspaper about the underage drinking that took place after Dallastown's homecoming and the consequences that were given by the school. I'm a therapist and I work mostly with teenagers and their parents. I commend the parents who commented in the article and said that underage drinking would not happen in their homes. However, these same parents expressed concern that the kids should not have been cut from the football team because the school shouldn't "ruin a kid's life because of a bad mistake." I'm sure these parents mean well and just feel for what the kids are going through. However, I believe this kind of thinking is at the heart of the mixed messages we send to teenagers.
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I believe Amy Gulli has confused who the real victims are at Planned Parenthood and the astronomical difference between the medical procedure to evacuate a child who has already died in the womb and one who is alive and murdered in the womb through an intentional abortion. First of all I offer my condolences for the lives of the children Ms. Gulli lost due to miscarriage. Her grief bears witness of a mother's love for the children she has lost.
We must never forget that children killed intentionally through abortion are viable human beings. That is why those who stand outside Planned Parenthood have done so for many years now in snow, rain and heat . They continue to grieve as they pray because they know innocent human lives are being killed inside a few feet away. Little boys and girls whose lives will never be repeated again.
This Daily Record's editorial from October 16 made unfair charges of racism against unnamed politicians, i.e. Republicans. It's not the first time senior members of this paper have falsely charged a conservative of racism. A year ago Mike Argento painted Bill O'Reilly as a racist over comments he made at a Harlem restaurant. Even after the two black men involved, Al Sharpton and Juan Williams, adamantly denied that O'Reilly was a racist, Argento stood by his story.
This editorial reaches the racism charge through a sort of "bait and switch" attempt. It cites criticism of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and then leaps to the conclusion that the critics are blaming black people who made subprime loans. I'm sorry, but that's patently unfair. Republicans also blamed Democrats in Congress for dropping the down payment requirement for Fannie and Freddie's loans to zero. In addition, while a bank can loan no more than $10 for every $1 of assets it holds, they freed Fannie and Freddie to loan $40 for every $1 they held!
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As a former shelter manager I like to keep abreast of the shelter world in York County. It is with great dismay that I read the lack of support the SPCA is getting from a few municipalities. I understand that for some municipalities the contract price has greatly increased. However what isn't being taken into consideration is what the SPCA does.
The SPCA is the only shelter in York County that accepts ALL stray animals. Stray animals include not only dogs and cats but: iguanas, birds, goats, fish, snakes, turtles, hamsters, rabbits, ducks, chickens, rats, and any other manor of living creature.
All the above specialty animals take special needs, which is not the same as what cats and dogs require. This is all hidden costs that no one sees.
They also run a low cost spay/neuter program for cats and dogs. They have a food program for low income families. They do low cost shot clinics for the public which includes regular yearly shots, rabies shots, and micro chipping. (Micro chips are a tremendous help in getting lost pets home.) You can't provide low cost help and not receive backing from the public.
When they receive an injured animal the vet care is tremendous. The bills can run several hundred dollars.
When you adopt an animal it is up to date on shots, spayed/neutered, micro chipped and has been checked by a vet. Try buying a puppy or kitten at a pet shop, breeder, or puppy mill and not end up with a big expense for the above services.
The SPCA also has the only sworn cruelty officer in the county. So on top of the animal cost they have legal costs to prosecute people who abuse animals.
They have training programs to help people better take care of their animals.
So when you add up all the little things, 50 cents a person based on a census taken in 2000 is not that bad when you consider the population explosion York County has undergone in the last 5 years.
Please encourage your municipality to help the SPCA help you and the unwanted, lost, and abandoned animals of the County. They need it.
Roxanne M. Smeltzer
Red Lion
Residents of eastern York County will benefit by voting to elect Jose Urdaneta as State Senator for the 13th Senatorial District. Contrary to his opponent, who ignored getting petition signers in our townships, Mr. Urdaneta spent countless hours in Springettsbury, Hellam, Lower Windsor, Chanceford and Lower Chanceford townships, where he earned support for his candidacy. He will work hard to improve State support for education so that every child will have access to quality education. He will work hard, as well, to bring high quality jobs to the workers in this District and is determined to provide access to affordable healthcare for the uninsured.
In short, he is a dedicated public servant. He is an elected member of the Lancaster City Council, Chair of the Lancaster Economic Development Committee, a founding member of the Lancaster Weed and Seed program, as well as other civic improvement organizations. Mr. Urdanets lives in Millersville with his wife and two daughters.
York County residents in the eastern townships will greatly benefit by finally having a State Senator in Harrisburg who represents ALL of the 13th District. On November 4th, vote for JOSE URDANETA!
Ruth J. Sabey
Springettsbury Township
It seems we have some "religious" people who call themselves "christian". Yet they do not follow the main tenents of the founder of this religion and his guide book. Why? Do they belong to the P and C (pick and choose) denomination? They choose to believe only certain parts of the Bible and discard the rest, or make excuses that it doesn't apply in today's world.
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BHO (Barack Hussein Obama) is an eloquent speaker and even his opponent has given him that credit. Folks think he has his hand on the pulse of the nation. But, if elected we will certainly see that we will have larger government control over everything we do. Big brother will be watching and everyone will be equal. If we make money in our jobs or our business, we will have to share that $$ with people less fortunate. Even though they didn't work for it we need to make sure we are all equal. Sounds a little like the old Soviet Union.
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York City School District, get a grip on reality. $90,000 for a software package to record school board meetings. Ludicrous is the best description I can think of for this plan. The time frame used here is laughable. A software package that won't be obsolete in 180 years? Give me a break. None of you will even be alive when it becomes uhh..obsolete. Software is now obsolete in, at the best, 20 years. Take this as sound analysis from a "geek" who has worked with everything from PCs to mainframes. It's high time YCSD starts pulling in their belt and spending their money for education and denying frivolous purchases.
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America deserves a president who is gifted in intellect, highly educated, thoughtful, calm, cool and collected. A president who thinks before he speaks. A president who is level-headed as well as a creative thinker. A president who has traveled the land and talked to people of all stations and means with all kinds of faces in all kinds of places. A president who surrounds himself with smart seasoned advisors. A president who is well-organized and focused on the mission before him. A president who is respected internationally and who is willing to speak with leaders of other nations, even those with whom the US has differences. America deserves a president who can stay positive and not succumb to provocation yet can defend when necessary. America deserves Barack Obama as her president.
Suzanne Gates
Jackson Township
On one thing, and only one thing, I agree with Janine Giambalvo and her letter to the editior published on Friday, 10/17: Shame on sign stealers. Maybe Ms. Giambalvo, however, should first call on her Republican Party leaders to denounce not only stealing signs, but burning signs.
She should know that in 2004 our family, and many others I know, had to replace our Kerry/Edwards signs 3 times and one other time caught the Bush supporter in the act and reported her to the police. She should know that many Democratic supporters I meet do not put yard signs in their yards, just for that reason. She should also know that 2 weeks ago in our neighborhood, some people not only stole Obama/Biden signs that were on 5 yards in a row in one cul-de-sac, but burned them in the middle. Undetered by such Republican scare (terroristic) tactics, we again replaced the signs.
Steve Agriss
York Township
Senator Obama has said that if elected he will raise taxes only on those making in excess of $250k. Does he really believes that , or does he think that the American people are that ignorant. The rich who own the businesses that make or sell the products we buy pay taxes on paper only. When taxes are raised on the rich the rich increase the price of what they sell to us to offset that tax increase and we pay their taxes for them in the increased prices for food, shelter, healthcare and transportation. That is the way our system has always worked.
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The ridiculous article, Bailout for Lauxmont, published in the York Sunday News, your opinion is thankfully not shared by the majority of the people in Lower Windsor Township, nor York County in general. Your article is an ignorant rant after the disgrace that Mitrick, Kilgore, Platts, and people of your opinion have set upon this county and its tax payers?
What ignorance, to steal Highpoint to build a park, we have Sam Lewis only a mile or so away from Highpoint and it is definitely not an overcrowded situation. It offers a beautiful view, and if promoted in the local newspaper could become a noted place to visit.
Then Lori and Doug have the guts to try to steal additional private land; you guessed it, for another park. The attempt to take Lauxmont Farm is another show of political strong arming that did not have the support of the people. Remember the people, the ones that elect the commissioners; the ones they are supposed to be working for.
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Congressman Todd Platts has had eight years to get it right. Unfortunately, he has consistently supported the Bush-Cheney wing of the Republican party, and the results have been disastrous -- record prices for gas, heating oil and food; a long bloody occupation in Iraq with no end in sight; and the worst economy since the Great Depression. We need new leadership in Congress.
Fortunately, we have a choice this year. His name is Phil Avillo. He has a record of service as a soldier, educator, and school board member. He believes in common-sense solutions that appeal to people of all parties -- Democrats, Republicans and Independents. He is a strong supporter of fiscal discipline, personal responsibility, and the U.S. Constitution, including the second amendment. Phil wants to end the occupation in Iraq responsibly and bring our troops home, so we can rebuild our own country. Vote for change this November.
Greg Colburn
Hanover
I read with sadness the story of the Dallastown High School football players dismissed from the team for underage drinking. If the objective is to "teach them a lesson" as I've heard so many say, the fact that your choices have consequences is the most obvious and most important one. Along with that, however, let's teach them that there are second chances in life... and that one mistake doesn't define you as a person.... Let's teach them about the meaning of redemption. And in any event, don't give up on them; don't criminalize them amongst their friends and teammates; and, don't be so quick to take away something that probably means more to them than just about anything else right now, the one thing that enables you to speak into their lives.
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Well where do I start? I am not a political person, in fact I despise politics. Both candidates use BS to sway people to vote for them. Personally I think it is a disgrace. You learn as a child not to lie so why is it tolerated in politics?
McCain and Palin are far worse in their deceit than Obama and Biden. The factcheck.org web site will help with ignorant voters who believe only what they want to hear. Don't be lazy Americans -- do the research. Actually take the time to learn what each candidate proposes and vote according to what will be best for you by the facts not by the political party line or the color of one's skin.
Lisa Ritchie
Hellam Township
Both congratulations and my sympathy go out to Mike Argento for his touching and well-written story, "A greyhound like no other" (YDR 10/10/08). Anyone who has ever lost a companion animal can relate to the way only a pet, especially a dog or cat, can enrich our lives. Studies have shown how pets can lengthen and increase an individual's quality of life. There are projects linking troubled youth and prison inmates with the responsibility of working with dogs considered unadoptable, and as a result, providing the dog with a chance at a permanent home and a revised sense of pride and self respect for the trainer.
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Professor Avillo says "change the failed leadership in Washington". I agree. Get rid of Pelosi and the Democrats who have controlled Congress the last two years. They promised to control gas prices. Did they? In 2005 Congress held hearings on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Democrats praised and defended Frank Raines' leadership of Fannie. Raines made $90 million in his six years at Fannie. He also was responsible for widespread corruption (Enron anyone?) so he could make big bonuses. He made it easy for those with poor credit or high ratios to obtain mortgages. Raines also used his influence with other financial institutions, i.e.Bear Stearns, to follow suit. When gas prices rose precipitously because Democrats opposed drilling for oil, these home owners could not afford both and lost their homes. Republicans in the hearing warned that Fanine and Freddie were in trouble. The Bush administration and John McCain proposed corrective legislation. But the Democrats ignored because they were being paid off by Raines and his cronies. Obama received over $125,000. I am a victim of Democrat incompetence and greed. I lost my job. Professor Avillo, offer root causes, not Republican-bashing talking points. You expect more from your students. Change? Yes! Democrats out!
David M. Krebs
York
It seems strange to me that the financial institutions have millions for bonuses but nothing for bad debt provisions. I think the financial institutions should be required to take the bonus money and use it toward there own bailout. At the least they should have some skin in the game. I like the idea of either buying their stock and getting some potential gain or having them buy insurance so they can cover their bad mortagages.
Don't reward those who got us in this mess!
Charles Hoffman
Springettsbury Township
It was a dark day in our history when the House on Monday voted against the joint Administration and congressional effort to stabilize the financial markets, and there will be far darker days ahead if the Congress fails to approve the proposed $700 billion package.
The confidence of credit markets around the globe has been severely shaken by investments in mortgages that were made in the U.S. at the height of the housing boom and have since gone bad. The rescue plan would allow the Treasury Department to buy those trouble assets. This would help restore the credit that consumers and small businesses need, and it would end the dangerous downward spiral of falling home prices and rising foreclosures at the center of today's crisis.
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As a senior at the Wharton School of Business, I am appalled by Congressman Platts failure to explain the link between Wall Street, the Credit Markets, and the economic impact to the 19th District, in his statement regarding his decision to vote against the $700 bn proposal by Secretary Paulson. He speaks of "putting American taxpayers on the hook" for "reckless action" by Wall Street. Having interned there, I can tell you that Wall Street is not always its own best regulator. However, having studied finance for over 3 years now, I am more appalled at Platts' own "reckless" decision to put the real economy at risk.
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In my opinion, the congress should have voted for this bill. Why? Because, this was not a bail out for the wall street, but rather the main street. Off course, the problem is created by the wall street as the current administration did not keep eye on the wall street greed and republican leadership always pushing for deregulation - hands off policy on industries. This is what we get by deregulating! The bail out is misinterpreted and sold to congress and public as bailing out for the wall street.
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Bad mortgage-backed securities. Federal bailouts. Stock market woes. And now, a wolf lurking in sheep's clothing: Some of nation's biggest financial institutions, their trade associations and a few congressional supporters are using the current problems to push - once again - for a federal takeover of insurance regulation. Their ploy? Play the savior role in times of economic uncertainty. The result? Less regulation for the big guys and less protection for the consumer. And all of that instead of the proven system we've had in place for years.
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Once again, the so-called "failed" policies of President Bush have worked quite well for the people who installed him in the White House. Bush's $700 billion dollar Wall Street bailout is yet another of his manufactured crises which, like the endless financial black hole of the War on Terror, is a deliberate transfer of middle class wealth to super-rich globalists whose only allegiance is to profit.
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If there's a silver lining to the economic mess we're now in (as presided over by Bushco) it is this: the U. S. cannot afford another costly, senseless and useless war like the current fiasco in Iraq (as presided over by Bushco). Trillions more in additional debt would be left to be paid by our children and grandchildren in an economy already on its knees.
This brings to mind Sarah Palin's response of, "I presume so," when she was asked if the U. S. may have to go to war with Russia. Hasn't this woman heard of the Cold War? She's scary. No, she's terrifying as only a heartbeat away from possibly replacing a president already in his seventies. Even Dan Quayle would be a far better choice for VP.
William Brundick
East Hopewell Township
I'm sure I'm not the only one that knows how biased the media can be, but it's my opinion in previous years it was more subtle. I have watched the "Today" show for 30 years and always felt they made an effort not to be obvious about their bias. I feel the media should report the news, not create it. I don't think they should try to sway the political climate.
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In reference to the Friday September 26th letter written by Charlotte Lindskog, I say Ms. Lindskog, please check your facts prior to making recommendations for reading to the general public. Not everyone has the time to fact check prior to taking the recommendations of others, so are often mislead, as in this case.
Jerome Corsi's book "The Obama Nation" has been blasted as containing "many themes that are reworked versions of chain email smears" according to Factcheck.org in it's September 15th analysis. The same analysis states that Mr. Corsi, is "a renowned conspiracy theorist who, to paraphrase, said there is evidence that the World Trade Center was seeded with explosives".
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Re. Phil Avillo's remarks saying Rep. Platts must take immediate action, what could Rep. Platts possibility do as one Congressman? Explain Mr. Avillo what you would do other than vote with the failed leadership you referred to. Last time I looked we will be getting change in Wash. since President Bush is not running & John McCain will be elected. As for the failed leadership in Congress I could not agree more as Majority leader Harry Reid & Speaker Nancy Pelosi are failed leaders.
Edward Linsey
Red Lion
John McCain used to be one of my heroes. I am a retired Naval Officer who served in Vietnam as a Hospital Corpsman assigned to the Marine Corps. McCain and the other POWs served as inspiration for us in the field. We were proud of their honor, defiance, and endurance, under long and brutal conditions.
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