November 2008 Archives

This is a response to the letters of Heather Smith (November 16th), suggesting that we show respect for our new president, and of William Folger (November 23rd), stating that "President elect Obama does not respect Jesus" and therefore doesn't deserve our respect. Heather shows some wisdom; Folger shows some arrogance.

Folger gives Smith a nice smack down by writing that she "in her youth," does not really understand things as well as he does. He, being a very righteous older person, I gather, finds that Obama has "convicted" himself because Obama supports abortion and stem cell research; ergo, Obama is a bad Christian and "disrespects Jesus."

Poor, young Heather, to be thus taken to task for so foolishly and ignorantly wanting us to be respectful when the righteous elders of the world know so much better!

It is almost commical how so many of the YDR readers write letters condemming the writings of YDR columnist Mike Argento. Folks, York County is lucky to have Mike, he is a spirited writer with immense talent, quite worthy of much larger publications than the YDR. The attacks on him remind me so much of the grumblings toward the old Gazette and Daily artist/cartonnist/opinionist Walter Partymiller and it's straight shooting, legendary publisher J.W. Gitt. Narrow minded Republicans of York County referred to the York Gazette and Daily as the "Red Rag."

We on the left endure constant "fair and balanced" (gee where have I heard that before) journalism printed by the YDR in the way of opinions by people like Michelle Malkin and Bill O'Reilly.

Readers have to realize Mike Argento is an opinion that some of us enjoy and some of us don't. If you don't, just don't read his stuff. It's as simple as that. It's part of journalism, so live with it!

Keith A. Oberdick
East Manchester Township

While talking about deficit spending as a cause of the current financial meltdown, it would inform your viewers to acknowledge that it's cause was deficit spending to support neo conservative agendas: 1) tax cuts without reducing expenditures almost entirely attributable to the Reagan and Bush II administrations; 2) the belief that government is incompetent to address ANY problems and should be bankrupted to prevent "interference" with market forces.

What happened to customer service? Can the world operate when systems are down?

I went to the electronics store on Sunday with my $40 card from the National Telecommunications Information Administration in order to purchase my digital-to-analog converter box. The first person did not know how to process our purchase at the first register! We went to another register and that person rang it up and my husband handed him the $40 card, a $10 gift card, and some cash. The gift card went through, but the $40 card did not. He could not get it to work, so he called the service manager and she told us that the system had been down most of the day and it had just come back up.

The solution offered was to come back; we did not want to come back since we drove across town to take care of this purchase that day. My husband then asked for the change and a receipt but we then were told it couldn't be done.

Mike Argento's evident compassion and intellect and skill need no defenders. But recent letters accusing him of hatefulness are so far off the mark that they require a response.

While not every humor-columnist employs sarcasm and irony as literary devices, many -- including Mr. Argento -- do so. It is a tradition that probably began before the written word, and includes such writers as Benjamin Franklin, Abraham Lincoln, and Mark Twain.

It is sad that there are some local residents who cannot laugh along with the rest of us.

Howard Long
York Township

Here we go again with the people on York city council trying to regulate things that the have no authority to do so. In my Friday morning paper I came across a story about how city council wants to try to pass a law requiring people to report lost or missing firearms within 72 hours. Forget the fact that in the state of Pennsylvania local governments are prohibited from regulating firearms. But even if they had the power to do what they are proposing which they don't. Maybe they could explain to me how they are going to prove when a firearm was lost or missing from someone. All a person has to do is deny any knowledge of the weapon being missing and they have no case.

Mike Argento strikes out at conservatives one more time. This time it's Joe-the-plumber being described as semi-literate. Does Mike have Joe's SAT scores and/or fifth grade report card? Certainly the Ohio politicos obtained this information via the all important background probe.

During the recent campaign season I had difficulty finding a candidate deserving my support, but had no problem understanding Plumber Joe's concerns for our country's future. For some reason Americans couldn't get enough of inarticulate Joe. Meanwhile the Obama endorsement by Mr. Argento and the York Newspaper Company was essentially ignored by York County voters.

I would like to say that when I was in the Marine Corp and needed to get a security clerance, I was checked out back to my mothers womb. I also had to show my birth certificate in able to serve my country. Why is it today the to run for the most TOP SECURITY JOB in our country, you have to SHOW no proof to be the President of the United States. I was always told there is an age limit, 39 I believe, to even be allowed to run for President. Doesn't this country understand that Mr. O'Bama has not SHOWN proof of age or citizenship to the people. This man in my opinion has no right to be the President Elect until he can prove to the citizen of this great country he is of age and he is a citizen. I think the people need no one else except Mr. O'Bama to SHOW us proof before he is sworn into office.

Ron Manns
Airville

York City School District, get a grip! We're in a recession! Why should you be able to just reach out and take what you want for a budget increase, in the name of education, with all the examples of waste and frivolous spending that have come to light. Do you feel that by being part of a bureaucracy it gives you entitlement to salary increases and benefits the hard working common man doesn't get due to the economy?

Last June I purchase a new vehicle. It has satellite radio which I've not paid attention to - till today. The local FM stations have started Christmas tunes, 24/7, on the tenth of November. What do they have in mind? I have a neighbor with his place decorated, light strings, a blow-up figure, and a manger scene.

Pushing the season is a REAL turn-off. I enjoy the holiday season as much as anyone, but this is pushing the envelope.

Bill Spahr
York Township

Billions of dollars for bailouts...Billions with a "B". It's the lead story on every newscast. I think we've lost sight of how much money $1,000,000,000 really is! We were told that the bailouts were necessary to preserve our economic system. They said we needed to "sure up" the banking industry to prevent a collapse. Then we needed to save AIG...and a few weeks later, lo and behold, AIG needed to be saved again. Now we are considering bailing out the auto industry. Who's next? Exxon/Mobil because the barrel price of oil has dropped so low?

This is an open letter to all the tax paying residents of Eastern School District. On Dec. 4 the school board will vote on spending AT LEAST $650,000 for artificial turf on the HS football field. The administration also recommends that the board approve Resolution #110108 that indicates they will not raise our taxes MORE than 5.3% in the next school year.

My question is this. Isn't the school board aware of our current economic spiral? Aren't they aware that a lot of households in their school district are having to cut expenditures everywhere they can just to maintain their own food and housing needs? They promise not to raise our taxes more than 5.3% in the next year? I am outraged!

This letter is in response to Mary Bixler's rant posted Nov. 10 ("Why All The Race Talk?). It is clear that Ms. Bixler is filled with anger at Obama's decisive election victory, and her letter contains subtle racist undertones that need to be challenged.

She claims, "People are people, I don't care what color you are." But this statement follows a tirade about the alleged laziness of people of color who look for handouts: "People should stop looking at the color of their skin and step up to the plate and work and earn money instead of playing the welfare money game." Pardon me, but what does welfare have to do with the election results or the rest of her letter? This is clearly thinly-veiled racism.

The Chamber of Commerce and the Associated Builders and Contractors are against the Employee Free Choice Act because the laws have been in their favor for the last 25 years. The following facts represent how the Act will bring the favor back for the middle class employees:

1. The Employee Free Choice Act would give workers a fair chance to form unions to improve their lives.

2. Research shows nearly 60 million American Workers would form a union immediately if given the chance. Too few ever get that chance because employers routinely block employee efforts to form unions and our current legal system is too broken to stop them. As many as one-quarter of employers illegally fire workers who try to form unions.

I am totally outraged and disgusted with the biased reporting during the recent election campaigns. Be it in print or over the air, you know who you are. The untruths, cover-ups, failure to be fair and outright lies. I am sure your parents didn't raise you to be like this. You should be ashamed of yourselves. I, in truth, can no longer believe anything you report. Maybe your zombies will keep watching and believing, but I have a brain and can think for my self.

The York Daily Record has reached a new low in its viciously personal attacks on the Kohr Family, Peter Alexihs, and Commissioner Steve Chronister in your editorial on Veterans Day.

There are many good reasons to preserve lands for public use for the future, however the Lauxmont Farm plan was ill conceived, and disastrously executed. Although the loss of funding for the taxpayers is deplorable, what I find equally appalling was the demonization of a family trying to get out of bankruptcy rather than walking away from their debts, and a developer protecting his business.

How have the increased traffic and development in York County in the last 20 years affected you? Has it improved your quality of life or impaired it? If you want to help preserve the natural beauty and quality of life here, join with the Women's Club of Spring Grove to support the work of the Farm & Natural Lands Trust of York County.

The Trust is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the farm and natural lands of York County for future generations. All donations to the Trust are tax-deductible. No local tax money supports the Trust.

A new President brings hope on many fronts. For me, I am most hopeful about positive, forward-thinking change in our nation's stem cell research policy. As someone who has had Parkinson's disease for 20 years, I call on President-elect Obama to take his support for embryonic stem cell research from the Senate to the White House and enact ethical and responsible federal policy around embryonic stem cell research so our nation's scientists can do their best work. Embryonic stem cell research has shown great hope these past ten years. It deserves the chance to show its real power in finding better treatments and cures.

Carolyn Stephenson
Gettysburg

I find it completely ridiculous that Bush and his gang of terrorists can kill 1000's of innocent people for the sake of oil and whatever else is in their own, self-serving agendas. They never looked out for the people of the United States, they merely abused their authority and the constitution to further enslave the people while enriching their financial well being. Haliburton, waterboarding, spying on Americans, taking away our rights by falsely misleading us into thinking it was the only way to avoid terrorism - the war in Iraq, the list goes on and on and on and yet Clinton got harassed for having an affair.

Justice needs to be served and I suggest that our representatives get their heads out of their ----- and do the right thing before the people have to take care of business themselves.

Stephen Conklin, Jr.
Rossville

I like 46% of the Country am disappointed in the election results; however, despite my many doubts and misgivings, I sincerely hope I've got it all wrong and that Barack Obama turns out to be our greatest president -- time will tell. Most importantly, thank God the election season is finally over, the barrage of unrealistic campaign promises is over, and we can now focus on solving some real issues. To John Fishel & Company, two famous quotes seem quite appropriate:

I read with interest your editorial on the Presidential election with regards to the issue of race. You stated that "race, unfortunately, still matters in America, in PA and York County but it matters a little bit less today".

If people in York County voted against Pres.-elect Obama because of his race, can you please explain to me WHY the people of York County voted for Lynn Swann in the governor's race of 2006? In fact if you look at the election results of 2006 and compare them to 2008 you will see that many people who voted for Obama voted for Rendell and many people who voted for McCain voted for Swann. That tells me the people do not look at a person's race but rather look at the person's views on issues. Thorn's to your editorial board for not checking the facts.

Jim Reese
Hellam

This is in response to Melanie Crisamore's recent letter regarding her disapproval of President-elect Obama's victory over John McCain on November 4. There is one part of her letter that is offensive and totally un-American. At the conclusion of that letter, she complains, "P.S. If any of you know it, his middle name is Hussein! I mean, come on!"

In reference to:

"ROSES: To county elections officials for a generally trouble-free day -- though there were a few snafus. For instance: A polling place in Springettsbury Township where the last person in line didn't cast a vote until hours after the 8 p.m. closing time. Perhaps another machine would be in order there? In fact, given the lines in many places, the county should look at the whole setup."

I am convinced that it is not as much a lack of voting machines as it is the poll workers at each of the precincts that cause long lines. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate that so many elderly individuals want to be a part of the democratic process, but when they can not see the voters rolls, have trouble hearing voters when they provide their name or just can't do the job, there is a job better suited for them in another area of the voting process.

Every morning we wake up to news of more highway crashes, more injuries, more deaths. Speed is the one constant factor. When combined with drinking, distractions or anger, Speed is deadly. There are rules, speed limits, bright blinking signs, but they are only occasionally observed and only sporadically enforced. Why? Because, we all speed.

Why is this country so divided? Pres. elect Obama is being called the first African American elected to president, but he is bi-racial. His mother was caucasion and his father from Kenya.

I am not called a German-Irish-English-Indian American. Nor am I a Caucasion American, I am an American, the same as Barack Obama. Why can't race be put aside? I am so proud to see the nation take a step to change. Not focusing on race would be a great step toward that path.

Sharon Carter
Glen Rock

This letter is in reference to the little boy hit on Halloween in Mount Wolf. I am a resident of Mount Wolf and have teenage son. Also I am a neighbor of the boy's parents and had seen him many times and my heart goes out to the parents.

I am angry though because this should never had happened. For many years we as parents have tried to have a safe place for our children to go but the borough council does nothing but run them from the parks and isolated areas that are safe ground for these kids. Something needs done so this tragedy does not occur again. Maybe NOW the borough will try to fix this problem.

Patricia Bowers
Mount Wolf

"I stand here knowing that my story is part of the larger American story ... and that, in no other country on earth, is my story even possible." He said it all right there in that speech last night.

Today (Nov. 5) was a rough day for me because I saw some of my fellow Americans act in such ignorance. I feel that some of us acted as if yesterday's election was an NFL game. After a football game, we still remain supporting the same team we went into the game supporting. That is not how the American presidency works. Yes, we go in there picking a team but when it's all said and done one man is picked for the job by us, the American people, and we have to learn even if we're on the losing end that he is our president no matter what. Respect and faith is needed in him.

Republicans of the greater York area take heart. Conservatism did not lose this election.....the current Republican Party did. Starting Nov. 5th the rebuilding of the Republican Party begins. We must once again fill our ranks with true (emphasis on true) conservatives.

I for one intend to promote this return to conservatism within our party and you can too. Get the word out. Talk to people. Let them know what's happening as Pres. Obama and the do nothing Democratic Congress try and shove their liberal agenda down everyone's throat. Speak up when he raises the capital gains tax to 28%, reinstitutes the estate tax, increases taxes across the board (by the way......letting the Bush tax cuts expire in 2010 is a tax increase, trust me you'll see it on your tax return), pushes infanticide (for those of you who do not know, this is when a baby survives an attempted abortion, is outside the womb breathing and is left to die), passes universal health care (which will require health rationing due to the stress on the health care system inflicted by 60 million additional patients including 10 million illegal aliens. Health rationing is when a board reviews your case to determine if you are going to receive treatment), just to name a few.

I am sorry Mr. McCain but I for one will not unify with the Democratic Party and a President pushing the above agenda. These are not conservative viewpoints. I urge you all to stand behind true young conservatives within our party. Sarah Palin, Bobby Jindal in Louisiana, Tim Pawlenty in Minnesota and Charlie Crist in Florida. These people can lead us and this country back to where it needs to be. Keep up the good fight and God Bless us all.

Pete Socks
Hanover

In mid-October, the Northeastern Senior Center in Mt. Wolf was robbed. Two safes containing the proceeds from fund-raisers for which the elderly members prepared and worked long and hard hours were stolen. The craft events, sandwich sales and dinners were all in vain. Even desserts in the center for an upcoming fund-raiser were smashed along with doors, windows and filing cabinets. The loss was not covered by insurance.

The senior center is an integral part of the lives of our elderly population who might otherwise face long, lonely days without companionship. I am appealing to individuals and businesses to please send a generous tax deductible contribution to the Northeastern Senior Community Center, 131 Center Street, PO Box 386, Mt. Wolf, Pa. 17347. Please help to restore the trust that these senior citizens have had taken from them.

Joyce Moul
York Haven Borough

Who is a family caregiver? Who is providing 306 billion dollars of "free" caregiving services to support our healthcare system? "Family" caregivers are those individuals who provide care to a loved one who is chronically ill or disabled. "Family" is meant to be close friends, neighbors and partners, anyone who has an emotional attachment to the care recipient and who acts like family.

National Family Caregivers Month observed every November is a nationally recognized month that seeks to draw attention to the many challenges facing family caregivers, advocate for stronger public policy to address family caregiving issues, and raise awareness about community programs that support family caregivers. NFC Month is a time to thank, support, educate, and advocate for the family caregivers across the country.

I'm listening to OBAMA's speech after he won to be the 44th President of the United States and the first things he said in "plain words" was "A Black Man Won" -- What Am hearing on the NBC news is Black and White people and racial victory.Was this a vote for the best person to run our country or was it a vote for the color of our leaders skins?I personally am "White" and I have a brother-in-law, that I love very much that is black, and neither he nor I judge people by the color of their skin but from what I heard from Obama he was for skin color! "one of the first things he said "implied" was color on "N.B.C. news" All we will be hearing is that this is the first Black President. I would like to know why - Not one of our past Presidents were identified as a White President? Why is the color of a person skin now so important? At 1:26 am- hearing on NBC news that kids are saying there Great-Great Grandparents were slaves. --Well Am sorry for that in there ancestors generation but life has not been like that for them or their parents or grandparents so why do they dwell on the past that we had no control of. People should stop looking at the color of their skin and step up to the plate and work and earn money instead of playing the welfare money game. People are people I don"t care what color you are Their are jobs in our community. Obama is Black and White so where does he come off saying he is a black man! Is he that confused on color or does he want to discredited his Mothers color as a "white person."

MARY BIXLER
YORK

Ed Gambler's letter to Viewpoints (Nov. 2) about WSBA brought back some memories, which are about a generation earlier than his recollection of "Sports Talk" with Curt Hart, plus Gary Sutton, the Orioles and Penn State.

In the 1960s and early '70s, WSBA was, in my opinion, the best it ever was, very popular with young people and young adults with a great selection of current hit music.

The sports station in York at the time was WORK, which first went on the air in the 1930s and for which I worked from 1962 to 1974.

According to the media, America has made history by electing Barack Obama as the first African-American president. I truly believe that this statement reveals a great deal of what's wrong in our country. Even though my ancestors immigrated from Ireland, I'm not "Irish-American", I'm an American! Let's skip the us vs. them attitudes and segregationist airs that this statement implies, and work together for a strong country. Mr. Obama happens to be black, non-caucasion, etc, and that's okay with me. I just would challenge him to be the next president of America, not "Africa-America".

Jim Butt
New Freedom

We have a new President Elect. Congratulations to Barack Obama. I am thrilled and elated beyond belief and I have never been so proud to be an American. That this country, founded on the promise of equality, could overcome its years of racial turmoil and, last night, finally fulfill that promise is an absolutely amazing accomplishment that I never thought I would see in my lifetime. The world will remember November 4, 2008 as the day that America retrieved her dignity, spoke with a loud, clear voice, and said to the rest of the world, "You can count us down - but you can never count us out." Now every child in every classroom (just like Barack Obama in his Indonesian classroom so many years ago) can be asked by their teacher "what do you want to be when you grow up?" and can answer "I want to be President of the United States of America," and tell him/herself - Yes, I can!