Today's mailtag:www.yorkblog.com,2008-09-18:/letters//252008-11-24T22:08:11ZWelcome to the York Daily Record/Sunday News letters blog. Letters to the editor received via e-mail are posted here daily, with very light editing. This is an effort to make letters available online more quickly than we can accommodate them in our print edition. The versions that appear in print may be edited more extensively for length, grammar, spelling, punctuation and other elements.Movable Type 4.21-enWWJDtag:www.yorkblog.com,2008:/letters//25.203082008-11-24T21:53:16Z2008-11-24T22:08:11ZThis 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...Yorkblog
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!
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I agree with both of them. Unlike Heather, I am no "youth" at age 70; I agree that we should show respect toward our elected political leaders. We can also disagree with them, respectfully. Unlike Folger, I am not so certain that I possess the whole truth, and cannot therefore "convict" anyone of being "bad"; but I do oppose the idea of abortion as the taking of life, like murder. But that is my opinion and my belief. Other people -- including good, decent Christians -- have the belief and opinion that abortion is morally neutral. Okay; we disagree. That doesn't make one or the other of us a "bad Christian" who "doesn't respect Jesus." It means only that we honestly disagree.
Presdent-elect Obama does not have the freedom, as President, to change his "opinion" to suit Folger or me. He has to follow the law, not opinions. Opinion is not constitutional law.
These kind of smack down, name-calling arguments do nothing to improve the discussion. Righteous, religious bloviating is a turn-off and actually hardens opinions. Jesus, if He were here, would probably try to gently persuade, rather than to nail objectors to some cross. Try it, Folger.
Incidentally, there are a large number of non-Christians in America who have "opinions" on both sides of abortion rights and stem cell research; and they don't care if Obama is a "good" or "bad" Christian, or does or doesn't "respect Jesus." They just want him to be a good American leader who can be respected by them and the world.
You see, America is not a theocracy. For better or for worse it is a democracy, where people vote and choose leaders -- even if that disappoints those who think they have cornered the market on virtue and value.
Edward B. Golla
Springettsbury Township
Comical condemnationtag:www.yorkblog.com,2008:/letters//25.203072008-11-24T21:47:58Z2008-11-24T21:51:34ZIt 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...Yorkblog
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
Cause of meltdowntag:www.yorkblog.com,2008:/letters//25.203062008-11-24T21:43:48Z2008-11-24T21:47:03Z 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...Yorkblog
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.
President Bush I referred to this as "voodoo" economics and was vilified by conservative pundits. The debt service on these deficits will result in increased taxes long term which is then blamed on "entitlements" ( healthcare, Social Security, welfare. medicare, SSI) which are then difficult to fund. If we eliminated the neocon debt we could fund a very good national healthcare system and Social Security programs. The source/blame for this is important to assign because we will otherwise repeat the past, "win the cold war, win the war on terror", without the administration asking for the American people to sign on and pay the price for such crusades. THEY are paying for it now
Stuart Goering
Manchester Township
Modern day customer servicetag:www.yorkblog.com,2008:/letters//25.203052008-11-24T21:36:09Z2008-11-24T21:42:59ZWhat 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...Yorkblog
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.
Seems today nothing works without the computer. Nothing could be done manually to complete the transaction? She could have taken care of it after we were gone when her system was back up Why not write out a manual receipt for us & fix it on their system when it came back up. This was her store's problem, not mine.
I don't understand why the world has to stop and customers have to be inconvenienced when stores have a computer problem. Shouldn't they have a way to operate with a pencil and paper? Is society so illiterate now that no one can do anything manually or function without the register telling them what to do?
Donna Botterbusch
Dover Township
Just laugh alongtag:www.yorkblog.com,2008:/letters//25.201712008-11-18T21:02:02Z2008-11-18T21:03:58Z 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...Yorkblog
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
Is your gun missing?tag:www.yorkblog.com,2008:/letters//25.201702008-11-18T20:57:37Z2008-11-18T21:01:04ZHere 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...Yorkblog
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.
I really doubt that people not reporting missing firearms in the city of York is a real problem. Only a fool wouldn't report a missing gun to the police and if they were that foolish they shouldn't be in possession of one in the first place. The mayor and the city council should stop trying to pass worthless laws and concentrate on cleaning this city up so people will want to live here.
I have to say that I'm very happy that Brenner decided to leave office when his term is up. Maybe we'll be luckey and get a mayor that recognizes the things he has the authority to do and concentrates on those and leaves the rest to the State and Federal governments.
Bruce L. Shaffer
York
Give me Joetag:www.yorkblog.com,2008:/letters//25.201692008-11-18T20:44:44Z2008-11-18T20:56:57ZMike 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...Yorkblog
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.
Give me Joe's dangling prepositions any day over the dangled promises made by eloquent politicians in need of votes.
What have we learned? Questioning politicians is best left to those holding journalism degrees. Regular folks, stay in the background please.
Pat Golembewski
Spring Garden Township
No prooftag:www.yorkblog.com,2008:/letters//25.201682008-11-18T20:21:40Z2008-11-18T20:42:16ZI 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...Yorkblog
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
Reduce spendingtag:www.yorkblog.com,2008:/letters//25.201652008-11-18T19:49:35Z2008-11-18T19:58:31ZYork 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...Yorkblog
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?
Why does every government entity from the top down think the taxpayer is an endless resource and they can just tax and spend to their hearts desire? Heaven forbid they should actually have to manage their money in a responsible manner. I don't have anywhere to go to for more money to run my household, to pay my ever-increasing energy bills, medical costs; to repair my driveway, my car, my roof, etc.
The school tax rate here in York City is ridiculous now! If you keep increasing the tax rate here, more of your tax base will be leaving (including me) and then where will your tax revenue come from? Think about the long term rather than a quick fix. There needs to be a reduction, not an increase.
Solution... Learn to run YCSD like a business, live within your means, and find ways to reduce spending, just like I and so many of my fellow citizens must.
Bill Barrett
York city
Holiday turn-offtag:www.yorkblog.com,2008:/letters//25.201642008-11-18T19:47:27Z2008-11-18T19:48:52ZLast 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?...Yorkblog
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 with a Btag:www.yorkblog.com,2008:/letters//25.201632008-11-18T19:41:41Z2008-11-18T19:46:18ZBillions 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....Yorkblog
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?
Assistance for homeowner's facing foreclosure has surfaced now. What about people who lost their homes 5 years ago? Or 10? Is there any recourse for them? What assistance is available for people not in danger of losing their home?
The bailout program parameters for homeowner's are ridiculous and will not be helpful to the majority of struggling people. This is just a way for the government to look like they are trying to help the little guy when in fact they will continue to throw good money after bad, bailing out companies that have made pitiful decisions and bad investments.
I don't know what the answer is to this whole mess, but I believe it deserves a more thoughtful approach and much more debate before we, as a nation, incur even more debt without seeing any improvement. Our country is blessed with many brilliant, insightful businesspeople. Why not gather a bunch of them and brain storm? The rushed plans of Henry Paulson and Ben Bernanke (along with other government officials) that needed to be passed within one or two weeks didn't work magic. It's time for plan B. Not plan billion after billion after billion....
Teri Conklin
Manchester Township
$650,000 turf votetag:www.yorkblog.com,2008:/letters//25.201622008-11-18T19:31:53Z2008-11-18T19:40:42ZThis 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...Yorkblog
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!
I do not think the condition of our football field is of such high priority! #1, what percent of students play football? #2, what is more important to our children, the game of football, or receiving a quality education that teaches them about the world we live in and how to lead a fullfilling life? If they NEED to spend that kind of money on SOMETHING, why not let it be in finding exceptional teachers that can guide and encourage our children to be imaginative, creative, to think for themselves, to contribute to this world, and give those teachers the money and tools to do their job!
The Eastern York School District's mission statement as shown on their web site states: "Our mission is to Educate, Prepare and Motivate EACH student to Dream, to Learn and to Achieve throughout his life". How does artificial turf on our football field accomplish that? Nov 20 at 6:00 the Budget & Finance Comm. meets. At 7:00 the school board meets, both at Wrightsville Elementary School. Hope to see you there!
Tammy Baer
Hellam Township
Rule of Hypodescenttag:www.yorkblog.com,2008:/letters//25.200402008-11-12T15:13:16Z2008-11-12T15:24:02ZThis 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...Yorkblog
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.
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Bixler then goes on to assert "Obama is black and white, so where does he come off saying he is a black man? Is he that confused on color..." No, Ms. Bixler, President-elect Obama is not "that confused on color," you are! Since colonial days, America has socially constructed race according to the one-drop rule of hypodescent, which uses any trace of African heritage to socially label a person as "black." Obama did not create the rule of hypodescent, nor did African Americans. The rule was devised by European slaveholders to ensure that children born to African slave mothers and European slavemaster fathers would be born into slave status. This rule of hypodescent has been the basis of racial classification in this country ever since, and was even upheld by the state of Louisiana in the famous Phipps case of the 1980s.
Instead of venting anger at people of color over matters of racial identity, why don't people like Mary Bixler actually take time to educate themselves on the history of race in America so they can understand why it plays the role it does in our society?
Justin Garcia
East Hempfield Township
Employee Free Choice Acttag:www.yorkblog.com,2008:/letters//25.200392008-11-12T15:09:31Z2008-11-12T15:11:58ZThe 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...Yorkblog
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.
3. In the 110th Congress, the Employee Free Choice Act had widespread support.
4. More than three-quarters, or 77 percent, of Americans support strong laws that allow employees the freedom to make their own choice about whether to have a union in their workplace without interference from management.
5. A key step toward rebuilding America's middle class is allowing working people to choose for themselves whether to have a union. Union membership brings better wages and benefits and a real voice on the job. It's no accident that the 25-year decline in worker's wages in our country has paralleled a 25-year slide in the size of the America's unions. On average union members make $200 more a week than their non-union counterparts.
6. The Employee Free Choice Act would put democracy back into the workplace. Majority sign-up would ensure the decision whether to form a union was made by majority choice, not by the employer unilaterally.
Passing the Employee Free Choice Act is top priority so workers genuinely have the freedom to form unions to create balance for working people and rebuild the middle class.
Mark Tomes
Red Lion
Letter to the mediatag:www.yorkblog.com,2008:/letters//25.200382008-11-12T15:06:32Z2008-11-12T15:07:29ZI 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...Yorkblog
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.
After seeing what went on, I can't figure out if this is the United States of America or some communist country. Should we call this the United Socialist of America or maybe the United Socialist States of America. I suggest you read part of the communist manifesto. It appears that is the direction you are headed. I feel you were totally controlling in what you were reporting and the way it was reported. Most of it was totally unfair. Do you expect forgiveness? I do n't think so... you would actually have to have a conscience.
You have captured the minds of the mindless. You have baffled and brainwashed our young. What do you think will happen to this country as the brainwashed young grow up and start to lead? How would you expect them to make a conscious and righteous decision? How will they tell right from wrong, truth from non-truth or half truth? You have proven that you can't be trusted. Thinking people will always doubt what you say.
Our country deserved better than this. Our people deserved more. Our troops deserve to have the truth told. But you choose another path. Again, you know who you are. God help this country, because you sure didn't.
Charles Burkley, Jr.
Felton