Editorials

Sound off!

A recent article on MetroParks Bike Trail expansion efforts pointed out it was a former railroad right of way. It has gone through Mahoning and Trumbull counties with every one adjusting and has regional benefits for all. Someone suggested moving the trail to Washingtonville Road. Often you see parents with strollers and young children. Moving them to a road with cars is not a safe situation. I hope the ruling favors Mill Creek.

-- Canfield

COVID-19 is spreading across the country. We all know this virus is serious. We all should do what we can to help slow the spread. Earlier this year, the death rate was over 5 percent. Now with approximately 8.86 million cases and approximately 228,000 deaths, the death rate is about 2.5 percent. Isn't this a good thing? Why isn't this statistic ever talked about?

-- Hubbard

Robert Reich's column Wednesday was another example of his liberal lunacy. He called Amy Coney Barrett's confirmation "travesty of democracy." Apparently it's fine to have a liberal majority on the Supreme Court but not conservative one. He called the other conservative judges on the court "reactionaries." What a misnomer! Reich joins the poor losers club headed by Chuck Schumer, Nancy Pelosi and Adam Schiff. It's time for Democrats to realize millions of Americans don't share their distorted vision.

-- Poland

Joe Biden promises everything you can possibly think of. He claims he'll solve all your problems, but how can any politician do that? If you think he's going to do all this, you're fooling yourself. The Democratic Party is just using Biden as a pawn for its agenda. Read what they will really do on Biden's website, then think if a year from now you'll still think he's solving all your problems.

-- Hubbard

Southerners have a saying, "pig in a poke," meaning something sold or bought without knowing its true nature or value, especially buying without inspecting the item beforehand. When Joe Biden gets questions of great interest but that he doesn't like, he attacks the questioner and avoids answering. When Harris gets a question that she does not want to answer she smiles, laughs, giggles and avoids answering. Voting for these two is voting for "pigs in a poke."

-- Canfield

Daily deaths per 100,000 people is 69 in the U.S.; 27 in Canada; 1 each in South Korea, New Zealand and Japan. What are they doing that we're not? Wearing masks, social distancing, testing and tracking. What are we doing wrong? Listening to a president who minimizes wearing masks and testing, supporting a president who holds rallies and who doesn't care. We must wear masks. New York reduced its death rate from 1,000 per day to 15 in July and holding.

-- Campbell

Why don't we try to figure out where the coronavirus came from? You would think the virus' origin would be most important to preventing it from happening again. It seems odd the little information on this, suggests it was probably human made. Think about it, people are affected, yet it takes a few days to show symptoms (if any) while you are infecting other people.

-- Boardman

In response to the "Sound off" about Democrats "walking out of the hearing room" during Supreme Court hearings, stating: "Nowhere in the Constitution does it say a person can be denied because it is too close to an election." Obviously, this writer fails to see hypocrisy after Obama's Supreme Court choice of Merrick Garland in 2016, 237 days before that election, when Republicans refused to even bring his name to the floor for consideration. Figures.

-- Austintown

Have something to say?

Have something you want to get off your chest? Share it here with other readers.

"Sound off!" publishes Saturdays to provide readers with a forum to applaud successes, discuss issues, point out local problems or review events of the day -- all in a constructive manner. Preference is given to local issues, but will not include local election issues. Selected "Sound off!" submissions are published. Names are not included, but residential community is.

Limit "Sound off!" comments to 80 words. Submit longer comments as "Letters to the Editor," a separate forum that publishes Sundays.

Submit via email to soundoff@tribtoday.com or via the Virtual Newsroom by going to www.vindy.com and clicking "Submit News" and then "Sound off."

soundoff@tribtoday.com

Editorials

Sound off!

An "Onion" last week said no one was hurt in a Youngstown fire. But people were hurt. West Side residents lost another shop. All grocery stores have left Mahoning Avenue. People have no real shopping store. Now a child is accused of setting a fire, yet no one is being held responsible. One of the first things that should be taught when raising children is, "Don't play with fire." Great future character coming up!

-- Austintown

One of the best parts of the newspaper is the comics! In this day, we need to read something fun! But who is drawing / writing Mark Trail? It is awful! What happened?

-- Lowellville

To the person who picked or picked up my wallet: Did you just throw away my precious family pictures? Will you use the gift card from my children for my birthday? Can you use my veterans card, my driver's license or insurance card, which I really need? Will you use my credit cards at my expense? Couldn't you just take the money and then taken the wallet to security? I would have suffered less stress.

-- Campbell

If you're having a tough time deciding who to vote for, here is a suggestion. Instead of voting for Trump or Biden, go to their websites and read the parties' policies. No matter who wins the election, their policies are what you are voting for. You may be surprised what you are voting for.

-- Canfield

The Coney confirmation vote Thursday showed the disdain Democrats have for the Constitution by walking out of the hearing room. Nowhere in the Constitution does it say a person can be denied because it is too close to an election. The cowards who left were those who most rudely questioned an extremely qualified person. Is it any wonder that Democrats are such poor losers when their representatives are? The president performed his constitutional duty regardless of Democrats' behavior.

-- Youngstown

I'm Catholic, and I don't believe in abortion. But I also don't believe for one moment that Donald Trump has a sincere bone in his body. He's pro-life because it's his way of buying votes. If it were the other way around, he would be pro-choice. He's the only president to attend their rally. Big deal! Open your eyes. He'll do and say whatever it takes. It's all about votes.

-- Struthers

"A house divided unto itself will not long stand." We have a choice between a candidate whose goal is to divide. He berates anyone disagreeing with him. He implores supporters to lock up his opponents, putting their lives in danger. He dog whistles hate groups. Under his watch our country is ready to explode. His opponent has worked across the aisle all his life. He is experienced and cares for conservatives and liberals. He'll unite and we will be stronger.

-- Campbell

President Trump's behavior is criticized, and he is blamed for dividing our country. Tim Ryan and far left Democrats walked out during President Trump's State of the Union Address. Nancy Pelosi ripped up President Trump's speech behind his back but in front of the cameras. Biden called our duly elected president a liar, clown and racist and said, "Shut up, man." This is insulting and rude. Who is dividing?

-- Canfield

Have something to say?

Have something you want to get off your chest? Share it here with other readers.

"Sound off!" publishes Saturdays to provide readers with a forum to applaud successes, discuss issues, point out local problems or review events of the day -- all in a constructive manner. Preference is given to local issues, but will not include local election issues. Selected "Sound off!" submissions are published. Names are not included, but residential community is.

Limit "Sound off!" comments to 80 words. Submit longer comments as "Letters to the Editor," a separate forum that publishes Sundays.

Submit via email to soundoff@tribtoday.com; or via the Virtual Newsroom by going to www.vindy.com and clicking "Submit News" and then "Sound off."

soundoff@tribtoday.com

Editorials

Sound off!

It is complete baloney that the Dollar Tree fire will go unpunished. The parent also will not be punished for not supervising his child but recording the fire for social media posts. What message are we sending that they can cause $300,000 in damage, and nobody gets charged? Intentionally setting a fire is arson. When did arson become unpunishable? This child will think: I did it, I got away with it and I can do it again. Sad.

-- Youngstown

Millions have suffered from loss of jobs, income, homes and food because our government is not helping them, nor are those who refuse to follow rules to help contain and lower the coronavirus numbers. Wear a mask, social distance and avoid big groupings. Some of you may actually contact this virus, and possibly die. Will it become important then? Do you really care? President Eisenhower said, "War is hell." So is this coronavirus. Will we ever learn?

-- Youngstown

A recent letter expressed desire to watch football games without being confronted with awful truths of racial injustice. How dare those young men make me abandon my place of privilege with reminders that we live in a nation that still has work on several fronts. If peaceful sideline protests are inappropriate to advocate for positive change, what remains? Maybe I can be OK with five minutes of advocacy to consider how I might help improve our country for everyone.

-- Canfield

I've noticed people not wearing masks where required. If you have difficulty breathing with a mask or suffer from health issues or medical conditions, get a doctor's note, badge or card stating such. This may avoid confrontations you might encounter. Let's all try to take care of one another however we can to end this virus. Gov. DeWine is doing his level best to keep us all safe. We should all listen and learn.

-- Canfield

I believe we are the people and government is for all of us, not just those who agree. The last flu season, 38,000 people died. Since March, we lost 210,000! Many other countries have leadership from top down. Here, state mandates cannot be totally effective unless all states use mandates. I'm a Democrat, but I support Gov. DeWine who cares about all. I wouldn't support Donald Trump if he were a Democrat. I feel abandoned by our federal government.

-- Youngstown

A growing list of Republicans are supporting Joe Biden for president including "Inside The Lincoln Project's War Against Trump." One key adviser nixed the idea (at his rally) of Trump ripping off his suit jacket and having a "Superman" shirt underneath because he beat COVID-19. Our alliances and partners throughout the world are mocking, laughing and questioning him being our leader. It is beyond my comprehension why anyone would want him to represent us any longer. Please vote.

-- Campbell

How successful was MAGA? Ninety miles of border wall repaired, 33 miles of new wall not paid by Mexico; 5,000 children caged, separated from parents; worst national division since Civil War; increased BLM protests due to police killings of unarmed minorities; home-grown terrorists threaten governors; approaching 8 million Americans with COVID-19 and 250,000 dead; unemployment twice as high as 2016; Supreme Court poised to remove health care from 20 to 30 million Americans. Who wants more of this?

-- Campbell

Have something to say?

Have something you want to get off your chest? Share it here with other readers.

"Sound off!" publishes Saturdays to provide readers with a forum to applaud successes, discuss issues, point out local problems or review events of the day -- all in a constructive manner. Preference is given to local issues, but will not include local election issues. Selected "Sound off!" submissions are published. Names are not included, but residential community is.

Limit "Sound off!" comments to 80 words. Submit longer comments as "Letters to the Editor," a separate forum that publishes Sundays.

Submit via email to soundoff@tribtoday.com; or via the Virtual Newsroom by going to www.vindy.com and clicking "Submit News" and then "Sound off."

soundoff@tribtoday.com

Editorials

Sound off!

Trump's message to the 213,000 plus who have died from COVID-19. You didn't have to die, you should have handled it the way I did. Wow! All those who are suffering but still alive better pay attention. You can get back to your loved one in no time at all.

-- Struthers

Talk about hypocrisy at the max. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ordered everyone in the House chambers to wear a mask. A couple weeks ago she was on camera at a salon in San Francisco that was closed, by the way, not wearing a mask.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein wants to pass a bill mandating everyone in the country wear a mask. You guessed it. She was on camera at a Washington, D.C., airport not wearing a mask.

This is the old line, "Don't do as I do, do as I say."

-- Girard

Did our president test positive for the same COVID-19 that was called a hoax, fake news and a conspiracy theory created by the Democrats? (213,000 dead) And I would not debate him again under any circumstances.

-- Campbell

The Harris-Biden ticket is flexible. Support fracking when in Pennsylvania, but against fracking when in liberal states. They vilify corporations and the rich but accept campaign contributions from those very people.

$52 trillion to $93 trillion over 10 years will be invested in the Green New Deal (estimates by independent Aspen Institute) creating 1 million new jobs. That's $5.2 million to $9.2 million per job. Not a very good deal by any standard. And they do not know how much the Earth's temperature will be lowered.

-- Canfield

It looks like President Trump will pull through this COVID-19 virus all right. Most everyone is pulling for him. There are a few things they don't deserve being called by people who have said they hope he dies from the virus. What kind of things are these? If I was a parent of one of them they wouldn't be allowed back in my house.

This is a shame to act like this.

-- Girard

Fifteen cameras are to be purchased with CARES ACT funds for the park in Brookfield? Why spy on parkgoers to supposedly validate contact tracing when the names of the infected can't be published?

Good try.

How does that serve John Q Public? Dan Suttles is correct in his "no" vote.

To do a two-phase work order to piecemeal the proposal to stay within the $50,000 limit seems questionable. Perhaps there is a better use for that funding.

-- Vienna

Can someone answer this question? If we have been wearing masks since July, why are COVID-19 cases increasing?

-- Poland

Have something to say?

Have something you want to get off your chest? Share it here with other readers.

"Sound off!" publishes Saturdays to provide readers with a forum to applaud successes, discuss issues, point out local problems or review events of the day -- all in a constructive manner. Preference is given to local issues, but will not include local election issues. Selected "Sound off!" submissions are published. Names are not included, but residential community is.

Limit "Sound off!" comments to 80 words. Submit longer comments as "Letters to the Editor," a separate forum that publishes Sundays.

Submit via email to soundoff@tribtoday.com; or via the Virtual Newsroom by going to www.vindy.com and clicking "Submit News" and then "Sound off."

soundoff@tribtoday.com

Letters to the Editor

Sound off!

GM should have to live up to promises made to northeast Ohio. They received tax breaks, then broke the labor agreement taking salaries and payroll revenue from taxpayers. This area has supported the company through growing transportation and contracting companies to help them. GM needs to pay up money it owes. It's despicable how the company has treated an area that has supported it through everything.

-- Canfield

Voting is both a responsibility and privilege. Too many people abuse the privilege. They don't bother to research candidates' policies. They vote based on whether candidates have "D" or "R" after their names. In this presidential election, there is a huge difference between the platforms released by the Democrats and Republicans. Don't vote based on television ads or candidate personalities. Read the platforms!

-- Poland

Here are some suggestions to eliminate chaos from future presidential debates: When the moderator asks a question of a debater, turn off the microphone of the other. Only the one answering should be on camera. If two minutes are permitted to answer, place a timer on the TV screen. Turn off the debater's microphone when time expires. If the respondent does not answer the question, give a warning. Then, turn off the microphone on subsequent violations.

-- Poland

I wear a face mask when I go out in public not only to protect myself and others, but also as my patriotic duty. I love this country and want us to get past this pandemic as soon as possible. Not wearing a mask is selfish and political. In my eyes it's being un-American!

-- Canfield

We have all seen cute videos of young children mimicking their parents' response to sporting events. They want to be just like their parents, including wearing team jerseys and speaking like them. What will your children or grandchildren take away from observing your reaction to the candidates and upcoming election? Do they hear and see you overlooking lies, cheating and nasty remarks with a wink and nod? Remember, the children are watching!

-- New Springfield

I am retired and have proudly paid taxes ever since my first job at age 15. I am happy to have supported money for roads, schools, airports, policemen, politicians, stoplights, teachers, public buildings, colleges, government buildings, welfare, aid to farmers, etc. But I can't accept it when my taxes go into the pockets of billionaires like the president who pay little to zero taxes by using high-priced accountants.

-- Campbell

On the stage in Cleveland on Tuesday, a patient father tried to reason with a tantrum-throwing tweener. Instead of waiting for the moderator's timeout to have some effect on the stream of constant, shrill and impotent complaints from the mouthy kid, dad should have taken him to the wood shed sooner than he did. Voters should lend dad a hand, come November.

-- Canfield

Joe Biden supporters overlook his mediocre record in every office held for 46 years and how he enriched his family and friends through leveraging his political power. Biden plans to increase business regulations, individual and corporate taxes -- the very drivers of our strong pre-COVID economy. We are energy independent; no more wars for oil. Biden's presidency will change that. Trump challenges the political class, national media and elites, and that has earned my vote.

-- Canfield

Be perfectly honest with yourself and answer two questions before voting: (1)Would you hire Donald Trump to work with you, for you or to run your company? (2) If the scientists / experts say it's too early to take the COVID-19 vaccine, yet Trump overrules them, would you take the vaccine?

-- Campbell

soundoff@tribtodaycom

Have something to say?

Have something you want to get off your chest? Share it here with other readers.

"Sound off!" publishes Saturdays to provide readers with a forum to applaud successes, discuss issues, point out local problems or review events of the day -- all in a constructive manner. Preference is given to local issues, but will not include local election issues. Selected "Sound off!" submissions are published. Names are not included, but residential community is.

Limit "Sound off!" comments to 80 words. Submit longer comments as "Letters to the Editor," a separate forum that publishes Sundays.

Submit via email to soundoff@tribtoday.com; or via the Virtual Newsroom by going to www.vindy.com and clicking "Submit News" and then "Sound off."

soundoff@tribtoday.com