Sound off!
Not long ago, people wanted to defund the police. Now, if a crime like Thursday’s shooting near the Hot Dog Shoppe is committed near or in your neighborhood, the cry is for “more police” or “police should patrol more” or “where are the police?” You can’t have it both ways, folks! For me, I want to fund the police. I support the blue!
Warren
To the person who took the cellphone July 17 from a vehicle in the Braceville Methodist Church parking lot: I assume you were looking for bank or credit card information. So sorry, I do not use my phone for money transactions. What you did steal were pictures and contact lists. The next time you walk through a church parking lot, maybe you should go inside the building and listen to a sermon on the Ten Commandments.
Braceville
Regarding Patrick Buchanan’s July 17 column on aging Joe Biden, I agree; however, he forgot to mention how the president ages once elected for all. I saw it with George Bush, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama and Donald Trump. He forgot to end his article by stating we need a president under age 70 when elected so the possibility is there to run for two terms. Hopefully both parties can come up with a better choice. Yes, both parties.
Girard
Can any of our state legislators stand up to the PUCO? I doubt it. Dominion service charge is now over $40 before we even use any natural gas. Seems like it keeps going up constantly. I thought deregulation was supposed to save us money, but really, more people get a piece of the pie and consumers get shafted. Don’t you love how the government takes care of us? Wake up, Ohioans.
Niles
Let’s not beat around the bush. Donald Trump tried to turn the US into a Third World country by attempting to overthrow an election. He wanted to use other GOP, the military, militias, etc. He should not get a Trump library. Those funds should go toward a Jan. 6 museum, lest anyone “forget” what truly happened that day.
Cortland
I noticed many “Protect Women’s Rights” signs in yards around our area, and I have one question. If women want the “right” to kill their babies either in the womb or on the table after birth, wouldn’t it be safe to say that we all have the “right” to kill anyone who could or does give us grief? I see absolutely no difference.
Youngstown
This week there was another mass shooting in a shopping mall killing three. The report on police actions in Uvalde was released; 400 cops were afraid to go in because they were out-gunned by one AR-15. A 10-year-old Ohio girl, who was raped and pregnant, had to go to Indiana for a legal abortion. These absurdities can be laid at the feet of only one group: the radical, extremist Republican Party.
Warren
Is anyone wondering why many Americans are no longer friendly, appreciative or even civil? What’s changed? I believe when Donald Trump took office, our nation began to turn against itself. Four years of barrage of anger, deceit, lies, distrust and fantasies have taken a toll on our honorable, caring and patriotic American culture. Worse, his cult-like ideologies have taken over an entire political party! They planned and led an insurrection! Eighty-one million voters pushed him aside. That must happen again!
Warren
Sound off!
In early June, I attended a concert at The Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre, which has a new policy of no purses — only clear bags. Many were turned away to put our purses back in the car. When I returned to my car after the concert, my purse was gone / stolen. I know the Luke Bryan concert will be there. If you’re going for any event, do not take a purse. I don’t want this to happen to anyone else.
Canfield
It’s amazing what 70 years of growth and creative wording can do. Thanks to Mill Creek MetroParks Board of Directors, what was once strip-mined land that was never reclaimed recently became “the Forest.” Also, a strip-mined pit that filled with water is now “the Lake within the Forest.” The Park Board says it will make ecological restoration improvements to this land. Golly! Sounds fancy!
Springfield Township
I would like to thank Superintendent Joe Knoll and the Canfield Board of Education for listening to concerns of the population on the dangers of Redgate as well as the taxpayer cost. And thank you for renovations to existing buildings. Also I believe everyone realizes the need for a reasonable levy to continue improvements! We will support our great schools and understanding leadership.
Canfield
How can anyone in their right, sensible mind even think a 10-year-old child can carry pregnancy to full term? Who are these men who think they know better than the parents of this child, or are more knowledgeable than medical personnel? Are they even thinking of the long-term repercussions to this child’s mental health? Why did this child have to become a political ball to toss, to talk as if she is just another headline?
Youngstown
Jacket-less Jim Jordan did it again. He tweeted out “Lie!” But the liar was him.
Canfield
On one page of the newspaper we have a rapist sentenced to 15 years of free food (16,425 meals), free lodging and cable TV. The next story is about Danny Lee Hill claiming mental retardation, who is way past anyone caring if he’s retarded. They are too costly for the victims to maintain. Why must we?
Columbiana
Ohio just passed House Bill 99, which allows teachers to carry a gun at school with just 24 hours of training. Teacher and police organizations were against this legislation. Over 350 people testified against this, with only 19 people testifying for it. Included in the 19 was a CEO of a company that provides exactly such training! And the owner of that company is an Ohio senator who helped draft the legislation. Seems a little fishy.
Warren
Why did Fox News choose not to show the Jan. 6 hearings? What do they fear? Its motto used to be: “We report; you decide.” Now they won’t even let you decide. They even had no commercials during the hearings so their minions wouldn’t change the channel to see what was happening in the hearings. Like China and North Korea, they decide what they want you to see. Sounds like Fox is afraid of letting “you to decide.” Wake up people.
Youngstown
I think the Jan. 6 committee is after the truth and that Donald Trump supporters and loyalists are speaking volumes. No one likes to hear that they made a mistake. “Don’t confuse me with the facts.” George Washington said, “Truth will ultimately prevail where there are pains to bring it to light.” The average person doesn’t realize that Mike Pence saved our democracy and Constitution. Our system definitely needs adjusted.
Campbell
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“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
Sound off!
Mahoning County Commissioners are planning to sell the Jackson-Milton Water System to Youngstown or a private company. All county residents should be concerned as they are giving up control over an economic development incentive that benefits not only the Jackson-Milton area but the whole county through growth and increased taxes to the county.
North Jackson
Seems like Mill Creek MetroParks has an over abundance of taxpayer money since it keeps pursuing eminent domain for its bike trail. Maybe money spent on legal counsel for this would be better spent repairing what the park already has. Perhaps the better option would be to defund Mill Creek Park. Maybe then someone will get the message.
Youngstown
Guns are the national obsession. Guns used by people are killing more innocent people each week. Guns used by young men seem to be increasing in numbers. Where are the parents? The parents need to be charged as well as the shooters. We were an uncivilized nation, became a civilized nation, and now we are reverting back. What is going on?
Youngstown
Congress is focusing only on January 6 that was almost two year ago. Meanwhile, baby formula is still unavailable. I know a mother who, as a cancer survivor, can’t give breast milk. She can use only baby formula. Where is Congress’ priorities?
Boardman
The Capitol mob was terrible, but one thing is much worse. Millions of illegal immigrants threatening our sovereignty! They are being allowed to cross the border, then are scattered throughout our country by mass transportation at night supplied with money, credit cards and identities. Most are males, never vetted, carrying disease.
Canfield
Of 400 million guns in America, about 300 million were bought in last 20 years. In 2014, 114 mass shootings occurred. In 2022, it’s over 300. The Supreme Court, Ohio’s governor and state legislators made it easier for dangerous people to carry guns. In a few years we’ll have a billion guns and 1,000 mass shootings per year. Youngstown approaches a killing per week. Have more guns made us safer? Ask those in Highland Park, Illinois. Vote them out.
Campbell
Biased anti-Trump syndicated columnist Jules Witcover’s July 4th column was more wasted ink. Witcover described Donald Trump as a deceptive false prophet. Prophet yes, deceptive no. An intellectually honest columnist would recognize Trump’s prophecies and warnings were “dead on” about open borders, high gas prices, increased crime and more, if Biden were elected. In his four years Trump appointed constitutionalists, exposed corrupt bureaucracies and biased media. Those are gifts that keep on giving to our Democracy.
Canfield
Let’s change our national anthem to reflect America today. My suggestion is “Happiness is a Warm Gun,” by the Beatles. There are more guns in America than people. Guns are more important to us than our children, parade goers, elderly church members, grocery shoppers, concert attendees; and the list goes on. We might have to have one of the song writers, John Lennon, tweak the lyrics a little, but alas, we can’t — because he was shot dead.
Hubbard
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
Sound off!
I read with interest the article regarding Lowellville parents questioning the board of education’s security plans. Rest assured the new superintendent, the board, administration, police and community will have a plan in place prior to the new school year. Every school system is planning security measures in the wake of horrendous attacks on youngsters. Place your trust in school leaders, as they always have the best interest of students in mind when making all decisions.
Boardman
What were they thinking by moving the YSU Festival of the Arts from the campus of YSU to Wean Park? Really? From a very shady venue with rolling, grassy hills to a flat, grassy area with no tree shade. Really?
Hubbard
The funds have been approved to take down the Lanterman Road bridge. I have not seen where infrastructure money has been sought to repair and save the bridge. I guess this is part of the Don’t Build Back Better, find a different way to get there plan.
Youngstown
There is a common misconception being spread of the purpose of the Second Amendment. Its purpose has nothing to do with hunting or even self-defense, though the latter is a secondary benefit. Consider what the country went through a decade earlier. An armed population had just fought a war against an imperialist, oppressive government. Imagine what would have happened if we weren’t armed? An armed population keeps the government in check.
Austintown
The gas tax holiday is a bad idea typical of government. Looking for positive sound bites, it uses our money (as always) providing very little benefit while possibly endangering needed road repairs funded by the tax. If ever there’s a way to make tossing out the baby with the bath water sound positive, expect government to find it. When your suspension is busted next spring, remember $0.14 per gallon sop took funds to repair the hole that broke it.
Canfield
To those who support overturning Roe v. Wade, I do not want to hear you complain in future years about how many families are on government welfare. This decision will affect the poor more than anyone else, so start contemplating all the other effects of this Supreme Court decision. You cannot adopt a child at 14, but you must give birth after being raped at any age. I don’t understand how five non-elected men can have the power to determine the fate of millions of women.
Poland
Many are clueless regarding Constitution and Supreme Court. Columnist Jamie Stiehm is among them. She claimed the Court “lost its license to practice law” because they overturned Roe. She should know they don’t practice or make law. They interpret the Constitution. A liberal Supreme Court introduced a culture of death in 1973. For almost 50 years, many disagreed. No justices were threatened. No marchers paraded around justices’ homes. We must accept different opinions without resorting to name calling.
Poland
A change in D.C. leadership can repair most of the damage caused by the current administration. We can secure our Southern border, become energy independent again, return to economic sanity, enforce our laws and confront China, Iran, Russia and mitigate the Afghan debacle. What we cannot do is locate and remove the thousands of illegal immigrants that are spread across our land. Legal immigration has created the strongest nation on the planet. Illegal immigration is weakening our culture and country.
Canfield