Sound off!
I agree completely with last weekend’s opinion column about speed cameras, and I loved it that a former police officer also didn’t like them. Police are to serve and protect citizens. I don’t think taking pictures and mailing them to folks does either. I have gotten a couple of them, including one from Girard. If possible, I’ll never spend another nickel on any Girard business.
• Boardman
“Double down” is most often used at blackjack tables as a loser risks doubling his loss. The phrase has crept into political speech as politicians risking, with prideful bravado, what is not theirs to risk — our lives and treasures. Recent examples include an imploded casino named, ironically, for a tomb; the Texas electrical grid, built without regard for regulation; desecration of our Capitol by a murderous mob. Time to leave this phrase on the gaming tables.
• Canfield
Vindicator political columnist David Skolnick wrote about failure of counting and reporting Ohio COVID-19 numbers. His conclusion suggested Gov. DeWine was lacking in his communications. Has there been one more open? How does accuracy of reporting improve prevention? Stressing symptoms, noting importance of seeking aid when feeling ill; this helps people! If statistics are off, catch them up in the next dry numbers count! Caring for people is primary!
• Girard
Kudos to the governor and local health department for smooth, efficient vaccine distribution. Everyone I know that’s eligible has been able to get it smoothly. My husband and I are eligible Monday, and we got appointments for Monday. If you haven’t got your shot, there are some options for registering. I hope everyone is as lucky as we were in finding a shot.
• Boardman
Sad to hear Lordstown Motors Corp. did not get the government postal service vehicle contract. Apparently, Congressman Tim Ryan was not able to help bring the billion- dollar contract to Voltage Valley.
• Youngstown
Traffic lights in Youngstown that should be eliminated are at U.S. Route 422 at West Federal Street and near the new Rescue Mission. I’ve traveled there for three years. Yesterday I saw the first car at either intersection ever! This is criminal. I have witnessed thousands of vehicles made to needlessly wait. Don’t people in charge of traffic ever notice when 50,000 people were no longer here to stop at another one of their lights?
• Girard
Congress is working on a $1.9 trillion stimulus. Joe Biden says it will help struggling Americans. How are billions of dollars for a bridge in Chuck Schumer’s New York or billions for a train tunnel in Nancy Pelosi’s district going to help Americans? Only 20 percent of the
$1.9 trillion is for COVID-19. Less than 10 percent is for immediate use. The rest is for 2022 to 2024. Why must Democrats lie? All of the money should be to fight COVID-19.
• Hubbard
Impeachment has become a political tool used by Democrats based on hate rather than evidence. They have cherry picked what they consider acceptable violence. They had no outrage this summer when cities burned, people were killed and buildings destroyed. Our Vice President Kamala Harris even raised bail money to free rioters. Should she also be impeached? It’s been said, “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” The double standard on the left is a perfect example of that in action.
• Youngstown
Columbiana being named one of the “Nicest place in America” makes me laugh. One would think the nicest place in America would have roads in better shape than a goat trail in Afghanistan!
• Leetonia
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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
soundoff@tribtoday.com
Sound off!
A recent Vindicator editorial touted benefits of a two-party system. I would like to propose a no-party system. We need candidates at every level of government to run solely on their qualifications, experience, record, goals and commitment to the common good, not whether they’re R or D. Continuing the red vs. blue mentality is leading us to a dictatorship. The first one is waiting in the wings.
•Youngstown
As a parent who moved back to Canfield to give our children a better connected education, I was disappointed musical programs weren’t given accommodations to perform. The community made many accommodations for things. Then to see these children not afforded that opportunity is deplorable. I am very disappointed it took a high school junior to teach the administration, leadership and teachers what is important to the community. Supporting arts and other programs is essential to the development of our youth.
• Canfield
This is in regards to allowing Canfield choir and spring performances in house. How is it that football, basketball, wrestling and other sports have been allowed, yet there is hesitation for the performing arts? That is discrimination, and school board members should be ashamed. Do not say you cannot find a way. That is a lie!
• Canfield
We did it again. Don’t confuse me with the facts and truth. Power, money and position rule. I now believe Donald Trump when he implied that he could shoot someone on Fifth Avenue and get away with it. Does that also equate that he would not be accountable for his actions? He did warn us, after all. And the beat goes on.
• Campbell
If Usain Bolt wore thong sandals for his entire career, he could not have “flip-flopped” as often as Lindsey Graham.
• Canfield
Maybe Trump did not mean to call terrorists to his Jan. 6 rally or for them to storm the Capitol to injure and kill officers. Maybe he did not mean for them to try to hang his loyal vice president, Mike Pence, or endanger Pence’s family. But for hours he clearly did not try to do anything to stop the insurrectionists. If he didn’t care about these people, what makes you think he cares about you?
• Campbell
Joe Biden has been president for one month. Through executive orders and proposed legislation, he is on the path to destroying our republic, our sovereignty and our economic security. He has shown he is loyal to teacher unions over students and science; illegal immigrants over citizens; foreign oil over American energy sources; and Antifa and Black Lives Matter over law and order. I am not sure our country can survive 47 more months of him and his party of Democratic Socialists.
• Poland
A CBS Evening News story reported a young couple can’t see each other due to COVID-19. The woman lives in Canada and the man in Detroit. Then I heard a story that Joe Biden is letting thousands of immigrants cross our southern border. I guess COVID-19 only spreads on our northern border. Thousands traveling through Central America can cross the border illegally with no concern for COVID-19? No matter your immigration view, this will only cause more COVID-19 cases.
• Hubbard
Columnist Robert Reich asked “Why won’t Republican senators convict (Trump)?” The answer is obvious. President Trump is not responsible for what individual followers did. He did not encourage insurrection any more than Bernie Sanders encouraged a follower to shoot Steve Scalise. Yes, the president vehemently questioned election results. Five years after the 2016 election Hillary Clinton still contends she won. What Mr. Reich should have asked is why do Democrats think only they are entitled to question election results?
• Poland
I really am tired of hearing that fomer President Trump was a coward for not going to Biden’s swearing-in. I’m sure he felt that if he had attended, the “haters” would have rioted. I think he made a good decision.
— Canfield
soundoff@tribtoday.com
Sound off!
By now, I’m sure Campbell residents received the administration’s questionnaire about police service. Really? Isn’t this why you hire the best to figure it out? What about a questionnaire on our fire department or street or sewer departments? And why now? A $900 self-promoting letter during an election year? And singling out the police department is unfair. This is just squandered money.
• Campbell
In spite of efforts to unify the country, divisiveness and hatred are alive and well. Distrust and chaos of the past four years will continue to inflame all sides as long as we let alternative facts drive our thinking. Rather than taking the bait, let’s step back and get to know those around us as individuals, not labels. We might discover common goals and things we agree on.
• Youngstown
Why does CNN, MSNBC and most of the national mass media continue to bash Republicans? Democrats control the U.S. House, Senate and the presidency. Move on. Joe Biden already has sent more troops to Syria, the stock market has had the curtain drawn open to show its corruption, and nothing. Comedians don’t do Democratic jokes. Furthermore, mass media talks about death of the GOP. As the saying goes, be careful what you wish for.
• Boardman
I am a 77-year-old white male with many friends of color. I am extremely offended that people think we need large, ugly signs saying “Black Lives Matter.” Of course they do. Isn’t it about time we throw away the box of crayons we seem to hang onto to color our world. Let’s all start recognizing each other as just neighbors, friends and people in general.
• Austintown
A Jan. 31 Sound Off! included a reference to Biden Executive Order 1722, claiming all citizens must remove front door locks. No such order was signed by the president. Executive order 1722 was signed by President Taft more than 100 years ago and has nothing to do with residence doors. The newspaper is right to allow people to express opinions but shouldn’t allow false facts.
• Poland
I am disgusted with Congresswoman Green. If this is the new face of the Republican Party, count me out. Mitch McConnell called her a “cancer.” She is a legacy of Donald Trump, a cancer that metastasized through the ranks. From the time he called white supremacist groups “good people,” they became emboldened. When he refused to condemn hate group the Proud Boys, they stood by until he summoned them to the Capitol. He should be sent to prison.
• New Middletown
Syndicated columnist Cal Thomas shows how little he knows. Systemic racism does not mean most whites are racist. Many whites fight to correct others’ wrongdoing. Systemic racism is redlining where blacks were barred from living in white neighborhoods. It’s being traffic-stopped at higher levels; not able to get loans others get; getting poorer medical care; being arrested and jailed for drugs three times more than others; it’s last hired and first fired …
• Campbell
People producing solar panels earn about $28 per hour; those working in fracking make $38; those on an oil rig earn about $40 per hour. And some want to do away with oil and gas so these workers can take a pay cut? Also, solar panels and wind turbines cannot be recycled. For electric cars, a license plate costs $200 to $400 — for now. Imagine what an electric truck plate will cost. The less gasoline they sell, the higher the license plate fees will go.
• Girard
Joe Biden campaigned for both red and blue states. I wanted to give him some time, but only one week in, and it already seems blue-state ideas are being promoted by executive action. Come on, man, give us a break.
• Boardman
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
soundoff@tribtoday.com