Sound off!
I am tired of being ignored by our elected officials, the large majority who are Republicans. I have yet to receive any reply to my attempts to contact our Republican state and local elected officials. A warning to you who claim to be “Democrats.” There was a guy who almost took over the world in the 1930s. He ignored the people and did what he wanted. Stand up, people. Republicans are trying to take your right to vote.
Austintown
Is Joe Biden really going to protect the Ukrainian border when he won’t protect our Southern border?
Boardman
Another way to identify lies is to use common sense. Here’s an example: Nineteen states have changed voting rules “to improve voter integrity.” Why? Because they uncovered thousands of illegal ballots? No, because if this were the case, they would have brought charges against over 100,000 people who would have had to break the law in order for Trump to have won. It’s just an excuse to grab power, like gerrymandering.
Campbell
Astonishingly, syndicated columnist Jules Witcover’s Jan. 24 column suggested President Biden be more confrontational to Donald Trump — as if Trump is the most pressing problem facing our nation. Maybe Biden should ignore Trump and be more confrontational to Russia, China, Iran, North Korea and the “squad” — the real threats to our country! Witcover also mentioned “the Trump years of economic lockdown.” He actually wrote that. One wonders what planet Jules has been on. What a waste of ink!
Canfield
This is for all Americans who feel it’s time to send our thanks, appreciation and gratefulness to our police departments for doing their job to help keep our communities and people safe. Let’s declare March 1 “Police Appreciation Day” and send cards to police departments in every community thanking them for their service. Since I live in Canfield, I will send one to Canfield police department. It would be nice if this could go nationwide!
Canfield
Did Donald Trump promise Vladimir Putin Ukraine on a silver platter? What promises did Trump make in that three-hour meeting with only Putin’s translator present? U.S. representatives were not permitted to listen in and document. It was Trump that negotiated the pullout from Afghanistan with the terrorists (Taliban) and not with the government of Afghanistan as it should have been. Credit for the vaccines goes to the scientists who worked diligently — not to Trump.
New Springfield
Here’s a reality check. Nero fiddled while Rome burned. Trump cried fake news while COVID-19 surged. Neither Bush president stopped border crossings. When begged, Gerald Ford failed to beat inflation. Bashing Biden won’t change the fact Trump is and was a failure. How many Biden bashers returned the stimulus money? Do the world a favor and nominate Trump again. He’ll lose again.
Youngstown
Frequent comments have been written complaining of the unvaccinated prolonging this epidemic. They are wrong. Israel, Denmark and Australia, which are over 90 percent vaccinated, are having more cases and deaths among the vaccinated. Plus, we have a president permitting hundred of thousand of illegal crossings per month from epidemic areas of the world. We have totally lost our collective mind. Stop being “sheeple.”
Boardman
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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.”
Sound off!
Readers share their thoughts
I want to thank the Hubbard City Street Department and the service director on the excellent job they did clearing the snow under difficult conditions. I live on a side street, and it was cleared of snow by Monday afternoon. If you want to live in a city with good services, move to Hubbard.
Hubbard
“18-year-old faces gun charge.” Here we go again. Another nasty gun up to no good. The gun probably got itself stolen, jumped into this kid’s hand, shot at a house and hid itself until police found it and put an end to its mischief. The audacity of these guns to even take advantage of an accomplice teenager! If the guns are to blame, why are these fine young men charged?
Columbiana
Nationwide, a new boogieman called anti-CRT is being pushed. It says we shouldn’t talk about history of race in America. Our history includes the Underground railroad; pre-Civil War elimination of slavery in all northern states; over 600,000 Northern soldiers who died to end slavery; beating of 1960s Civil Rights freedom riders; and over a million whites protesting the death of George Floyd. Maybe those who don’t want to talk about race are those who are on the wrong side of history.
Campbell
I’m 71, and when I buy beer at Country Fair, I have to show ID. Yep, their policy. No problem. What’s so wrong about showing ID to vote? Fix problem by going back to voting only on Election Day or by absentee ballot. That’s it. I’m tired of a certain political party whining about voter rights.
Niles
Who has the right to vote? All organizations and cultures, through the ages, have decided that only members (citizens) are eligible to vote; it is tested, accepted and fair. That includes all members regardless of social or economic standing. Reality requires a way to ensure that only those eligible cast votes. Given the scientific advancements of our age ensuring fair and honest elections is doable. What’s needed is majority of honest politicians to act — there’s the rub!
Canfield
We can beat our heads against walls pleading with those against vaccines, but it appears their selfishness doesn’t care about their families, friends, neighbors and, especially, hospital workers. Something they might keep in mind is they may be the next to succumb to this virus, remembered as someone who just didn’t care enough for his fellow man. Or, they might be the hospital patient begging God to please help them as they lie dying.
Youngstown
The USA fighting Russia over Ukraine is crazy. If we thought Afghanistan was a waste of time, lives and money, this will pale in comparison. Where are our vital interests there? Plus, Russia is a major military complex with plenty of nuclear weapons.
Boardman
Florida Gov. DeSantis wants to vest his own armed militia with legal authority to arrest any voter they “believe” is violating whatever rule DeSantis says applies to casting a vote. Just last year, DeSantis believed Florida’s elections were a “model” for others. Now, we may see his troops wearing their jackboots and black shirts to a ballot burning. “Fascist Florida” has a nice alliterative ring. Stay home and support voting rights.
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.”
Sound off!
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
Here’s a question for those still refusing to be vaccinated for COVID-19. If you don’t trust scientific and medical communities to prevent you from getting it, why do you trust them to cure you from it? It’s time to stop admitting the unvaccinated into hospitals. At this point the unvaccinated should be left to rely on their rugged individualism and scientific ignorance they were so proud of before they became ill.
Austintown
One meadow muffin won’t ruin a beautiful field. The lies of a failed president won’t ruin our republic. As long as you don’t let them foul you, you’ll be fine. Just let them dry and shrivel in the light and heat of the sun of public scrutiny. Then toss their dried out remnants on the heap of lessons learned where knowledge of how to plow them under will help fuel the growth of better crops.
Canfield
Why is it some people still feel the Biden administration is so wonderful? One of the things that comes to mind to refute this is that President Biden canceled contracts for construction of the border wall when the materials were already paid for. What is the reasoning for this?
Austintown
What has happened to Joe Biden? He ran on uniting the country, yet every speech he gives he is upset and angry.
Boardman
Politicians should not decide our elected officials. I and my neighbors in Mahoning and Trumbull County and across the state should make this decision. Gerrymandering, restricting drop-off mailboxes to one per county, reducing early voting, allowing state electors to throw out election results based on who controls the state house is not right. The state Supreme Court made the right decision to reject the gerrymandered plan from our Republican representatives. We’re 55-45 not 75-25.
Campbell
More than 2,000 years ago, famous Roman poet Virgil wrote, “Time bears away all things, even our minds.” Watching a session of President Biden age 79; Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, 71; Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, 79; House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, 81; Director of the Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Anthony Fauci, 81; Treasury Secretary
Janet Yellen, 75; and
John Kerry, 78; one might think they are in a geriatric ward. Time to retire
and replace!
Canfield
What this country needs is a new, sensible movement. The only people that should fake political correctness are politicians. I hereby support the “So what!” movement. You’re gay? So what. Nobody cares, you’re not special. Someone made an unwanted advance at you 20 years ago? So what. You made a racial slur? So what. You’re a social justice warrior, you think? So what. Now we need
hats and T-shirts and
real courage.
Columbiana
Joe Biden has just about completed his first year in office and what a slammer. Inflation is at a 40-year high; gasoline is over $3 a gallon; shelves are emptying at the grocery store, COVID is at a million-plus new cases a days. Need I go on? I wonder what’s in store for 2022. Don’t forget Dems, you voted for him.
Girard
There’s a new COVID-19 strain. It’s called the Chicago Teachers’ variant.
Hubbard
Sound off!
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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.”
A recent political column by Star Parker lays bare Republicans’ favored strategy: lie, then continue to lie until truth has no meaning. She excuses what she calls “the Jan. 6 incident” by referencing “suspicions about improprieties in the electoral process in 2020.” (She well knows there is zero credible evidence of such improprieties.) And those suspicions are “quite justified given the ‘closeness’ of the election.” (Trump lost the popular vote by over 7 million and the electoral vote 306-232.) Unreal!
Youngstown
Those that choose not to get the COVID-19 vaccine are not anti vaccine or anti science. They are making a decision for their own best interests. If the vaccine works as claimed, then it shouldn’t matter if some choose not to get it. The bullying of free choice needs to stop.
Austintown
Jan. 6, 2021, over 700 supporters of Trump tried to take over our government. They believed the big lie that the election was stolen, despite rejection by 60 courts and almost a dozen recounts. This led to deaths of at least four people and injury of many others. Everyone who planned the attack will do it again unless they are punished. To those who minimize the attack I ask: What would you say if the next attack is led by members of BLM?
Campbell
Joe Biden campaigned on having tests available. Yet, a year into his presidency, they still are not. He campaigned on shutting COVID-19 down. Obviously, that hasn’t happened. He’s given us higher prices on the basics, food, energy and clothing. The southern border is a mess. Finally, tension is up around the world. It’s a true tragedy what is happening.
Boardman
Headlines tell of the attorney general vowing accountability for Jan. 6 riots. I wonder how they’re progressing with charges on the hundreds of peaceful looters and arsonists and killers in cities all over the country. Maybe the ones crying against hate are the ones holding the most hate.
Columbiana
This past weekend “climate change” threw Virginia a curve. Thousands of motorists were stranded for hours on ice- and snow-covered I95. Ralph Northam, outgoing Democrat Virginia governor, dodged accountability for the anemic response to the crisis and blamed drivers for not heeding a weather warning to avoid travel. Sounds a lot like President Biden blaming the unvaccinated for spreading COVID. What could possibly make this worse? A thousand electric vehicles waiting for a can of kilowatts to get moving.
Canfield
Only now, after almost two years into this pandemic, does bureaucrat Anthony Fauci talk of the distinction between children “with” COVID and children in the hospital due to COVID. We also now have medical “experts” admitting on CNN that cloth masks offer no protection against COVID-19 and are nothing more than “facial decorations.” People who have been making these same and similar observations during the past 18 months have been censored and ridiculed. It’s no wonder people distrust the federal government.
Boardman
soundoff@tribtoday.com
Sound off!
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.”
Here are this week’s comments:
While China, Russia and India are spewing the majority of greenhouse gases and CO2 by burning fossil fuels, we are preserving ours. History may look kindly on the U.S. global warming fanatics.
When the cosmos begins its global cooling cycle, we will have plenty of fossil fuel to keep us warm.
Could President Biden have had such foresight? Nah! But in the bizarro political world lefty Democrats will take credit anyway. And 38 percent of voters will agree.
Canfield
The hiring of a new deputy director at the Mahoning County Board of Elections shows everyone why government doesn’t work properly. Instead of hiring the most qualified person, a political friend is hired, who already has had problems at another government agency.When you go to the state level and it gets even worse and then the federal level, forget about it; literally thousands of cronies, friends and political hacks are hired to run all the government agencies. This is why government doesn’t work: It doesn’t hire the best candidate.
Boardman
Here we go again in Ohio with COVID-19. It looks like it’ll be around for a while. So, let’s see how we can live with it. How about if you are asymptomatic and vaxed you may go, do what you want. If you’re sick and not vaxed? You quarantine yourself. You are not allowed to use hospitals because you don’t believe in their science anyway. Why should I be disposed by nonvaxers? They should be on their own.
Niles
I am so disgusted with Joe Biden’s duplicity and two-faced approach. Blame the citizens of this country — mandate masks and vaccinations while spreading illegal immigrants and refugees throughout the country that have NO vaccines or vetting. We will next be blamed for terrorism and bankruptcy. I hope Florida Gov. DeSantis raises money to send illegals and refugees back to Biden.
Canfield
There is no need to cremate grandpa for $1,000 as planned. If he qualifies, he could have a lovely $9,000 funeral paid for by the government, now that they are in that business. That would benefit the funeral homes and the bereaved through kickbacks. No way you say?
Columbiana
Ignore the negative naysayers who downplay Biden’s 2021 accomplishments. This year the president’s actions protected 200,000,000 citizens from COVID-19, and his American Rescue Plan reinvigorated the economy. Unemployment is 4.2 percent. We’ll have Americans working solid jobs rebuilding our infrastructure. Recently, President Biden announced new action dealing with COVID-19 with more support for hospitals, more free testing and vaccines. Biden’s experience fortifies his ability to lead.
Niles
Now that Ghislaine Maxwell has been found guilty on trafficking young teenage girls, the men who had sex with these girls should also be held accountable. We arrest men for planning to try and have sex locally with young girls. Yet, here’s the same old story that powerful men in high places get away with it, like past presidents. Clinton, who was flown around by Epstein many times, should be also held accountable and prosecuted.
Boardman
I am a former Republican who recognized that Trump cared far more about himself and his ratings than about our nation. I was drawn to Joe Biden as an experienced, compassionate candidate who actually had a plan to Build Back Better. I believe that he has made an honest effort to advance his policies for the betterment of our country, certainly with no help from across the aisle. The actions by a self-centered Senate member of the president’s own party, in single-handedly killing the most far-reaching part of the Biden agenda, sickens me! How can one lone member of Congress wield such total control over this country?
Warren
Sad to see Campbell school principal Jim Klingensmith passed away unexpectedly. On a follow-up article it said he had been battling COVID-19. As a public school principal I’m sure he’d been double vaccinated and “boosted.” Joe Biden promised if you’re vaccinated you won’t die. Public health should disclose vaccine status upon people’s deaths. All deaths.
Canfield
soundoff@tribtoday.com