Published: March 03, 2008 02:32 pm      

READERS' FORUM 3/4 | Chesapeake argument doesn't hold water

Snake-oil salesmen still exist. They come in many guises, but when they wear a three-piece suit and have a government job, they have a high rate of success with their con game. What is the current scam?

Chesapeake Bay restoration for the citizens of western Pennsylvania. To counter this scam, lets ask the professionals who deal with water: The plumbers.

The scientific fact of how water runs is indisputable. Even Al Gore can’t argue the natural flow of water. So, why are the panic makers telling us that we have to pony up for our crime of poisoning the Chesapeake Bay when none of our water goes that direction? Don’t believe me? Ask your fourth-grade teachers, follow the rivers, look at the maps, just don’t call the bureaucrats and ask them, they’ll tell you you’re not sensitive to nature’s needs. I know nature’s needs, and when I heed its call, it flushes toward the mighty Mississippi. It doesn’t stop, turn around, defy gravity and head toward the Chesapeake.

I agree the Chesapeake Bay needs to be cleaned up, but I really disagree with the heavy-handed way the federal government and our state government is shaking down the local communities in the Chesapeake watershed area. We are not in that area.

I know we blindly pay for stadiums and trolleys in Philadelphia we will never use, and our area has continued to vote the same way for decades, but can’t we speak out against this con game together?

Paul M. Burkett

Johnstown

Electrician agrees; fluorescents dimmer

In response to Kevin Martin’s Feb. 2 rebuttal (“Fluorescent versus incandescent lightbulbs”) of my tongue-in-cheek letter (“Big Brother’s hands are in our pockets,” Jan. 23) on taxing my carbon footprints: There are no inaccuracies in the account of my personal experiences with the compact fluorescent bulb (CFB). The prices stated were my actual costs at a national discount store.

Even at the cost suggested by Martin, the CFB is still eight times more expensive than the incandescent ($1.66 vs. 20 cents).

A 13-watt CFB can’t hold a candle to a 60-watt incandescent. I used the 20 and 26-watt name-brand versions, which have all gone up in a toxic cloud of mercury vapor smoke in less than five months (not the five years as stated on the pack). My generic incandescents are still working after years of constant use, and my electric bills showed no noticeable change.

Recently, I questioned an industrial electrician with 40 years of experience, who agreed with me and stated that he’s often asked after the installation of florescent lighting why the room isn’t as bright as it used to be. He has explained that the incandescent bulb produces lighting closer to natural sunlight. Compare both and draw your own conclusions.

As for global warming, 35 years ago, scientists warned of the impending “ice age” and wanted to sow carbon on the polar caps. Now they’re saying that methane gas from a steer’s behind contributes to global warming. Bull.

Joe Nemanich

West End

Generous outpouring for Mom’s House

I would like to thank the many readers of The Tribune-Democrat for their outreach and support. Following the publication of the article about Mom’s House on Feb. 11 (“Turning 25; nonprofit gives single parents a boost”), we have received donations and tremendous support from people throughout the community. These donations allow us to continue to serve the men and women in our region who are striving to better their lives and those of their children.

Mom’s House also has received numerous phone calls from parents interested in using our services.

During the past 15 years that I have served on the board of directors, I have seen great successes that would not have been possible without Mom’s House. I thank the staff and fellow directors who work hard to ensure the availability of quality child care for our future.

Also, Mom’s House is a Keystone STARS facility, and we offer a full-day curriculum for children to bridge the gap between our center and kindergarten, a new approach to child care and education.

Thank you for your continued support of Mom’s House. I look forward to another 25 years of success.

William D. Stasko

President, Mom’s House

Doing what is right for our pets

On March 20, Pennsylvania regulators will seek to make veterinarians responsible to act in emergency situations.

The board of veterinary medicine and emergency practitioners are to address a proposed rule of professional conduct amendment to “provide limited emergency care or medically appropriate euthanasia without regard to patient or nonpatient, or ability to pay.”

Hopefully there will be a change on the way for pets with after-hour emergencies that they must be seen and not sent elsewhere, especially when time is important.

Also up for consideration is “alleviating animal suffering shall transcend personal advantage or monetary gain in decisions concerning therapy.”

John Papinchak

Windber

Wholesome shows on Hallmark Channel

I’m addicted to the Hallmark Channel.

Hallmark is the only TV network that has quality, wholesome shows and movies for the whole family.

As far as I’m concerned, the writers strike could have continued all year, because all they can write about is sex, lies, immorality and every other vice imaginable. I picture these writers sitting in a room snickering and giggling as to see what else they can make TV viewers put up with.

What happened to writers who came up with shows such as “Family Ties,” “Happy Days,” “My Three Sons,” “Bewitched,” “Hazel” and “Growing Pains?”

Just look at the new shows – “Desperate Housewives,” “Lipstick Jungle,” “Cashmere Mafia,” “The Biggest Loser” and “My Dad Is Better Than Your Dad.”

Introduce yourself to Hallmark’s faith-based programs such as “The Waltons,” “Little House on the Prairie,” “7th Heaven,” “Touched by an Angel,” and the wonderful movies. I admit, “Walker, Texas Ranger” is an explosive show, but even Walker looks to a higher power for guidance. Join me in my protest.

I will watch Hallmark Network and no other until the other networks clean up their act. ACLU my foot!

In the meantime, I hope we are not punished by a flood, because I don’t know where God will find one righteous man.

Think about it.

Karen Roberts Spinelli

Windber