Published: June 19, 2009 03:17 pm      

READERS' FORUM 6-21 | We must not surrender to indifference

Renaissance political thinker Niccolo Machiavelli in “The Prince” writes, “Indolence and indifference are the greatest enemies of free peoples.”

British historian Hilaire Belloc concurs.

In “The Servile State,” he warns, “The long-term cost of a welfare society is the infertilization of the population.”

For Western European countries, these writers have proved prophetic. Through indolence and indifference, citizens have surrendered to their governments all the usual responsibilities of adulthood

– health care, child care and elder care – to the point where they have become utterly dependent on cradle-to-grave welfare.

Although on a slippery slope toward it, America is not yet in Europe’s sorry situation. But if it is to remain the land of the free and the home of the brave, it must preserve and practice capitalism and entrepreneurism and reject national one-payer health care.

The unthinkable alternative is to continue permitting the erosion of constitutional rights and liberties, and the concomitant degeneration into an oppressive socialist nanny state. Then America will be known as the land of the once free and the home of the brave new world.

James C. Rovan

Johnstown

If atheism prevails, we become like animals

In Sheena Kroskey’s contribution to the Readers’ Forum on June 2 (“Same-sex objections based on tradition”), she strongly promotes same-sex marriage. She wants to keep religion out of it and for people to “think for themselves and not listen to religious leaders.” Judging from her contempt for religion, it’s easy to suspect that the writer is an atheist or at least an agnostic.

If same-sex marriage becomes the law of the land, what’s next? Would polygamy be reintroduced and legalized? Could a man marry his sister or his mother? And, as the culture sinks deeper into the quagmire of putridity, why not marry your dog? Perhaps it would remain more faithful than a human mate.

She wants people to think for themselves and keep religion out of it. Hitler and Stalin tried this. Where did it get them? Untold millions died, including many of our own soldiers, and unfathomable wealth was squandered due to their wars. That’s what their thinking and absence of religion produced.

If religion should ever be silenced and atheism prevail, what an ugly culture this would be. Our culture would become more animal and less human, wouldn’t it?

If this should happen, I’m glad I won’t be around to witness it.

Richard A. Ruth

Johnstown

Property owners are portrayed as villains

I am not certain why The Tribune-Democrat chose to print Gary Felski’s letter in the Readers’ Forum on June 11 (“Is Windber pondering a name change?”).

It was an inexcusable attempt to slur the names of private citizens guilty of nothing more than agreeing to sell their properties to me. But since it did, I’d like the opportunity to respond.

Luana Hiteshew, the big “winner,” is a widow and lifelong Windber resident who lives modestly and donates many hours and days to playing the piano for her church and for the musical productions of several local high schools. Bill Gorgan is a lifelong resident who purchased his property in 1959, has lived with his wife in an apartment above his barbershop for decades and is well-respected in the Windber community. Brian Horner is guilty of nothing more than wanting to change directions in his career. And New Day Inc., the Christian not-for-profit organization, is so greedy it will turn around and re-invest its proceeds into pro-

grams to help Windber’s youth and families.

If you recall, this is the same Gary Fel-ski who concocted the notion that a Sheetz built beside a post office would create a “perfect terrorist target.” He is free to say what he wants about me and my company.

But to use the newspaper to attempt to slur these good people that I have had the privilege to work with in Windber because of some personal animus against Sheetz is a cheap shot.

R. Michael Boland

managing member,

Graham Avenue Realty Partners LLC

Coach’s successor under board’s nose

Recently, Greater Johnstown High School’s varsity basketball coach resigned after one year in the district and has since returned to Westmont Hilltop High School to coach its basketball program.

Greater Johnstown has a candidate who is more than ready to take the helm in assistant coach Ryan Durham.

Durham has coached in the Greater Johnstown Middle School program and most recently served as assistant coach for the District 6 champion Trojans.

Durham has gained the respect of the students, players, parents, community and fellow coaches at the high school and college levels due to his abilities, accomplishments and coaching philosophies.

Our district needs a coach who not only knows the game but can inspire our youth to strive for success on the court and off, and Durham is the perfect person for the position.

Recently, the Altoona Area School District had to fill a head coaching position and it chose a person who was dedicated to the district and who had the support of the students, players, parents and community.

I would hope that the Greater Johnstown school board follows Altoona’s lead and chooses the right candidate for the position.

Ryan Durham should be the next head varsity basketball coach.

Tara Cooper

Johnstown