Published: July 15, 2008 11:14 am         

READERS' FORUM 7/16 | Shuster’s bill breaks oil dependence

Our nation has been split down the middle ever since the Clinton-Lewinski scandal.

Imagine my disappointment to read Monsignor Michael A. Becker’s letter on July 9 (“Energy independence? No, oil dependence). For a priest to use the bully-pulpit to spout liberal dogma is unconscionable. Are there no more souls to be saved in St. Michael? No good works to do?

Rep. Bill Shuster’s bill includes all of Becker’s ideas, in addition to more drilling.

When gas hits $10 a gallon, this nation will demand more drilling. Then the polar bears, caribou, environmentalists and do-gooders will be pushed aside in the rush to drill.

The liberal plan to hold back this nation, to push us down, is very apparent.

At least Shuster is trying to reach across party lines to solve a huge problem.

If our nation is ever going to be reunited, we must stop this bickering between liberals and conservatives. Shuster is trying to take a step in that direction.

None of Becker’s ideas will put a single drop of gas in anyone’s tank. Drill now and use the oil we have as we work toward other ideas to free us from oil.

Maybe a priest will help lead us, instead of pushing our nation apart.

Help to solve the problem, not add to it; or step aside, be quiet and do the church’s work.

John W. Forsha

Cherry Tree



Harrisburg spends what it doesn’t have

I want to do some math we can all understand:

If your household income is $40,000 per year, but you want to spend $60,000 per year, you would have to go to the bank and borrow $20,000. However, at the end of the year you discover you have spent $70,000.

Are you better off financially than you were at the beginning of the year? For most of us in the real world, the answer is no. But not in Harrisburg.

This example is our state budget in its simplest form. The Legislature passed a budget that not only forces us to borrow, but, according to a statement from some in Harrisburg, this budget will result in a deficit of possibly $1 billion.

Our local senator, John Wozniak, has proclaimed this budget as a positive move, and that it doesn’t add any burden to working families. Maybe he missed the part about the state cutting funding for the district attorney’s office. This tab must now be paid by county government, and I am pretty sure that Cambria County does not have that extra money lying around.

So working families can now count on their county taxes increasing. This is only one example – there are many more.

Our local leaders will say that I am oversimplifying a complex issue. Every working household knows you don’t spend what you don’t have. In these tough times, we are all tightening our belts and working with less. Why isn’t Harrisburg?

David Kennedy

Johnstown



Bravo, senators, for perpetuating spying

Huzzah to our senators, Bob Casey and Arlen Specter. Instead of showing an interest in the rights of Americans, or the continuation of a transparent government bound to the rule of law, they, instead, kowtowed to the Bush regime and special interests in allowing telecommunications companies off the hook for their part in illegal wiretapping.

Thank you so much for making us “safer” by allowing our government unfettered access into our billing, usage and day-to-day telephone conversations.

Let me assure you that I’ll certainly remember your vote on this issue when next you face re-election, as will thousands of Pennsylvanians who would like to keep the Fourth Amendment intact.

Todd H. Holsopple

Johnstown



Oil embargo of 1973 has taught us nothing

In 1973, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries instituted an embargo on oil shipments to the United States and numerous other countries. Long lines at gas stations were the norm to fill up or to get a few dollars worth of gas.

The government instituted a number of energy-saving practices, including not lighting the national Christmas tree.

We are once again faced with a similar problem in the way of obscene gasoline prices. What happened in 1973 should have been a wake-up call to stop depending on imported oil and seek other sources of energy.

We had 35 years to do something about it, but were like dogs chasing our tails and getting nowhere.

Our economy and our present way of life are in extreme danger. Ideas have evolved, but they will take years to become effective.

We must move fast and quit chasing our tails.

Dominick D. Sallese

Johnstown



Business owner has no regrets, only praise

Everyone tells me that when one door closes, another opens. I am proud to say I am one of the former owners of The Johnstown Brewing Co. I would like to say thank you.

First, I would like to thank our staff. We were blessed with wonderful workers; we wish them only great doors to enter.

I would also like to thank my father, Don, who showed up every day to keep a 100-year-old building operating. Dad asked for one thing: Our success. It touches me even as I write this.

Restaurants always need more customers; many made a conscience decision to frequent us because they supported our idea, and we thank them for five years.

I would like to thank all our vendors, marketing reps, attorneys and financial lenders for the experience they brought to us; for their patience and understanding of our endeavor.

We were advised not to open a business in Johnstown; the JBC was treated fairly and with respect. This we will never forget.

A great dream, an amazing building with a heritage, atmosphere, great food, exceptional service, and award-winning beer were mixed with an astonishing staff possessing a great work ethic.

The timer went off, we ran out of money. Until the last minute, we did our very best.

Thanks to all who had a great deal or just a small part in our dream. For the record, would I ever consider opening another business in Johnstown? You bet I would.

Susan J. Lovette

Johnstown

Former owner, The Johnstown Brewing Co.



Fatal accident report struck a raw nerve

I am writing in response to either a horribly insensitive choice of wording or an outright affront committed by The Tribune-Democrat to the victim of a tragedy.

Writing as somebody of no relation or connection to the victim involved in the horrific motorcycle accident described in the July 10 news article, I was truly offended by how the story portrayed the tragic loss of a young life, not as a devastating event for the young man’s family and friends, but as an incident that “marred” the Thunder in the Valley festivities.

This appears to have been a tragic, freak accident that was trivialized by the reporter’s attempts to relate it to Thunder in the Valley.

To assess a loss of life in terms of how it adversely affected the region’s annual money-grab, rather than respecting the victim and the tremendous grief his loved ones must be experiencing, is either a product of poor writing, poor editing or a lack of decency.

Or all three.

Jason Schiffhauer

Johnstown



Crossbows could spell end of rifle season

At a time when Pennsylvania’s deer herd is finally stabilizing in all but two wildlife management units, 55 lawmakers in Harrisburg are sponsoring legislation that would change the definition of a bow to include crossbows.

This would mandate the game commission to include the use of crossbows statewide, regardless of herd density, and would translate to more hunters in the woods, shorter season length and fewer deer for rifle hunters and conventional archers.

Is this our Legislature’s attempt to lower our deer herd even more than what the PGC recommends?

When looking at Georgia’s increased harvest rates, and using those stats in Pennsylvania, the inclusion of crossbows could mean an additional 42,000 deer would be harvested statewide with a six-week season.

Commissioner Russell Schleiden has asked the commission to look into the use of crossbows with scientifically validated methods, perhaps starting slowly with increased seasons so the effect on the harvest can be evaluated.

Perhaps our legislators are wolves in sheep’s clothing. What better way to erode our gun laws than by offering another tool to pave the way for the outlawing of rifles during deer season.

That’s what Ohio did. You can harvest a deer with conventional archery equipment, muzzleloaders, shotguns or a crossbow. Rifles are not permitted.

Call your representative and ask him or her to remove his or her name from H.B. 2653. Lawmakers need to let the wildlife professionals make these decisions. Let’s save some of our bucks and does and keep our rifles by telling our lawmakers to stay out of wildlife management.

Rob Nemec

Newell, Fayette County

     

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