Published: November 17, 2008 01:55 pm            

READERS' FORUM 11/18 | Voters have chosen death over life

Silence has prevailed over the pro-life camp since the election. It reminds me of the silence that no doubt reigned over the disciples following Christ’s crucifixion.

The words that echo in my mind are, “We have met the enemy, and they are us.”

Some religious leaders advised us “to vote our conscience.” What a joke and a dangerous thing to say. Many of us have no conscience. Many of us have a malformed conscience as was evidenced by millions of Catholics who voted for pro-abortion, pro-same-sex marriage Obama.

Mother Theresa said, “A nation that kills its young cannot long endure.” Let’s hope and pray her prophetic words do not materialize.

I wonder how many of us Christians are big disappointments to Jesus. He called us “the salt of the earth.” Are we really salt when we show such apathy for the unborn?

In the Lord’s Prayer we pray “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Then we go about blocking his will, and frustrating the coming of his kingdom. What hypocrites we are.

Is it his will that we do nothing to counteract the culture of death? Or that we vote for politicians who we know will safeguard legal abortion?

God set before us “life and death, the blessing and the curse. Choose life, then, that you and your descendants may live” (Deuteronomy 30:19). This Old Testament verse is as valid today as it was 3,000 years ago.

Richard A. Ruth

Johnstown



EMS manager unfairly ousted

In 1983, Pennsylvania decided to bestow a “Paramedic of the Year” award.

The state awarded its inaugural commendation to my father, Terry Sloan. I thought the residents of Ebensburg and Cambria Township deserve to know that one of their most dedicated servants was recently “replaced.”

My father has dedicated the past 30-plus years to EMS (emergency medical services), saving lives. He has responded to countless calls at every hour of the day or night; he has missed dance recitals, school plays, competitions, family dinners, vacations, church, picnics and time with his family including four children and three grandchildren. The residents slept soundly knowing that their safety was in the very capable hands of Ebensburg Area Ambulance Association.

Now, board members with personal agendas and self-righteous attitudes have decided his managing days are over. Board members with little or no firsthand experience in EMS have mandated policy.

Then, to add insult to injury, one of the board members with a well-known vendetta bragged publicly of the board’s intention to let the manager go.

I am very proud of the service my father has provided to his community. I feel certain that many of his fellow residents are thankful for his tireless dedication; for I know some of them are still alive because of him.

Every member of the ambulance association has a voice in the election of its board. Vote.

Rebecca A. Sloan

Johnstown



Hasty decision not in our best interest

Area residents and taxpayers need to be made aware of our Cambria County commissioners’ decision to proceed with a plan to privatize the War Memorial Arena and North Central Recreation Center in Ebensburg (“Private matter; Commissioners move on having outside firm operate War Memorial,” Nov. 11).

These facilities were constructed with our tax dollars and now the commissioners want to give away our valuable assets to an out-of-state company. This is a prime example of how we lose assets and jobs when politicians are more interested in securing re-election than in doing what is best for their constituents.

If these facilities are in financial distress, it certainly isn’t a situation that developed overnight, and our commissioners need to adopt a better philosophy than this quick-fix, pass-the-buck approach.

The commissioners plan to review any proposals with the “business partnership” and the War Memorial Authority. The head of the authority has already voiced his opposition to privatization. Who is this so-called business partnership? These facilities belong to the residents and veterans, thus I challenge the commissioners to discuss any proposals in a public forum so residents can express their views.

Further, I believe The Tribune-Democrat should gather opinions from local professors of economics and sociology as to whether privatization is in our best interests.

While we need local leadership to think outside the box, achieving financial security and a brighter future for our region lies with programs that grow our area, not in hasty remedies such as privatization.

David S. Gehlman

Johnstown

        

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