Sunday News
Letters to Editor
More letters on P8
GUN DEBATE
nWe are asking all concerned citizens to please vote no on any gun ban ... no on any magazine ban ... no on criminalizing private firearms transfers ... and no on any gun registration scheme.
This is unconstitutional and outright wrong. The citizens of Lancaster and the United States have the right to defend themselves with whatever means possible from the growing crime that is happening under the noses of our police force. The police are not required, nor do they have the resources to protect every citizen from mayhem due to a natural disaster, terrorist attack, or whatever else would happen. To the elected officials: If you vote against our wishes we will remember come election year about whose back you covered, ours or theirs.
Stand for freedom and do not take away our rights as Americans.
Eric Davenport
Lancaster
nI address the letter by Ward Latshaw [Jan. 27], who was principal of Manheim Township Middle School while I was a student there.
I'm wondering, Mr. Latshaw, why men as brilliant as the founders of this nation would find it necessary to protect the right to keep and bear arms, and then include that protection as the second item in a Bill of Rights where all nine other rights are clearly designed to protect individuals from government abuse. Could it be that the founders believed the militia is the general populace and "well regulated" means proficiency with firearms?
If technological superiority makes an army invincible, why didn't we win in Vietnam? Why, after more than 10 years haven't we won in Afghanistan? Could it be that the resolve of the people outweighs superior weaponry?
Certainly it would be impossible for a small group of citizens armed with AR-15's to defeat any government. But what if they numbered 100,000, or a million? Like you, I believe the democratic process is the best way to solve issues. But can a democracy remain viable once a majority discovers it can vote themselves a free living off the work of others?
As tragic as incidents like Sandy Hook are, it's more tragic that so many are willing to give up freedoms many suffered and died for, just because a relative few choose to abuse them.
David Hess
Manheim Township
POLITICS
nUpon reading the (Jan. 27) Sunday News article titled, "Another big-business giveaway," by Rep. Sturla, I have concluded that he is not such a tough nut to crack after all. He is so concerned about Gov. Corbett and his dealings with Camelot LLC concerning the sale of the Pennsylvania Lottery.
It was just a few years ago when Rep. Sturla was the recipient of $10,000 from a would-be slots owner, as reported in a Lancaster Newspaper article, "Sturla aided by would-be slots owner," (originally published April 4, 2006). In this article, it was stated, "Their contributions, he said, were a sign of support for proponents of expanded gambling in the state House."
Therefore, I conclude that Mike Sturla is not receiving a political donation from Camelot LLC at this time as reflected by his nonsupport of Corbett on the sale of the Pennsylvania Lottery.
John L. Rineer
Lancaster
nThe Jan. 6 editor's column on P3, "Never/always disappointed," is an excellent comprehensive response to this diatribe on firearms.
Looking around there are horrible consequences for people's emotions where guns are not involved. The results of confused minds are seen every day in the mass media. The media are in front of everyone by way of the newspapers, video games, the boob tube and the Internet. Many people are bored or excited. We have to clean up and present something better. Guns don't kill. It is the person using them. I appreciate your conclusion.
At this time I am not happy with the overall theme of the media, and I definitely question their intentions. Thank you for presenting a more sensible viewpoint. It is easy to brush someone aside with their problems, but drugging them up doesn't solve anything. Thank you for pointing out the problems Adam Lanza's mother may have had to deal with without help.
Victoria Lingg
Narvon
nTen years ago, headlines across the nation reported the news of the removal of the Ten Commandments granite monument that Chief Justice Roy Moore of Alabama had installed in the Judicial Building rotunda.
Then came news of the pending removal of Chief Justice Moore from his elected office for not denying God, and for his publicly acknowledging God, as also reported in your paper, Jan. 25, 2001.
That year the Chief Justice was guest speaker at the "Biblical Foundations of American Law" conference held at the Lancaster Host Resort. Your paper covered the event in an article by Helen Colwell Adams. I was among a crowd of some 500 attending the conference.
Now, all these years later, there is this amazing good news. In the last election, the God-fearing people of Alabama voted Roy Moore back into his just office and he was sworn in Jan. 11, 2013.
People came from everywhere. The mezzanine was filled, and elsewhere it was standing-room-only in the Alabama Judicial Building. Vietnam veterans were given a place of honor. Roy Moore is a graduate of West Point, and a veteran of Vietnam.
It was a day of great rejoicing and thanksgiving, for God had raised up again the man who would not "omit the weightier matters of the Law."
When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice in Alabama, in Pennsylvania and in the United States of America.
Helen Mackewicz
Pottstown
nAs our elected officials in Washington debate ways to reduce the federal budget deficit, one proposal includes changing the way cost-of-living adjustments are calculated for Social Security recipients.
Unfortunately, moving to the so-called chained Consumer Price Index, or CPI, would permanently reduce benefit checks for today's seniors and future beneficiaries and does not provide an acceptable solution.
The chained CPI is based on the assumption that consumers will substitute lower-priced items when the cost of what they normally purchase goes up, bringing down their cost of living. Consequently, Social Security adjustments should also be reduced to reflect the money smart consumers are saving.
But most seniors are fully dependent on Social Security benefits and are already at greatest risk of poverty. With so much spending channeled to health care, it's doubtful they can find cheaper alternatives.
There is no store-brand surgery!
In studies, Americans of all ages support Social Security's modest but much-needed benefits earned by a lifetime of hard work, and they oppose benefit cuts. They also believe Social Security is not the cause of our deficits and should be addressed separately from the federal budget.
As a self-financed program, any reductions to Social Security benefits do nothing to address shortfalls in the rest of the federal budget.
The bottom line is the chained CPI will hurt seniors and vulnerable families. Congress needs to look at other ways to reduce our budget deficits.
Vern Marten,
AARP PA Citizen Advocacy Team member, Lititz
OTHER SUBJECTS
nMany times we have thought, "I would like to help, but I just don't know how." I can't afford to contribute financially, and I don't think I have any special talent or skill. The Lancaster community now has an unprecedented opportunity to participate in cancer research this year.
Enrollment for the American Cancer Society's third Cancer Prevention Study will be taking place at the HACC Lancaster campus. You can see all the times of enrollment and register by visiting cps3hacc.org.
Individuals between the ages of 30 and 65 who have never been diagnosed with cancer and are willing to make a long-term commitment to the study are encouraged to sign up. Those who choose to enroll will fill out a comprehensive survey packet about health history, provide a small blood sample and provide a waist measurement. Periodically, participants will receive a follow-up questionnaire.
The American Cancer Society needs your help. This is a very easy way for you to take part in the fight. The cps-3 study will take place Feb. 20. Please visit the above website to schedule an appointment or call the Lancaster County Unit of the American Cancer Society at 397-3745 to have your questions answered.
Terry Ditzler
Lancaster
nRe, editor's column, Jan. 27:
During the Great Depression, which I believe was before your time, life was so tough that many of us couldn't afford wind chill, something we take for granted today. Fortunately, in Minnesota, where I was born, thermometers dropped to minus-20 and minus-30 degrees, and we found we were able to get along quite well without it.
Ken Taylor
Millersville
nI commend the compassionate staff at Hucks House at the Humane League of Lancaster County for offering a gem to the community -- a solution that has such a success record that PetSmart came on board to offer financial support.
Trap-neuter-return improves the lives of the cats, and calms neighbors. The Humane League terminated its feral cat euthanasia program because it simply does not work. And simply not feeding cats does not curb the population. Simple home remedies like citrus peels, decorative rocks or boundary granules deter cats from digging in gardens. Be the change in the community you are passionate about.
Alexandra Clayton
Lancaster
nBone to pick ...
When the state Department of Agriculture inspected El Serrano Restaurant on Dec. 18, they brought items to the public's attention.
Most of the "failures" they cited happened while the restaurant was operating during a busy lunchtime, and cannot be addressed until the lunch rush is over. The other issues were nonsanitary related and should have been left out of the article. The same thing happens in my home kitchen. If you walk in while I have the place torn apart, you can see a whole bunch of things laying around and unkempt. I can assure you before I leave the kitchen, everything is clean and back in order.
This is another fine example of an over-bloated government sticking its nose in the working man's business and damaging his name and fortune rather than helping him and the economy.
Manuel Torres, the owner of El Serrano, welcomes anybody for a tour of his luxurious kitchens. Go take him up on it, and I can assure you, you won't be disappointed.
Mark Diener Lancaster
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