Appeasement can be more costly in long run

Appeasement can be more costly in long run
EDITOR:
In the debate about a possible preemptive military strike by the United States against Iraq, one should remember an old adage which says those who forget history are doomed to repeat it.
Let us not forget the hundreds of thousands of our military personnel who were killed or wounded in World War II in order to stop another madman by the name of Hitler. Also, remember the millions of European civilians who were murdered before that war was concluded.
What was a major factor leading up to this carnage? It was clearly a policy of appeasement and avoidance. How many millions of lives might have been spared if Hitler had been stopped early in his efforts to rule the world?
Now we must confront another madman by the name of Saddam Hussein. I have read where he believes that he is the second coming of Nebuchadnezzar, a ruler of the known world in ancient times.
Saddam has shown the world of his madness when he had poison gas used to murder thousands of Iraq's men, women, and children for political reasons. It was reported during his war with Iran that his armies marched children through mine fields in order to clear them.
I believe the first issue to resolve, in considering a pre-emptive military action against Iraq, is whether or not we will probably have to go to war with that country any time in the future in order to save the world or that region. If the answer to that probability is yes, and I believe Saddam's history says it is yes, then I say the sooner the better for the sake of those that must go in and do the fighting. There will be many more casualties if it has to be done later.
DONALD G. BAKER
Youngstown
In perspective, Sweet's pay raise is no big thing
EDITOR:
First, let's get this out of the way. The $25,000 raise for YSU President Sweet was tacky in light of the budget crunch, but how does the sum stand up in perspective. That $25,000 could pay the salary of one extra person at a rate almost equivalent to the rate for the unskilled labor job I had my first summer out of high school in 1950. As for the failure to increase enrollment as much as they wanted to, there is very good reason for that.
As indicated by the news release by the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education, Ohio is among the very worst in its support of students. The tuition by itself could run up as much as $40,000 indebtedness in student loans. Why enroll at YSU when establishing residency in a neighboring state and enrolling in one of their state supported universities could cut that in half.
The present sordid situation is the result of both parties cutting that support over the last 50 years. Dr. Garner, president of Miami University, Ohio, pointed out in his year 2000 State of the University address that the current support was 50 percent of what it was in 1955. It is worse today. It would take more than a 100 percent increase in support to restore the level of support I had when I graduated from Miami.
What does that asinine penuriousness mean? As pointed out by professor of English Virginia Monseau two weeks ago, it means that students have to wait an extra year to take that course needed for graduation because it is only offered every two years. It means that attempts to fill some positions will be nearly impossible. It also means that attempts to attract the "cutting edge" industries by the Third Frontier initiative will be scorned as Ohio all too obviously does not take the necessity of training the needed work force seriously.
It also means that the research and study materials needed by the students can not be purchased by the university library. Don't fool yourself about the internet filling in. It can't.
What is it going to take for a wake up call? The North Central Association putting Ohio universities on probation? And they are the ones that count when on Ohio graduate applies to an out of state or private university for graduate studies.
The bill for all those years of playing around with the state university support is overdue, and the bill collectors are thundering at the doors.
JEROME K. STEPHENS
Warren
Comparing YSU and OSU is apples and oranges
EDITOR:
I couldn't help but to laugh when Dr. Shipka wrote a rather lengthy letter to justify the new pay scale of the YSU faculty and his comparison to other universities in Ohio. I wish that I could compare salaries in Youngstown to Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and better yet Silicon Valley when asking for my next raise from an employer in this area. I suspect that I'd get laughed at and shown the door.
The fact is all salary structures are based on geographic areas and jobs in the Youngstown area generally pay less than jobs in the other major cities in Ohio. Dr. Shipka conveniently leaves out the fact that the cost of living in the Mahoning Valley is significantly lower than many major metropolitan areas and therefore salaries should also reflect that. A similar job in Cleveland should pay more than that job in Youngstown simply because housing costs are much lower here.
So in effect the YSU professors have perpetrated a scam on the students of the university. Not only are they paid on par with professors at other universities in Ohio, but in fact are making more money than their counterparts because of Youngstown's much lower cost of living.
BILL JOHNSON
Boardman
Chamber's message to city: Face fiscal reality
EDITOR:
I wholeheartedly agree with the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber's public position on opposing the income tax on the ballot. This is a Youngstown-Warren area issue. What happens in Youngstown affects the Warren area and visa versa. The City of Youngstown must come to grips with its fiscal realities. The number of fire, police, and city workers is based on the population.
According to U.S. Bureau of Census, the population of Youngstown was 95,695 in 1990. The Bureau reports that the population shrank to 82,757 in 1999, a reduction of approximately 14 percent. Yet Mayor McKelvey continues to defend his need to maintain the present number of city employees.
The scare tactic of "public safety is in jeopardy" employed by the respective unions is hogwash. All they are doing is trying to save their overpaid and under productive positions by keeping their numbers the same and hoodwink the voters into paying the bill. It is high time that the mayor took charge of the city, and reduced the number of city employees at least in proportion to the population statics.
The way to increase city's income is to encourage population growth and economic development. Not drive people away with the highest city income tax in the state of Ohio.
THADDEUS M. PRICE
Warren