People lining route of Hartzell funeral procession made police officers proud

People lining route ofHartzell funeral procession made police officers proud
EDITOR:
Each time a police officer dies it is never easy to deal with. People show emotions many different ways. God helps us to understand that the good do not die in vain. Officer Michael Hartzell was a good, young and innocent police officer. His death left us with a greater understanding of why we, as police officers, put our lives on the line everyday. We are here to protect and serve the communities that we live in.
The day of the funeral, as we drove down Mahoning Avenue, we did not know those that lined the route. Children donned police hats, their families waived flags and saluted as we passed by. They gave us God's blessing in everything they said and did. Officer Hartzell's father spoke of these scenes at the funeral as it touched the family so deeply. These were the scenes that made me cry. This was also the conversation of many police officers throughout the day.
Someone once asked me if I ever think about getting killed while performing my job. I responded that I don't think about it at the time, but I do later. Then, I think about a quote from Lillian Dickson, "Your life is like a coin. You can spend it any way you wish, but you can spend it only once."
Thank you to the families with children who see police officers as role models and heroes. The children are our future and the world of tomorrow is in their hands. Thank you to the many people who watched us go by, restoring our faith in the jobs that we do. You make us feel proud to be the men and women in blue.
Det./Sgt. DELPHINE BALDWIN-CASEY
Youngstown Police Department
Congress is AWOL in battle for constitutional balance
EDITOR:
I have been under the impression all along that the Iraq war was all about business. The American people have been led to believe that we sent our troops to Iraq to win freedom for the people of Iraq. There is a broad gap between our interpretation of freedom and the idea of freedom in the minds of the Iraqi people. The Iraqi people continue to echo the phrase, "Yankee Go Home."
About the business aspect of this war. Journalists have reported that a month before the initial "surgical strike" was made to "get Saddam" a deal was made with Halliburton, the company of which Vice President Cheney was the CEO. The deal was to award Halliburton the task of extinguishing oil well fires in Iraq. The deal was made clandestinely so as not to arouse concern among the American people. A Texas company was successful in extinguishing the multitude of oil well fires in Kuwait after the Gulf War, but it was never given an opportunity to bid on this endeavor -- since there was no bidding for this job!
It was also reported that at least six companies were awarded contracts to rebuild Iraq after the war ended. These lucrative contracts were awarded behind closed doors as well. In my mind this is a perfect example of the political spoils system. The GOP is alive and well. Something to remember when one exercises one's rights at the polls.
When the president goes stumping for votes for members of his political persuasion he makes many promises regarding people of diverse races, ethnic backgrounds nationalities, labor and veterans organizations, etc. I am particularly incensed by his completely reversed actions concerning senior citizen, medical and pharmaceutical concepts. His cutbacks in veterans benefits is especially appalling. It has come to the point where too many senior citizens are forced to choose between vitally needed prescription drugs and food and heat during winter months.
I personally feel that Congress has given this president excessive power contrary to the terms spelled out in the Constitution. It is time Congress addressed this issue.
BEN PAULSEY
Warren