Springer's money shouldn't gain him Dem party favor

Springer's money shouldn'tgain him Dem party favor
EDITOR:
The Democratic Party -- my party -- is so morally and ethically corrupt in this county and this state that they would serve up Jerry Springer as our savior for the U.S. Senate. What a political malaise we have wrought!
Just because a man can put millions of his own money into his own campaign is not reason enough for good Democrats to embrace him. The Republican domination of our state and the political division of our party in Mahoning County is more a disease than a symptom of one.
Democratic officeholders who embrace corruption and cronyism without raising a cry in defense of the taxpayer are the sickness. When they get elected they embrace the sociological truism of "us" vs. "them" -- the taxpayers. Until real Democrats and officeholders unite to do the right thing and not the convenient thing, Democrats will bear their burdens continually and the Republicans will harvest their victories while Democrats will continue to lose in public esteem.
Those who sought a so-called reconciliation of the party by honoring some past Democrats of stature would have done well to have reconsidered their decision to use Jerry Springer as a role model of today, to honor their role models of yester year. Democrats -- Physician heal thyself. How much farther must we fall from grace in this county and this state before we recognize how far we have fallen in public esteem and trust? Jerry Springer -- I think not! Who else is running?
ANDREW HAMADY
Poland
Courts need to make timefor real anti-stalking cases
EDITOR:
I am writing in response to the article published on May 7 titled "Frivolous Court Filings Must Not Be Tolerated."
I disagree that the law doesn't have time to deal with requests for anti-stalking orders. I think they have time to deal with anti-stalking orders, but I don't think they have time to deal with "frivolous" anti-stalking orders.
As with any law or rule, there is always someone who breaks it. This seems to be the case in Mahoning County. But I guess the old saying "one bad apple spoils the whole bunch" is true. There are real cases of people stalking others. If they abolish the law altogether, how will those people be/feel protected? Although I do agree that some changes need to be made to help sort out the cases (like the man in this article concerning the racetracks). I still feel like this law might help people who are actually threatened by others.
I do agree that some changes could be made to take out the frivolous cases, but as for the issue of the Mahoning County Common Pleas Court having too many illegitimate civil cases seems to go along with all other political problems in the justice system.
I don't think it's fair to the actual stalking victims to be told that they have no protection simply because the courts have no time to deal with their requests.
CHELSEA PENNINGTON
Lake Milton
Allowing guns in cockpitswill help the terrorists
EDITOR:
I am responding to an issue I heard about -- guns in the cockpit.
Many people have their own opinions about this subject along with me. I feel that this is a really bad idea.
I ran across a voting poll on a Web site that dealt with the question, "Will armed pilots make flying safer?" 9,479 people voted yes, 3,034 people voted no and that it would make flying more dangerous, 3,032 people that it would make no difference, and lastly, 1,918 people voted that they didn't know.
I obviously do know, and I have a very strong opinion about this subject. A gun in the cockpit is a very dangerous idea.
What if that gun fell into the wrong hands? I think that it would just make it easier for the terrorists to attack. Instead of sneaking weapons on the aircraft, all they will have to do is find it. It's like supplying the enemy with the ammo. It's just not safe.
If terrorists can do it now, then they can most definitely do it with a gun already on the plane. If terrorists want to do damage, they will get that gun no matter what. Sept. 11 proved that.
ALLISON E. CHEPKE
North Jackson
No lawyer can help guiltycriminals face the music
EDITOR:
The article, "Sniper suspect has right to remain silent," gives insight into why we have so many problems with crime and criminals in America.
The intent of the Constitution was never to protect guilty criminals, but those who have been falsely accused.
If a man is innocent and tells the truth, what fear does he have to speak of his innocence? On the other hand, if he is guilty he fears to speak the truth because it will condemn him.
No one needs a lawyer if he is innocent and tells the truth. You need a lawyer when you are guilty and want to get away with your crimes.
God sees everything, including the hearts and lies of men who try to suppress the truth by their wickedness.
To defend a guilty person who will not admit their wrong is to take part in the crime they have committed by trying to prevent justice. In the end no one will get away with murder for, "We all must stand in front of Christ to be judged. We will be judged for the good things and the bad things we do while we are in our bodies. Then each of us will receive what we are supposed to get." (2 Corinthians 5:10)
Men can play all the deceptive, evasive games they want to, but in the end they will face the music. Today is the day of salvation and all should trust in Jesus to receive forgiveness of sins and a second chance in life.
May God comfort the families of all the victims who seem to have been forgotten while evil people are given help instead of the swift judgment they deserve.
LEO FEHER
Youngstown
Ruling underscoreswhat is already known
EDITOR:
An Ohio Supreme Court decision has ramifications for education everywhere ("Ohio top court ends case of school funding," May 17).
Recently, the highest court in the Buckeye State made a ruling in a 12-year old Perry County schools case. The ruling stated what a lot of people already know: property taxes aren't an equitable source of funding for schools. According to The Vindicator story, the Perry County case dealt with a boy who had to sit on the floor to take a test, because there weren't enough desks to go around. There weren't enough desks because there weren't enough school funds; there weren't enough funds because Perry County is a rural district without much of a tax base, so local property taxes aren't enough to fund the school. Got the picture?
Pennsylvania and Ohio are both dealing with crises in school funding, and both state assemblies are examining ways to alleviate the problem. The Ohio Supreme Court decision last simply underscores the need for change when it comes to funding our public schools, no matter which state you live in.
JASON C. REEHER
Grove City, Pa.