Mayor Williams is correct to hold off on endorsement

Mayor Williams is correctto hold off on endorsement
EDITOR:
After reading the column of Bertram de Souza concerning Mayor Williams not endorsing any one of the governor candidates, we the people that work for Jay Williams applaud the mayor's position at this time. Why rush into endorsing and not knowing what either candidate is going to do for your city? This has not been done.
In the past, the Democratic and Republican governors have not looked any further than the 3 Cs: Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati. We are saying to both candidates in order to receive the endorsements and support for either candidate, they must not only think of the 3 Cs but also the Big Y, meaning Youngstown.
Congresswoman Stubbs has met with mayors throughout Ohio for endorsement of Democrat Ted Strickland, but she represents Cleveland. Our Mayor Jay Williams is no one's fool. He is not rushing into anything with his eyes closed. His eyes are open, and he has a good head on his broad shoulders.
To Mr. de Souza, please contact me and I will give you a lesson in politics. I am writing this letter to applaud Mayor Williams for his stance concerning the governor's endorsement. And for you, Mr. de Souza, no way can you or any of your cohorts use the term turncoat because you do not know the meaning of turncoat.
Neither the Democrat Party nor the Republican Party elected Mayor Williams. The People's Party put him in and the same party can do the same for Strickland or Republican Kenneth Blackwell.
Last but not least, everyone in the city, state and nation knows that Williams is black, and everyone knows the color of the two governor candidates. You are still trying to play the race card, but those days are over. Voters are very intelligent. Remember, I will give you lessons in politics.
HERMAN PETE STARKS
Liberty
Starks is a former Youngstown city councilman.
Don't call Darrow infamous;Valley attorney was famous
EDITOR:
I know that The Vindicator attempts to provide a quality newspaper for the people of the Mahoning Valley. I realize, too, that The Vindicator is not in the same league as The New York Times or the Washington Post; however, I have to believe that your newspaper has the resources to purchase a standard student dictionary or have access to Google to ensure proper use of the English language.
In an otherwise interesting article on a former Mahoning Valley resident, the late Atty. Clarence Darrow, the headline in the June 18, 2006, Entertainment section screams out: "Show focuses on Darrow, infamous Mahoning native". A basic public school education would be enough to properly use the word infamous. Clarence Darrow was a well regarded and also controversial attorney in the first half of the last century.
A quick Google search revealed the following definition of the word infamous:
1. Having an exceedingly bad reputation; notorious.
2. Causing or deserving infamy; heinous: an infamous deed.
3. Law.
a.Punishable by severe measures, such as death, long imprisonment, or loss of civil rights.
b. Convicted of a crime, such as treason or felony, that carries such a punishment.
Atty. Darrow fits none of these categories. Most people with a rudimentary knowledge of United States history can well recall the words of President Franklin Roosevelt in describing the Japanese attack on the U.S. Naval Base at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, as "... a date which will live in infamy." Clarence Darrow was and is not infamous. He was and is famous.
I would suggest that your newspaper purchase a student dictionary or provide access to Google for your staff and also teach them how to better proof an article before publication such as to avoid an notorious reputation for bad journalism, or at least for poor use of the common language of our area and nation.
PETER F. SAUER
Canfield
Reading during the summerwill keep kids pumped up
EDITOR:
If there is one message sent across each student's mind in Mrs. Rothman's fifth-grade class at Boardman Glenwood Middle School, it is to read. For the past month, she has been constantly reminding us with one motto: "If you read during the summer, you will be inflated. If you don't read during the summer, you will be deflated."
There is also a visual that was switching places throughout the room until it finally ended up hanging from our classroom door. It was a deflated inner tube and an inflated inner tube. The analogy made each kid understand how vitally important it is to read.
In the summer, remember, if you pick up a book and look, you will be an inner tube with knowledge. If you don't get to that library, you will be a deflated heap of plastic, sitting in the corner. When you're sitting around with nothing to do, dust off that bookshelf and read!
ALEX FOUNTAINE
Boardman
Catholic group ought towelcome women's input
EDITOR:
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops had an important meeting, and again women were not part of it.
Women's work and their monetary contributions are recognized, but at this meeting, again, no women were included, invited or welcomed, and their opinions were not considered.
This is indeed an important omission on the part of the church.
Women should speak up and demand to be heard.
The church is setting a bad example.
MARGARET M. HAMROCK
Youngstown