Ryan, not Bush, is the future

Ryan, not Bush, is the future
EDITOR:
I attended a local business group meeting Feb. 22, where Congressman Tim Ryan addressed a group including local business people, metallurgists, other scientists, welding industry professionals and students. After returning from that most informative meeting, I sat to enjoy my evening paper. Unfortunately, I was subjected to yet another uninformed rant by a letter writer who seems to think that by reiterating a silly "dittohead" diatribe he is making an intelligent statement. From his remarks, he is obviously unfamiliar with Mr. Ryan's aspirations for the future of the Mahoning Valley and his dedication to the safety and education of our children, the growth of our local area in the "global economy" and our acceptance of the responsibility we bear to our children and their future. While a Democrat, I am willing to work with any who are ready to help to ensure our future.
Our company participates in Gov. Taft's Third Frontier Program and hosted him (a Republican) during his visit to the Mahoning Valley when the program was instituted. We are also active in assisting Congressman Ryan in his Advanced Manufacturing Initiative and other related programs to further the educational and business goals of the Mahoning Valley. In his continuing rant on Democrats, the letter writer inaccurately assigned them the blame for all our problems, without regard to the active role that Bush, his father and their good ol' boys played in causing those problems. He implies that to disagree with Bush's policies constitute "Bush bashing," but it is actually he who is doing the bashing and basing it all on misinformation.
Congressman Ryan is justified in expressing his views about our role in the "war" on terror and the policies that are needed to fight it. Bush says we must "win the war," but still can't come up with an explanation of what winning means or even of what war we are fighting.
CAROL JEAN HIRT
Struthers
We ask soldiers to sacrifice; we must provide for them
EDITOR:
On Saturday Feb. 17, MSN-NBC reported the condition of Building 18 just across the street from Veterans Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D.C. This was deplorable and under no condition should we allow any human being to be taken there for treatment -- let alone our veterans.
These people have given parts of their bodies and suffered mental anguish in their minds so that we can remain safe from terror attacks.
The buildings were infested with rats, cockroaches, mold and filth and should have been declared unfit until renovated. No human being should have been put there for health care. These veterans cannot even handle their wheelchairs to get to the area they must go for their therapy.
We are sending more and more veterans to serve and not enough money in our budget to care for these returning victims. It tears me to pieces and gives me nightmares. Our veterans deserve better than this to come home to. We are spending billions to send them there, to lose arms and legs; well, then, spend more to take care of their bodies and minds when they come home.
We as American citizens need to read what is happening and call our congressman, the senators and, yes, the president of these United States. This is the most wonderful country in the world; let's keep it that way.
I am now blind, housebound and in a wheelchair for the rest of my life because I fought for this country, and our government needs to take care of our needs also.
JAMES W. HILL
Youngstown
Park roads aren't short cuts
EDITOR:
Drivers should not use the roads in Mill Creek Park as a short cut to their destination.
The roads are not freeways or city streets, they are scenic 25 mph park roads. So, be courteous and don't give drivers who are enjoying the scenery the horn or the digital salute.
BOB BAKALIK
Youngstown