Signs are protected speech

Signs are protected speech

EDITOR:

I was disturbed to learn that Youngstown has an ordinance that restricts when people may display campaign signs and the size of such signs. (“Signs have their limits,” Oct. 7) Such laws have been routinely thrown out by courts in Ohio and across the nation because they violate our core free speech rights.

In 2000, the Ohio Supreme Court ruled that time restrictions violated free speech protections. The court said that by imposing restrictions on when political signs could be displayed, the city effectively banned political speech during times it was not allowed.

Additionally, in 2004 the ACLU of Ohio represented Karen Arshnikoff, wife of Summit County GOP Chairman Alex Arshnikoff. Mrs. Arshnikoff was fined by the city of Hudson because they deemed her 4’ by 8’ Bush/Cheney sign too large. Courts agreed with the ACLU that the city’s restriction on the size of political signs was a violation of her free speech rights.

Freedom to express political views without regulation is central to our most cherished rights as Americans. As the nation draws closer to the 2008 presidential election, many more Ohioans will exercise their First Amendment rights and place political signs on their property. Instead of seeking to stifle the political speech of residents, officials and others should encourage and celebrate the fact that so many people are interested in civic affairs.

JEFFREY M. GAMSO, legal director

American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio

Cleveland

Living by the book

EDITOR:

The letter, “A piece of vile propaganda” is way off base and far from the truth. I also received the DVD “Obsession” and it was very accurate in portraying true Islam. Most of today’s Muslims are good peaceful people, but they do not go by what the Quran actually says. This is also true of most who call themselves Christians and then do not obey what the Bible says.

As a born again Christian who lived in New York for over 40 years I have met many Muslims and most were nice peaceful people. I then purchased a copy of the Quran and read it several times.

The Quran says to kill the infidels and unbelievers where you find them, and therefore the terrorists are doing what the Quran actually says. Just like Jesus said to love your enemies and pray for those who despitefully use you. Therefore true Christians do not have guns or weapons, they don’t support any war for any reason and never, never approve of any type of violence. All you have to do is read the book of Acts and study the life of Jesus to see that this is true.

We believe that the only way to change the world and a person is to preach the good news that Jesus died for our sins and rose again on the third day that we might have forgiveness of sins and eternal life.

This world will never change and people will kill each other for any reason, but true Christians know and obey the truth, and Jesus is the truth.

LEO FEHER

Youngstown

Sign thief cinched the deal

EDITOR:

As I was pulling out of my driveway the other morning I noticed, to my surprise, that the Obama sign that we had in our front yard was gone. As I drove down Wood Street in Lowellville I realized all of the Obama signs were gone. Surprise, all of the McCain signs were left intact.

To the person who stole the signs, you have proved that you are supporting a weak candidate with no solutions to current issues. When your only campaign strategy is to steal the competitor’s signs you have nothing else to offer to support your candidate. Your time would have been better spent door-to-door telling what your candidate will do as president.

Thank you for pushing our household “off the fence” and winning two votes for Obama by proving the weakness of your candidate with the people that support him.

NERINA MOROCCO

Lowellville

The great petroleum debate

EDITOR:

At the Republican Convention cries of drill, drill, drill frequently echoed through the hall. On the other side, Democrats argue that the big oil companies should develop wells on the many sites they already leased. So why haven’t domestic petroleum firms been eager to drill more wells to increase oil supply?

We are told that part of the answer is a limitation of oil rigs or insufficient refining capacity. A more compelling reason is that the demand for oil is highly inelastic. In other words, by limiting the flow of petroleum entering the market the price can be enhanced and the profits of producers increased.

Most people are very familiar with the OPEC cartel which came into being to limit the supply of oil in the global market to increase the profits of its members. Thus far it has succeeded as the global demand for oil has grown in recent years more rapidly than the controlled supply. As consumers we have been faced with sticker shock at the pumps.

Assuming the above analysis is correct, it is unlikely that domestic or OPEC producers are eager to drill, drill, drill. It would only depress oil prices and lower profits.

ANTHONY H. STOCKS

Youngstown

Want to write-in? Ask

EDITOR:

There are still voters out there who don’t understand about write-in votes. I overheard two ladies talking in my reception room that they went to vote early and didn’t see my name on the ballot. I walked out to talk to them and explained that someone should have helped them with write-in information if they had only asked. Nobody is generally going to offer the instructions unless they are asked.

The important thing to know about write-in candidates is that there will always be a provision for voters to add a name to the ballot. There should be a box to mark and beside it a blank line to fill in the name. If you only fill in the name and don’t mark the box, the vote won’t be counted. Even on electronic voting machines there is a way to add a write-in name, but be sure to mark the vote as well, and ask for help if you need it.

Some voters even believe that we only have two presidential candidates to choose from, and are unaware of independents, third parties, and write-ins. Our two-party system has been in power for over 150 years. Many members of Congress have 30, 40, and even 50 years of experience in government. What do you think of the job they’ve done so far? Time for a real change, not just a replacement of professional party politicians.

DONALD K. ALLEN

Youngstown