Remember ‘duck and cover’?

Remember ‘duck and cover’?

EDITOR:

When “remembering Youngstown” there is a time span that is seldom mentioned any more, the era when Youngstown was the leading iron and steel center of the United States and also prominent internationally. At night Youngstown was recognized from miles away by the red glow in the sky that even illuminated the clouds.

At the same time on the other side of the world the Soviet Union was expanding and preparing to dominate the world and spread it’s doctrine of communism. Only one obstacle remained in its path. The United States.

It was also the dawn of the nuclear age and Russia accumulated a sizable stockpile of atomic bombs. Missiles were not sufficiently developed and the bombs needed to be delivered by conventional aircraft. Russia planned to knock the United States out with a wave of atomic bombers aimed at key targets, including Washington, D.C. and Youngstown, Ohio, in the first attack.

To counter this plan, the United States established a series of radar stations in northern Canada to detect the planes approaching over the Arctic Circle and hopefully intercept them. They also set up a radar site south of Brookfield Center by Route 7 in Trumbull County. The Vindicator published pictures of a jet interceptor plane sitting in a hangar at the Vienna Air Base with a pilot in the cockpit and the ground crew ready to launch on a second’s notice. This was manned for 24 hours a day.

A mandate was issued that all Youngstown schools would conduct air raid drills. At that time I was the principal of Stambaugh School on the West Side. At the alarm, all students and personnel would go to the basement and crouch by the walls. A large stockroom was filled with emergency food, water and first aid supplies. We were to be prepared to spend several days in the shelter because of radiation. There were Geiger counters and we were instructed in their use. Luckily, we were never hit but we were ready.

Today, those children who crouched in the basement are grandparents in the community. Ask them if they remember the air raid drills.

EDWARD BRIENZ

Farmdale

The message is the key

EDITOR:

Pundits and serious commentators have weighed in with reasons why Republican candidates fared poorly in the November elections. Among them: (1) major TV and print media are dominated by Democrats and are not unbiased; (2) the Republican presidential candidate failed to convincingly articulate consistent positions both prior to and during his run for nomination; (3) a candidate other than John McCain would have better fared.

The winner of the presidential race was perceived as almost a charismatic savior for the problems facing many at the expense of a few. Politics is perception and the candidate who best convinces the most voters that the message is for their benefit usually wins.

How should the Republican party position itself for the best future outcome? It needs a message and a messenger.

The message must be one of pro-growth policies for the economy and the messenger must articulate these policies early and often. The message must espouse support for tax policies that transcend the divisive class warfare arguments promoted by those who discourage capital investment through unwise tax policies. Capital formation provides the means for production that without, employment lags.

The capital gains tax must be quickly phased out or reduced from 15 to no more than 5 percent. Simultaneously, the corporate income tax rate at the current 35 percent level (second highest of the industrialized nations) must be reduced by five percent a year to about 15 percent. (Ireland’s 2007 corporate tax rate was 12.5 percent).

Since JFK’s presidency, tax reduction has stimulated investment, production, and job creation that generates increased tax revenue via business and personal tax collections. If a pro-growth tax policy can be delivered in a fashion that convinces most voters that capital formation led by low rates of taxation will benefit all, the candidate delivering that message will succeed.

Atty. CARL RAFOTH

Youngstown

Think humanely, act locally

EDITOR:

If you watched television, this holiday season you saw the commercial for abandoned shelter animals featuring Sarah McLaughlin on behalf of the ASPCA (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals). The message is heart wrenching and compelling. Certainly, the ASPCA is a worthy cause, and their efforts in the area of animal welfare are important.

But consider this: Unwanted and neglected pets need your help right here in Columbiana and surrounding counties. At least donate a portion of the funds you set aside for animal welfare to local organizations. I can speak to the needs and activities of one local non-profit animal welfare organization, the Humane Society of Columbiana County.

In 2008, two trained, court appointed volunteer humane agents responded to over 400 concerns about animal cruelty and neglect over in Columbiana County. Over 300 cats and dogs have been cared for by volunteers who maintain a minimum of two shifts, seven days per week at our R.O.C.C. (Reduce Overpopulation of Cats and Canines) and Rescue Center located at 1825 S. Lincoln Ave. in Salem. The Humane Society is not funded by any local government agency nor any national animal welfare organization. Should donations cease, so too will the services of the Humane Society.

I am not recommending that you stop supporting organizations like the ASPCA, but we all know there is great need right in our own backyard.

JENNY PIKE

Salem

X The writer is president of the Humane Society of Columbiana County.