Sucker-punching attorneys deserve to be knocked out

Opinion: February 23, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

EDITOR:

I’m writing in regard to the article that appeared in the Feb. 16 Vindicator about the 16 businesses being sued for allegedly showing the Kelly Pavlik vs. Jermain Taylor fight without authorization. What gives a California company the exclusive rights to distribute entertainment? Money maybe? What a joke.

These small businesses are not national franchises that have millions of dollars for legal fees and fines, but independently-owned, neighborhood gathering places where the Pavlik camp has its greatest fan base. These establishments are the very same places where owners display Pavlik’s picture, wear Team Pavlik shirts and hats and have ”Go Kelly” on their marquees. They have contributed to the Kelly fever that has captivated this town for years.

In these struggling economic times when bars and restaurants are trying to keep from getting knocked out, here comes some unassociated law firm hitting below the belt. I can understand a warning, but I view these as frivolous lawsuits with some out-of-town attorneys trying to make a fast buck.

Can Kelly Pavlik stop the drama? He always claims Youngstown is his town and his Youngstown fans are the best, so why not show hometown fans how much you care now. Come into the ring, Kelly, and put a stop to this fight because Youngstown does not need another “black eye.”

ROSEMARY MORRISON

Youngstown

Return to citizen legislators

EDITOR:

I’m angry. Why? Because our “leaders” can’t seem to get it right. A few weeks ago, Massachusetts filled a Sen. seat, open since the death of Senator Ted Kennedy, in a special election. That seat had been held by a Kennedy since 1953 and he was replaced by, of all things, a Republican. The Republicans puffed out their chests with an attitude of “look what we did.” Instead of that, they should be thinking “that could be me next time.”

In light of that election, I think that all politicians need to look in the mirror, if they can, and realize that the American public is fed up with business as usual and is circling like a flock of vultures just waiting for the next election.

I sincerely hope I’m right. The Founding Fathers of this great country had in mind a person would be elected to office, serve the term elected for and then return to private life knowing that their duty to their country had been fulfilled. Congress was never intended to be a lifetime career, contrary to popular belief in Washington, D.C., and Columbus, Ohio. I venture to say that most of the congressmen and senators have never worked an honest job in their lives. They’ve found a career that allows them to feel important, become rich on lobbyists money and retire after way too many years with full pension and benefits for the remainder of their life. I guess you might be able to force me into such a cushy deal too, now that I think about it.

Seriously, though, let’s put the politicians feet to the fire and get back to basics, the way America was originally designed. It sure would eliminate the fact that because so and so has been a senator forever, he/she can steal as much as he/she wants to for their district and to heck with everyone else. Bridges to nowhere would be a thing of the past, and wonder of wonders, the government could actually live within its means after a while. Term limitation, what a concept.

ROY STRAIGHT

Boardman