Let’s see evidence in CLS case

Let’s see evidence in CLS case

Like many others, I am sad dened by the events surrounding the raid at the Cat Ladies Society. Although there may be a few who dismiss the lives of innocent animals as something not worth the time or effort, I believe there are more human beings who love these creatures like family or close friends. My cat has been one of the best things that has ever happened to me.

The thought resounding in my mind now is simply — where is the evidence (pictures/videos) of neglect, dying animals, inadequate facilities? If it exists, the public needs to see it, no matter how hard that might be. What many of us have seen so far is a beautiful facility. The videos taken during the raid appeared as if they could have been taken in any well-respected animal shelter — happy, healthy looking cats in a facility that would be a “cat’s dream.” One cat with a bloody nose was shown in a cage after it was placed in the back of the truck. I was told this happened as a result of the cats being pushed and shoved by those conducting the raid. No, I didn’t see this; so I can’t say for sure.

Maybe it takes time for any possible evidence to be revealed to the public. Most people really do want to know both sides of the story. Many people will be waiting and watching, and this is not something that will be easily or quickly forgotten.

Lorraine M. Schott, Youngstown

Use common sense to protect lives

Last Sunday’s editorial, “Let’s curb a ‘menace to society,’ ban text- ing at the wheel in Ohio,” advances a Band-aid solution to a very huge wound. Educate, then legislate. To stick a warning label on a cell phone will be as effective as those on a pack of cigarettes!

Gratefully, common sense and law dictates that any driver of a public transportation system meet some very rigid and confining rules for the safety of their passengers. We demand that of them. And traveling on any street and highway, we recognize and are grateful for the traffic signs and signals that are intended to protect us. We seem to use our constitutional rights with common sense, then why not driving? Why is it not so for millions of drivers whose passengers are, in most cases, the most precious in their world? Their future and lives are in the driver’s hands. How do we protect them?

To drive home a point, I must relate a personal experience that prompted me to give up driving. My driver’s license expires in July 2012.

Several years ago I was fortunate in that two close accidents, due to my inability to react quickly, were averted because the other drivers could and did. I am most grateful to them because in all probability I would not be writing this.

So, exercise your constitutional rights with common sense and you’re on the right road for a healthier and longer life. And, may the oncoming driver be as good as you are.

Louis Mamula, Lowellville

Work together for animals in need

We have quite a few ani- mal sanctuaries in this area. Some help just dogs, some just cats, some take dogs, cats, horses, whatever needs help. These organizations give food and shelter to otherwise homeless creatures that do not stand a chance in this world without us.

Many people give generously to help keep these facilities up and running. Most accept not only money, but goods that they use throughout each day, like laundry detergent, blankets, washers, dryers, food, first aid supplies. Most need volunteers to clean cages and walk dogs and just let these animals know they are loved.

These are about the best charities that we can possibly contribute to. However, it seems that our local facilities do not work together and do not even like other facilities. I have contributed to several organizations and heard nothing but negative remarks and bad things from people who are dealing with one of the other places. They tell me my donation will not be spent on the animals, but on other things. I have talked to people from these places and when I tell them the vet that I use, there are many negative comments about that particular vet.

We need to find a way to work together as a community for the good of these animals. We all need each other to keep the local animals alive and to find homes for them. Our local vets need to find it in their hearts to contribute a medical procedure to a needy animal, at least once a week.

Accept the fact that people will continue to contribute to groups that you do not approve of, and that is OK. We are all working for the same cause, and everybody has something that they can offer to the others.

Mark Constantini, Canfield

Ads speak louder than their deeds

In this season of bombard- ment by political ads, it is easy to become disillusioned with government that is representative — sort of. Ironically, ads designed to elect a “representative” only misdirect us from any reason why their sponsor deserves our vote. For instance:

Most politicians are “fighting” for something. We are not allowed to know for what, or against whom, or how, or the likely outcome, or what it may mean to us. Apparently, it’s only important that we believe they are fighters and “standing up for taxpayers.” Sigh. There is no bargaining in a “fight”, there’s just a winner and a loser. It’s a divisive, zero-sum game. A fight is the very opposite of the art of compromise that generates political action versus the do-nothing excuse for government that Congress has become.

Though every office seeker has a “plan,” ads never offer details. Voters could never be entrusted with a plan against which to measure the performance of an elected representative. We can be handed a list of glittering generalities. These can’t be measured later, but they sound real good during the fight. When a fight winner does something that generally resembles one of the generalities of his or her plan, that “accomplishment” becomes a “talking point” to be repeated ad nauseam. Of course, the politician prefers that repetition will lead you to accept their talking point as fact rather than something sickening.

When a politician says “we” it means the politician, plus his campaign aides, party supporters and the politician. You are not included, except that you must generate tax revenue to fund “their” fight for more talking points to convince you that they are winning. Of course, they won’t tell you you are losing.

I urge fellow voters to ignore the ad noise. Follow the debates, seek substance instead of talking points and vote your conscience, not the party blather. Eventually, we may be able to force the hacks out. Removing much of the corrupting money from political campaigns might just return government to the representative form it was intended to be rather than government by those with the most dollars to buy ad noise.

Jim Cartwright, Canfield

Parenting makes the difference

The other day on Fox chan- nel the head of the Eagle School in New York City, a school for boys, was interviewed. He was a black man, 13 years an educator. He was asked why his school enjoyed an 87 percent graduation rate. His answer was community and parental involvement.

For those of you in Youngstown and vicinity who believe that it’s the teacher’s fault and that more money is needed, you’re wrong. Not to say that there are some teachers who shouldn’t be teaching, but they are not totally to blame.

Parents, take responsibility for your kids. If you don’t, they will drop out and be dead or in prison before age 20. Tough to hear? Too bad. That’s reality.

Margaret Henning, Boardman