Speak Out 12/1/10

Returned glasses

THANK you to the nice person who recently turned in my two glasses at Bob Evans. I really appreciate your honesty. Thank you very much.

Let businesses decide

EVERYBODY complains about government intrusion in our lives. One area we can directly address this intrusion is in the proposed smoking ban in businesses. Let business owners decide whether they want to allow smoking in their business.

Stimulate economy

WITH the inflation rate at virtually zero, some members of Congress seem ready to tell the Fed to focus exclusively on fighting inflation instead of attempting to stimulate the economy. This may make good political sense to members of Congress, but, economically speaking, it is insidiously ignorant.

Thank you

THANK you to the wonderful lady who bought my lunch recently at McDonalds. It truly surprised me and put a smile on my face. It is such a blessing to know that there are kind people in today's society. I am so thankful for that.

Fundraiser thanks

THANK you to all the people who helped and donated items for the Blake Cotton Fundraisers. The family and friends of the family greatly appreciate all you have done. Happy holidays.

Go Southeast

LET'S turn this town red. Go Southeast. Beat the EWU Eagles.

Harrison home

I feel sorry for the family of B.W. and Hazel Harrison. They thought the college was going to keep the home in good repair, but they have been forgotten. The college has also forgotten the farm that Freddie and Edith Ristig had on County Road 618. One of the buildings was severely damaged more than a year ago, and there are lots of weeds around the barn and one of the houses.

Leaves mess

OUR neighborhood leaf pick up was weeks ago. We still have people raking their leaves into the gutter. What's going to happen to the mess in the streets from these folks who don't pay attention or don't care? The city should charge them to come back and clean up their mess.

Hang up the phone

PEOPLE who constantly talk on their cell phones need to be considerate of the sales associates who are trying to help them while others wait for their assistance. Don't answer your phone when someone is trying to help you. This is rude and inconsiderate.

Owner's choice

I don't smoke. However, I don't see where anybody has the right to tell a restaurant owner what to do with his or her business. If you don't want to smoke or be around smokers, don't go to that place. You don't pay the taxes on the business, the owner does. It's up to the owner whether he or she wants to allow smoking in their business.

Limbaugh tirade

RUSH Limbaugh released an angry tirade following President Obama's Thanksgiving Day message to the nation. What made Rush so angry? It is the idea that Native Americans helped the early colonists during their first winter in Massachusetts. Other presidents, including Ronald Reagan, have made similar references. Had the president stated Thanksgiving occurs each year on a Thursday, Rush probably would have vehemently disagreed.

Non-smoking pledge

TOO many people have a romantic view of smoking. They think of it first as a right. However, it's a filthy, unhealthy and expensive habit that continues because nicotine is addictive. How many people would quit if they could? It took me years of trying before I stopped, and I still want to smoke. But I'm not going to because I made a promise to myself not to put my children through what I went through as a child growing up in a household of smokers.

Hypocrisy

INCOMING House Republican Andy Harris is already complaining that the affordable health care coverage he receives as a member of Congress -- the same coverage that Republicans want to repeal for hardworking families -- doesn't start soon enough. How many other Republican health care hypocrites do you think there are?