LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
How has NASA aided mankind?
3/9/2011State Sen. Mark Wagner (R., Ottawa Hills) and Patrick Shenigo, an Erie County commissioner, have explained how important the NASA program is ("In Ohio, NASA saves money, creates jobs," op-ed, March 8).
They say that NASA in Ohio has 7,000 employees with more on the way, that Ohio taxpayers have invested $225 million for updates in the last four years, and that an Ohio NASA facility did testing that helped with the landing of the Mars Rovers.
How has a four-wheeler on Mars or a space station that has devoured billions of dollars helped mankind?
Vaughn C. Miller
Swanton
Tips to reduce the national debt
Here are some tips for our leaders on reducing the national debt ("House acts to sidestep federal shutdown," March 2).
Close the military bases in Japan and Germany. The wars have been over for 60 years.
Cut back on the space program until the economy gets better. Who needs to know what's going on on the moon when people here are starving?
Cut back foreign aid until people here aren't starving.
Get rid of earmarks. We need a bridge to somewhere, not a bridge to nowhere.
Check congressional expense accounts. Do they have to travel all over and fly home on weekends?
Do we really need a new fighter jet?
Get out of Iraq. They don't want us there, and the funds we are giving them never go where they're needed.
John R. Gulvas
Holland, Ohio
U.S. needs leader like Britain's
President Obama likely will not allow military interference in Libya ("Offer from Kaddafi reveals split in Libya's rebel ranks," March 9). After all, it's a Muslim country and he bows to Muslim leaders.
We need leadership at least as good as Great Britain's. Send in the troops, evacuate our citizens, and leave.
Don Mooney
Erie, Mich.
Packo problem needs solution
As a more than 30-year veteran of the restaurant industry and former president of the Northwest Ohio Restaurant Association, I was appalled when I read about the problems that face Tony Packo's Inc. executives ("2 Packo's execs' assets garnished," March 1).
Having been in business partnerships over the years with family and friends, I empathize with the situation that they find themselves in.
What really appalls me though is that they have been billed $230,000 by the receiver for services rendered from August through mid-January.
For that kind of money, the receiver ought to be posting gains in revenue and profitability, not just maintaining the status quo.
The receiver, the court, and now the bank have become part of the problem as opposed to proponents of a solution. If the three entities that are supposedly trying to bring a resolution to this situation don't get out of the way, this once-thriving business is doomed. Help the Packo family find a solution.
Greg Rufty
Perrysburg
Shame on court for funeral ruling
Shame on the U.S. Supreme Court for taking the side of Westboro Baptist Church in the case about protesters at military funerals ("Protesters at funerals protected from suits," March 3).
Between myself and my two sons, we have given 20 or more years to the U.S. military. When I see a military funeral procession, I get out of my car and pay my respects to the hero. All who pass a military funeral should do the same.
Robert K. Farrell
Sylvania
Just the news, please -- no bias
After three years of not getting The Blade, I thought I'd try it again. After three months, I can't take it anymore.
I just want the news, with no bias. When the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Westboro Baptist Church could protest at a private funeral for a private citizen, I said to my wife, "Just wait, The Blade will run an editorial supporting this."
There it was. I've canceled my subscription.
Frank LeForce
Temperance
Funeral comments are disturbing
The level of discourse about the U.S. Supreme Court's recent decision protecting the free speech rights of protesters at funerals is disturbing.
The Constitution defends the rights of citizens to dissent in numerous ways, including writing letters to newspapers to express an opinion.
If these rights are taken from people with whom we disagree, your right to dissent could be the next to go when political winds change.
Erik Sorensen
Torrence Drive
Card shouldn't block driver's view
If you have a blue or red handicapped placard hanging from your rearview mirror, take it down while you're driving. It should be hanging on your mirror only while your vehicle is parked.
The placard is a safety hazard when you're driving because it can block your view of people walking, kids on bikes at intersections, and motorcycles that are on the roads.
Ken Knaggs
Grand Rapids, Ohio
Polish war vet a man to remember
Kudos to the Blade for the obituary of Ted Nitkiewicz ("Polish war vet showed pride in U.S., service," March 4).
Growing up in the Polish neighborhood along Lagrange Street, I have two vivid memories of this wonderful man and war hero. As a teen, I remember sitting in his pharmacy at the soda fountain enjoying a malt and great conversation. I also remember Ted and his Polish comrades marching down Lagrange Street each year in the Memorial Day parade with the American and the Polish flags at their sides.
May Ted and all the Polish veterans who played such a key role in the Allied victory in World War II rest in peace.
Mel Ogrodowski
Wildwood Road
Don't like the ad? Call to complain
Here's a suggestion to the reader offended by the auto-insurance television commercial featuring a kick to the genitals ("Television ads hit below the belt," Readers' Forum, Feb. 22).
Call the company's 800 number and register a complaint. It took me less than 5 minutes. If the firm receives enough complaints, perhaps the ad will be taken off the air.
Pam Meeks
Oregon
Composer lauds young musicians
The Toledo Symphony League recently reviewed critiques of the Toledo Youth Orchestras performance in Cincinnati at the Ohio Music Educators' Association Conference Concert in January ("Young musicians to perform at conference of educators," Dec. 23, 2010).
The League believes the evaluation should be shared.
The orchestra performed "The Beast of Brazil," written by Michael Schelle, who attended the concert. He sent these comments: "I have been involved with quite a few good youth orchestras over the years, but I have never ever seen such passion, intensity, and ensemble music making as in your Toledo Youth Orchestra."
The Toledo Symphony League is proud that these fine young people are so involved in new music and are so willing to use their musical talents to represent northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan.
Ann E. Randolph
President Toledo Symphony League
Pothole driving requires thought
In my attempt to navigate the so-called roads in southeast Michigan, I can't decide whether to sideswipe oncoming cars to avoid potholes.
Peter Kern
Ottawa Lake, Mich.
Pothole fishing require a license?
I wonder if you have to have a license to fish in the potholes in Toledo.
C. Ingersoll
104th Street