Focus on facts, not support
10/21/2012Blade Editor David Kushma said in his Oct 7 op-ed column, “Endorsements: A thankless task we aren't giving up,” that The Blade's publisher and editor-in-chief, John Robinson Block, has the final say on all of your endorsements. So the process at The Blade is one man's decision.
I fail to see how Mr. Block's decision would be helpful to your readers if it isn't supported by facts. As you quoted your readers: “Don't tell me who I should vote for; just give me the facts and I'll make up my own mind.”
In view of the likelihood that neither President Obama nor Mitt Romney will accept your invitation to be grilled by your editorial board, may your readers assume that neither will be endorsed?
Perhaps you could submit a list of questions to each nominee.
Because of President Obama's proclaimed performance on foreign policy, you might ask him why U.S. consulate in Libya wasn't prepared for the anniversary of 9/11. Instead of concentrating on endorsements, you should find the facts behind the murder of our ambassador to Libya and three other Americans there. Report your findings and let your readers make up their own minds.
JOHN SCHALLES
Ottawa Hills
Save time, do two endorsements
To save time, I suggest you do two endorsement editorials. The first would endorse all Democrats, no matter what the office.
The second would be to endorse all levies and proposals that would increase taxes, benefit any union, or increase the spending power of a government entity.
You could then have either of the two printed at various times, saving yourself the time and agony of writing another piece.
WILLIAM FORTUNA
Lambertville
Karras admired by fibrosis unit
Alex Karras was a tough football player and a good actor (“Alex Karras, NFL defensive lineman who starred in Webster, Blazing Saddles, dies at 77,” Oct. 10). He also had a heart of gold.
In 1971, he was the guest speaker at our Cystic Fibrosis Foundation sports banquet, one of the first such events in the Toledo area. Mr. Karras did not charge our organization a fee or expenses. He made a large donation to our chapter. Many Toledoans thought of Mr. Karras as a humanitarian.
THOMAS FALVEY
Sylvania
City Council must rethink pay
I'm concerned about the chronic absenteeism of a few people on Toledo City Council (“Clueless in Toledo,” editorial, Sept. 24). If a council member attends meetings only when it doesn't conflict with other activities, that should be on that official's dime, not ours.
CHARLIE BLECKNER
West Manhattan Boulevard