Article published May 20, 2007
Imports not to blame for industry woes
In the May 14 Readers' Forum, Mark Contos wrote, "Car purchases are our last holdout against the invasion of imports that is hurting us all."
Mr. Contos needs to open his eyes to the way big business is conducted today. He should just look around his shop.
As a tool and die maker for the "American auto industry," he is likely working on a lathe made in Germany or Switzerland, a milling machine made in Japan or other Asian nation, using cutting tools likely made in Israel or Austria, grinding India-produced steel with abrasives made in Pakistan, and clamping parts in a vise made in Korea, using techniques that were largely developed in the early 1900s in what was once "Eastern Europe."
The cars produced as a result of his highly skilled trade, whether branded General Motors, Ford, Mazda (which is largely controlled by Ford), Jeep, Hyundai, Saab (a unit of General Motors), or Ferrari, contain parts from United States, China, Germany, Canada, Mexico, Turkey, and every other corner of the world.
Many of the layoffs in his particular industry are not a result of "world economy outsourcing" but of computerized technology that requires a different skill set than the ability to manually measure to incredible accuracy with micrometers and mill using veneer scales and dial indicators to a 10,000th of an inch.
Mr. Contos then boastfully concludes, "I drive a Dodge Dakota R/T."Until it was sold May 14, Dodge was a unit of DaimlerChrysler and since 1998 had been managed principally by the Daimler bosses. The majority of revenue went directly to Germany.
Glen Mazzone
BroadwaySave Lake Erie from non-native species
The May 8 Blade article "Ag department wants ban on hauling fish modified" is a wake-up call for Congress to take comprehensive action to protect Lake Erie and the Great lakes from a clear and present danger: the invasion of destructive, non-native species.
Scientists have confirmed that several Lake Erie fish species are infected with Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia. VHS is one of 185 established aquatic invasive species within the Great Lakes.
What's worse is that on average, every 28 weeks a new potentially devastating invader is discovered within the Great Lakes. Many of these exotic species enter the lakes from the discharge of ballast water from ocean-going vessels.
Once aquatic invasive species get a toehold, they often outcompete native species for food and habitat. Some aquatic invasive species actually physically kill native species. Not to mention the billions of dollars the region spends every year trying to control and clean up these invaders.
Lake Erie is the foundation of recreation and economic vitality for millions of Ohioans. It supports a $9.75 billion sport fishing, tourism, and wildlife watching industry in our state. We cannot afford to let this tremendous natural resource remain vulnerable to outside invaders. We must invest in its protection.
You can help protect Lake Erie. Please urge Rep. Marcy Kaptur to push for the swift passage of the Great Lakes Collaboration Implementation Act of 2007 (H.R. 1350).
This important legislation would halt new invasive species introductions by investing in research and prevention, including effective controls on the treatment of ocean-going vessel ballast water.
Kristy Meyer
Director,
Clean Water Programs
Ohio Environmental Council
ColumbusThe Woodville Mall has great potential
I was distressed to read that the Woodville Mall is once again up for sale.
Having grown up in Northwood, I spent many days there with my friends and family. The fact that the only mall east of the Maumee River is once again up for sale speaks more about the unimaginative, lackluster performance by its most recent California owners.
The Woodville Mall was the first mall in the Toledo area and should be considered a historic landmark. With a reported 40 percent vacancy rate and only a handful of stores that attract customers, I guess I shouldn't be too surprised to read that some are calling for it to be completely razed for additional green space or to make way for a new outdoor retail space.
But these would be costly mistakes.
The Woodville Mall is a historic landmark on the East Side. It just needs to be adapted to meet the needs of the 70,000 people residing in its retail area.
Instead of attempting to lure new stores to a mall that currently sees fewer customers than a single Wal-Mart, it would be wise to bring the people back to the mall first, and then entice the retailers.
That means mixed use, community space that engages and invites the community. At the current vacancy rate, more than 300,000 square feet could be set aside for community use, i.e. for concerts, community tutoring and outreach initiatives, library extensions, community college or trade school training, senior citizen activity programs, and other family and local school targeted events.
Where many see revitalization as hopeless, I see potential.
Justin Draeger
Washington, D.C.Security concerns with Google Earth
Are you familiar with Google Earth? It is a sub-site of the Google Web site that allows you to see certain portions of the globe in great detail.
I am a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and out of curiosity I decided to check out my former post of Camp Liberty, in the southwestern part of Baghdad. Much to my chagrin, I discovered that I could see Camp Liberty in great detail. So great in fact that I could see the roof of the small trailer that I lived in for a year while stationed at Camp Liberty.
This is of great concern to me, because if I could view an American post in a theater of war so clearly on my home computer, what use could it be to an insurgent looking for a juicy target?
Why has the American government not prohibited Google from showing American installations by satellite for all the world to see?
Not only should the U.S. government be held accountable, but if it's determined that insurgents used Google Earth to pick targets, Google should be held accountable as well.
Regardless, Google Earth should refrain immediately from 'Net-casting detailed images of U.S. installations.
Brian K. Meyers
Navarre AvenueN.J. governor set quite the example
New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine is humbly apologizing after his highway crash for setting such a bad example for young people.
On the contrary!
What better service could a leader provide than to model the learning of harsh life lessons?
A governor can say "seat belts save lives" until he turns blue, but nothing proves the point like a highly publicized splat on the windshield.
Other governors should consider similar tactics to deter our youth from their troublesome risk-taking behaviors: get pregnant through unprotected sex, overdose while "robotripping" on cough medicine, run off with sexual predators they met on MySpace, and, of course, get ejected from state ceremonies for "freak dancing" shamelessly.
Montana Miller
PerrysburgAmerica needs to regain its status
Iraq has been a defining aspect of "the American way" around the world.
Unfortunately, many Americans don't understand that the rest of the world sees "the American way" in the same light as Americans do.
We need to change the approach America takes to helping the rest of the world in order to regain our presence in the world as a leader of good change and not an intolerant bully.
William Wagner
PerrysburgFood for thought
I wish when Queen Elizabeth and King George W. Bush had their fancy white-tie dinner, the White House chefs would have served them and all their guests a selection of "M.R.E.s" to show real support for the soldiers in Iraq.
Tim Sadoski
Elmore
Permanent Link
|
|
 |
|
Search
advertisement
