Readers' views
Racial harmony
Carol Caramagno's observation, expressed in a recent letter, that Sunday remains a highly segregated time, notably in churches, misses an important point. It seems that Caramagno's perception of racial harmony is focused mainly on having people of different racial or ethnic backgrounds in proximity with one another.
Ending segregation, however, is not an end by itself. De facto separation will continue to exist unless economic, education and professional opportunities are opened up for the minorities. Hopefully, the advances achieved in these areas will continue, but much remains to be done. Improvements in public education and the revitalization of decaying urban areas come to mind.
It is an encouraging fact that the great majority of Americans find their personal values best expressed by their religious faith. It is also encouraging that this majority, while adhering to their personal values, exhibits tolerance for opposing views.
PASTOR B. SISON
Bowie
Puzzled
Why are there no longer crossword puzzles in the Blade-News newspapers? I had always looked forward to the weekly issues for their crossword puzzles. Please put them back in the On the Road section where they were up to a few weeks ago.
GORDON W. BERGAN
Bowie
Editor's note: The crossword has returned this week, and can be found on Page D4, but please disregard "last week's solution.
Need balance
We need balance on the Supreme Court. The strict constructionists allow only the intent of the framers as valid and the activists interpretation in context of modern problems and language. How are they to know what the framers' intent was or how this can be now interpreted in modern context? It is a conundrum.
Yet, if everything is in flux, then it is up to nine nonelected judges to interpret at will. Thus where is stability? Where is this living document we all cherish? We must have a balance of views on the court - lacking today, but achievable over time by regime change.
CAROL J. CARAMAGNO
Bowie
Little plastic men
I am responding to the letter about a sense of community and children's safety in the May 8 Blade-News. I have lived on Audubon Lane since 1971 and found it a great place to live. I do not have children, but have taught in south Bowie for many years and found it to have a great sense of community. Today the majority of parents work so there are fewer coffee klatches and chats over the back fence. In my neighborhood we call each other when we are going away and take in each other's mail and papers. As my husband and I have aged, our neighbors are there if we need something heavy moved and we in turn lend them tools and cut their grass because we have a riding mower and more daylight hours at home.
Most people buy a house with a yard so their children have a safe place to play, in their yard, not in the street. Otherwise, they would have moved to an urban area. Next door to us, eight or more children play everyday, but play in our neighbor's back yard. They are not afraid to go outside because it isn't safe.
I was upset when driving down Audubon Lane at less than 25 mph there were two adorable little blonde girls driving a miniature car down the middle of the street. Nearby were two little yellow men carrying flags saying SLOW. Are you asking drivers to go slow so children can play in the street? I hope not. That is teaching children to play in the street. I have also seen the little yellow men in the street blocking a lane intended for cars. Streets are built to move cars not toys.
If these speeders mentioned are such a problem, why not ask the Bowie Police Department to work with you and put one of those machines there that flash how fast each driver is going? That is one way to build a sense of community with, instead of against, your local government.
JANE EAGEN DODD
Bowie
Horrified
When I learned that two African American males had stolen candy and sodas from Safeway recently and left the scene of the crime laughing as they ran to a "get away" car, I was horrified. Not only did they disgrace themselves, but I too feel disgraced by their reprehensible behavior. If they were in need of money, I wonder why it did not occur to them to apply for employment at Safeway instead of indulging in the degrading act of stealing.
Where are their parents? Are they so detached from their children's lives that they are totally oblivious to their whereabouts and the despicable acts that they are involved in? I can only speak for myself, obviously, but I have become so weary of reading about criminals that to say that they merely disgust me would be paying them a compliment.
I greatly admire many other industrious young men who are employed as cashiers and in other positions at Safeway, Giant, CVS and other establishments in our lovely city. I am so very proud of them and I take great delight in telling them so. The thieves should endeavor to pattern their lives after these decent, intelligent young men and resolve to dispense with their detestable ways.
They have not only brought shame upon their race, but they have behaved shamelessly before Almighty God who created them. All of God's creations are "fearfully and wonderfully made." (Psalms 139:14) And Genesis 1:26 tells us that we are created in God's image. I hope they will remember those verses the next time they are tempted by Satan to take something that doesn't belong to them. God did not create them to become a thief.
It is my fervent prayer that they will ask God to guide and direct their lives, for it is only in Him that they will be able to overcome the devil's influence in their lives and receive empowerment by God's Holy Spirit to live victoriously.
And lastly, I encourage them to keep themselves involved in activities that glorify God. An idle mind is the devil's workshop.
VERA MAE HARRIS
Bowie
Response to Sison
Pastor B. Sison's Blade-News letters are always instructive because he has a command of history, and writes well. It was amusing however to have him warn us about talk radio's conservative slant, but never warning us about the majority of TV and newspapers with an unabashed liberal slant.
It appears that the liberal slant is considered normal and anything conservative leaning, is off-base if it points out inconvenient facts about liberal icons such as Franklin D. Roosevelt. In my opinion, based on the facts that I have observed as I grew up under FDR and Truman, Mr. Sison is not only off-base but he struck out, reciting liberal FDR mantra that is romantically but not fact based.
FDR was a highly experienced politician with the ability to gain citizen confidence through his speaking ability, similar to Ronald Reagan but in a more paternal way, similar to Bill Clinton but in a higher class way, and similar to Barack Obama but in a much more experienced way. FDR spoke well during the Depression, but stumbled about, trying to appear as accomplishing something, but accomplishing a lot that was of negative value and little of real value.
The Depression ended because Europe went to war and needed war supplies and other material from the United States, which was not at war, yet. People started going back to work in 1939, as orders for goods poured in from Europe. That was the economic stimulus that ended the Great Depression, not the Civilian Conservation Corps building good trails and parks, not the Public Works Administration leaning on shovels to build roads, not by the Tennessee Valley Authority who gave low cost power to local farmers paid for by other taxpayers, and not by overcoming the will of the Supreme Court by threatening to pack the court. (Roosevelt was head and shoulders above Pakistan's President Musharraf, who had to move above threatening the court and actually arrest lawyers and judges to get his way, but both were the same totalitarian impulse.)
Roosevelt's creations, such as government agencies and entitlements are also subjects that can be discussed in the future if there is any interest. The purpose of this letter was to show that those who cannot believe that President Reagan won the cold war without firing a shot, easily swallow the story of Roosevelt ending the Depression. Perhaps there needs to be more reality checks all the way around.
WAYNE HEMBREE
Bowie
More on Sison
I always enjoy reading the well-written letters of Pastor Sison, however, he has made a serious error in his assessment of the presidency of Franklin Roosevelt. While it is true all are entitled to their own opinions, and not their own facts, Pastor Sison has likewise erred with his facts wrong. By implication, Mr. Sison believes the New Deal and programs associated with it, helped get us out of the recession, if I read him right.
Nothing could be farther from the truth. From the cold view of historical perspective, modern economists are looking at the actions of FDR, and many are concluding that based on Keynsian economic theory (which while true, is more a centrally controlled economic theory), the Great Depression was actually deepened and lengthened by the meddling of FDR. The New Deal programs took capital better used to develop jobs and infrastructure, and created mostly make-work positions that gave people money, but more in a way of the "give-a-man-a-fish" variety, instead of the "teach-a-man-to-fish" type.
Very little capital improvements really happened in industry as the federal government was tying up a lot of money that was needed. It wasn't until World War II and the necessary increased industrial capacity, that the federal behemoth actually gave up money to increase the industrial output. After the war, this industrial capacity was turned from war machines, to sewing machines, creating a lot of work for returning veterans, and improving the lives of the average American.
Like a lot of Americans, Republican and Democrat, from the World War II era, Pastor Sison seems to have an unrealistic view of FDR, probably colored by the charismatic approach that he took to his presidency and its relations with the public. FDR was warm, affable and gave America a good feeling that all would be right with them soon. Fireside "chats" and his hearty laugh gave people a sense of intimacy and warmth. Unfortunately, FDR's economic policies were not conducive to that goal, but the intervention of World War I brought us through those doldrums, none the less.
NORMAN HENDRICKSON
Bowie
"Extra" in taxes?
Got my Blade-News and read an ad, or public service announcement, "City of Bowie Notice of a Proposed Real Property Tax Increase."
No matter how much is proposed, it is too much. I had planned on a vacation this year, but planning has just been thrown a new monkey wrench:
1. Gas for the car is skyrocketing (if you drive "just outside" the city limits the gas seems to be lower in price).
2. The economy is falling/declining almost daily.
3. The U.S. dollar is almost as valuable as Charmin tissue.
4. The government is "giving" everyone (almost) a nice check (windfall) and they suggest we pay off our debts (but, seems the city wants a piece of our windfall).
5. Food is just about out of reach for our pocketbooks.
6. And bam, our city fathers are proposing a tax increase. How nice.
If we/they do not increase the taxes for a couple of years, maybe the new city hall could be placed on the back burner (building costs are sky high, and, well, must we have a new city hall at this hard time?) Then, there is the solution of having a pay "freeze" on employees. Another idea, maybe our city fathers can find out why Bowie gas prices are sky high, versus our surrounding areas. So, what is next in these hard times, dramatic increase in our water bill?
I feel this thought of an increase in taxes is in extremely poor judgment and in the economic situation the country is in, this is not the time for increases. Golly, foreclosures are high.
I sort of get the feeling that someone is attempting to "chase" property owners out of Bowie. Is there oil under our homes?
Short and sweet: How much "extra" in taxes is planned? Where exactly is the "extra" being planned for? Does the city have enough "surplus" monies to hold out for a few years, just long enough so we can get through these hard times?
MIKE ROGERS
Bowie
