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Letters to the Editor

He’s no Piker

Editor: One of the oldest political tricks in the book is the “bait and switch” personal attack. This campaign tactic is designed to take your mind away from the central issues of a campaign by assassinating the character of one’s opponent. Or, that of the political party backing an opponent. It’s best that “others” wage such an attack, though. This way there is at least the appearance that nothing underhanded and/or wretched would come from the mouth or the pen of the beloved candidate. Rather, let the attack come from some innocuous soul perhaps residing in another ...

Animal instincts

Editor: For over 25 years, I had a ringside seat in the Columbiana County Republican “big top.” Chairman David Johnson acted as ringmaster. Commonly in a bow tie and saddle shoes he “barked” instructions to the wide eyed attendees who paid the price of admission. Instead of popcorn and peanuts, excited men, women and children got hors-d’oeuvres, cocktails, coffee and soft drinks to consume as they awaited the main attraction. The Johnson family owned Spread Eagle Tavern was often the hosting venue where attendees could upgrade their experience by picking up the tab for ...

All that glitters is not Goldberg

Editor: Jonah Goldberg’s column published in your March 22 issue is downright frustrating to read. Goldberg has nearly always hit the nail on its head in his reporting. But this column made me a bit upset at his recently divergent and prejudicial style. Do we really believe that not objecting to something sends as clear a signal as objecting does? That’s news to me and I would say to any thoughtful American. He goes on to say, “It’s fun to listen to Republicans vent off the record.” Yes, “Draining the Swamp” is certain to upset the status quo which also includes the ...

Lisbon schools are doing it right

Editor: Our children are our greatest treasure and deserve to attend a school in which they feel safe and their families feel that they are provided with the most secure environment possible. As a grandparent of children who attend Lisbon schools, I am so grateful that the board and administration are willing to conduct open discussions with the community about safety and security. The recent security meeting held on March 14 demonstrates that the Lisbon school board and administration value the community’s input on a topic of such huge importance. I am well aware of the need ...

Real fears

Editor: Listening to the discussion regarding safety at Tuesday night’s Columbiana school board meeting, I couldn’t help but hear the fear. I understand. I too entrust my child each day to the care of the Columbiana schools. I too hear the news of the latest school shootings and hope we won’t be next, that my child won’t be cowering in a classroom corner or dead on a classroom floor. I hear the hope for a faster response, to be able to kill the bad kid before the good kids get hurt. Chief Gladis shared how security always comes at a cost. Like others on Tuesday night, I ...

Hopes and prayers

Editor: I had a friend who was in her 20s. She was diagnosed with acute leukemia. She had two young children. She read everything she could find about the disease. Her prognosis — she would be dead within a year. It wasn’t even quite a year and back at The Ohio State University Hospital, the latest test showed she was out of remission. Out of desperation, she and her family prayed a desperate prayer. Things changed. She was miraculously cured. Since the OSU hospital was a research hospital, she had to go back every year for a checkup. I said to her, “If every test is always ...