Voice of the People - January 9, 2009
Why Arabs want Israel's land
When I visited Israel, I saw firsthand why the Palestinians want Israel. During the thousand years the Arabs controlled the land of Israel, it lay fallow. Today, after a mere 60 years, the arid land is a verdant carpet of green. The Israelis literally "turned their swords into plowshares."
Stu Moskovitz
Fort Mill
Obama has important choice
Barack Obama has a choice -- he can rule like Lincoln, Washington, Reagan and other great presidents, or he can go the way of Pelosi, Reid and the Democratic liberal left.
I hope he chooses the way of the great presidents of the past. Follow the Constitution and choose judges and people who are constitutional scholars. I hope he will build a strong military. This is of utmost importance to remain the leader in the world.
George Soros has said he has bought and paid for the Democratic Party. I hope Obama will prove Soros wrong. If not, I pity this great country.
If not, this country will move from socialism to communism. You would think this could not happen, but it will slowly creep over the land and before we know it, it will be too late.
Just as George Bush was caused to be hated by brainwashing a large portion of this country, we are a gullible people.
Rembert Howell
York
Smokers' rights would be denied
I am writing today in response to calls for the city of Rock Hill and York County to impose smoking bans on private industry.
It has also been mentioned a majority of citizens agree with and want a smoking ban. This has one small problem, though: Our form of government is not a democracy. We are a representative republic. The purpose of this is so the majority could not impose its will upon the minority. If, as Benjamin Franklin said, "A democracy is four wolves and one sheep voting on what to have for dinner," who is there to protect you when you are the sheep in the vote?
Our government is allowed the exclusive use of force to prevent others from removing life, liberty or property through force of fraud. This should be the main purpose of any government.
Someone making a conscious decision to support a business with their dollars has not been threatened with the loss of life, liberty or property through force or fraud. It has been argued that secondhand smoke can cause the loss of life, but this is not through force or fraud. If it were mandatory that everyone consume at these locations only, then not only are loss of life at stake, but also liberty and property.
In the case of the proposed smoking bans, the only ones at risk of the loss of life, liberty or property are the owners of these establishments and smokers. The government will remove the liberty of these people to impose the will of others that are not through force or fraud being required to support these enterprises with their dollars.
Jeff Coleman
Richburg
What are chances of local channel?
Would the city of Rock Hill consider starting a cable access channel if it was paid for by a tax? The question is, would citizens be willing to pay the tax? Do the people want a channel as much as I do? Could the city tell us how much it would cost to start a channel?
Maybe other cities like Fort Mill could contribute toward it. I would be willing to pay a tax for a channel. It would be great if citizens themselves owned the station. I am still hopeful.
Marty Boone
Fort Mill
Neighbors show their kindness
The biblical good Samaritan was one who came upon someone in need and, without being forced or asked, acted to supply the need. So it is with our good neighbors, Linda Fudge and Ann Hargrove, who live across the highway from us and started hand-delivering our newspaper to our door each morning at 7:30 a.m.. When thanking them and asking what we old couple could do for them, their answer was, "Nothing. This is our mission." When I told them of my intent to publish this so the public would know that such people still exist, they still tried to dissuade me.
Colie L. and Mildred Fox
Rock Hill
Couric displays 'gotcha' journalism
Thank you, Larry Timbs, for exposing yet another example of Katie Couric's "gotcha" journalism when she interviewed Ron Gettelfinger regarding the auto industry bailout.
My only question is, why were you watching her in the first place?
Bonnie Plyler
Rock Hill
Cutting trees is a mistake
Regarding the Andrew Dys column, "'X' marks the spot for costly sightline": Here we go again! Why do we have to take the trees? Who complained they couldn't see the stores? Not I. Has anyone done a poll? Do the store owners own the trees? Drive into the mall area to see the stores.
Leave the trees alone.
Anne Van Dyke
Rock Hill
This story was originally published January 9, 2009 at 1:23 AM with the headline "Voice of the People - January 9, 2009."