Winning spirit

Dear Editor,

As one who ministers in both the Youngsville and Warren communities, I found it especially encouraging to see in the news that the Youngsville Eagles banner charged onto Mike Shine Field on a recent Friday night. I had hoped that such an event would become a part of the football program’s regular schedule ever since the co-op arrangement was announced. While overdue in my opinion, it is wonderful to see Youngsville’s football players play again in their hometown.

Our county is blessed with proud communities who strive to raise their children with the values of local neighborhoods and gifts of small town life. The changing nature of our local area, with declining resources and fewer children in school, forces us to work creatively together to provide a comprehensive education. Finding a way to honor each community’s identity and heritage is key to building trust as we move through such changes. As the Eagles and Dragons are learning, we are stronger together.

Coach Mark Morelli pointed out (“Football returns to Youngsville” on Sept. 9) that there have already been several players from Youngsville who have made a big impact on the team since we formed the co-op six years ago. There is no need to overlook the heritage these players bring to the team. Just the opposite, there is all the more reason to raise each community’s banner as we celebrate the accomplishments of our youth.

I can think of many ways to build on this success. One way may be to arrange the schedule so that both high schools can each have a traditional October homecoming weekend that includes a locally played football game. These traditions mean something, and we can, together, creatively find ways to celebrate Warren County’s many strengths as we adapt to our present and future. In six years, we have learned much. More awaits if we dare.

Soar high, Dragons and Eagles!

The Rev. Dr. Matthew R. Scott,

Vicar,

Trinity Memorial Church and St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church

Talking the walk

Dear Editor,

As a daily walker in downtown Warren, I find myself more and more perplexed over the new signals installed on Market Street and several other locations. I understand they were to be an upgrade for the handicapped, but the majority of us know how to cross the street and do not require additional aid.

I do not believe most understand how they work. If you press the button, you may have to wait for the next cycle before you get the walk signal. By that time, I’ve noticed most people have already crossed and now the traffic is stopped in all directions for 20 seconds, which leaves drivers looking around to see who is going to cross.

The other problem is drivers who believe if a pedestrian does not have the walk signal, they have every right to proceed through the intersection. I have been subject to yelling, swearing and various hand gestures as I endeavor to cross without having activated the signal. I did ask a policeman if pedestrians still have the right-of-way if they don’t utilize the buttons (except where turning traffic has an arrow) and he said yes.

The signals on Liberty Street (and what we used to have on Market Street) are perfect. When the light changes, the walk signal automatically comes on, leaving little doubt you are legally allowed to cross. Perhaps a button could be added to allow the handicapped a verbal cue.

And while we’re on the subject of pedestrians crossing the street, I would like to remind drivers there are several crosswalks, without a light, where they must legally stop for pedestrians. These are marked by a sign and lines painted in the street.

Also, if you are turning right on red, you must come to a complete stop and check for car traffic and food traffic before you proceed. There have been times when I could not cross because the traffic would not stop.

With the cost of gas and concern for health, more and more people are walking. I would like to ask for more courtesy from drivers and some help from PennDOT.

Connie Michell,

Warren

No fact checking

Dear Editor,

One of the truly precious rights of Americans is freedom of speech, but it is disturbing that so many people seem to think that free speech includes the right to lie and distort the truth for their own agenda.

It used to be an accepted wisdom that to yell “Fire!” in a crowded theater when there was no fire was not appropriate free speech. Yet men like Alex Jones, Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin and others continue to deceive their followers with blatantly false claims such as that the Sandy Hook massacre was a hoax, the 2020 election was fraudulent, and the invasion of Ukraine was justified. Repeated recounts by election officials, judges and former Trump personnel have totally debunked the election claim, Mr. Jones has been found guilty of defamation by the parents of the victims, and all of us have witnessed the atrocities in Ukraine. In every case actual facts matter more than the self-serving propaganda of politicians and radio show hosts, but the corrosive effects those distortions of truth have had on the world are apparent.

I do not know the cause of this separation from reality by some people, but history is full of people blindly following leaders rather than critically examining what they are being told. This is particularly puzzling in the computer age when fact checking is easier than ever. I personally do not care what your opinion on abortion is, or guns, or the current president, or religion, or race, or global warming, or many other issues. But I do expect you to educate yourself on all sides of that issue — preferably with hindsight and foresight and rigorous scientific reasoning- before defending it.

A willingness to examine one’s own ignorance is essential for personal growth, but to blindly follow one’s tribe, or political party, or nation without critical thinking is a destroyer of civil society.

Wes Jacobs,

Warren

Diverting attention

Dear Editor,

It’s reasonable to wonder what was the prime motivation to raid Mar-a-Lago: the retrieval of government papers? Or the desire to create a headline grabbing sensation?

The latter aims to undermine Donald Trump-endorsed midterm candidates and Trump himself. The raid also distracts from the serious flaws of the Biden White House: lost American energy independence, highest inflation in over 40 years,a flood of illegal border crossings and the probable emboldenment of Vladimir Putin.

It’s well known that Trump’s attorneys were not permitted to witness the search. Why? Some wonder if false evidence was planted. Considering the Russian Collusion hoax, this should not sound overly paranoid. Originally, 20 pages of 38 on the raid authorizing affidavit were redacted, some almost totally.

Why? Was it feared this document wouldn’t justify the raid?

The FBI answers to the attorney general who answers to President Joe Biden. Transparency, anyone?

Mark Levin, a constitutional lawyer, was chief of staff to Attorney General Edwin Meese during Ronald Reagan’s presidency. Levin questions why it took 18 months to determine, or claim, that something was missing. Two months earlier, Trump turned over papers requested via subpoena.

Why no subpoena in August?A desire for headlines? Batch numbers on boxes should make papers easy to find instead of ransacking an entire home.If Trump misplaced or declassified them,get a subpoena.

Levin points out that some misplacement of papers occurs in every transfer of power, no President or ‘AG’ does it perfectly.

Mike Pompeo, former CIA director and former “AG’ labeled the raid “political.” Sen. Mike Lee, of Utah, raises similar viewpoints to Levin’s and Pompeo’s.

Executive privilege and power to declassify may also need considered.

Many question if FBI leadership is impartial.

As secretary of state, Hillary Clinton violated protocol by using her private server. Such servers are more vulnerable to “information capture” by foreign intelligence. Though she claimed nothing classified was on her server, James Comey(then FBI director) said the opposite. Articles on deleted emails and smashed laptops added to the suspicion.

Comey’s original report accused Clinton of “reckless negligence.” After realizing that designation was prosecutable, Comey downgraded it to “extremely careless.” Political favoritism?

Concluding questions: Why do we need 87,000 new IRS agents? Did the Taliban thank the White House for the $80 billion worth of military equipment left in Afghanistan?

America First!

Terry D. Hallock,

Warren