February 2009

A community letter to President Obama

Take a long look

Adopt your new puppy from the pound.

By the people of Centre County

at the regulations

Fire KBR and all contractors in Iraq and

“Follow through on

that are choking

elsewhere who serve our military. Make

Over the last two months, Voices asked

small businesses.

tax cuts for middle

those federal jobs once again and hire peo-

readers to develop a

“wish list” for

Rebuild

the

ple directly.

and lower classes

President Obama’s early days in office.

economy so that

Raise the bar higher than it has ever been

and tax increases

We’ve compiled the list here, removed the

we create more

for transparency and ethical conduct in gov-

redundancies and named the contributors

wealth at home

for wealthy.”

ernment.

below.

than we spend

Join the wise Alice Walker and learn from

President Obama, many of us heard your

abroad.

the Dalai Lama.

inspiring inaugural address and from it take

Stop privatizing

Compost and grow squash and other veg-

confidence that you will act soon on many

and make the gov-

alternative fuels.

etables at the White House so your food

of these items. But we commend your atten-

ernment a good

We support you in building a clean ener-

does not travel thousands of miles from

tion to our list because some things we’ve

thing again by hiring workers at a good

gy future.

farm to plate.

not heard from you. So, from Central

wage to provide critical services. That way

Develop green jobs.

Pennsylvania to you President Obama,

elected officials once again become

Institute single payer healthcare.

here’s what Voices readers hope you’ll

accountable for the work.

Comprehensive sex education.

accomplish. We know we can expect a

Prosecute everyone from the top to the

Implement alternative energy.

phone call or e-mail from you asking for

bottom who benefitted illegally from the

Develop and maintain strict, well-regulat-

some help along the way, and we stand will-

Bush/Cheney administration.

ed environmental standards.

ing to help you move our land to live up to

Dramatically reduce prison populations.

Support small scale farmers and sustain-

the promise of the Founders and those who

Get back to real regulations for the airline

able agriculture.

industry so planes are safe, and put teeth

Reinforce Roe v. Wade and repeal the

back into the EPA and OSHA.

international gag order.

“Make student loans

Force the Deptartment of Defense to cut

Put enough money into social programs

affordable, accessible

costs and don’t bow to threats that it’ll hurt

that people can get a leg up instead of get-

the troops when the department wastes so

ting stuck.

and speedy. Make

much money.

Support equal pay and non-discrimina-

grants available.”

Tell your new Secretary of Defense

tion laws.

Robert Gates that his renewed push for

Legal civil unions for all; regard marriage

Signed,

development and testing of new nuclear

as a religious institution only.

Madhu Suri Prakash

weapons in a Reliable Replacement

Add a sexual orientation protection

Heather Simmons

have carried on their heritage until now.

Warhead program will not be pursued in

clause in EEOC.

Natalie Ferrigno

End the war on Iraq and bring my broth-

your administration.

Stop the bailouts.

David Reinbold

ers and sisters home.

Regulate credit card companies.

Instead of bullying foreign nations, espe-

Art Goldschmidt

Disband the Royal Army of the United

Behave like the wise King Asoka of India

cially in developing areas, into cooperating

Ivana Lee

States.

who saw the horrors of war and transformed

with U.S. imperial interests, engage in

Delia Guzman

Close Guantanamo Bay (GITMO) deten-

all of his arsenal into works of peace.

Suzan Erem

tion camp ASAP.

Regulate cell phone companies.

Mary Vollero

Instead of sending troops to Afghanistan

Bring back the fairness doctrine in media

“Implement

Zac Tayler

(as you keep promising) redirect that money

Make college education affordable, lower

Laura Newcomer

alternative energy and

into social services here at home.

college tuitions.

Justin Eisinger

develop green jobs.”

End the arms race—stop selling weapon-

Make student loans affordable, accessible

Tamara Conrad

ry to the rest of the world so they can anni-

and

speedy.

Ann Marie Toccket

hilate each other.

Make grants

meaningful negotiations and trade agree-

Bill Sharp

Pass the Employee Free Choice Act.

available.

ments that justly compensate the home

Betsy Green

Restore the Bill of Rights and sign on to

Keep Social

country.

Judy Heald

the International Conventions.

Security intact.

I want to see a leader who says he will

Bill Heald

Get us out of this recession. Fix this econ-

End the era

reach across the aisle actually reach across

Peter Shaw

omy!

of consump-

the aisle.

Phyllis Mansfield

Follow through on tax cuts for middle

tiveness

for

You said you would listen to those who

Kristine Allen

and lower classes and tax increases for

which we have

disagree with you and that you would think

Readers: Do you have other ideas?

wealthy.

been waging

outside the box. Please don’t back down on

Take issue with any of these ideas? Write

Restore American manufacturing.

these wretched

this once the pressure from Washington

us a

250-word letter and send it to

Build strong technical schools and

oil and other

comes along.

[email protected]. We’ll get it into the

apprenticeship programs to support indus-

wars

Stay connected with the people and keep

next issue, space permitting!

try.

D e v e l o p

inspiring us with your words.

February 2009

SC school board should lead, not follow

Changing tech-

candidate must be interested in all aspects

by Donna Queeney

nology is a continu-

of the district, rather than in only one or two

...A viable candidate

If you believe that State College Area

ing and expensive

issues.

schools are a community asset worth sup-

necessity.

Candidates who truly care about young

must be interested in all

porting and that community service is a

I n d i v i d u a l l y ,

people will be motivated to support the dis-

aspects of the district,

responsibility, it may be time for you to step

board

members

trict’s goal of providing each student,

up to the plate and run for school board. It’s

have no authority

regardless of needs or ability, with the best

rather than in only one

your opportunity to have a voice in the

beyond that of any

education possible. For some students the

or two issues.

future of our schools and of our young peo-

community mem-

education we provide can make the differ-

ple.

ber. However, board

ence between a meaningful life and mere

Challenges Facing State College

membership is an

existence.

and discussion, and to process that informa-

Schools

opportunity to have a role in preparing

While it’s important to listen to all con-

tion effectively. These skills will be appar-

State College is a statewide and national-

young people to be productive members of

stituencies, the board is elected to lead, not

ent through candidates’ comments on the

ly recognized leader in educational excel-

society and to lead healthy and fulfilling

to follow. Thus candidates should be pre-

issues, and will enable them, once elected,

lence. The challenge to maintain and

lives.

pared to make the right decisions, even if

to make informed decisions.

enhance this position has never been

Characteristics of Strong School Board

they are not always the popular decisions.

Candidates must recognize that the role

greater, with major issues including the fol-

Candidates

A commitment to put the district’s wel-

of the board is to make good decisions,

lowing: Current budget constraints are

State College is a community that expects

fare and priorities ahead of personal inter-

establish appropriate policies, and hire

especially high, with difficult financial

and even demands quality education. What

ests is essential. Board members are elected

competent people to carry them out.

decisions ahead. Unlike many districts

characteristics define outstanding school

to represent the entire community, not sim-

Respect for the district structure is key.

across the state and nation, State College

board candidates who can respond to those

ply a segment thereof.

Because only the superintendent works for

Area School District certainly is not in

expectations?

Successful candidates should consistently

the board, any suggestions or comments for

financial crisis, but the limitations loom

A commitment to supporting excellent

demonstrate positive interactive and com-

staff members are channeled through the

large.

education is key. While balancing educa-

munication skills. Board members are

superintendent.

Many of our district facilities are in seri-

tional needs with economic reality is essen-

expected to model courteous and respectful

Should You Run for School Board?

ous need of renovation or replacement.

tial, the discussion should always begin

behavior toward school personnel, commu-

School board membership need not—in

Increasing numbers of students are com-

with what’s important for our students’

nity members, students, and colleagues.

ing to school with an ever-broadening range

learning.

Candidates should demonstrate their will-

of behavioral, emotional, and other needs

Because school board members must

ingness and ability to gather information on

see Lead , pg. 26

that require our schools’ attention.

grapple with a wide range of issues, a viable

issues through careful listening, reading,

Step forward for school board election

by Brenda Walsh

tion papers March 11

cross-section of

available at http://www.scasd.k12.pa.us/

—Last day for withdrawal by candidates

faculty members,

scasd/site/default.asp

(There is often an

Leading up to the presidential inaugura-

who filed nomination petitions March 25

parents,

students

unacceptably long delay for meetings to

tion, President Obama seemed to be speak-

—Last day to register before the primary

and community rep-

appear on the Web site but C-NET contin-

ing to each of us in the State College Area

April 20

resentatives

was

ues to broadcast school board meetings on

School District when he said,

“What is

—Primary (3rd Tuesday in May) May 19

appointed

Channel 98.)

required is a new declaration of independ-

Despite a contentious election in 2007,

September, 2008 to

The SCASD Web site provides DWFMP

ence, not just in our nation but in our own

the nine school board members have put it

identify

building

information. (This site is monitored by the

lives, from ideology and small thinking,

all behind them and they have cooperative-

modifications need-

DeJong Group and the Web site often fails

prejudice and bigotry.” Alluding to

ly done what is best for the district. They

ed to support curric-

to link DWFMP documents in a timely

Lincoln’s first inaugural address, he called

have accomplished a lot; most notably the

ular needs.

fashion. But, the community has a responsi-

for “an appeal not to our easy instincts but

following:

On Oct.

13,

2008 a Resolution

bility to check frequently for updated infor-

to our better angels.”

The DeJong Group was hired to assist the

Committed to Sustainability and High

mation.)

We are in search of “our better angels” to

school board in creating a new District -

Performance Schools was approved. All

Two Community Dialogues remain. Plan

step forward as candidates for the SCASD

Wide Facilities Master Plan

(DWFMP)

future school construction projects

(new

to attend the meeting on Feb. 12 and a final

Board of School Directors. As in 2007, five

where a total of four community meetings

construction or renovations) will be

meeting (to be announced) in March.

school board position terms are up for elec-

will be held. (Another meeting will be held

designed to meet Silver Leadership in

The school board faces additional imme-

tion. It may not seem possible but the pri-

Feb.12, 2009 at Mt. Nittany Middle School

Energy and Environmental Design certifica-

diate challenges to hire a superintendent

mary election is right around the corner!

and the last meeting in March-date to be

tion. LEED certification provides long term

and an associate principal for curriculum

Important dates to remember—

announced.)

benefits and minimizes impacts on the envi-

development at the high school. As the

Pennsylvania elections 2009

A steering committee comprised of a

ronment. Additionally, this construction

DWFMP process is completed the school

—First day to circulate and file nomina-

cross-section of 44 parents, students, com-

practice employs a completely different

board must assess the recommendations of

tion petitions Feb. 17

munity members, teachers etc. was appoint-

planning process that creates environments

the steering committee and gather and dis-

—Last day to circulate and file nomina-

ed in September, 2008.

that are energy efficient, healthy and com-

tion petitions March 10

A High School

Educational

fortable.

see Election , pg. 26

—First day to circulate and file nomina-

Specifications Committee comprised of a

Streaming video of meetings was made

February 2009

We need to build sound local economies

by Bill Sharp

feel sympathy for

Governments at all levels depend on rev-

What would be the advantage of rebuilding

the nearly one in

enue from taxes on sales, income, and prop-

a local, wealth-creating economy? First, it

A great majority of Americans believe the

eight of the people

erty whose values are on the decline. We

would mean jobs. We need to rebuild our

country is not on the right track. Each

of the world who go

turn to the national government because

manufacturing, reopen factories and help

morning brings news of major industries,

to bed hungry at

that system can run up endless debts and

establish new ones that serve not just a

cities, states, universities, and employment

night, yet nearly the

print money.

global marketplace but rather focus on the

tanking. Wall Street may not have seen the

same proportion of

We have been promised change and hope.

needs of people within a local region.

bottom yet. Unemployment is at a thirty-

our own people lack

From where will the change we seek

Buying locally exerts a strong incentive for

year high. We learn that we have been in a

sufficient food. That

emerge? Do we wait and see or is there

quality products. It keeps money re-circu-

recession for a full year. Optimists are say-

is not the measure

something we can do? If we want to see

lating and reinvested in local initiatives. It

ing that if nothing else bad happens, we

of a healthy econo-

change, it really depends on us to make it

shortens supply chains, and that alone

might see the beginning of a recovery the

my. Meanwhile one in 100 of our adult cit-

happen in our own communities. Real

reduces carbon footprints. Many communi-

year after next.

izens is incarcerated and the list of those

wealth is created locally. For now let us

ties, like ours, are blessed with schools and

Each year hundreds of billions of dollars

with debilitating physical and mental prob-

think and act locally. If wealth was being

agencies that could help rebuild local busi-

are being permanently transferred from the

lems is growing fast. That we have hit the

created locally this growing disparity

nesses.

lower into the upper income brackets. More

wall should come as no surprise.

should not occur. What we lack is balance.

A good example of strengthening local

and more wealth is held by a small minori-

The problem is not with credit and bor-

Times of change are times for reassess-

economies is the local foods movement.

ty. I am not opposed to wealth justly earned

rowing, or even with the wealth harvesting

ment. Our thinking should not be in terms

There is much fallow land that could be

but there is something hauntingly unnerving

of predatory interests, but with the very idea

of what others can do for us, but in terms of

converted into small farms and productive

about this trend.

of creating wealth. States, counties, cities,

what we can do for ourselves.

The economy and government affect our

towns and villages have joined the banks

I would like to make an appeal for the

individual and social health. We naturally

and automakers begging for bailouts.

ideal of rekindling strong local economies.

see Economy , pg. 26

Community can discuss science and religion

by Peter Buckland

that neither side can countenance talk with

struggles

this

ing. Certainly I have gotten a bit angry

each other. Right?

entails.

about disingenuous or misleading argu-

When Sarah Palin was nominated as John

Wrong. For the last nine months I have

The first forum I

ments. There is no way that I can reason-

McCain’s running mate, the culture war’s

been attending “Science and Religion” talks

attended covered

ably back down from the position that cre-

intensity escalated. Her overt conservative

at the State College Free Evangelical

the world of para-

ationism of all forms

- Young Earth or

Christianity inflamed the punditocracy, gar-

Church in State College. They have shown

sites in God’s cre-

Intelligent Design - is at best dead science.

nering some praise from Sean Hannity and

me that even the most opposed people can

ation. How can

As Sam Harris says, “Let’s call a spade a

some authors at the

“National Review”

civilly converse for hours and walk away

humans believe that

spade.” I do. But it does not necessitate ran-

while so-called liberal elites scorned her not

feeling satisfied, enlightened, and closer to

we are specially

cor.

just for her ignorance, but her embrace of

her/his fellow human beings. These conver-

created in the image

Former pastor Eric Tober, to his great

teaching scientific ignorance in the form of

sations have encompassed a breadth of reli-

of an omniscient,

credit, invited as much discussion as possi-

teaching creationism and questioning

gious and philosophical views from Biblical

omnibenevolent, omnipresent, and omnipo-

ble while eschewing dogmatic bromide as

whether industrialized nations have caused

literalists, to mainline Christians, a Taoist, a

tent God when liver flukes and malaria

the conclusion. Best of all, we all seem to

global warming.

Jew from time to time, at least one agnostic,

plague us and bring wretched suffering? For

really like one another. Some of us find lit-

She is not alone. Writers for conservative

and a few atheists, all of whom I believe are

the chemistry teacher and each of the other

tle to agree on regarding morality’s roots or

Christian media like

“World Net Daily”

searching for good ways to understand real-

believers at the forum, these were serious

humanity’s ultimate purpose, but we do

have undercut popular climate change

ity.

questions about the role of evil in God’s

agree that the people we converse with on

understanding, going so far as saying that

From my vantage point, it’s been easy to

creation.

these matters deserve kindness and dignity

“Holy Spirit discernment” shows that cli-

believe that creationists are contemptible

We have also discussed the soul, religion

and that the Golden Rule might be our

mate change science is all a hoax.

fools seeking to create an American

as an evolved phenomenon, the birth of

greatest moral aphorism.

In the world of evolution in the last year,

Christian caliphate and it is hard not to hold

information in DNA, and other seeming

When we sit down with our neighbors,

six state legislatures considered anti-evolu-

onto that view in light of Palin. But are they

imponderables. In some sense, we come

look them in the eye, and hash through how

tion measures for state science education

pure boogeymen enslaved by wish-think-

together to look for ways to know if we

and what they believe, they cannot be cari-

with Louisiana’s gaining Gov. Bobby

ing? I have to doubt it.

know anything at all.

catures to us anymore. By sharing ourselves

Jindal’s signature. The movie “Expelled”

One of the Science and Religion atten-

To my astonishment and great pleasure,

with each other, we create and maintain the

came out, claiming that without Darwin

dees is a chemistry teacher and an

thoughtful disagreements pop up not just

bonds of our communities. We are not gov-

there wouldn’t have been a Holocaust.

Evangelical. He is scientifically literate and

between non-believers and believers but

ernors of Alaska or members of the pundi-

Louisiana and Texas are both in further evo-

articulate about science and his own faith.

among ardent Evangelical believers them-

tocracy. We are neighbors.

lution fights as you read this.

His belief in Christianity lacks Pat

selves. They are as likely to cry

I believe Jesus said, “Love thy neighbor

“New atheist” bestsellers like Sam

Robertson’s rigid inflexibility. For him,

“Shenanigans!” on one another regarding

as thyself.”

Harris’ “The End of Faith” and Richard

faith is a search for salvation, that necessi-

some particular aspect of faith, theology, or

Dawkins’ “The God Delusion” have revived

tates patience and kindness, and that sub-

science as I am on the whole kit and kaboo-

Peter Buckland is a graduate student in

H.L. Mencken’s anti-religious vitriol.

jects itself, at least in part, to scientific

dle. Sometimes passions flare and we talk

Penn State’s Education Theory and Policy

The culture war is alive and well. It seems

inquiry. He does not shy away from the

over one another or can be overly disparag-

program.

February 2009

site so we’re left to wonder. The communi-

ty must check the Web site frequently to

from Lead , pg. 24

from Election , pg. 24

We are in search of “our

read the entire report.

seminate information to the public related

Considering the state of the economy and

fact, should not—take a lot of time, for

better angels” to step

to cost-effective options and alternative

decreasing enrollment the school board

board members aren’t responsible for man-

forward as candidates

solutions for improving the educational

(and the community) should return to The

aging the day-to-day operation of the dis-

environment based on objective data, cur-

Sensible Solution, http://www.sensiblesolu-

for the SCASD Board of

trict. It does require a sincere desire to

riculum needs, examination of options and

tion.org. This incredible all-volunteer-effort

ensure that the district maintain the highest

School Directors.

public input.

has never been given the close scrutiny and

levels of education for our students.

Candidates for the Board of School

opportunity that it deserves. If small is best,

Beyond the opportunity to help guide our

Directors must also be prepared to fulfill

why stay large? How about making the high

district’s educational journey, the personal

these obligations if they are to win the con-

school north and high school south two sep-

satisfactions of board membership are

fidence of the community’s voters

arate, autonomous high schools of 1,200

enormous. Visiting schools and seeing

The high school questions remain.

students instead of holding onto one large

—Responsible spending that does not

engaged students and staff; celebrating the

On Jan. 16, 2009 the Centre Daily Times

high school?

depend on 4 percent real estate tax increas-

successes of our artists, athletes, journal-

reported on the steering committee meeting

In 2007, 89 percent of the voters voted for

es each year (the limit mandated by Act 1)

ists, and other students; and realizing that

at which DeJong provided a status report

change and asked for:

The “newbies” have embraced these cri-

we have prepared departing students to lead

and recommendations that included this

—Transparency (no anonymous, behind-

teria and the climate has changed. The

meaningful lives and contribute to society

quote:

“DeJong advised against a 2,400

the-scenes shenanigans)

school board has earned the community’s

are rewards that can’t be beat.

student building on either side of Westerly

—Open meetings

(no more closed

respect. A number of volunteers who have

Circulation of nominating petitions

Parkway because the site is unworkable.”

Citizen Advisory Committee meetings)

served on the steering committee and the

begins Feb. 17, and they must be submitted

What does that mean? The Steering

—Open records (still difficult to access

High School Educational Specifications

by March 11. Think about it. If you’re not

Committee Report (distributed at the Jan.

information)

Committee have demonstrated skills that

the person to run, perhaps you can encour-

15, 2009 meeting) that included this state-

—Assessment of needs vs. wants through

could make them great candidates. There

age someone who might be.

ment was not posted on the SCASD Web

a transparent process

are angels among us who must be encour-

aged to step forward as candidates for the

Donna Queeney, currently serving her

ation, from either high school or the local

SCASD Board of School Directors in the

20th year on the State College Area School

from Economy , pg. 25

college, is not a going-away party but a rite

primary election.

Board, recently announced that she will not

of passage and transition of a new genera-

run for re-election. In 2002 Dr. Queeney

gardens. More of us should garden to raise

tion into perpetuating a community that is

Brenda Walsh is a retired teacher and a

retired from Penn State where she was

and share our own food. There is an ample

cherished by them alongside older genera-

grassroots-community activist in Patton

Director of Research and External

literature for cultivating small farms of up

tions.

Township and was involved with State High

Relations for Outreach and a professor of

to five acres that offer not only lifestyle

Admittedly, this vision is idealistic and

Vision from 2006-2007.

education.

alternatives and additional income but

perhaps nostalgic. It would not be easy to

employment and self-sufficiency. Our local

achieve. Indeed the dream of sending men

agricultural college could gear up to train

and women to Mars is no great feat in com-

Whitey Blue: Feed the slots

people to build such farms, and locally-

parison with the challenge of rebuilding an

grown foods, farm products and practical

economy and community. Each community

by David M. Silverman

been in a place where they have slot

crafts would multiply.

must find its own way. There is no blue-

machines? You see all these little old ladies

There is also a large local arts and crafts

print. The model is not for everyone. There

I was talking the other day to Whitey

feeding their quarters into the slots, hour

industry. More of it could be devoted to

are endless opportunities for enterprising

Blue, long-time Centre Region resident and

after hour. I’m sure they are spending

practical, household crafts. There are hun-

individuals and groups. There are also

hard-nose. Whitey, do you have any

money they or their families need for food,

dreds of products that could be produced

daunting challenges. Such a program will

thoughts about slot machines being legal in

clothing and housing!

locally to feed the domestic demand. Cost

take strong leadership, a bright vision, a

Pennsylvania? They have been for several

“Hey, the state is not in the business of

could be higher but so too would be durabil-

common will, courage and perhaps a signif-

years now, but I don’t recall ever getting

criticizing people’s morals, their enjoy-

ity, reliability and pride of ownership.

icant degree of sacrifice. But if we can

your feelings about them.

ments or their spending habits. That’s a job

Perhaps the greatest advantage of rebuild-

dream of building a new home for people

“I think it’s great! Why should people

for their preachers.”

ing local economies is that it helps to rebuild

on Mars, why not of building a real commu-

who want to gamble have to go to Atlantic

What about people who go broke playing

local communities. People who trade with

nity where we live now?

City or Las Vegas? We need that money

the slots and can no longer afford rent or

each other get to know each other, support

How do we start it? The great anthropol-

here for road repairs and other state pro-

food

each other, come to the aid of neighbors in

ogist Margret Mead, who studied cultures

grams.”

“They can move into the poorhouse, like

need, and take a stronger interest in self-gov-

all over the world, pointed out that not only

But many people who can’t afford to are

the needy have been doing for ages.

ernance. They retake control of their schools,

can small groups make great change but

playing those machines! Have you ever

transportation and communications infra-

indeed only small groups can start them.

structures, social security, and health care,

Winter is upon us. It is a time of reflec-

and become increasingly focused on a human

tion. A new national administration and leg-

You name it, you claim it

scale of life that brings not only prosperity

islature is convening in Washington.

but contentment, pride of place and dignity in

Perhaps we should send them a message:

Voices prints letters whose writers iden-

May God have mercy on your

belonging to a community.

We can, and we will, do it!

tify themselves and provide contact infor-

Communist souls while you rot in hell!

We can foresee the return of fairs and fes-

mation. We’re breaking our policy of not

Move to Cuba, or Venezuela, or

tivals and the celebration of holidays that

Bill Sharp is a retired teacher, planner

printing anonymous letters to bring you

Zimbabwe, or China, or Bolivia, or Iran, or

help give meaning to our lives and remem-

and manager in government, business and

this one.

Angola, or Pakistan, or Afghanistan, or

brance of those who built our legacy. We

higher education. He can be reached at

We hope the writer will claim authorship

Syria, or Saudi Arabia, or Uganda etc. if

could look forward to the day when gradu-

[email protected].

so we can inform our readers.

you hate capitalism so much.

February 2009

S K

Campus and Culture from the

Canine Perspective

Dear Cosmo,

My friends recently got a rescue dog that

Believe it or not, they sell testicular

Dear Save Your Hope for Spare Change,

only has three legs. Do they make artificial

implants to flesh out the shriveled nutsacks

I experience joy daily. Critical doesn’t

legs for dogs? How would that work?

tional “wisdom” is to shoot a horse if it has

of those doggies who became castrati to

mean joyless…what a terribly Republican

Signed, Walkin’ The Dog

a broken leg. Fortunately for Molly, wisdom

sing in the boys’ choir but still want to look

way to frame things. I WAS, in fact,

outweighed convention. Her benefactors

well-rounded for the evening wear and

inspired by the inauguration festivities. My

Dear Lame Preoccupation,

modified an artificial human leg by putting

swimsuit competitions. Those would prob-

human normally leaves the TV on Comedy

I’ve seen lots of dogs and cats with three

a toilet plunger-shaped foot on the end of it,

ably be nice accessories for gelded public

Central, TNT or The Weather Channel to

legs. Actually, I’ve seen TONS of male dogs

and fitted the socket to her stump. It seems

officials and impotent policy makers who,

keep us company, but he left on the inaugu-

on three legs, and we usually go back and

to work fine, and the horse actually LIKES

sans huevos, waggle their flaccid dog and

ration instead. It was a joy being spared

forth a while to see who gets the last “word”

using it.

pony shows in the public spotlight.

another spate of old Scrubs reruns, endless

in nose graffiti on the tree, fence, fire

episodes of different Law & Order franchis-

hydrant or car tire.

People have weird standards when it

And if you’re the governor of Illinois,

es or the same forecast over and over for

comes to animals. They think nothing of

you’ll need to re-order another giant over-

eight hours…with “Local on the Eights”

Dogs and cats seem to adapt fine to hav-

cutting off tails, dew claws or parts of ears

sized pair to defend your original ballsy

every 10 minutes.

ing one less limb. Watch one when it has a

to make the dog “look right” for its breed,

move of auctioning off Senate seats.

sore foot or toe—it scampers around pretty

but they usually don’t replace the excised

But that dreck is still better than that

well on three legs. Bigger animals, on the

part with a tail toupee, a Lee Press-On

Dear Cosmo,

jihad-fearin’ Texan’s

“war on terrorism”

other foot, seem to need all four on the

thumb, or little Spock ears for denuded

Were you inspired by President Obama’s

and September 11 flashbacks. It was pure

floor. For instance, I have seen prosthetic

Boxers, Danes or Pit Bulls. Ironically

inauguration, or were you your normal

joy to see the “axis of evil” replaced with an

limbs on horses. Just Google “Meet Molly”

enough, for the show dog crowd, they actu-

intractable, unsympathetic, condescending

axiom of reason.

to see pictures of a thoroughbred horse res-

ally DO make prosthetics for certain

self? Was there any cause for joy that day

cued after Hurricane Katrina. The conven-

removed parts.

for you? Signed, Another Hope for Change

Mission accomplished.

torture will be regularized in U.S. gover-

End the torture now

nance. Our government and its agencies

Letters to the editor

Our community has held a Guantanamo

will have effectively gained the ability to

Bay vigil, emailed, called, written letters,

declare any person outside the protection of

be penalized for not being aware of the dif-

signed petitions and visited legislators.

the law.

Rip-off bank policies

ferent policies at each bank. I understand

Now a group of ex-generals is urging

Please contact the president to say we

With over 40,000 students at Penn State,

that the information is available at the M&T;

Obama to take action on the torture issue

want:

I realize the need for more banks. With the

Bank, so consumers should be sure to read

and it is my hope that we will add our voice

—A Presidential Executive Order ban-

recent economic downturn it seems that

the fine print and not overlook it. It seems

to theirs once again.

ning torture;

banks have doubled their fees. The con-

that a lot more financial institutions are

We cannot allow the United States, the

—The codification of the elements of an

sumers are charged as much as $37 for fees

going to be increasing their fees to cover the

self-proclaimed bastion of freedom and jus-

Executive Order into law;

which used to be $18.

economic crisis or need for additional rev-

tice, to move torture from being an outra-

—A Select Committee of Congress or a

Recently I made a deposit on Nov. 28,

enue to invest. Don’t be a victim by not

geous aberration to being an acceptable

commission to investigate torture policies

2008 on a Virginia check from my brother’s

reading the fine print on bank deposits,

practice. We cannot allow our nation to

and practices since 9/11;

bank, Wachovia. After the deposit I wrote

charges and withdrawals. Try to find a

make this torture transition. We cannot

—Growing the moral consensus that tor-

several checks and made transactions and

friendly local bank that explains these poli-

allow those who created and managed the

ture is always wrong.

found out that $37 fee was charged for each

cies in advance. I don’t know whether it’s

torture system to achieve impunity nor can

Go to change.gov/page/content/contact.

transaction after Nov. 28, 2008 and was told

need or greed for banks to charge such

we allow these past practices to set a prece-

Brenda Black

the Nov. 28, 2008 deposit was not available

excessive fees but the poor get poorer and

dent. If the torture transition comes to pass,

State College

to the bank until Dec. 4, 2008 which caused

the rich get richer and you can see why.

the overdrafts.

The more you have the more you get and

Don’t wait for leaders in Washington to act

How long does it take for a deposit to

the less you have the more you need your

What does the

“Bail-out” mean?

wrong with those fundamentals: 65 percent

clear? It was not clear whether the deposit

monthly stipends. It’s a case of those that

“TARP:” Sounds like a “cover”-up for “cor-

of new businesses fail. And now they have

was available in two days or four days.

have less pay more and those with more pay

porate welfare.” Wall Street is forgiven its

to do it without easy loaned capital for the

Consumers should know in advance what

less. Stay on top of business practices and

transgressions and Main Street is still

start-up. Should we as a community turn to

the bank policy is for cashing out-of-town

don’t become a victim.

bleeding.

each other as Chris Uhl and Sue Erem (and

checks. People on retirement, unemploy-

Andrew Jackson

Are we to continue to wait for a leader or

others) have suggested in the December

ment, Social Security or fixed income may

State College

Washington to help us? We are the ones we

issue?

have been waiting for. Washington is still

How do we go about it? Let’s start talking

waiting for new small businesses to employ

together, here in this community.

Send your letters to [email protected]

all the laid off workers. There is something

Kevin Handwerk

Voices Reader Survey 2009

Please help Voices grow by telling us

What would you change about the paper, if

Do you donate financially to Voices ? Why or

what we’re doing right and what we

anything?

why not?

can do better. Your response will

count, so please send it in today.

Survey also available at voicesweb.org

In what format do you prefer to read Voices ?

In print

On the Web

What would you change out about the Web

site, if anything?

Please tell us something about you.

If print, where do you get your issue of

More current news and photos

Gender: _________

Voices ?

Include classified ads

Age: ___

Social networking (Facebook-style)

Occupation: _______________________

Other (Please specify)

Current Town: _____________________

Why do you read Voices ?

(Check all that apply)

Education:

To find out more on topics that do not

High school

receive adequate coverage by other local media

Undergraduate

To learn more about local community-

Post-Graduate

builders and artists

What THREE local issues are most

Would you be interested in volunteering with

For alternative opinions on local issues

important to you?

Voices as a fundraiser, writer, photographer,

To support an independent newspaper

Environment

proofreader, ad sales rep, Web reporter or

Other: (Please specify)

Government

graphic designer? If so, please include your

PSU

name, phone number and e-mail.

The Arts

Schools

Economics

What other topics would you like to see

Social justice/Civil rights

covered in Voices ?

Other (Please specify)

Thank you for your time!

Please mail this survey to

Voices of Central Pa

P.O. Box 296

State College Pa 16804

Voices of Central Pa

02324 34$

53 0/34!'%

P.O. Box 296

0!)$

State College Pa 16804

3TATE #OLLEGE 0A

0ERMIT .O