Letters to the Editor - 10/31/2009

Mudslinger

Editor: State Rep. Daryl Metcalfe, R-Butler County, made a recent tirade in response to an invitation to meet with the Operation Free Veterans. It is totally unacceptable.

The party of Abe Lincoln has always been very supportive of members of the armed forces and needs to chastise him for his disregard of the veterans' First Amendment rights.

While I respect his First Amendment rights, I believe he had a choice to agree or disagree with their opinion. Instead he chose mudslinging and depicting fellow veterans as traitors, likening them to Benedict Arnold. His response to this invitation is absurd and not in character for a member of the state Legislature.

It is this veteran's opinion that a person such as Mr. Metcalfe, with his narrow mind, is not worthy to serve as a member of the state House of Representatives.

My hat is off to Times-Tribune columnist Chris Kelly for his exposure of this person in his Sunday Times column. He hit the nail right on the head.

TOM DOUGHERTY

Dunmore

Metcalfe on mark

Editor: Chris Kelly makes a sophomoric attempt to silence opposition to "global warming - climate change" by invoking the opinions of some veterans in his Oct. 25 column, "On front line of climate change."

I have nothing but respect and admiration for our patriotic men and women in uniform. But that doesn't make them immune to criticism on issues of public policy. My hope is that these veterans are naïve "useful idiots" and not Kool-Aid drinking "fellow travelers."

The quote from state Rep. Daryl Metcalfe nailed it. All one has to do is look at the poster child for global warming, Al Gore, to see the insanity of the left's claim.

I am sure that the whole "global warming - climate change" issue is cover for more sinister behavioral issues.

JOSEPH J. AMEIKA

ARCHBALD

No appeasing

Editor: God bless Israel, a peaceful nation that can see the truth with no game-playing. They are a brave, powerful people who will not let Iran destroy them.

Our president, in so many words, by trying to pacify Iran appeared to be turning his back on Israel. He also tried to pacify Russia by turning his back on Poland.

The Israeli people can see this. We should not try to appease a potential enemy with words that appear to be negative about a nation.

When Israel feels that America is not with her, they will take matters into their own hands and bomb Iran. This may start a third world war, but that is the price peaceful people must pay to be free.

DELORES BRAY

SOUTH ABINGTON TWP.

Services expand

Editor: We thank The Times-Tribune for its recent Lupus Loop donation to the Lupus Foundation of Pennsylvania, Pocono/NE Branch, Resource Center for Autoimmune Diseases.

Over the past year since opening the Resource Center for Autoimmune Diseases in our new facility in Scranton, we realized an astounding eight-fold increase in patient inquiries, in addition to attracting hundreds of new lupus and autoimmune patients to expanded programs and services we initiated.

While this growth is impressive, it starkly indicates the real need for these services.

As the Pocono/NE Branch celebrates its 25th year with a firm commitment to the community, we are happy to take the lead in ensuring that lupus and autoimmune patients have a place to turn for accurate information, quality education, crisis assistance and social/emotional support. We couldn't do it without your help.

JANICE LIDDIC

EVENTS COORDINATOR

LUPUS FOUNDATION

POCONO/NE BRANCH

SCRANTON

Meals enable meals

Editor: Thanks to all who contributed to the success of the Make a Difference Day breakfast benefiting St. Francis of Assisi kitchen, conducted Oct. 24 at St. Peter's Lutheran Church.

Pancakes and sausages were prepared by men from Elm Park United Methodist Church. Students from Marywood, the University of Scranton, Penn State, Holy Cross High School and a CCD class from St. Mary's in Dunmore assisted with the serving.

The support of the community enabled us to send a check for $1,000 to the kitchen. All who participated truly made a difference.

JEANMARIE WARPUS

INTERFAITH FRIENDS UNITED

SCRANTON

Hard to leave

Editor: I write with ambivalent feelings. I love the community of Old Forge and the residents and patrons that I have served. It was both a pleasure and honor to accommodate their needs as a postal clerk for the past five years.

Having served the U.S. Postal Service for 38 years, I have decided to retire, effective Nov. 1.

My decision to leave has not been an easy one. Essentially, my heart is heavy, because I love what I do and the people I do it for. I will miss the friends and acquaintances I have made over the years. One consolation is I am a resident of this community. So I'll continue to live, pray and play here and actively take part in community affairs.

I would like to thank everyone who patronized and fought for the Old Forge Post Office to remain open while I was there. It remains open because of your efforts and concern. I promise to fight even more vigorously than before to keep our post office open.

I will never forget the thoughtfulness, generosity, caring and most of all the love the people have expressed to me during my years at Old Forge.

GUY PILOSI

OLD FORGE

Support to the end

Editor: Thanks to members of the Greater Scranton community for your great support of the runners during the 2009 Steamtown Marathon.

The temperatures were chilly, but thanks for coming out and cheering the runners on, and thank you for all the great support along the route, from oranges, to paper towels, to first-aid supplies, you thought of everything and offered it to all.

The many music organizations that were along the route provided some great sound. It showed a lot of commitment on their part to get out and play for all the runners.

As a back-of-the-pack runner, I appreciate that you stayed for us all.

As I ran through the course I tried to thank as many of the volunteers as I could, but thought this would reach a larger audience

See you next year.

FRED W. SCHUMACHER

Frederick, Md.