It has been reported that Johnstown has been considered as a site for the trial of Khalid Sheik Mohammed and his four co-conspirators. I am appalled that our city, state and federal officials would consider letting this beautiful, tranquil city be subjected to such a spectacle.

Are they going to put Johnstown in the bull’s-eye of terrorists? There undoubtably would be terrorist who would love to disrupt the trial at any cost. Could there be a car bomb set off or suicide bombers blowing themselves up in a crowed street or event?

I know that those two examples are extreme, but I believe terrorists will stop at nothing to disrupt the court proceedings.

Remember, we host special events with 100,000 to 200,000 people visiting the area. Think about Thunder in the Valley, AmeriServ Flood City Music Festival and Labor Day weekend with all the events going on throughout our city. How could we protect our citizens and visitors? We couldn’t.

We did not stop the shoe bomber or the underwear bomber – they were successful in getting into position to blow up their targets. We were just lucky that they failed, or we would have lost more than 300 passengers and crew members on both flights.

Let’s rethink this decision and pull us out of the running. Johnstown does not deserve this. Let’s keep our wonderful city peaceful.

Larry E. Licht

Johnstown



Why are there no middle-class pols?

It seems that every day the media rock us with another story of how our fearless politicians are working for us.

Whether it’s Rep. John Murtha sending million-dollar earmarks (“something that is a privilege to friends,” according to Craig Holman, government affairs lobbyist for Public Citizen) to one of his millionaire friends in Johnstown, or Sen. John Wozniak filling for nearly $40,000 in per diem expenses, which is more than the city of Johnstown’s estimated median household income in 2008 ($25,981), or Sen. John Edwards, who recently admitted to cheating on his wife and kids and fathering an illegitimate child with his girlfriend.

But, let’s take at look what Edwards is able to afford on a senator’s salary. His home in North Carolina is estimated to be valued at more than $6 million.

He was able to purchase a $530,000 home for his girlfriend. He vacationed in Aspen, Colo., while staying in a $10,000-a-night hotel.

His political action committee paid a friend’s production company $100,000 in 2006 for her to work as a videographer to follow him around as he prepared for his second quest at the White House.

Finally, he was able to send his girlfriend hundreds of thousands of dollars hidden in boxes of chocolates to keep her quiet, according to the senator’s aide, Andrew Young.

It is very difficult to believe that our state and federal officials understand what is needed to live on a middle-class income.

President Obama said it best: “It’s time for change.”

Ronald J. Kohan Jr.

Albany, Ind., formerly of Johnstown



Nation needs its leaders to lead

President Obama has again extended the offer for Republicans and Democrats to find common ground. I am not blue or red or even purple polka-dotted. I am an American.

I want my leaders to work for me and my fellow Americans, not on backroom hidden agendas or corporate interests.

The party is for America, all America, not just Democrats or Republicans. Why can’t we rise above the party bickering and sound-bite game to come together for our nation?

We need small businesses to thrive, jobs, a clean environment, health care, financial reforms and work on many more issues – but mostly we need our leaders to lead in a positive, productive manor.

Get to work.

Susanne Bargel

Johnstown



Nuts-and-bolts prognosticator

Hopefully, this is only a bad dream that repeats itself every Feb. 2.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) wants to replace Punxsutawney Phil. It wants Feb. 2 to be called Robotic Critter Memorial Day.

Here’s a scenario:

It’s a cold and stormy winter day. The crowd is cheering, “We want Phil,” and “Six more weeks of winter.”

Then Phil’s handlers say, “Lights, camera, action.”

Without adieu, Robotic Punxy Phil, a mechanical statue of nuts and bolts, appears.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the groundhog-a-nator, with a body of Legos and a head of a miner’s lantern,” a handler says.

Then, with a puff of smoke and a sizzling noise, Robotic Phil freezes. PETA handlers pass out WD-40 to the engineers of the furless wonder.

Suddenly there’s a loud screech and the groundhog-a-nator turns into a cappuccino machine.

As the patrons dismiss and drive out of sight, a voice rings out, “I’m here to save the furry-one.”

Ya all come back now, ya here.

Don’t you just love it.

Gregg Hockycko

Johnstown