Ten reasons a newspaper is better than a laptop:

10. You can’t fold a laptop to make it easier to hold.

9. You can do crosswords online, but you can’t live dangerously and do them in ink.

8. Breakfast just doesn’t taste good with silicon. Besides, you get crumbs on the keyboard.

7. You can’t cut an article out of a laptop screen without killing another tree.

6. Newspapers don’t need powercords or batteries.

5. With a newspaper, you don’t have to worry about losing your wireless signal.

4. Nobody can hack into your bank account through a newspaper.

3. A newspaper won’t give you carpal tunnel.

2. Just try to line a birdcage or light a fireplace with a laptop.

And finally,

1. If you spill coffee on a laptop, you have a $3,000 piece of junk. If you spill coffee on a newspaper, you have ... a wet newspaper.

The Tribune-Democrat: A living medium for living life.

Ralph Couey

Somerset



Governor isn’t true to his promises

Our governor told us when he was elected that his priorities were to reduce taxes, hold the line on spending and increase jobs.

He pushed through the idea of gambling while assuring those opposed to it that it would reduce property taxes. I have yet to see one penny off my property taxes.

He also is now asking for a temporary personal income tax increase for the 2009-10 budget. Have you ever seen a temporary tax?

The budget mess in Harrisburg affects not only state but also county and local governments. With the state cutting or unable to fund local programs, many of us are shortchanged. What happened with the money from the federal government stimulus package?

Our local government is not any better. Johnstown leaders have spent millions of dollars on the Point Stadium while city streets are a mess. Empty storefronts, dilapidated buildings and a crumbling infrastructure will do little to revitalize the city or local economy. Is it any wonder why people do not want to live in the city of Johnstown?

State and local governments are in need of new blood. We need younger, energetic, positive thinkers who can dream and make a brighter future for all of us.

The voters need to realize that the same old thinking in government is not helping us. Get away from strict party lines and think “out of the box.”

Young people leave areas such as Johns-town and Pennsylvania because of the closed-minded thinking of our politicians and many other citizens.

Robert Miller

Moxham



Thunder in the Valley drives families away

At last it is over – another nightmare called Thunder in the Valley. It’s a circus brought in because of greed. It’s noise all day and night.

You can find yourself driving your car on a road in a no-passing zone when all of a sudden motorcycles pass you going full speed. This is against the law and also dangerous.

Does anyone think of the local families? I know families that take vacations just to get way from this mess. We are chasing away our families, taxpaying people who grew up in Johnstown and stayed here to raise their children; yet they choose to leave instead of putting up with all of this.

I also saw T-shirts worn by motorcycle riders that are not for children’s eyes, or anyone else’s for that matter.

Please end this calamity. Bring back old-fashioned bargain days and peaceful family times.

This is not good for our city and its reputation.

Renee A. Hale

Johnstown



Our nation’s freedom is being threatened

Just because your house catches fire, you don’t tear it down or stop living in one.

When you are scared, the devil will speak in many pleasing voices and tell you not to follow God. This country needs help and must not abandon the reason it was started: Freedom.

The current government is taking the country down a road to where it will be in danger. Checks and balances are no more and, as I said before, the family is threatened.

Gay marriage is an insult to the American family. The president has not chosen a church because he has no faith in God or the American people. My checkbook belongs to me, not to the federal government. Hands off.

President Obama has said little about protecting our children or families.

Our faith in God is what makes us

whole and a strong nation. Even this is under attack from the far left.

Do not stop fighting for freedom. Our freedom is being threatened.

The Cold War is not over.

Ron Marol

Moxham



Lower ticket costs so everyone can attend

This is in response to the column by Zachary Hubbard on June 20 about filling seats at places such as the War Memorial and Point Stadium.

1. Unless the event is for charity (whatever the cause), most, if not all these “stars” (prima donnas), are asking exorbitant prices for their performances.

2. If bigger facilities elsewhere hold 40,000 people at $35-$50 a seat, what makes you think entertainers will come to Johnstown, where the seating capacity is fewer than 10,000? Do the math.

3. To expect people of this depressed area to pay high entertainment prices is unrealistic. Lower the ticket costs for everyone, not just for the college students.

James E. Hedglin

Johnstown