Thanks to Neil Smith and SMG management for stepping up to save our Johnstown Chiefs this year. I expected some challenges along the way because of the changes that were made, but my faith took a hit on Nov. 13.

Rival Wheeling Nailers were visiting, and there were $1 hot dogs. There were lines at the ticket window and delays at the turnstiles. I had seen it before and felt bad for those who had to wait in those long lines and wondered if they would ever return.

When I got to my seat, the Bedford Area High School band was occupying the section next to me. There’s nothing like a band to energize the crowd. We learned in “Slap Shot” that it can work for hockey, too.

However, most of the game went by without the band playing. When I asked why, I was told they were not allowed and were restricted to playing only at certain times, which seemed to be only at the end of each period.

I am outraged that when we are trying every conceivable promotion to spark fan interest, we would deny the opportunity for these young people to participate. My section urged the band’s participation and witnessed young musicians’ frustration that they could not. It was embarrassing to sit helplessly and watch as these young musicians could not play.

I believe another invitation to the band to come and play all night at a future game is in order.

Tim Miller

Johnstown



Political correctness and immigrants

I wonder why Mexicans come to the United States? Or the Indians or Chinese?

When I go shopping, it is very difficult to find items made in the United States. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to understand why our unemployment numbers are so high. The jobs have been sent to other countries. Try buying a TV set made by Motorola, Admiral, Philco, RCA, Westinghouse, Zenith or Capehart that is made in America. I know – the political correctness is “it’s a global economy.”

And another problem I am having: Why do Islamic folks come to live in America?

Of course, not all Islamic people are evil-minded, but do you ever hear any of them stand up for what is good about their religion or what is good about this country?

The Islamic religion, as I understand it, teaches that infidels should be eradicated, and most of the folks in our country are considered, according to the Islamic religion, infidels.

So I think we should deport all Islamic people to their original country where they can behead each other or whatever they do to keep everyone in his or her place.

However, I realize that it would be politically incorrect on the part of our politicians to do this.

I am so angry over the killing of our soldiers at Fort Hood I just needed to express my anger.

Virginia Buser

Boswell



Many drove by, but only 1 stopped to help

On Nov. 10, about 4:30 p.m., I was bringing my aunt home from a doctor’s appointment. My car began to smoke badly, and I pulled over and got my aunt and wife out.

A woman pulled over and offered to help in any way she could. The lady, I think her name was Christie, and my wife kept an eye on my aunt until I parked the car.

As we were getting into Christie’s car, I said it was a shame that 20 to 30 cars went by before she stopped to help us.

I want to thank Christie for her help and apologize for making her late for work. I offered her money, but she wouldn’t take it. I offered to tell her boss that she was helping people. Again, she said no thanks.

She told us she was from Cresson, and so again I can’t thank her enough.

There are some people who care about others in trouble, no matter what the cost.

I hope her boss reads this letter and sees that Christie was telling the truth. She was an angel who stopped to help us.

And to those who went by, someday, God forbid, they may have a breakdown, and when cars pass them by, may they remember the time they went by three people in need.

When I get my car out of the repair shop I will drive up to our church and light a candle and ask God to take good care of her.

Anthony J. Gwizdak Jr.

Carrolltown



Government termites eat away at America

The Communist Manifesto of 1919 is a 100-year plan to destroy Democracy from within, like termites destroy a building.

Among its goals:

* Promote immorality: Immoral minds are easier to control than minds with strong principles.

* Promote sports to divert attention from important issues.

* Use minority causes to upset Democratic ideas, principles, practices and traditions.

Older and wiser men than me predicted today’s problems back in the ’30s and ’40s.

Who are these termites of internal destruction? Large corporations that shipped jobs and business overseas.

If I buy a shirt but slip a necktie inside and only pay for the shirt, I am a thief, thus a criminal. If a legislator slips an “earmark” into a votable bill and it passes, the legislator is a thief, a criminal. Politicians did not invent shoplifting, they simply improved on it.

President Clinton OK’d shipping jobs to Mexico and elsewhere. Donald Rumsfeld instigated a war to drain the economy, President Bush followed through with Rumsfeld’s ideas and gave Dick Cheney the opportunity to corrupt the contracting process and siphon money without accountability. Each helped to destroy the economy.

There is nothing more dangerous than stupidity in a group. The pro-abortion people are too stupid to see that they are being used. Abortion is essential to the promotion and acceptance of euthanasia, the ultimate goal of health-care control.

Take a break from sports and entertainment and pay attention to the termites in government who want control of your life and death.

Francis C. Crnarich

Buffington Township



Dems health-care bill decimates Medicare

I wish to thank U.S. Rep. John Murtha for voting to decimate Medicare and obliterate Medicare Advantage programs, which seniors have and are paying for, voting to deny seniors the care and procedures they require.

One honest politician, Robert B. Reich, a Clinton administration Cabinet member, said, “If we tell the truth, we tell seniors if costs of treatment are too expensive in relation to life expectancy. You will be denied, given pain relievers and you will die.” (During an appearance on the Larry Kudlow show on CNBC.)

People would be forced to pay 8 percent of their income for insurance (a new tax) or pay a fine if they don’t. Those who do neither would, as per Sections 7203 or 7201, be subject to a fine of $25,000 and/or up to five years’ imprisonment.

Businesses would be fined $750 per employee if they don’t provide insurance. Look for layoffs to avoid or decrease the fines.

This jackbooted, communistic “Obamanation” of a bill is brought by House Democrats. One Republican vote after the motion passed does not make it bipartisan.

Allowing interstate purchase of insurance and enacting tort reform would reduce insurance costs without doing any of the above. Howard Dean, former Democratic National Committee chairman, said (at a town hall meeting), “Tort reform won’t happen because we can’t fight the trial lawyers” who contribute millions of dollars to Democrats, sort of like the Abscam scandal. Wasn’t someone local an unindicted co-conspirator in Abscam?

I can’t wait for the 2010-12 elections to take our country back.

Daniel F. Canning

Mineral Point



Sculpture represents mining industry

The Tribune-Democrat’s Nov. 14 article on Norm Ed’s cribbing sculpture triggered an emotional epiphany, a sense of belonging to this area, even for a transplanted person, a refugee from the eastern part of Pennsylvania, such as myself.

The cribbing eloquently represents the mining industry that provided the original foundation for Johnstown’s – and our nation’s – economy.

Each cribbing piece in Ed’s design represents the lives and even the bodies of the miners who had labored for a pittance.

Even up until recent years, many miners have died in accidents. In addition, mining veterans both here and around the world have suffered crippling ailments involving limbs and lungs because of their work. Miners have also suffered at the hands of mine owners, and even from actions of their own unions.

Ed’s cribbing pieces progressively lean on each other to approach an upright position. This pattern represents the imperative that we lean on each other or fall. We have, we can, and we could stand with each other’s help. These pieces not only tell of mining’s past – Johnstown’s past – but also of the future everywhere. We must learn and relearn to depend on each other if we are to survive.

Any work of art renders multiple interpretations. I offer mine in gratitude for Ed’s thoughtful gift. I hope his sculpture will find a permanent home.

James W. Cochran

Johnstown



Regarding ‘art work,’ some get it, some don’t

This concerns a “work of art” at the corner of Bedford and Haynes streets.

There is a saying, “Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.” Well, this beholder doesn’t know too much about art, but to my eyes it is nothing but a pile of trash. It’s littering, and the culprit should be fined for dumping on private property.

Had I created that eyesore, I probably would have been fined. If the artist thinks it’s so lovely, let him put it on his property.

I drive past there daily, and the sooner it’s gone, I’ll once again be able to enjoy the scenery there. I personally enjoy looking at a good copy of a Picasso instead of that.

Does the artist think the people of Johnstown are a bunch of hicks with no appreciation for good works of art?

Helen Mangos

Johnstown