Thoughts Before The Alarm Sounds

     I don't know why I do it, but I admit it: I read the letters to the editor in the local newspaper. But on any given day, I have a pretty good idea what I am going to find there:       35% will be from Republicans castigating the President and the Democrats' stand on the national debt, immigrants, the troops and gun control. (This is a conservative area.)      25% will be from Democrats praising the President and castigating the Republicans' stand on the national debt, immigrants, the troops and gun control.      20% will be from people who think we have gone morally astray, and the only thing that will prevent God from wreaking Armageddon on the USA is to turn to Jesus and the Bible.      15% are from folks praising or ridiculing the governor's plan to privatize the lottery and the state's monopoly on the sale of liquor.      3% are from folks who wish to thank the...

Here are a few stories from today’s local newspaper: “Suspect in bat assault case headed to trial.” A homeowner caught a thief going through his (the homeowner’s) van, and hit the thief with a baseball bat. The homeowner is going to trial. The thief pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor. “Marshals, police nab city woman.” Twice she tried to run them down with her car, then started punching them. “ Marietta man charged with raping child.” Needs no explanation. ” U.S. call driving while distracted an ‘epidemic.’” Again no explanation needed. I was beginning to think the SETI searchers (see 9/27 blog) should be trying to find signs of intelligent life on earth. Then I came across the following letter to the editor: “Day of Caring volunteers energetic, inspiring.” This is a thank you letter to 3,100 local volunteers who took part in United Way of Lancaster ’s 18 th annual Day of Caring. Among many other things they weatherized the home of a local soldier, scrubbed graffiti o...

I usually read the Letters to the Editor. As I mentioned yesterday, I wrote one myself - I have done that a few times before. I don’t know whether or not they will print it. Some of the letters I agree with, others I disagree with, some are ridiculous, and some I don’t care about one way or another. I have often thought that the Letters page should be placed next to the Comics page. Most of the comics are not funny, and many of the letters are, so lets place them close to each other. Except for the one I wrote yesterday.