Occupy confusion
Hi Mark,
Just wanted to ask a few questions about your article in the Volume 8, Number 52 (December 27, 2011) issue of the Dayton City Paper. “…Obama’s organization to spark a Marxist revolution, the Occupy camps…” Could you please provide some evidence that links President Obama to the formation of the Occupy movement? By identifying the Occupy movement with Marxism, are you implying that a desire to halt the widening gap between rich and poor is somehow un-American? Would it be better, in your opinion, for this trend to continue on unencumbered? Your harsh criticism of the Occupy movement seems utterly at odds with your subsequent attack on “Obama’s 2012 political strategy of class warfare” that, in your words, “is designed to further divide an already bitterly divided country.”  Wait, my understanding was that unprecedented income inequality was to blame for this divide.  The Occupy movement, if you didn’t already know this, is tasked with lessening that divide. Note: I disagree with many of the tactics of the Occupy movement, but the issues they bring to light are unquestionably important. “Despite increasing the burden of government via unprecedented increases in spending and new regulations, American entrepreneurs have prevented Obama from driving unemployment much over nine percent.” I’m sure I’m wrong, of course, but this strikes me as one of the most transparent examples of spin that I have ever witnessed. Please describe the method you used to determine that hovering unemployment rates were exclusively the result of “American entrepreneurs” and had nothing to do with government policies designed to do just that i.e., to “stop the bleeding” in President Obama’s own words. Certainly as a professional journalist and electrical engineer you already know this, but you can’t just attribute the sun rising to whatever happens to strike your fancy that day. Obviously, you have your disagreements with Obama’s policies, but by shoveling everything bad that happens into his backyard and putting everything good that happens into the hands of random recipients, you betray your truly immature biases.“…the global warming fraud…” OK, this is getting out of hand. Did you think you were writing a post in LiveJournal and accidentally emailed it to your editor?  I say that because this heap of unsubstantiated, stream-of-consciousness drivel is perfectly suited to a diary … maybe to a free blogging account, but it is certainly not print-worthy. You are aware that the jury is in on climate change right? You are aware that the agreement of the scientific community (you know, the people who should be consulted before making statements of such magnitude) is virtually unanimous? Perhaps tossing around patently errant information flies on whatever Tea Party newsletters you also write for, but the general public is a little more discerning.  At least attempt to assuage our need for evidence with some questionable study financed by Texaco or the Creation Museum or whatever other big entity with stock in the status quo you are likely to choose. Really, sir, your heart just wasn’t in this one.
P.S. Didn’t indiscriminate de-regulation get us in to this mess in the first place? That’s hardly ancient history.
Branden Fugate
Springfield, Ohio
[RE: Debate Forum Right: “Losers, losers and more losers” by Mark Luedtke, 12/27/11]

The ‘real’ story
Great article! The birthplace of aviation and home of the Wright Brothers should receive a space shuttle at the National Museum of the USAF at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton. No doubt whatsoever. After Obama canceled the Constellation Project, Obama prematurely retired three perfectly good space shuttles without an American replacement vehicle. They were flying better than ever. Now, the United States of America has no way to send American astronauts into space. The United States of America has to pay Russia $63 million per seat to send an American astronaut into space. Fork it over!
Peter M. Callahan
[RE: “NASA to Dayton: Over and Out” by Tim Walker, 12/27/11]

Re-Werk-ing my life
The Werks is a band I could follow for the rest of my life. When I was first introduced to the Werks, I was at my first-ever music festival in Indiana. I was actually going through one of the most emotionally depressing times of my life. I’ll never forget this, I was sitting on a hill by the stage and the Werks came on. I remember standing up, turning around, and saying, “Who is this?” My friend said, “Hey, it’s the Werks. Ever heard them?” I told him, “No, but I sure as hell want to hear more!” Then after this festival I researched them and came to find they were hosting their own show called the Werk Out Music and Arts Festival. During this show they played for hours on end and the entire time I was overcome by overwhelming happiness and joy, and I even danced for the first time in my life … for nine hours straight! So the Werks will forever go down as a band that’s changed my life! I love you guys for opening my eyes as well as my heart!
Justin Bezeau
[RE: “A real Werk out” by Nick Schwab, 12/20/11]

Living it up like a minimalist
I always look forward to living the minimalist lifestyle every weekend that I spend and enjoy at our 800 square-foot cottage at Indian Lake. I didn’t realize that I could purposefully change my lifestyle at home. Thanks Annie.
Ann Sidell
[RE: “Do as the minimalists do” by Annie Bowers, 12/20/11]

Sorry, dude.
I have to go with the self-inflicted wound camp. Politico contacted the Cain campaign about its initial story 10 days before it went public. How were they flailing around in the early days of the scandal with that much lead time in which they could have crafted a coherent response?
Kevin S.
[RE: “Herman Cain withdraws: Media conspiracy or self-inflicted wound?” 12/13/11]

Hooray for handmade
Handmade Dayton is a wonderful and supportive group! I love being part of such a diverse and friendly group of crafters. I plan on being much more active this year. My Etsy shop has been doing very well. I feel more energized than I did being sick last year, and I am ready to go! Oh, and not to mention that I love the people who come out to buy. They are the ones who keep us going and their support and enthusiasm while looking at our goods is inspiring! Go Dayton!
Shannon Rea
Dayton, Ohio
[RE: “Made in Dayton” by Sara McKinniss, 12/13/11]

Handmade praise
This is a wonderful article. Heidi is the best team leader. She has brought so many of us together to grow as a group. When I first joined Etsy in 2009, she helped me reach my full potential. Also many great friendships have grown from our group. Thank you Heidi and Sara (McKinniss) for writing such an awesome article.
Tracy McElfresh
Dayton, Ohio [RE: “Made in Dayton” by Sara McKinniss, 12/13/11]

Peace out, Herman
Cain was not running for president. All the hard work of actually running – building an operation on the ground in all the early states, fundraising, etc. – Cain was doing none of it. He was seeking attention, and a greater voice and role in the conservative media. Once he was successful enough in his “campaign” to assure this, there was no reason to stay in the race. The timely revelations about his sexual behavior gave him a convenient and graceful path out.
Daniel M.T.
[RE: “Herman Cain withdraws: Media conspiracy or self-inflicted wound?” 12/13/11]

Go Stivers go
Stivers is an amazing school that appreciates and accentuates the artistic intellect of all its students. Ever proud to be a parent of a Stivers School for the Arts future graduate 2015!
Susan Fitts
[RE: “Making art a possibility” by Caroline Shannon-Karasik, 12/13/11]

Seriously, cut it out
I agree. If our government can’t live on $2.2 trillion dollars of revenue, then we have a spending problem. New taxes won’t solve it — new taxes will result in new spending.   Make Washington, D.C. do a new thing: slash spending, eliminate the deficit and start to pay down the federal debt.
Dave Stacy
[RE: Debate Forum Right: “Stop spending! Stop spending! Seriously … stop spending!!” by David H. Landon, 11/29/11]

A little local love
What an insightfully written article. Miss Hanauer certainly has a clever way of turning the everyday into something exciting. Love her articles.
Maxine Jones
[RE: “It’s the most locavore time of the year” by Jennifer Hanauer, 11/29/11]

”Nice” does not equal “lawful”
You say “trespassed” as if she wasn’t trespassing just because she was doing what she thought was a good deed. While plowing a neighbor’s driveway of snow might seem neighborly, it is indeed trespassing if those neighbors haven’t given permission. If she’d slipped and broken her ankle, the homeowner could be held liable. I agree with your assessment that she’s likely misunderstood and the penalty is too harsh, but just because a person is well-intentioned, it doesn’t mean they’re acting within the law.
Steve Chaw
Oakwood, Ohio
[RE: Commentary Forum:” Nuts? ‘Squirrel Lady’ is guilty of a big heart” by Tim Anderl, 12/6/11]

U.S. does not have it all
Appreciate the general sentiment of the commentary, but by unnecessarily dragging Fox News into the debate you lose all credibility. Additionally, while the U.S. may have the highest GDP we only rank #10 per capita so calling us the wealthiest nation is somewhat of a misnomer. And no, having any number of people below the poverty level is not a crime and neither is involuntary unemployment. Just being an American does not guarantee a person a well-paying job and their own home stocked full of food.
Steve Chaw
Oakwood, Ohio
[RE: Commentary Forum: “Feed people, not squirrels” by Rana Odeh, 12/6/11]

A woman misunderstood
My wife and I lived a few doors down from Annick. A wonderfully interesting lady — former French teacher that’s been laid off. She didn’t feed all the squirrels from my observations, but specifically the albino/white squirrels. I had never seen a white squirrel until we moved into this neighborhood so I found them quite interesting, though not as much as she, apparently. Our landlord, Greg, and his wife absolutely hated her. The two of them wanted her to stay clear of our duplex/home. After being threatened by him, I never saw her throw another nut there. She is a very nice person, though maybe slightly obsessed, she does not deserve any hard time for this petty issue.
Joel S.
Kettering, Ohio
[RE: Commentary Forum Topic: “Extra! Extra! “Squirrel Lady” to go on trial for criminal trespass,” 12/6/11]

Obama and “his” guns
By banning the importation of 100.000 surplus South Korean M-1 Garand rifles into our nation, the Obama administration defends and protects our domestic rifle manufacturers, the few we have left; too many of those famous old American-made trademarked names now stamped into foreign imports, of course. Historically, big war-surplus arms dumps have hurt domestic producers and sellers of new guns, because few guns really ever wear out, and with proper minimum care can last at least 50 years or more. Note that $99 Soviet-surplus Mosin-Nagants [like my two and an SKS] glut the market, being fun and reasonably cheap to shoot, with plenty of ammo to make them go blamo, and new clean ammunition being produced and sold to supply the demand of the thousands of new fans. Springfield Armory and these surplus-seller fellers could hardly charge $1,400 for a new, or $700 for an old worn-out, M-1 gun if and after 100,000 old M-1 guns were imported and dumped. Therefore, the Obama administration is protecting and promoting our domestic arms industry! Oh, I believe that Springfield Armory makes most of their firearms overseas, in Croatia maybe, despite that old famous American name and that is a damned shame.
Leon Harrison
West Carrollton, Ohio

The camp problem
I [was] fine with the Occupy Dayton group protesting about whatever they want to protest about. I [was] just not into them deciding to set up camp. I don’t think the city would be fine with me deciding to go sit on a public sidewalk in front of, let’s say, Fifth Third Field for months on end. I didn’t expect the city to provide those individuals with any electricity. I heard that they’d move to another place during the holidays in exchange for the use of electricity. I have to pay for my electricity for my home. They should get a bill every month just like I do and if they can’t pay the bill, well, turn off the electricity. There is nothing in the Constitution that states the government has to be courteous or provide service to those who by freedom of choice desire to protest.
George Hughes
[RE: Debate Forum Left: “The right to remain silent” by Jolene Pohl, 11/22/11]

A cause?
Wouldn’t your time be better spent gathering food for the poor than squatting on public property without a permit? Camping achieves nothing in your cause. I guess you would rather camp while you whine and complain than actually do anything that could make an actual difference. Why not help out Habitat for Humanity? Why not tutor at-risk children in poor school systems? What about volunteering at a soup kitchen? If you really cared about change, you could make a difference. But you chose to join a group that accomplish[ed] nothing, except to spread discontent and mistrust toward our police force. The most ironic thing is that your group is so mistrustful of the Dayton PD when they have been nothing but fair to you.
Maria James
[RE: Debate Forum Left: “The right to remain silent” by Jolene Pohl, 11/22/11]

Not in Texas, Miranda…
Judge Wagner,
When I vented some time ago regarding false arrests and the ripples in people’s lives they create, I neglected to communicate that your column is a huge and favorable contribution to the weekly birdcage liner/fish wrapper. The latest “Warning” had me howling with glee at times. Most people on the streets, be they criminals or paragons of law-abiding citizenry (think: ‘the great unwashed’) really know zip about the finer subtleties of law. If the first words from a perpetrator’s mouth are ‘arrest me or I’m leaving, and if I’m under arrest, shut up and let me talk to an attorney,’ there would be fewer arrests. The downside is that many serious criminals would skate. Or create the Miranda boondoggle of a guilty party seriously changing the system. OK, maybe Ernesto wasn’t treated with kid gloves, but he was convicted in his later trial — whether fairly or not, who knows? I don’t know anyone who was there. Yet if we have a shred of faith in the system we almost have to believe he was guilty as charged — and of course, in Texas, he would have (probably) deservedly been hanged. The forces we entrust with prosecution (cops, lawyers and judges) are, for the most part, keenly aware of this. Obfuscation is not a crime, without certain elements present (see: entrapment. My favorite because even when an element of entrapment is prima facie there is little debate regarding guilt). So sure, everyone plays this dangerous game. It’s normal. Anyway, kudos for your column. Now don’t you go thinking I miss the self-serving part of having your law firm’s name out there — I’ve worked in advertising, Judge, and understand its’ value. Here, though, you get an honorable pass — what you provide is well worth what you may gain. Keep writing. Having worked both sides of the fence, I know what a lawyer’s time is worth. It’s an investment from you that may just benefit everybody.
Respectfully,
George Fanning

“Violence and greed”
Mark,
I’m surprised that you would claim the Occupy Wall Street protesters have no right to be on government property. The First Amendment guarantees this right. It’s called the First Amendment to the Constitution. “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.” Your other argument that Wall Street greed was sold by the government to the highest bidder is equally specious. The fundamental tenets of the movement is that the government has not regulated an industry –finance- that has wielded the power to destroy jobs, remove Americans from their homes, devalue our currency, manipulate congress, and fund the transfer of our economy offshore. While taking billions of taxpayer dollars in the name of stability.
Leib Lurie,
Troy, Ohio
[RE: Debate Forum Right: “The violence and greed of Leftists” by Mark Luedtke, 11/22/11]

Give me that First Amendment
Based on the First Amendment, Occupy Dayton has the right to peaceably assemble and air their grievances, or whatever free speech that is legal (i.e., no yelling “fire” in crowded theatres). Camping and occupying isn’t new in America and it is a protected form of speech protesting conditions. Google “Bonus Army 1930s,” people.
J.S.
Dayton, Ohio
[RE: Debate Forum Topic: “Occupy Wall Street and the First Amendment,” 11/22/11]

What it’s all about
Spot on. Abandoning a protest every single time it may offend someone runs in direct opposition to what a protest is about.
Wes Bishop
Dayton, Ohio
[RE: Debate Forum Left: “The right to remain silent” by Jolene Pohl, 11/22/11]

Public? Property?
It seems to me that if you are invalidating the concept of public property, you are invalidating the First Amendment.
Christopher Erb
[RE: Debate Forum Right: “The violence and greed of Leftists” by Mark Luedtke, 11/22/11]

That’s logistics
For me it all boils down to a matter of logistics. Most people think all there is to camping out is throwing up a tent, grabbing some sleeping bags and setting up house. For those of us who have actually made camping a lifelong hobby we understand the real logistics required to maintain a working camp and from what I’ve seen of the Occupy Dayton movement, none of them possess the skills to do it right. It is one thing to debate rights, but the reality is that with rights come responsibilities too. If you plan on occupying something like Courthouse [Square] in Dayton you need to do so in a manner that is respectful of the environment. So far from what I’ve seen of the Occupy Dayton campsite, their camp is not only not being respectful of the environment, they are also through lack of camping knowledge presenting a danger to others trying to use the Square. Tents are not properly secured and when the wind kicks up the billowing tents create a serious threat to pedestrians. Sanitation? Trash removal? Power? These are all issues which the campers appear to have no clue how to effectively manage on their own. They cry about rights, but seem to have no sense of responsibility for maintaining their presence on Courthouse Square. Other cities are moving away from permanent camps. They’re recognizing the tremendous drain upon organization coffers that maintaining the tents truly is and are adapting their tactics to Occupy public venues temporarily during certain hours and sending everyone home after events where they are warm, safe and out of the cold. Camping is a very expensive endeavor. Every dollar invested in trying to maintain a camp can purchase bullhorns, fliers, buttons, signs and the materials to spread the Occupy message. They’ve learned the truth that sometimes the principle of “conservation of resources” is more important than the right to camp. Having the right to do something and standing on it isn’t always the right choice. Doing something right is more important than standing on a right to do something. When a camp becomes dangerous to more people than it serves, the city must move to protect the safety of the majority. Do it right or don’t do it at all. So far the Dayton Occupiers aren’t doing it right…
Dirk Star
Dayton, Ohio
[RE: Debate Forum Topic: “Occupy Wall Street and the First Amendment,” 11/22/11]

A shame
This letter is in response to the Penn State sexual abuse scandal. Nothing could be more nauseating than a topic like this.  This scandal absolutely sickens me. There are actually several issues of concern here. First and foremost is the willful and deliberate sexual molestation of children.   Our nation’s youth are already victimized in so many ways (by adults) in this country.  How is it that these warped and perverted “leaders” manipulate their way into positions of power, and once they have such power use it to force a defenseless person to comply with their pedophile desires?  Are there no screens (psychological testing and otherwise) to prevent this from happening?   Secondly, how could such criminal behavior be allowed to go unreported to law enforcement?  And why for so long?   How could college athletics become so corrupt that nothing — absolutely nothing — will threaten the financial racket it has become?   Thirdly, why is it that university officials are not required to connect the financial dots linking the money taken in by college athletics to the benefits received by the students?  Is it because there is no connection?  Finally, it is certainly ironic that former coach Joe Paterno was idolized as “Joe Pa” all these years when he failed the most important duty of any parent; to protect your children.  One has to wonder if Mr. Paterno’s behavior would have been any different had one of those victims been his grandchild.  Perhaps “Molest-Pa” would be a more suitable nickname.  Let us hope that he and his cronies get what they deserve. Let justice be done though the sports program’s fall.
Joe Bialek
Cleveland, OH

Good times, indeed
Greetings Kyle!
My name is Deanna Bryant. I was the general manager of Chins and Elbos when we began booking shows at Elbos. I am currently the general manager at Fricker’s on Woodman Drive, where we carry the Dayton City Paper. When I picked up the copy today and leafed through, I was excited to see the article about Dayton bands and clubs. Unfortunately, I did not read the first two installments of your article. What caught my eye was the picture of my friend Bryan Labonte and his compadres. I often think about those days and what a great time it was. Listening to all of the demos sent to me from all around the country and putting together great shows was a rush. It was hard to leave that place and I felt a sense of loss when it closed. Even though I hadn’t been there for the demise. Not to say I held it all together, but it went downhill after I left. The mutual respect between musician and venue just fell away somehow. I thought we really had a great thing going, and as small of a recognition as it may be, I feel proud to be mentioned in your article. I put a lot of effort into building Elbos up. I truly wanted to be known as the place to be, so thank you! With that said, I do not want to discount the assistance from Bryan Labonte, Jami Holliday and J.J. Bradley during that time. If you are thinking of mentioning Elbos any further, please give them props from me. And can I just say reading this little bit … I want to sit back, drink my beer, take a long drag off a good smoke, crank it up, close my eyes and jam … all the while thinking … good times … good times.
Deanna Bryant
[RE: “Shocker in Gloomtown: Part III: This flag signals goodbye" by Kyle Melton, 11/15/11]

Taking a beard with me
Mr. Dale,
Great article about beards and the beard competition of Beard Team Ohio.  I am from Kansas City, where we recently started our own Kansas City Beard and Moustache Club.
Doc Gould
Kansas City, Missouri

Enough is enough
I’m certainly not defending clubs that over-pack the place and pour lots and lots and lots of liquor into the mouths of the brain-addled American masses, but has anyone thought to lay responsibility on the idiot who thought it was a good idea to shoot into a bar full of innocent people, leaving one dead?
J.S.
Dayton, Ohio

Rockwell review
Dear Jud,
As a former student of yours (SVA, 1979-80), I was pleased to see your thoughtful Rockwell review.
Ron Schick
[RE: “Through his eyes” by Jud Yalkut, 11/8/11]

“Sweetie” as pie
I just wanted to tell you how much I love your writing. I just finished reading your response to the ban on exotic animals in Ohio, and first off, I love how you kept calling Governor Kasich “sweetie.” Brilliant. I agree, as I usually do with you, about this issue, maybe the typical citizen isn’t trained to handle a 600-pound bear, or a tiger that can slice you in half with one slap of a paw, and don’t get me started with the face ripping monkeys. If the ZAA cares so much about nature, then let the animals stay in their own natural habitat, which I’m sure isn’t on I-75, or where ever they wandered off to.
Anyway, sorry — tangent there. Just wanted to say I open the City Paper every week hoping to see your articles; they’re great! (At least there’s one harmless tiger, Tony, get it?) Keep them coming.
P.S. Also love the tagline, so true.
Kyndel Curtis
[RE: Debate Forum Left: “What kind of cage would the make the governor happy?” by Benjamin Tompkins, 11/8/11]

Wonderful motivators
I met these two young men today and I had no idea that “The Unit” was so powerful! I am amazed, humbled [and] in complete awe of the story behind The Unit. I never would have imagined that Mr. Hall and Mr. Perdue had developed such an enterprising community venture in Dayton, and non-profit to boot. Great work guys! See ya soon.
ViMari English
Dayton, Ohio
[RE: “Being the change” by Caroline Shannon-Karasik, 10/11/11]

Erroneous “facts”
A few errors here:
1. It’s not all about people. A caged animal is not a happy animal. Would you cage your dog, allowing him out only once in every 14 days? (Hint: “Of couse not” is the only acceptable amswer.)
2. The alligators in the Everglades are living in the wild. Can’t say the same for the exotic animals under discussion.
3. Drugs, banned or otherwise, are not alive and have no feelings. If you tell that animals (to wit, your pet dog or cat) have no feelings, your are beyond redemption.
Think a bit further.
Lulu T.
[Re: Debate Forum Right: “You can’t ban nature” by Mark Luedtke, 11/8/11]

A golden thank-you
Hi Tom. I’m writing on behalf of the Golden Lamb restaurant in Lebanon. Thank you for your positive review of the Golden Lamb. Many of our patrons come from Dayton and its surrounding communities, and we appreciate the attention your review will bring.
Krystan Krailler
The Golden Lamb,
Lebanon, Ohio

A chucker wannabe
I laughed all the way through this entertaining article. I could picture perfectly each and every event and just see these guys pondering, planning, building, testing, and on and on. The entire story is fun. I am envious of the pumpkin chuckers.
Katharine Harrison
[RE: “Look out below” by Mark Luedtke, 11/1/11]

Thanks for your voice
Mayor Leitzell,
The summation on the Welcome Dayton plan was concise and neatly addressed the issues involved. I’m glad that got into the Dayton City Paper this week. Our Culture Builds Community program is going straight into these emerging communities and will certainly serve many of these neighborhoods.
Dave Barber
Cityfolk
[RE: “Welcome to Dayton?” by Dayton Mayor Gary Leitzell, 11/1/11]