Feel free to share your thoughts, comments and concerns on any Erie topic you like on our ongoing series of weekly open thread posts. There’s a lot to discuss right now in Erie – downtown development, the election, the financial markets.
Although ErieBlogs has an open comment policy, it reserves the right to delete comments that are off topic, abusive, or contain personal attacks. Be civil and be a part of the discussion!
How about Colin Powell endorsing Obama as president? (I can hear it now. Democrats will say he's making up for misleading the U.N. when he made the case for the Iraq war, while Republicans will say he's got an ax to grind.) If you watch the video, you get the sense he's really thought this through. End of the beginning for McCain?
I am curious now to see if there will be any further endorsements for either candidate or are we getting to close to election day? Also, there is a theory out there that warns that voter apathy will set in and despite record voter registration voter turnout will not be in the record breaking range. We shall see.
VOTE November 4th. It's our right and our responsibility.
On a totally different topic- Youth and Violence in Erie…..
I read the new story in which city officials are meeting to discuss ways to combat the increasingly violent occurences in Erie. I am wondering why we are not hearing more from ALL members of the clergy in the community? Am I missing the public outcry? Where are Bishop Troutman and area priests and ministers from churches throughout the county in brotherhood with the Eastside ministries ??? Or do they not believe that “this is a community wide problem”?
Where are more parents and citizens attending these community meetings? Will it take something happening in “your own backyard”? Or are you talking with your kids about crime, violence, morality and respect in your own homes and walking the walk or just talking the talk? HMMMMMM???
Bojosmom: I am sure Bishop Trautman is worried about it but do you really think these offenders are going to be in Church on Sunday to hear it? To make this out to be a church failing is absurd. More like Social program failing. Can I ask why aren't these kids listening to all the anti-bullying ads I hear on the radio? I bet if their parents took their kids to church every week we'd have less violence. Parents have abdicated responsibility because the govdernment lets them and actually takes over many of what used to be parental responibilities, I'm sure we'll have more of this as government gets bigger and bigger.
Which homily and speech did I miss from Bishop Trautman??? I do agree that there has been an abdication of parental repsonsibility and that must change. Have any suggestions??? You are quick to indict big government and the like, so let me hear more of your solutions, please. Thanks.
I saw on the news this morning about a break-in on the East side of Erie. It happened on Friday and when the family called poilice they were instructed not to touch or clean up so they could gather evidence, fingerprints, etc. It happened FRIDAY. On SUNDAY police still didn't arrive to investigate. Can you imagine living in your home for the entire weekend, trashed from burglary and unable to even clean it up? I was outraged when I saw this. Also, kinda makes you feel safe doesn't it?
Bojosmom: Identifying one of the Bishop's many homilies on many subjects,such as the 10 commandments which if followed would end this violence is not important. Unless you are saying that he is part of the violence problem. My suggestion is to hold parents accountable and to stop having the government be a surrogate parent. This is the 'reward' for decades of failed social policies and reckless government spending. Parents now say their kids' rights have been violated if caught rather than punish the kid themselves. This is part of the 'nanny' state. I am guessing you'll be voting for more of it November 4th.
I will be voting November 4th and I prefer to keep my vote a private matter, thanks. I understand your point of view. But I respectfully disagree with your inference that I am saying that Bishop Trautman is part of the violence problem. Let me be clearer- All the churches including my own Holy Roman Catholic Church should be leading the community in compassion and instruction on morality and ethics. I believe, that the Church is an important player in the community. And it would be a powerful message of caring if the priests of the diocese went out to the streets and spoke to the people [not just in the pulpits]. Just as I believe that the police should get out on the streets and get to know the neighborhoods in which they patrol and residents should be pro-active and knowledgable about their community in which they are living. This is just my humble opinion. The youth violence issue is a far more complicated one than just this facet we are discussing. But I want to tell you I have enjoyed the discussion greatly. Thank You.
bojosmom – Good statement that I strongly agree with. During the time I attended Catholic Church as a youth, (even if I didn't agree with all Catholic teachings), church always acted as a push to be a better person in the community and volunteer my time and support for the less fortunate. I'm not sure it's the responsibility of the Bishop, but maybe a better topic for the clergy of the affected communities to bring up in the Homily or prayers. As another suggestion, maybe your parish does this, but if there's a way to request or suggest prayer in mass, to bring this topic up.
Melissa and Heavy_D – Good thoughts. Yes, I do not mean to specifically call out the Bishop individually on this issue, just my commentary on the Church's role in the Erie community. They have always stood for justice and peace. Let me add that I applaud the Benedictine Sisters and their actions for non-violence in the areas that have been stricken with these crimes. That's the kind of pro-active [or perhaps reactive] example I hope many more in our community use to come up with some action to end this insanity!
Let me conclude by saying this- Never forget, Education means communication and communication is the exchange of ideas. I always learn something each day from all of YOU. For that I am most grateful.
Kinda? Absolutely. Unimaginable. Inexcusable. We deserve better IMHO. I am willing to pay more taxes, if that is what it takes, to get better police protection in this City.
What ever respect I had for Rudy – Just flew out the window with his backing of Phil.
Phil needs to go away and let someone else have a chance.
He can go work at Wal-Mart as a greeter.
I lost my respect for Rudy when he tried to capitalize on 9/11 to launch a national political career.
It was quite obvious with the way he attacked Ron Paul for making an “extraordinary statement” that was in fact one of the conclusions made by the 9/11 Commission.
http://bbsnews.net/article.php/20070518033503883
I don't think that growing plants for bio fuel is the answer – We need land and people to grow our food. We import far too much as it is when we were once very self sufficient.
I think we need to pay our nation's farmer's to grow food.
As a recent cancer survivor I think John Kanzius should get the attention right now -His research is very promising and the American Cancer Society has had they're shot for many many years as have other organizations – This just might work – lets give it the shot it deserves –
If you have never been treated for cancer – the radiation burns – the puking for 10 hours a day from meds and chemo – the feeding tube because you can't swallow – the depression – the hair and weight loss – then you have no idea what it is like –
The amount of suffering this disease creates is enormous and if a hot new technique might just stop it, i think it should get it's shot –
Cancer will affect one out of every two men in their lifetime – it is insidious.
Sorry for the rant, but please don't put it down..
You all need an interior designer the font on this site is gawd awful.
Try controlling fonts with your browser. I like to keep the same font/size across all the site I visit
Scott, rather than leave your comment unanswered, what exactly with the font(s) do you have a problem with. The size, font family, both, neither?
If we are going to improve this site we need more constructive feedback.
As an aside, font size can be controlled using the smaller/larger font selection in the upper right hand corner of this page.
ErieBlogs,
Thanks I used Firefox's Ubiquity addon to fix the page.
I used to use the bookmark http://www.wjettv.com/snow_watch.asp to check on school closings and delays. That link is no longer active.
Does someone have a good link that I can check the status of school closings/delays/early dismissals???