Talk is Better than Silence
The Nov. 27 Sunday Sun published two opinions, a regular column by Michael Olesker and a letter to the editor by Adine Panitch. The theme of both seemed to be: Rush Limbaugh/talk radio = bad, middle of the road/no opinion = good. Rush Limbaugh and talk radio have done a great service for the American people by presenting an alternative view from the mainstream media.
Does Mr. Olesker prefer the American photographed by Robert Franke on display at the National Portrait Gallery? From his description it sounds absolutely dispiriting. "[G]ray and grainy shots from the margins," "the desolate view . . .," ". . . the mourners," ". . . and bench sitters." Is this to be revered as America? Mr. Olesker's indignation with talk radio is palpable and thoroughly conveyed in his talented alliterations: "backwater bilge," "mean manipulations."
Ms. Panitch also exhibits some impressive anger with the phrases; "this creature of the media who has seeped into the American mind," he "sprawls," "he rails," "he spews," "his onslaughts, his code words, gimmicks and lies." Sounds like it would be preferable if America had never heard of Rush, not to mention actually listen.
Does Mr. Olesker desire a return to an "America of isolated souls doing the best they can in a difficult season"? Are we to accept as honest, his assertion: "You want to know 'normal' Americans? Here they are, folks. It's those who revere the country but don't have to prove it at the top of their lungs, who stand at their little windows [possible code for limited intellect?], on the fringe of the action, who treasure the flag but don't have to wrap themselves in it, who have their loves and their fears but don't try to shove them at anybody who might feel a little differently." A roundabout way of saying, sit down and shut up?
. . . Both Mr. Olesker and Mrs. Panitch cultivate fear by hurling derogatory words and phrases (they may have set some sort of record). Someone comes along and gets the attention of the American people using the obscure, almost forgotten medium of AM radio and we're all supposed to be afraid. Don't take sides, stay on the bench, you're not capable. Is that the message of these two pieces? I hope not.
Let's have lively civil discourse, let's actually consider different opinions. Whining and attempting to induce fear won't work because we can tune our radios to the station of our choice, listen with an open mind, . . . and reach our own conclusions.
Bel Air
Racing's a Bust
. . . The proposal that has been made to bring racing to the Havre de Grace-Aberdeen community of Harford County has yet to show any evidence based on sound analysis that tourism in Harford and especially Havre de Grace will benefit from the race track.
In fact, what has been presented is that for some deliberately vague number of weekends throughout the summer and two or three days preceding these weekends, the Havre de Grace-Aberdeen community will be a noisy, congested area to be avoided by everyone who is not going directly to the race.
The benefits to local businesses, with the exception of possibly some area motels and restaurants, seem almost nil. The people who attend the races are not going to go into downtown Havre de Grace or Aberdeen to shop or visit the Decoy Museum. During race events these people will be at the track and after the races the shops and museums will be closed.
When the races are over, they will leave. Anyone who has tried to go through Dover, Del., before or especially after a race will appreciate the magnitude of the congestion associated with racing events. . . . Havre de Grace is a charming town but I can't see a great number of people coming back on other weekends to shop, visit the Decoy Museum, Steppingstone Museum or the Lockhouse. Do you hear of people returning after the races to Lexington, Ohio, or Watkins Glen, N.Y., to tour the area?
Any business that goes on the Blenheim Farm property should offer some type of tax revenue source. The real question is "Will the tax revenues produced for Havre de Grace and Harford County be substantially greater than the expenditures needed to support that business?" i.e. police for traffic control, highway improvements and the possible 155 bypass construction, to name a few. If not, then all the citizens of Harford County will be asked to pay additional taxes so a few business people, who don't even live in Harford County, will see their lifelong dream come true and make a lot of money. . . .
Robin Smith
Doug Smith
Havre de Grace
A Reader Defends Harford Glen
Having read Suzanne Loudermilk's article in The Sun for Harford County Nov. 20, I felt compelled to respond, as in reading the article one would be lead to believe that the majority of Harford County parents are against the Harford Glen program.
My daughter, who will graduate from the University of Delaware this spring, attended Harford Glen in 1984. She as well as the other 12,000-plus students who have had the opportunity to attend this program will tell anyone "it was the greatest VTC experience" of their Harford County school system career.
Parents who object to this great program number less than one-half of a percent of those parents in the Harford County school system. I am confident that should the Harford County school board become focused on these few dissenting voices, the silent majority of Harford County parents will rally their support for the Harford Glen program.
I hope that in time the few parents who are objecting to this program will realize that those parents who try to teach their children what to think instead of how to think will be those same parents who will be asking themselves a few years from now, "Where did I go wrong?"
As parents we all make mistakes. Kids universally cry out to us to let them make their own mistakes in life, and yet we continue to try and hold on in an effort that they avoid those pitfalls in life that we as parents experienced. But as they get older, we finally do let go and that bond and closeness we strived so hard for finally comes into being. As parents we need to listen to our children and let go sooner, for only then when we let them live their own lives will they bond with us in a meaningful relationship between parents and children.
Being a good parent is a full-time job, one that always keeps you in a learning mode, but if you don't have an open mind you will not be able to do as good a job as a parent who does.
The Harford Glen program is one of the finest educational tools Harford County possesses. It has only one flaw: Unfortunately, the program is not large enough to accommodate all Harford County students.
Charles B. Rosseau III
Madonna