Letters to the Editor

I agree with Erin Calandriello's Oct. 16 column on one point: Dogs become part of the family. That is why it is so painful to me to hear neighbors' stories about their "family members" being mauled and sometimes killed in front of their eyes while out on a walk. There were two separate incidents in my neighborhood where pit bulls either jumped the fence or were out loose -- one woman lost her dog, and the other was very badly injured. Punishing owners of these dogs is a good idea, but at that point, the damage has already been done.

It is common knowledge that you are taking a risk by having dogs that are known to be aggressive (that is why several neighboring towns already have a ban in place). Yes, people may have the right to any type of dog they wish to own, but at what point is the safety of the neighborhood an issue? The city council will buckle under a few shrill voices and the rest of us have to endure yet another quality-of-life issue in this city.

Whatever happened to common sense and civility?

Kathy Moore

Elgin

It seems like once the Obama administration finally was transparent in something. And that something is its hatred for Fox News.

I listen to Maddow, Olberman, Mitchell, O'Reilly, Beck, Hannity and other personalities on CNN, MSNBC, HLN, FOX. etc. I also spend some time on the computer, reading various blogs from liberals and conservatives. I also try and keep up with world events and historical ramifications of past actions. I am an educated man who is an independent thinker.

Having said all that, I believe we elected a community organizer who is acting accordingly. His thin skin and political immaturity prevents him from being or acting presidential. His rhetoric no longer fools the masses, and a string of lies and broken promises are taking his popularity away slowly but steadily.

Obama's inability to lead the Democratic Party is evident his inability to control key members of his party, Pelosi being the least controllable, and may have pushed herself out of office in the upcoming elections. It seems like "the people" must do what Obama is afraid to.

Fox News has seemed to have taken priority, for now, over heath reform, jobs, the wars, etc. If it has not, then the nation is being fooled by the comments of Anita Dunn, David Axelrod and Rahm Emanuel. It is hard to fathom these people doing and saying what they do without instructions from Obama.

Why is Fox News so feared? Could it be their balanced reporting of the news, then letting you decide? It seems like liberals, especially the far-left variety, hate and fear the truth. That would explain Obama's fear of appearing on the Fox Network. But if I remember, he was treated fairly on "The Factor" by Bill O'Reilly. Obama even said it was a tough but fair interview. So the truth may be what is feared.

Change has come, for the worse. Same old politics have been replaced with meaner, dirtier politics, and not telling the truth is justified by calling it politics.

Manfred W. Czymmek

Elgin