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Lakemore police say man killed his wife in standoff
Suspect in Lakemore standoff expected to recover
Police raid Akron gaming parlor
Storm could bring heavy snow tonight, Saturday; Parking bans in effect
Palin says she's been exploited by Couric and Fey
Suspected meth lab busted in Cuyahoga Falls
Akron bridge closed for emergency
Browns' Mangini brings experience
Blogs:
Akron Law Café:
College Football is Un-American
The Heldenfiles:
Cheryl Holdridge, R.I.P.
Tribe Matters:
Shapiro puts Indians in position to win
Patrick McManamon:
Cavs vs. Celtics — live as it happens
Browns Bulletin:
Browns may interview ex-Broncos GM
Cleveland Browns:
Mangini takes command
Cleveland Cavaliers:
Gameblog: Cavs vs. Celtics
CavsHQ: A Fan's View:
The Countdown Begins - Cavs v. Celtics
Akron Zips:
Five things you should know about Miami
Varsity Letters:
Ignatius’ Kyle has busy offseason
Kent State Sports:
Volleyball players earn All-Academic honors
Car Chase:
January is auction time
See Jane Style:
Chicago Chic?
All Da King's Men:
Obama's Economic News Conference
Blog of Mass Destruction:
Why Israeli Leaders Terrorize Palestinians
HRLite House:
The Psychology Channel, Interesting Videos, Jobs in I-O, and Happy Birthday Elvis
Akron Gamer:
Games in '09: Resident Evil 5
Ohio Travels with Betty:
Does Ohio have an Andy Warhol Museum?
Sound Check:
Axl Rose speaks on Guns & Rose(s)
Let's Talk Real Estate:
Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007 Extended
Published on Friday, Nov 21, 2008
Shhh! Quiet in the library
As I write this I am sitting at a Summit County library computer trying to filter out the surrounding noise in order to concentrate on this task.
I am 40 years old now, and I can remember how much trouble my classmates and I used to get into when we would even whisper too loud in the school library.
I would get annoyed that the librarian would have the nerve to not allow me and my friends to have even a remotely good time while in the silent sanctuary that was the school library. If I could see that librarian now, I would ask, in my most sincere way, for her complete forgiveness. That is because today it is not just kids who do not even attempt to be quiet in our libraries, it is also the adults.
During the past 40 minutes or so I have sat through a gentleman receiving a cell phone call (the sign on the door asks those entering to please have the setting on vibrate, which was apparently ignored). This well-mannered fellow went on to speak as loud as I would have to someone at the gym for what seemed like eons. Then there are the staff members who are answering customer questions as if it doesn't matter how loud they are.
To top it off, there are always those who use the computers but have a friend with them. They not only take up a spot where another person can use a computer, but talk, laugh and behave as if they were in their own homes.
What happened to keeping quiet at the library? Don't people still like the idea of being able to go there and read, study or just look around without the constant noisy distractions?
I don't know where the fault lies. Is it with the staff members who don't pipe up when visitors are too loud, or is it with members of the public who visit and are so rude as to not be considerate to others who may long for the quiet they need? I think both are to blame, and I sure wish the library would change back to the fortress of silence it once was.
Frank J. Chanowski
Akron
Needs vs. wants
Regarding the ''Defining the middle class'' letter by Laurel Winters on Nov. 10: Much truth is in the letter, and we can sympathize with the plight.
I would add, however, that there is an unholy need in the United States to have many material things — one, two, three or more of the same item. It's time to rethink spending.
Pat Ballard
Medina
Give credit where credit is due at UA
The new InfoCision Stadium as part of the transformation of the University of Akron is a tremendous asset to the city, the surrounding communities and to Northeast Ohio.
I am not familiar with the exact timetable that set all this new development and green space into motion, but the impetus to improve the conditions of the university probably took place years ago, with President Luis Proenza, Vice President Ted Curtis and the assistant vice president of physical facilities leading the way.
I understand the enthusiasm that surrounds the new stadium, but it is getting old and tiresome to hear the new athletic director take credit for this project at every media and photo opportunity.
Mack Rhoades can be happy about the new athletic facility, and he can put it on his resume when he looks to move on to bigger and better things, but it would be nice, once in a while, to give credit to all the other people, especially those who worked so tirelessly before he got here, to mobilize the movers and shakers and to acquire the funding to give the community and the University of Akron this beautiful new stadium.
John Dakoski III
Akron
College Republicans turn to the future
We worked hard. The College Republicans knocked on hundreds of doors, made tens of thousands of phone calls and donated thousands of hours to the Republican ticket this year. The fact of the matter is that the majority of the citizens of the United States wanted to see a dramatic shift in this country's course, for better or worse. We did our part; we must now move forward from here.
We are the new generation of Republican leadership, and we must band together and call for a shift within our own party, a shift that will begin the transition from the Republican leadership of today to us, the Republican leadership of tomorrow.
Just like in 2004, the Democratic Party realigned and retooled. Democrats called for a change in the leadership of their party, and in 2006 their strategy worked. As we saw Nov. 4, their leadership won the party a larger majority in the U.S. Congress and the office of president.
These types of elections happen, and, just like anything in this world, our country goes through cycles. Whether it was this year or four, eight or 12 years from now, a Democratic president was bound to be elected and the Democratic Party begin to take a larger portion of the Congress.
Looking forward, remember that we Republicans still have to fight for what we believe in. We must band together now more than ever. We must call for change within our party. The road ahead will not be easy, but those of us who come together now will be the ones to lead this party in the future.
As Sen. John McCain would say, now is the time to ''stand with me and fight for what we believe in.'' We must bring about change within our own party, and we must challenge the Democratic majority.
It has been my pleasure to lead the College Republicans over the course of this election, and I do not regret a second of the time that we dedicated to it, but the fight is not over and our work is not done. We may feel down today, but we will be back, and we will be the ones responsible for our party's future success.
Jason E. Ziegler
University of Akron
Chairman, College Republicans
Cuyahoga Falls
Leave health policy to the experts
I was disappointed to see the editorial from the Boston Globe (''Head test for athletes,'' Nov. 14) make it all the way to the Akron Beacon Journal.
As a physician who uses these tests clinically, I appreciate their uncertainties — which are so great that no major national medical organization or international panel has endorsed their use as a routine standard of care.
Schools would be far better served to spend their limited resources on health-care providers such as athletic trainers and school nurses who can perform individual assessments of student athletes.
The Globe would be far better served to leave public health policy statements to the experts.
Keith J. Loud, M.D.
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
Akron Children's Hospital
Akron
Look for opportunity in the recession
We are in a recession, but we can't let this get us down. Thinking negatively only leads to failure, which we can't afford. We have a volatile economy. We've had nine official recessions since World War II.
Guess what? Our grandparents and parents made it through. We're going to make it through. Let's take advantage of the downturn. A slow economy brings about much opportunity for entrepreneurship and innovation.
For example, in 1939, after 10 years of record unemployment in the Great Depression, William Hewlett and David Packard founded the Hewlett-Packard Co.
In 1945, in bombed-out Japan at the end of World War II, Masaru Ibuka realized there were many radios that needed to be repaired and built in his country. He started the company we know as Sony.
Last, but not least, in 1975, amid record high interest rates, a steadily declining stock market and the recent loss of the Vietnam War and trouble in the White House, Paul Allen and Bill Gates formed Microsoft.
What does this mean for us? Do something. Don't let the negative get you down. Who knows, you just might turn this thing around for yourself and become the next Bill Gates.
Ken Horne Jr.
Wadsworth
Finally, change in the White House
As a loyal Democrat, I was a backer of Hillary Clinton for president. After she faltered and Obama was the victor, I was on his bandwagon.
Our country has suffered from eight years of George W. Bush. Jobs are gone, the economy is down the toilet, and the war in Iraq, which Bush created, has put our country in the worst economic situation since the Great Depression.
Sen. John McCain served his country with honor, especially as a POW in another war that was not necessary.
I thank all who voted for President-elect Barack Obama. I can rest easy that if, heaven forbid, something tragic happens to him, Vice President Joe Biden can step in to take charge. The thought of Gov. Sarah Palin in the Oval Office scares the devil out of me.
We all should wish Obama and Biden best of luck. They will need it, and our prayers certainly could not hurt.
Jack Colman
Akron
Vicious cycle
In terms of Americans helping the economy, how about individuals investing profits in American-owned and run companies? I wonder if it would be effective to buy strictly local, small-business products.
But I assume taxes would eventually become too high, further increasing the price of goods. The idea of buying local products may become ridiculous. It seems like we will be stuck in a vicious cycle.
Sloan Salustro
Kent
Shhh! Quiet in the library
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Comments
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akron, oh
Posted 04:23 AM, 11/21/2008
The libraries have become nothing short of a babysitting service in certain neighborhoods and a place for others to use computers for less than educational reasons in others. It is a shame and something does indeed need to be done.
I suggest staying out of inner city libraries and go to the ones in better neighborhoods. At least there people still act with common respect for each other and the institution.
Posted 06:25 AM, 11/21/2008
@Jason E. Ziegler - It is nice to see you have been brainwashed at such an early age.