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Confessions of a political junkie
Presidential history and trivia have fascinated me all my life. I was born into the Republican Party on July 11, 1927. My Republican gene came from my father, a judge who ran for office every few years. Later he received a lifetime appointment from President Eisenhower, naming him first District Judge and later to the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.
I’m sure my crib at Miami Valley Hospital — had I been born a couple of years later - - would have had a ribbon that said, “Keep Cool With Coolidge.”
Tom Cecil pictured holding on to his custom-made campaign sign. He was earlier directed to remove a second sign from his yard (city rules) that read “Stealth Super Candidate for Obama.”
As I am a political junkie, I have followed Republican news about Ohio’s primary with great interest. On Tuesday, March 4 I will reluctantly cast my ballot for John McCain. I say reluctantly since my first choice was Mitt Romney and I would have welcomed a Romney-Huckabee ticket.
However, I’ve noticed that I don’t always get my first choice in life and that, at times, I must settle for my second choice.
I am discouraged by conservative Republicans who say they won’t vote for McCain because he is too liberal. One, Ann Coulter, even says she will vote for Hillary! I hope that by the time of the general election in November, Coulter and others will have changed their minds and will vote for McCain.
The Republican Party is like a large tent. It must be big enough to accommodate many different types of Republicans — conservatives, “the religious right” moderates, liberals, etc. I am a Reagan conservative who will vote for McCain. Additionally, I will support him financially and every other way I can, even going door to door.
While I have your attention here are a few words for the voter who says, “I always vote for the best man or woman.” These words offend me like fingernails scratching on a blackboard. If you must speak them, please don’t use them within hearing distance of me. “Voting for the best man” is like saying you love Motherhood, apple pie and the American flag.
Better to identify a young man or woman and encourage him to run for office. Tell him you will contribute to his campaign, distribute literature door to door and invite friends to your home to meet him. Then as you watch the returns on election night you’ll really have a great time and have a stake in the outcome.
May your favorite candidate win.
Tom Cecil
Oakwood
Climbing up and out
My first instinct, after reading James J. Mischler Jr.’s letter (Go Dems! Feb. 26), was to respond by enumerating all the ways that Bush and Co. have decimated this country. Then I realized that there really wasn’t any point. If lying, torture, irresponsible and reckless use of force, mind-numbing waste of blood and treasure, unjustifiable and immoral perpetration of violence, staggering fiduciary and environmental negligence and the wholesale disregard for a “decent respect to the opinions of mankind” doesn’t constitute the systematic ruination of this country, I don’t know what does. I welcome Mr. Mischler’s vote for a Democratic President in this year’s election. We’ve hit bottom, and any vote for a change of course, no matter how ill-conceived in purpose, will help towards climbing up and out.
Glen Cebulash
Oakwood
Hope for McCain
After reading James Mischler’s letter in the Oakwood Register, I realize that the silly disease contracted by Ann Coulter and talk show host Bill Cunningham has filtered down to the rank and file of the Republican right wing. The Limbaugh “dittoheads” won’t embrace anyone who is not a fringe extremist, which John McCain clearly is not.
Anyone who thinks that there are not significant philosophical differences between McCain and Obama/Clinton (since that contest is not yet decided) is obviously unfamiliar with the Senator’s world view. McCain is a pragmatic moderate who, unlike the type of candidate Mr. Mischler would impose upon us, can garner the support of Independents and Libertarians (such as this writer) as well as moderate Democrats who are alienated by the leftward drift of the current Democratic party leadership.
What must be remembered is that 40 percent will always vote Republican; 40 percent will always vote Democrat; leaving 20 percent who, despite what the radio talk show fraternity allege, decide every election. McCain can pick off the majority of those 20 percent and will defeat the Democrat nominee, whoever it might be.
Mike Holz
Dayton, OH
Concerned about animal research
Coming from Dayton, I have so much for which to be proud and so many memories that I cherish. We have the amazing educational institutions, University of Dayton and Wright State University. Let’s not forgot my favorite restaurant in the world, The Oakwood Club. How I miss trips to Dorothy Lane Market for Laura’s cookies. Fridays are whisked to downtown to The Schuster Center to catch the final showing of a five-star musical. Saturdays are spent shopping at The Pink Daisy, and making a quick trip to Starbucks with friends.
But there is one thing that I am not fond of: that I am from the hometown of Iams Corporation. Though Iams may help out with Dayton’s chapter of The Humane Society, I feel that this charity is because the company is trying to cover up some of their dirty secrets that have been exposed. Daytonians should not support Iams. Through not purchasing their products and writing letters of complaint, we can stop the torturous research conducted on animals.
From November 2002 to October 2005, Iams paid The University of Mississippi Medical Center to conduct a study on gingivitis to see the results of their “Dental Defense” brand dog food. The 21 beagles selected did not already have gingivitis, thus their gums were cut open, injected with the disease, and sutured back together. The company deemed it necessary to hurt the animals that their products supposedly support to save a few dollars, rather than to seek out and use dogs that already had this disease.
In a Wright State University study conducted by Dr. Larry Arlian, supported through financial payment through 2005 by Iams, rabbits and dogs were exposed to mites. This study was done to find an antiserum for mites. Arlian injected an antigen-FCA mixture, which is not used in humans because of how toxic and painful it can be, into the rabbits and dogs causing granulation of tissue. Some rabbits were killed and dogs scratched themselves raw because of the scabs they received from being eating away by mites.
These are just some of the issues that are surrounding Iams. I encourage you to visit www.iamscruelty.com for more information on the subject. I also encourage you to stop purchasing Iams products for the welfare of your own animals and others.
Please take the time to write a letter to the president:
Jeffrey P. Ansell, President
Iams Company
7250 Poe Ave.
Dayton, OH 45414-5801
Together, Daytonians can bring back pride to the city through boycotting Iams. We do not want to be known as a city that harbors a corporation that contradicts all of their founding principles.
Sincerely,
Lauren Kay Deuser
Oakwood High School Alumni: Class of 2004
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March 4, 2008
Volume 17, No. 10
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