“To the uninformed ‘Ditto Heads’ who continue defending Rush Limbaugh for his vile statements directed at Sandra Fluke: Fluke, a Georgetown University law student, did not ask the government to provide birth control for herself or anyone else. She was asking that Georgetown and all other universities that sell health insurance to their students — generally through third-party insurance companies — allow those service providers to include birth-control prescriptions in their coverage. For anyone who overlooked the word ‘sell’ in the previous sentence, colleges do not provide free health care coverage for students, and neither does the government.”
— Hagerstown
“All the callers who think Leonard Pitts is a terrible human being for criticizing Rush Limbaugh should just stop reading Pitts. At one time I tried to read David Limbaugh, but since he never had an original thing to say, I stopped. As for the mistaken idea the government is paying for birth control, check your sources. The panel was hearing about private insurance companies. Another instance of false statements from Mr. Limbaugh. I do agree that the vitriol against other females, Palin and Bachmann, is uncalled for. ... The bottom line is both Limbaugh and Pitts are expressing an opinion, and if you do not agree, don’t read them.”
— Williamsport
“I was calling, actually I wanted to say that the article about that Marine who was welcomed back by AMVETS was a great article, but it shed some light on some things. I’m a veteran myself, from the Iraq war, was hurt, and I’m a Washington County resident. I have a traumatic brain injury and everything else, and there’s no parades for us when we got back, just like there wasn’t for Vietnam. Maybe we can get something in the community organized for all of our wounded warriors who are in this community. We should honor them. We need to do something about it. Maybe the city council should get involved, and do a roll call and ask people to come out that are wounded warrior veterans.”
— Washington County
“Is anyone other than me concerned about President Obama’s mandate on health insurance? Does anyone know the particulars? If so, I would like to hear them. Doesn’t the president realize that if people could afford insurance, they would already buy it? To mandate the purchase of something that one cannot afford is unconstitutional. Are we all going to have to get reverse mortgages in order to pay? More people have to speak out.”
— Funkstown
“Are you willing to sign a petition against the gay marriage bill? If so, please go on your Internet and print the double-sided petition. The website is www.mdpetitions.com. Any further questions, call the office of Neal Parrott at 1-800-492-7122 ... to have this bill put on our ballot to vote on at our November election. God bless all.”
— Hagerstown
“Last week my daughter received an invitation to the Washington County Recreation Department’s ‘Spring’ egg hunt. Really? Is this what Washington County is coming to? It is an Easter egg hunt. Have they not witnessed the fallout these anti-Christian changes have made throughout our country? We truly enjoy the recreational department activities and have paid for many, including summer camp, softball, basketball, volleyball, and the Park at Dark. They are not getting my money any longer.”
— Hagerstown
“I think citizens should support Mr. Wilcox and his plan for restructuring the Washington County Public Schools. Have you not seen all those parked cars at the board offices on Commonwealth Avenue?”
— Hagerstown
“To the person who wanted a response on ‘Nothing to do in Washington County,’ on March 19: Parks: Really, Hagerstown has one major park, and unless you like to sit by the lake then there’s nothing to do. The little parks are a no-go unless you want a family cookout. Hiking: The one nice hiking trail, ‘the rail trail’ that Washington County wants to put here, has brought nothing but complaints. I’ve lived here for 10 years and can’t name one trail. Outdoor sports? Really? ... Until Washington County gets with the program and does something to grow, there will always be ‘nothing to do in Washington County.’”
— Boonsboro
“With the city elections coming up, it’s time to vote out the mayor and any others who insist on putting a baseball stadium in center city. Do they not have any compassion or consideration at all for the hundreds of senior citizens, residential occupants and church worshippers who will be directly effected by an adjacent noisy, alcohol-serving, parking overflowing, incompatible eyesore adjacent to their place of abode or long-established worship in a historic church? Taxpayers will be burdened with long-term debt to build it for a private, profit-making business.”
— Hagerstown
“Why not put the new stadium where they tore down the old Pangborn building? Plenty of room for the stadium and parking, and a beautiful park right across the street.”
— Hagerstown
“Kudos to the city of Hagerstown and to the Washington County commissioners for supporting the proposed rail trail which would allow hikers and bikers to travel safely off-road from Hagerstown to Washington, D.C., and to Pittsburgh, Pa., by linking to the C&O Canal. Not only would such a trail offer economic benefits to this community, but health benefits as well. Anyone from infants (riding in bicycle trailers) to octogenarians could safely enjoy the beautiful scenery which is to be found in Washington County, Md., while getting inexpensive exercise which aids the body, mind and soul.”
— Smithsburg
“Definition of overkill: North Hagerstown High School, one principal, and three vice principals. Definition of budget kill: Their paychecks.”
— Hagerstown
