Snow Column
Content
THE PATRIOT-NEWS
OPINION
AS I SEE IT
THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2011 ● A17
Dr. Jane M. Orient
Thomas Sowell
SYNDICATED COLUMNIST
There’s more to the story in Arizona A GOP showdown?
ucsonans are grieved by the loss of family, friends and neighbors and shaken by the reminder of mortality. Standing in line to greet their congresswoman or just going to the grocery store, they could be killed by a malcontent. They are not immune from the violence that is rampant in the world, bringing sudden death from bombs, incendiary devices, missiles, gunfire or other means. If the incident involves a gun, it will, of course, be used as another crisis to justify limiting Americans’ right to self defense or free speech. Those who seek to disarm or gag Americans could try to recruit provocateurs to incite violence and trigger a government reaction. Or they could just wait for an incident. Two of Tucson’s victims were important public officials: a congresswoman and a judge. Many people know them, so unsurprisingly the media will focus attention on them. But the most truly newsworthy features of the story are what did not happen here. There was no riot. There were, to be sure, some 20 victims and six deaths, but not dozens. No one bled to death while people cowered and waited for a SWAT team from the sky. The agony did not go on for hours or days, but was ended quickly. Aside from the names of the fallen, the names that should be remembered are those of the citizens who acted as Americans should, to protect and help themselves and their neighbors in the event of danger. Roger Salzgeber and 74-year-old retired Army National Guard Col. Bill Badger, who was slightly injured, tackled the shooter. Joe Zamudio helped pin him to the ground. A
T
The shooter, 61-year-old woman, Patricia like everybody Maisch, grabbed magazine else these days, the shooter had the exists in a sea dropped while of messages trying to reload, and then knelt that glorifies on his ankles. Daniel Herand nandez Jr., sensationalizes rushed to the side of his new violence. boss, congresswoman Giffords, applying pressure to her wound, and keeping her from choking on her own blood. Let us commend and thank all of them and resolve to act as they did if we are ever in such a situation. Let us remember their names and black out the shooter’s. Zamudio told MSNBC that he sprinted from a store toward the scene when he heard the shots. He has a concealed carry permit, and had his hand on his pistol, prepared to down the shooter if necessary. He said he was glad that it proved to be unnecessary. The shooting was over quickly, but the artillery of blame seems to be just beginning. Targets include the tea party, which didn’t even exist when the shooter first became angry at congresswoman Giffords; the “right wing,” though Tucson is a liberal town, and the shooter apparently a leftist; “vitriol,” which to some means any criticism of the policies they prefer, disregarding the nastiness from their own side; and talk radio. The shooter didn’t acquire his bizarre thought patterns from a tea party event, if indeed he ever went to one. We know that he had a history of drug use, especially marijuana. Did he damage his brain or suppress his natural inhibitions with drugs? Was he on drugs at the time of the shooting, whether prescribed or illicit? Will
the authorities ever reveal that? According to a Jan. 10 Mother Jones interview of a friend, the shooter holds a “nihilist” view of the world. He said that the world was really nothing — an illusion, and that “life means nothing.” He didn’t acquire that set of beliefs from the tea party. They are quite compatible, however, with the curriculum taught in the nation’s schools. These schools, moreover, tend to discredit or deny the founders’ belief in a universal higher law and lawgiver, and ultimate accountability. Maybe he never saw or heard about precepts such as “thou shalt not murder” — or was taught to disrespect those who believe them. The shooter, like everybody else these days, exists in a sea of messages that glorifies and sensationalizes violence, and promote permissiveness and immediate gratification — in television, movies, and video games. From the common media milieu, one might think that rootlessness, experimentation with drugs and sex and violence, and lack of responsibility for one’s actions are all acceptable. Family values, hard work, religious faith, belief in moral absolutes — the culture of most tea partiers — might be demeaned or condemned as out of date, discriminatory or even crazy. If we are to have peace in our communities, we need deep reflection and a revival of the virtues that made America great. In this dangerous world, we need people who will rise to the occasion to help their neighbors, as many Tucsonans did. Our people also need the freedom to be able to do this — not more restrictions by a ruling class, which falsely promises security while making us more vulnerable to inevitable threats. Dr. Jane M. Orient of Tucson, Ariz., is the executive director of the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons.
T
hey say that, in politics, “overnight is a lifetime.” In other words, the journey from triumphant hero to discredited scapegoat can be brief. In the wake of the Republicans’ triumphs in last November’s election, great hopes are being held out that Republican control of the House of Representatives can slam the brakes on Barack Obama’s march toward a completely government-controlled economy and ruinous deficit spending. Much of the runaway spending in Washington has been a spending of money that the government doesn’t have in the till, by borrowing money through the sale of government bonds — in other words, running up a record high national debt. Because there is a legal limit on how much national debt the government can create, the spending has to be cut back or the debt ceiling increased by Congress. Some people see this as an opportunity for the new Republican majority to gain concessions from the Obama administration as the price for going along with an increase in the national debt. It sounds logical. But logic is not always the dominant factor in politics. The last time the government shut down, back during the Clinton administration, the Republicans were riding
high as a result of their capture of the House of Representatives — where all spending bills must originate — for the first time in decades. Speaker Newt Gingrich seemed to hold all the high cards. But the government shutdown ruined Republicans politically. Today, the Republicans don’t hold as many high cards as they did during the Clinton administration. But often, in politics, it doesn’t matter what the facts are. What matters is how well you make your case to the voting public. Back in 1995, Bill Clinton and the congressional Democrats, with the aid of the media, pounded away on the theme that the Republicans had “cut” government programs even where the Republicans had appropriated more money than these programs had ever had before. What Republicans had cut was the amount that Clinton had asked for. You might think that this was a fairly obvious difference and that this could be explained to the public. But the Republicans failed to do so effectively. If the Republicans cannot be bothered to put in the time and work required to develop an effective articulation of their case, then they should lose. But the country does not deserve to have disastrous policies continue. If the GOP doesn’t appreciate the enormous importance of articulation, then forcing a shutdown of the government can be another political disaster for them. So can caving in to Obama.
Robyn Sidersky
AS I SEE IT
South Floridian: ‘I’m way out of my league’ in the snow
ou can’t hear snow falling. It’s not like a rainstorm when the water pit-pats on the sidewalk and beats on the windows or when thunder claps in the sky. And you can go to bed with nothing on the ground and wake up with your car covered in that sparkly snow. This is what I learned when I experienced my first snowfall in Pennsylvania. I moved to the Harrisburg area from South Florida in May to work for The PatriotNews. I got through summer just
Y
fine — I’m used to heat. Fall was fun: The weather was pleasant and the leaves changing were beautiful. At the end of December, snow started falling — gently. I started learning snow terminology and routines. First we got a “dusting.” Then, this weekend, we got a “blanket.” I don’t know what you would call the few inches we received Tuesday evening, but I’m not a big fan. Colleagues at work warned me that I needed to buy a few essential items. I got a jug of salt-type stuff and a scraper-brush for my car. (This isn’t counting the new coats, scarves, gloves and hats I had to buy, too.) I got my oil changed and
asked the mechanic to make sure my car was “ready for winter.” Apparently my tires were deemed “snow ready.” As the snow started falling Tuesday, I had childlike excitement. “Ooh! How pretty!” I said making my way to the windows as often as I could. Then it got dark, and the snow fell faster and heavier. I thought “This is fine, it doesn’t look so bad.” To be safe, I called a friend to ask her how the roads were on my way home. She told me they were OK, just to drive slowly and carefully. I went out to the car and spent what seemed like forever clearing off the snow to see out the front and the back and the windows.
Slowly, I pulled out of the parking lot and headed toward the main road. My first panic attack came at the stop sign. It only got worse from there. I went a bit further and froze. I turned my Nissan Sentra around and went back to the lot where I called a friend and begged for aid. I was way out of my league. My friend came to get me, and on the way home I looked at the snow-covered roads with wide eyes. We sort of had to make our own lanes and follow the lights of the other cars. The going was slow, but we made it. I know this snow isn’t a big deal for most central Pennsylvanians, but for someone who’s seen snow
only a handful of times in her life, and has never lived in it, it is. I saw a report that 49 out of 50 states received snow Tuesday. Guess which one didn’t? My home state: Florida. While I wish I was there right now enjoying the sunshine, I’m not sorry that I moved north. I’m waiting for the part where the snow will be fun to play in: snowball fights, snow angels, making a snowman. You really do those things here, right? It’s not just in the movies? If you’re up for any of that, feel free to let me know. Robyn Sidersky is a Patriot-News reporter. [email protected].
Are you concerned about… PAYING for nursing care… STAYING home as long as possible… GETTING good in-home or nursing care… QUALIFYING for VA and Medicaid benefits… while PRESERVING your assets?
Our team of experienced attorneys and elder care coordinators can help!
To take advantage of our complimentary phone consultation, please call
HELP MOM AND DAD!
717 - MY PEACE
555 Gettysburg Pike, Suite C-100, Mechanicsburg, PA
717 - 697 - 3223
OPINION
AS I SEE IT
THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2011 ● A17
Dr. Jane M. Orient
Thomas Sowell
SYNDICATED COLUMNIST
There’s more to the story in Arizona A GOP showdown?
ucsonans are grieved by the loss of family, friends and neighbors and shaken by the reminder of mortality. Standing in line to greet their congresswoman or just going to the grocery store, they could be killed by a malcontent. They are not immune from the violence that is rampant in the world, bringing sudden death from bombs, incendiary devices, missiles, gunfire or other means. If the incident involves a gun, it will, of course, be used as another crisis to justify limiting Americans’ right to self defense or free speech. Those who seek to disarm or gag Americans could try to recruit provocateurs to incite violence and trigger a government reaction. Or they could just wait for an incident. Two of Tucson’s victims were important public officials: a congresswoman and a judge. Many people know them, so unsurprisingly the media will focus attention on them. But the most truly newsworthy features of the story are what did not happen here. There was no riot. There were, to be sure, some 20 victims and six deaths, but not dozens. No one bled to death while people cowered and waited for a SWAT team from the sky. The agony did not go on for hours or days, but was ended quickly. Aside from the names of the fallen, the names that should be remembered are those of the citizens who acted as Americans should, to protect and help themselves and their neighbors in the event of danger. Roger Salzgeber and 74-year-old retired Army National Guard Col. Bill Badger, who was slightly injured, tackled the shooter. Joe Zamudio helped pin him to the ground. A
T
The shooter, 61-year-old woman, Patricia like everybody Maisch, grabbed magazine else these days, the shooter had the exists in a sea dropped while of messages trying to reload, and then knelt that glorifies on his ankles. Daniel Herand nandez Jr., sensationalizes rushed to the side of his new violence. boss, congresswoman Giffords, applying pressure to her wound, and keeping her from choking on her own blood. Let us commend and thank all of them and resolve to act as they did if we are ever in such a situation. Let us remember their names and black out the shooter’s. Zamudio told MSNBC that he sprinted from a store toward the scene when he heard the shots. He has a concealed carry permit, and had his hand on his pistol, prepared to down the shooter if necessary. He said he was glad that it proved to be unnecessary. The shooting was over quickly, but the artillery of blame seems to be just beginning. Targets include the tea party, which didn’t even exist when the shooter first became angry at congresswoman Giffords; the “right wing,” though Tucson is a liberal town, and the shooter apparently a leftist; “vitriol,” which to some means any criticism of the policies they prefer, disregarding the nastiness from their own side; and talk radio. The shooter didn’t acquire his bizarre thought patterns from a tea party event, if indeed he ever went to one. We know that he had a history of drug use, especially marijuana. Did he damage his brain or suppress his natural inhibitions with drugs? Was he on drugs at the time of the shooting, whether prescribed or illicit? Will
the authorities ever reveal that? According to a Jan. 10 Mother Jones interview of a friend, the shooter holds a “nihilist” view of the world. He said that the world was really nothing — an illusion, and that “life means nothing.” He didn’t acquire that set of beliefs from the tea party. They are quite compatible, however, with the curriculum taught in the nation’s schools. These schools, moreover, tend to discredit or deny the founders’ belief in a universal higher law and lawgiver, and ultimate accountability. Maybe he never saw or heard about precepts such as “thou shalt not murder” — or was taught to disrespect those who believe them. The shooter, like everybody else these days, exists in a sea of messages that glorifies and sensationalizes violence, and promote permissiveness and immediate gratification — in television, movies, and video games. From the common media milieu, one might think that rootlessness, experimentation with drugs and sex and violence, and lack of responsibility for one’s actions are all acceptable. Family values, hard work, religious faith, belief in moral absolutes — the culture of most tea partiers — might be demeaned or condemned as out of date, discriminatory or even crazy. If we are to have peace in our communities, we need deep reflection and a revival of the virtues that made America great. In this dangerous world, we need people who will rise to the occasion to help their neighbors, as many Tucsonans did. Our people also need the freedom to be able to do this — not more restrictions by a ruling class, which falsely promises security while making us more vulnerable to inevitable threats. Dr. Jane M. Orient of Tucson, Ariz., is the executive director of the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons.
T
hey say that, in politics, “overnight is a lifetime.” In other words, the journey from triumphant hero to discredited scapegoat can be brief. In the wake of the Republicans’ triumphs in last November’s election, great hopes are being held out that Republican control of the House of Representatives can slam the brakes on Barack Obama’s march toward a completely government-controlled economy and ruinous deficit spending. Much of the runaway spending in Washington has been a spending of money that the government doesn’t have in the till, by borrowing money through the sale of government bonds — in other words, running up a record high national debt. Because there is a legal limit on how much national debt the government can create, the spending has to be cut back or the debt ceiling increased by Congress. Some people see this as an opportunity for the new Republican majority to gain concessions from the Obama administration as the price for going along with an increase in the national debt. It sounds logical. But logic is not always the dominant factor in politics. The last time the government shut down, back during the Clinton administration, the Republicans were riding
high as a result of their capture of the House of Representatives — where all spending bills must originate — for the first time in decades. Speaker Newt Gingrich seemed to hold all the high cards. But the government shutdown ruined Republicans politically. Today, the Republicans don’t hold as many high cards as they did during the Clinton administration. But often, in politics, it doesn’t matter what the facts are. What matters is how well you make your case to the voting public. Back in 1995, Bill Clinton and the congressional Democrats, with the aid of the media, pounded away on the theme that the Republicans had “cut” government programs even where the Republicans had appropriated more money than these programs had ever had before. What Republicans had cut was the amount that Clinton had asked for. You might think that this was a fairly obvious difference and that this could be explained to the public. But the Republicans failed to do so effectively. If the Republicans cannot be bothered to put in the time and work required to develop an effective articulation of their case, then they should lose. But the country does not deserve to have disastrous policies continue. If the GOP doesn’t appreciate the enormous importance of articulation, then forcing a shutdown of the government can be another political disaster for them. So can caving in to Obama.
Robyn Sidersky
AS I SEE IT
South Floridian: ‘I’m way out of my league’ in the snow
ou can’t hear snow falling. It’s not like a rainstorm when the water pit-pats on the sidewalk and beats on the windows or when thunder claps in the sky. And you can go to bed with nothing on the ground and wake up with your car covered in that sparkly snow. This is what I learned when I experienced my first snowfall in Pennsylvania. I moved to the Harrisburg area from South Florida in May to work for The PatriotNews. I got through summer just
Y
fine — I’m used to heat. Fall was fun: The weather was pleasant and the leaves changing were beautiful. At the end of December, snow started falling — gently. I started learning snow terminology and routines. First we got a “dusting.” Then, this weekend, we got a “blanket.” I don’t know what you would call the few inches we received Tuesday evening, but I’m not a big fan. Colleagues at work warned me that I needed to buy a few essential items. I got a jug of salt-type stuff and a scraper-brush for my car. (This isn’t counting the new coats, scarves, gloves and hats I had to buy, too.) I got my oil changed and
asked the mechanic to make sure my car was “ready for winter.” Apparently my tires were deemed “snow ready.” As the snow started falling Tuesday, I had childlike excitement. “Ooh! How pretty!” I said making my way to the windows as often as I could. Then it got dark, and the snow fell faster and heavier. I thought “This is fine, it doesn’t look so bad.” To be safe, I called a friend to ask her how the roads were on my way home. She told me they were OK, just to drive slowly and carefully. I went out to the car and spent what seemed like forever clearing off the snow to see out the front and the back and the windows.
Slowly, I pulled out of the parking lot and headed toward the main road. My first panic attack came at the stop sign. It only got worse from there. I went a bit further and froze. I turned my Nissan Sentra around and went back to the lot where I called a friend and begged for aid. I was way out of my league. My friend came to get me, and on the way home I looked at the snow-covered roads with wide eyes. We sort of had to make our own lanes and follow the lights of the other cars. The going was slow, but we made it. I know this snow isn’t a big deal for most central Pennsylvanians, but for someone who’s seen snow
only a handful of times in her life, and has never lived in it, it is. I saw a report that 49 out of 50 states received snow Tuesday. Guess which one didn’t? My home state: Florida. While I wish I was there right now enjoying the sunshine, I’m not sorry that I moved north. I’m waiting for the part where the snow will be fun to play in: snowball fights, snow angels, making a snowman. You really do those things here, right? It’s not just in the movies? If you’re up for any of that, feel free to let me know. Robyn Sidersky is a Patriot-News reporter. [email protected].
Are you concerned about… PAYING for nursing care… STAYING home as long as possible… GETTING good in-home or nursing care… QUALIFYING for VA and Medicaid benefits… while PRESERVING your assets?
Our team of experienced attorneys and elder care coordinators can help!
To take advantage of our complimentary phone consultation, please call
HELP MOM AND DAD!
717 - MY PEACE
555 Gettysburg Pike, Suite C-100, Mechanicsburg, PA
717 - 697 - 3223
