We Agree: Cartoon Was Offensive Are Endorsements Mere Power Trips? Fulton’s Superb Show Animal Cruelty Universal Care Urged Excellent Senior Games…

We Agree: Cartoon Was Offensive Are Endorsements Mere Power Trips? Fulton's Superb Show Animal Cruelty Universal Care Urged Excellent Senior Games Epac 'Cuckoo' Shines The Wayward Hound Conestoga Wood's Motive Mandate's Ramifications

A March 12 Mallard Fillmore cartoon on this page had a sports announcer describing the use of the "N-word in that good affectionate way, not that other way."

The cartoon was in response to reports that the NFL was going to propose a ban on the use of racial slurs on the playing field.

While the topic is certainly one that is open to debate, the idea that the N-word can be used "in that good affectionate way" is highly offensive to not only a large part of the African-American community but to much of the wider community as well.

As John Wooten, a former NFL lineman and the chairman of the Fritz Pollard Alliance Foundation, which works with the NFL to support a more diverse and inclusive league, told ESPN's Vaughn McClure earlier this month:

"I want players to know and understand that it is the most vicious word in the language. It is about us, as a race of African- American people, (who) have to continually make our youngsters understand that the word can't be endearing. The word was created to make you feel, as a black man, that you were inferior, that you were nothing; that you were sub-human; that you had no talents; that all you could do is pick cotton. That is what the word was intended for."

We agree. We were wrong to run that particular cartoon. While the larger debate is a fair one, the characterization that the word can be used in a "good affectionate way" isn't.

We apologize to those who were rightfully offended.

John A. Kirkpatrick III

President

Lancaster Newspapers

Lancaster County Democratic Party Chairwoman Sally Lyall's recent letter to the editor, "Endorsements help voters," echoed the county Republican Party's arrogant notion of being the sole authority of a candidate's qualifications and quality of character.

Before Lyall's claim of only wanting to help voters with decision- making can be taken seriously, the chairwoman should be required to submit her own background check and be properly vetted, so that county residents can decide whether she is "qualified" to make candidate selections on behalf of the voters.

It appears that Lyall and a few at the top of the county's Democratic Party relish the power of choosing who can seek political office. Take note that the Berks County Democratic Committee does not endorse candidates for any political office and has achieved more success than Lancaster County at electing Democrats at all levels of local, county and state government.

The real question to ask ourselves as voters is, "Why does the leadership of both major parties in Lancaster County so covet their endorsement power?"

Is it truly to help candidates and voters or is it to maintain their own power and control to the detriment of independent-minded county candidates and residents?

Doreen Kreiner

Manheim Township

I just attended the current Fulton Theatre play, "Young Frankenstein." This was truly an outstanding performance, and far exceeded my expectation.

I have seen 100-plus Broadway plays, and this show was as good as any viewed. The acting, dancing and scene changes were exceptional. I particularly enjoyed the dance numbers, of which "Puttin' on the Ritz" was absolutely wonderful.

Ben Liebert, who play "Igor," nailed this character, and must have studied the film very closely, as he mirrored Marty Feldman.

Kudos also to Jamison Stern, "Dr. Fronkensteen," and Missy Dowse, "Inga." They were both superb.

This performance plays until Sunday, and I would encourage the Lancaster folks to support the Fulton and get to this show before it closes. Next up is the "Buddy Holly Story," in April.

Jim Chryst

New Providence

A proposal to make killing or torturing a police dog a second- degree felony was unanimously approved on March 18 by the state House. The penalty: up to 10 years in prison and a $25,000 fine.

Great! I'm very happy for the passing of this legislation. But what about the rest of the dogs in Pennsylvania who suffer beatings, cruelty and death every single day? Are their lives less valuable than that of a police dog?

The dog cruelty laws - and animal cruelty laws, in general - are an insult to anyone with a minimal amount of empathy or compassion for our canine (and feline) companions.

Is one human's life more valuable than another? Is the punishment for the intentional death of a celebrity more severe than that of a laborer? Homicide is a crime no matter who the victim is, and the punishment should be equal under the law.

But what about the intentional harming of a dog? What justifies the state House moving so quickly (less than two months after the stabbing death of a police dog in Pittsburgh) to enact a law (unanimously) as a second-degree felony, yet the very same criminal who shot the police dog could shoot an arrow into a dog or cat (both of which occurred in Lancaster County in the past year), and "if" caught, would get a slap on the wrist and maybe a minimal fine?

Statistics show a trend that most serial killers begin by harming pets. Research shows that violence toward pets is often related to domestic violence toward children, spouses and the elderly.

It's time for our legislators to wake up to the reality of the ripple effect that cruelty to animals has on everyone else in society... and do something about it, not just for police dogs, but for all animals.

Robert Rudy

West Lampeter Township

A very simple solution to Conestoga Wood Specialties problem is available to us. The U.S. is the only one of the 17 richest countries not to have universal health care coverage.

Our method is the most uneven and most expensive of those countries. It leaves out the most people. It also makes much clerical work for care providers.

President Harry S. Truman tried and failed to give us a system similar to that which Canada has.

Why have we not been informed as to how our method compares to the systems in those other 16 countries?

Willis Ratzlaff

Conestoga Township

We competed in the Indoor Senior Games held recently at the Lanco Fieldhouse. It was a welcome change from shoveling, slipping and sliding. The turnout was good, the competition great and the camaraderie excellent.

The staff at the fieldhouse worked hard and put together a well- organized, punctual and exciting competition.

More than 25 sports events were available, as well as "drop-in" exercise, yoga, bingo activities and golf. Lunch was included and medals were awarded.

Thank you, Lanco Fieldhouse, for your dedication to older athletes and for a job well done.

Doc and Judy Anttonen

Millersville

EPAC's "Cuckoo" is terrific. The play pulled me into its world like a tractor beam. The pathos, wit and humor of the patients provided a constant undulating and entertaining backdrop to the battle between Nurse Ratched and McMurphy.

Susan Kresge, who played Nurse Ratched, captured that most diabolical of self-satisfied, sanctimonious and cruel characters to the point that I wanted to jump on stage myself and throttle her.

McMurphy, played by Christopher Michael, is believable. He is full of the vitality and vanity of a young man, but he also is like a kid who keeps putting his hand in the cookie jar, thinking the most he will suffer will be going to bed without supper.

The play does not imitate the film. This production produces its own authentic drama - it is entertaining and witty. It also tosses out onto the stage really vibrant moments of self-deception, self- loathing and self-love and real deception, real loathing and real love.

Jill Yescalis

Manheim Township

Eleven years ago, a 9-year-old boy wanted a dog, so we purchased a beagle. Her official name was Lady Magnolia Blossom, but we affectionately called her Maggie.

On Tuesday, March 18, I took Maggie to the vet to have some blood work done and the unthinkable happened. She died of a massive heart attack before the blood work was given.

Tears, sadness, happy memories all flowed together. But, alas, how was the boy who wanted a dog going to handle this loss?

My son, Cory, wrote the following on his Facebook page, and I thought it was very poignant:

"The eternal bond that may be forged between a man and his beast is nothing short of a miracle. It is the wonder and beauty of life that two separate organisms, differing only by a few changes in their DNA, each with their own conscious mind and agendas to follow, be connected somehow with such intensity that ultimately they may become a part of one another.

"Maggie was not 'my' beast to take claim over. She was her own independent entity and was just as much a part of my heart and my family as my own blood kin. I already miss her terribly, but as heartbroken as I am, I am still filled with pride and happiness to have had the chance to have called this wayward hound my friend and companion.

"Rest in peace, Lady Magnolia Blossom, and thank you for being my best friend and loyal friend through thick and through thin."

May this give comfort to all who have lost one of their beloved pets.

Jonathan Fodor

Warwick Township

Having decided to enjoy unrestricted benefits of being a proprietary business with, no doubt, a goal of maximizing profitability, I am quite certain that the owners of Conestoga Wood Specialties care not a whit about the religious or reproductive beliefs and practices of their customers.

Nor, I am sure, do they question or constrain the religious and reproductive beliefs and values of their employees whose efforts contribute to that profit.

It's most interesting, however, that the Hahn family somehow believe that they are entitled to project their very personal religious and obvious political beliefs in providing health care insurance for their employees.

Just as it's impossible to be just a little bit pregnant, it's also impossible to be just a little bit hypocritical.

Vic Poirier

Holtwood

One point not mentioned is that the mandate of the Affordable Care Act is considered as being constitutional because it is considered to be a tax. Chief Justice John Roberts ruled on that basis.

Because it's a tax, perhaps we don't get to decide about the allocation of funds paid. Our tax dollars regularly go to military expenditures that go against my deeply held Christian beliefs.

Any thoughts on the legality of what I'm thinking may happen?

Mary Brunn

Upper Leacock Township