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OPINIONS
Voice of the people
Non-drinkers need after-10 activities
I am a member of the Huntington community and continue to find myself frustrated and at a loss over the shocking lack of activities to participate in after 9 to 10 p.m. I am not a drinker and do not enjoy spending all my time in bars, which is sadly the only activity available at this time.
I hear many people discuss the increase in drug abuse and alcoholism in this area, and they almost seem stunned. Am I the only person who sees the connection between these issues and no outlet for people who do want to do things after 10 p.m. that don't involve alcohol?
Please don't get me wrong. I am not against drinking or bars. I make my living in a bar, but I wonder when we as a community will provide restaurants, movie theaters, bowling, etc., that stay open past 10 p.m.? This might also be part of the reason that people are leaving this area in record numbers. Creating these venues would not only provide a place for people to spend time, but would also provide some employment possibilities for people who don't already work 9-to-5 schedules. Just a thought.
Todd Tussey
Huntington
Let private sector tackle the drug war
The drug trade is our hardest nut to crack. I say use private contractors with police powers. Let them keep the cash and assets and turn over the drugs to federal authorities who would document and destroy the drugs confiscated.
Those convicted would be sent to Iraq or wherever we happen to have a war in progress. The contractors would have to comply with rigorous safeguards to keep them honest, and like the ones already in Iraq, they would be covered by national security laws. After all, the drug trade has hurt our national security to some degree.
My bet is the drug business would recede as drug dealers assumed the role of profitable prey. Also, bounties would be paid for those convicted and sent to do service. There's no doubt it's a simple principle to make it profitable to catch drug dealers. Cops could start their own interdiction companies. Since the drug trade is vast, it would become a booming industry that fortunes could be made on.
It's capitalism, it's timely, and it's time to try other ideas.
Charles W. Carroll
Huntington
Find out who Obama really is
Are you one of the many Americans star-struck by Barack Obama? Before you cast your vote in November, please take time to find out who this man is. While he may not be the Antichrist, he certainly is not the messiah either. If you are considering a vote for Obama, please take time to investigate who he is and what he stands for.
Can you in good conscience vote for a man who has been photographed showing complete disrespect for America by not using proper hand-over-heart etiquette during a rendition of the national anthem? What about the fact that he belonged to a church where he sat for 20 years and listened to the Rev. Jeremiah Wright make anti-American and anti-Israeli statements? Not to mention the racist remarks.
And why is it OK for Obama to use phrases such as "typical white person"? Can you imagine the uproar if John McCain were to say anything close to "typical black person"? I could go on and on. Please, America, do your homework. This smooth-talking rookie senator has a dark side. Don't be fooled.
Carolyn Brooks
Barboursville
