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SUNDAY, MARCH 4, 2012
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THE TIMES LEADER
www.timesleader.com
A dinosaur liberal gives his view of politics and issues from ‘his’ left IT’S GOOD to be on the pages of The Times Leader with a column. It has been about a decade, so let me re-introduce myself. I am a Pittston native and a third generation member of a newspaper family. I spent 27 years in the publishing business. Trained in the old school, I am uncomfortable with labels, but if I must assume one, “liberal” would fit. In fact, I’m a dinosaur. I stand to the left of President Obama and ascribe to the old liberal playbook of JFK Democrats and Rockefeller Republicans, butter over guns, Social Security, universal health care, environmental protection, a progressive tax system, civil rights, labor laws, a rising minimum wage and protective regulation from destructive financial manipulation. I also believe in some newer initiatives
MAIL BAG
despair over the disaster of the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision, which will corrupt politics further than the eye can see. JOHN WATSON I am not a name caller … unless I think it is funny. New Jersey Gov. Chris of the left, such as advocating for a wom- Christie, whom I like, might be called “Chrispie Cream” here, only because I an’s reproductive rights, same-sex marriage, responsible corporate citizenship, think it’s funny. Call it comedic license. In fact, politics for citizens should not which includes a fairer distribution of be a shouting match among ideologues income among executives and workers, in some vain attempt to prove oneself an inclusive immigration policy, energy right, like fans of opposing football independence through conservation, teams, but instead we should embrace new technology and sustainable living, an open-minded process by which we and federally funded scientific research. seek to improve our world by participaI’m a modern conservative’s nighttion, compromise and understanding. mare, but not a zealot. I respect the The honest exchange of ideas, the diaopinion of others and enjoy a civil dialogue, basing an argument on empirical logue itself, without the immature “us against them” ferocity, can be life-imevidence rather than ideology. I despise the political consultant game proving. For a personal example, 17 years ago I of reducing every issue to the lowest common denominator, the daily “talking was a “big brother” to the son of a friend of mine, a “mentor,” as we call it today. points” of right-wing radio and the 30At the time, Hal was a 13-year-old bright second attacks of TV advertising, and I
COMMENTARY
junior year, Hal moved in with friends in Kingston and ended up graduating from Wyoming Seminary and going on to graduate from Providence College in Rhode Island. Many lives were affected, all for the better, and many people were brought together, all because a conservative said something compelling and I was listening. As Bill Clinton has preached in his post-presidency, when we look to the many things we have in common, instead of the few things we don’t, everyone benefits from the dialogue and politics can be fun, as it should be. So it’s nice to be back. In future weeks, I’ll be discussing issues and politics from the perspective of a liberal. I hope you enjoy it and, please, join the dialogue. John Watson is the former editor of the Sunday Dispatch in Pittston. He lives in Seattle.
LETTERS FROM READERS
Any mandate takes away rights
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hat is the Obama administration’s true agenda with its controversial mandate to force not only businesses but even religious institutions to pay for their employees’ birth control and sterilization? Americans must analyze this honestly and forget about the carrot being dangled as another free perk. This mandate includes completely free prescriptions including the “day after” abortion pill. Of course, many religious institutions are contesting this, but Americans need to realize that any time the government forces anything, it is taking away our liberties. And the administration’s attempt to show compromise is nothing but a complete ruse, in that the insurance companies will simply increase the premiums of religious institutions. Indirectly, the Catholics’ and other denominations’ institu-
SEND US YOUR OPINION Letters to the editor must include the writer’s name, address and daytime phone number for verification. Letters should be no more than 250 words. We reserve the right to edit and limit writers to one published letter every 30 days. • E-mail: mailbag@timesleader.com • Fax: 570-829-5537 • Mail: Mail Bag, The Times Leader, 15 N. Main St., WilkesBarre, PA 1871 1
tions will be paying for birth control and thereby violating their rights from the conscience clause laws. First of all, since when is preventing pregnancy a female health concern? Choosing to use birth control or sterilization is elective, and it should be treated no differently than other elective practices such as cosmetic surgery. So far, the “Obamacare” provision has yet to require employers to pay for Botox injections. And I don’t expect that, since it doesn’t meet the liberal elitists’ true intentions. Their true agenda certainly appears to be an extension of population control albeit by covert means.
Our liberties are being taken away, and America should wake up. Joe Rinkunas Clarks Summit
Writer questions drilling bill safety
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ov. Tom Corbett recently signed a Marcellus Shalerelated bill. Three state senators representing Luzerne County voted no: John Yudichak, Lisa Baker and John Blake. One, John Gordner, voted yes and said the bill “represents a balanced approach.” Five Luzerne County repre-
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African-American kid from New York City. Hal met a lot of friends while staying at my Lake Winola home during the summers. He wanted to attend Scranton Prep for his high school freshman year. That was a tough one. To take Hal on a full-time basis would have been a big commitment and I pained over the decision. I knew it would be a wonderful opportunity for Hal, but was I up to the task? Then one day, I was listening to NPR radio and a report on a hot issue of the day, racial “quotas,” when House Speaker Newt Gingrich, in arguing against quotas, said, “We need less quotas and more friendships.” How ironic? The rhetoric of the most conservative Speaker in our history challenged me into a life-changing decision. It made sense for me to act. I sold the house at Lake Winola, Hal and I moved to an apartment in downtown Scranton, and Hal spent two years at Prep. When I moved to Florida in his
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sentatives voted no: Eddie Day Pashinski, Mike Carroll, Gerald Mullery, Phyllis Mundy and Sid Michaels Kavulich. State Reps. Karen Boback and Tarah Toohil voted yes. Toohil said the bill “illustrates how natural gas (drilling) … can be done in a safe and responsible manner.” “Safe and responsible”? Let’s see. Measure 500 feet from any house or water well. That apparently is the safe and responsible distance, according to the bill, which you need to maintain from a 140-foottall gas rig that uses 1 million to 3 million gallons of water, plus sand and “fracking chemicals.” But, it’s worse. The setback for a gas rig is only 1,000 feet from the “… water supply extraction point used by a water (company).” The setback is 100 feet from the edge of a well site for bodies of water, or 300 feet from the well bore, whichever is greater. Are these “safe” distances
from the Susquehanna River or Harveys Lake and the Huntsville Reservoir? You decide. Sen. Gordner said the bill “represents a balanced approach.” Let’s see. In 2010, 617 Butler Township residents petitioned to prohibit drilling in four residential districts but allow it in nine districts. However, the bill authorizes gas drilling as a permitted use in all zoning districts, including residential. No balance there, Sen. Gordner. If the waste business were powerful like the natural gas industry, would Toohil, Boback and Gordner agree to authorize landfills, like gas rigs, in residential districts? Without clean water, is your home worthless? Can you sell it? Will the banks loan on it? Will insurers insure it? I support drilling. But, I cherish personal property rights and clean water. Like “Obamacare,” this law might be unconstitutional. Many legislators who voted yes will be voted out. Munici-
palities will legally challenge it. And, like “Obamacare,” once Pennsylvanians find out what’s in the bill, many will be outraged. Bill Skuba Drums
Pa. needs to curb distracted driving
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recent article in the New York Daily News states, “A new law to crack down on distracted drivers has generated nearly 119,000 tickets statewide …” It quotes Gov. Andrew Cuomo as saying, “These tickets should send a resounding message to all drivers; keep your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel.” For what are the representatives in Harrisburg waiting? Open your eyes and drop your cell phones. Stop distracted driving. Tom Matinas Swoyersville
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