Pets are forever, not just for quarantine
One of the few heartening headlines we’ve seen these last few months has been about the increase in pet adoptions. Shelters and rescues throughout the country have, for the first time, found their crates and kennels empty. Millions of self-quarantined people suddenly had time and attention to spare for a new addition to the family.
But here’s the thing — pet adoptions are forever, not just for quarantine. While we’re all feeling lonely and isolated as we work from home and avoid gatherings with friends, this isn’t reason enough to adopt a pet. One day soon, you’ll go back to the office for nine hours each day. You’ll return to that busy, hectic life that may or may not have room for fetch, daily walks, vet appointments and poop scooping.
So if you’re considering adopting a pet, look beyond your current situation. Imagine your life in a month, in six months, in a year. Ask yourself if you’re truly ready to give the time, resources and responsibility that a pet demands and deserves. Please don’t create a situation where thousands of pets are being returned
to shelters — or worse, abandoned — once this crisis is over.
Animals will always need homes. Helping them can come in many shapes and sizes. If you’re not ready to adopt, that’s OK. You can foster, donate, volunteer or just offer to take your neighbor’s dog for a stroll.
Emily Quinlan
Morgantown
A legislator’s open letter to Gov. Jim Justice
As I continue to review data, I’m very concerned about the state budget. West Virginia’s budget shortfall is now trending toward $637 million for this fiscal year, according to the Congressional Budget Office; an amount that’s 30% higher than what you’ve projected. Over the next three years, a shortfall of nearly $3.7 billion is now predicted, a gap unlike anything we’ve ever seen in our great state.
While I would like to remain optimistic that the federal government will provide monetary relief to West Virginia, what if it doesn’t? What’s our plan? Who’s developing it? Do we have economists on our team? What adjustments will have to be made? When do you plan on sharing your data with the legislature?
I know that you’re under a lot of pressure right now in trying to manage the response to COVID-19, and I appreciate all your hard work, but the people, as well as the legislators, deserve transparency when it comes to this issue and how it’s being handled. Please be straight with us so that we can effectively plan for the future.
Thank you for your service and please know that I stand ready to work with you to help the citizens and businesses of West Virginia. I look forward to your response.
Delegate Randy Swartzmiller
Wheeling
Republican fat cats’ hands in public’s pocket
I will rebut only a few examples of Ms. Bonnett’s unproven allegations (DP-05-14-20).
Ms. Bonnett writes, “Democrats should return their Unemployment Insurance Benefits checks because most of them haven’t worked a day in their lives …” I challenge her to substantiate that.
Here’s another, “[I]llegal immigrants … contribute nothing to the U.S. economy…” Then why is the president using them to work in his hotels and golf courses? And how much do people think strawberries and avocados would cost without the pittance of a wage provided to these people?
Going on: “Republicans shouldn’t be subsidizing Democrat bleeding hearts.” In fact, (Democratic) New York state (for one) provides more funding in taxes to the Feds than it receives, while (Republican) states such as ours receive more. And our Republican governor, for one, is proud of that fact!
Finally, Ms. Bonnett alleges, “Republicans aren’t the ones with their hands in our pockets… Democrats … are draining taxpayers’ funds.” Quite the reverse. The funds for individuals and small businesses are limited and short-term and come with conditions. I know of several one-person businesses that are on waiting lists at their banks.
Meanwhile, the Federal Reserve has spent money to make it less risky to trade stocks and has announced its plans to buy “junk” bonds, making life easier for risk-seeking investors. So share prices of private-equity firms have risen 50% and more, courtesy of the Fed. Buyers of such shares are not middle-class Americans, but hedge funds and the like.
It’s Republican fat cats who have their hands in the public pocket grabbing the money, while the little people struggle to get an appointment at the bank.
Dady Dadyburjor
Morgantown
In support of Debra Scudiere for judge
Debra Scudiere was appointed by Gov. Justice to fill the unexpired term of Judge Russell Clawges. She was considered the most qualified of all the applicants and was sworn in March 29, 2019.
Since that appointment, she has been made the chief judge of Monongalia County. Judge Scudiere must now stand for election on her own. Jill and I request that you support her with your vote in the primary election on June 9.
We have known Debra the 24 years we have lived in Morgantown. She had been our family attorney prior to being named to the circuit court. We are quite proud to include Debra and her husband Bill as our friends.
She has executed the duties of a judge with the utmost display of integrity, honesty and compassion. She listens with an unbiased mind and treats everyone with respect, courtesy and fairness. Her energy and resilience at this uncertain time have kept justice moving forward. Judge Scudiere is focused on the people of Monongalia County and continues to work for their benefit.
Again, we request your support and your vote to return Debra Scudiere as judge in the circuit court. Her election would be a source of pride for the county and the circuit court.
Jill and John Pigza
Morgantown
This Democrat has worked all her life
Where did Brenda Bonnett’s hostility towards Democrats come from (DP-05-14-20), and how did she come to believe that Democrats “haven’t worked a day in their lives”? Has she been studying U.S. Department of Labor statistics?
If Democrats are all laying around doing nothing, why are 95% of the nation’s poorest counties Republican? Why are eight out of 10 of the poorest states in the nation Republican? Why do Republican states take more money from the federal government than they pay? (Answer: Fewer people working and more people on welfare in Republican states. It boils down to simple math.)
I’m a life-long Democrat. I worked for a living for 46 years before I retired in December 2018. I served three years on active duty in the U.S. Army. I earned a bachelor’s degree with my veteran’s benefits and graduated in the top 1% of my class at WVU. Then I went back to work.
My story isn’t anything special, but it repeats itself millions of times with the rest of American workers. They’re out there, generating revenue for lazy, ignorant Republicans to get their welfare.
Lastly, I’ll leave a couple of quotes for people to ponder. Socrates said, “When the debate is lost, slander becomes the tool of the loser.” Benjamin Franklin said, “We are all born ignorant, but one must work hard to remain stupid.” Joseph Goebbels, Nazi propaganda minister said, “Accuse the other side of that which you are guilty.”
Elaine Wolfe
Morgantown
Thank you, Trump: A coronavirus timeline
Research can bring out things less reported and questionable as to whom to believe.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the U.S. government’s top infectious disease specialist, warned in early 2017 that a “surprise infectious disease outbreak” would likely occur during the Trump administration. He said, “that more needed to be done to prepare for a pandemic.” Interesting.
Coronaviruses were first discovered in the 1930s when an acute respiratory infection of domesticated chickens was shown to be caused by avian infectious bronchitis virus. Viruses related to the coronavirus were linked to different flu types starting in the 1960s.
A 55-year-old individual from Hubei province in China may have been the first person to have contracted COVID-19. That case dates back to Nov. 17, 2019, according to the South Morning China Post. That’s more than a month earlier than doctors noted cases in Wuhan, China.
China did not disclose the first cases of the virus at Wuhan until Dec. 31, 2019.
Chinese whistleblower Li Wenliang died Feb. 7, after blowing the whistle on the coronavirus. December 2019, he sent a message to fellow medics warning of a virus that looked like SARS, another deadly coronavirus. He was told by police to “stop making false comments” and was investigated for “spreading rumors.”
Dangerous pathogens are researched only in BSL3 [Biosafety Level 3 labs] with the most powerful or dangerous being researched in BSL4 labs. These labs are located throughout the world, with the U.S. having 10 BSL4 labs.
The first case of the virus in the U.S. was reported in February. This was almost three months after the first case and death in China.
President Trump, I thank you for the last four years of fighting to make America great again. You have had to fight tooth and nail to get done what you have accomplished. I thank you for allowing me to see what a waste of time the Democratic Party has been in Washington, and I thank you for being my president.
Linda Newcome
Masontown
In support of Debra Scudiere for judge
Chief Judge Debra Scudiere has proven to be an effective and fair jurist in her time on the bench.
As a circuit judge in Monongalia County, Judge Scudiere is responsible for overseeing both criminal and civil matters, including abuse and neglect and juvenile matters. She also presides over the Adult Drug Court, which is an effective alternative for treatment and recovery over imprisonment.
The Supreme Court of Appeals has appointed Judge Scudiere as a member of the Mass Litigation Panel, which oversees complex litigation matters involving large numbers of plaintiffs and defendants. To be sure, Judge Scudiere is hard at work on the bench for the citizens of Monongalia County.
Chief Judge Scudiere has been a resident and practicing attorney in Morgantown for nearly 40 years. Prior to ascending to the bench, she was a highly acclaimed litigator as a partner at Kay, Casto & Chaney. She was rated by her peers as one of the “Best Lawyers in America.” Judge Scudiere also served as a highly effective mediator and played a large part in developing the robust practice of mediating disputes in West Virginia.
Chief Judge Scudiere also served her fellow lawyers and our state as president of the West Virginia State Bar, president of the Southern Conference of Bar Presidents, delegate to the ABA House of Delegates, chair of the West Virginia Judicial Vacancy Advisory Commission and on the Board of Directors of West Virginia Senior Legal Aid Inc.
Judge Scudiere’s devotion to bettering the practice of law and legal community in West Virginia is second to none, and her commitment to service is beyond reproach.
As a lawyer practicing in Morgantown, current chair of the Young Lawyer Board of the West Virginia State Bar and immediate past president of the Monongalia County Bar Association, I can attest first-hand to Chief Judge Scudiere’s leadership, effectiveness and service as both a judge and member of the Bar. I urge the citizens of Monongalia County to vote to elect Chief Judge Scudiere to the Monongalia County Circuit Court.
Eric M. Hayhurst
Morgantown
