So, what’s her problem with the GOP? Why the ridicule? Oh, turns out that some lawmakers (Collins won’t say Democrats) wanted to add other unrelated things to the bill: i.e. earned-income and child tax credits that will expire in 2017. So, when the GOP didn’t want to add that to this bill, the extension to the end of the year is all that could be agreed upon.
Collins says some in the GOP were afraid extending earned-income and child tax credits permanently would help illegal immigrants, so she says the GOP is going to play the immigration (illegal) card for the next two years. Never mind the numerous “fairness”, social justice, war on immigration, war on women and the war on the poor cards that the Democrats have been playing for years.
Seems that Collins is against the "any means to an end" when the end is something Republicans want, but very supportive of "any means to an end" when the end is something Democrats want. A no-win situation for the GOP. Pretty funny how that works. — JOSEPH BRAFFORD, BEAVERCREEK
Citizens responsible for encounters with police
Society as a whole hires a group of professionals to handle its problems so that very little trickles down to the individual citizen. They handle everything from stupid or criminal behavior to downright evil – pedophiles and murderers. Whether you call them officer, deputy or trooper, these professionals, through their training, understand federal statutes regarding ‘under color of law’ violations better than the general population. Yet of all the professions we hold law enforcement to a standard no one else could follow. They are expected not only to show up, but also always be friendly. They are never allowed to be afraid when working alone or in danger, exhausted from work, or show frustration.
By the way, who determines the outcome of an encounter with an officer? The citizen does. Law enforcement is trained that when resistance or aggression ends force they use ends. Your behavior tells the officer how you are going to handle the encounter, so if you resist a lawful order or become aggressive don't expect a "beer conference" to discuss your options. It's time to acknowledge law enforcement as a worthwhile profession and stop blaming them for society's problems. — GARNETT HESS, URBANA
Thoughts on outdoor drinking areas
Our readers on Facebook are weighing in on the state measure that would create entertainment areas that allow outdoor drinking:
- This is a great opportunity — if we could bring a "4th Street Live" type atmosphere to the area (like that in Louisville) we would retain and gain more Daytonians, which equals Economy Boost! — JENN NICOLE
- It's like that on Beale St. in Memphis; I'd love to have that here, get a drink somewhere then (wander) around and people watch and listen to a band playing outside. — COURTNEY HALLADA
- Right, because we need more drunken citizen vs. police interactions in crowded public places. Must be running low on prisoners to lease to the industrial sector. — LORI KEITH
- You think drinking is hip? You have things all wrong. — LYN GNLO
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