Funerals should still be off-limits to protesters Re: “Court protects military funeral protesters,” March 3
Looking at the front page picture of young people demonstrating in front of the Supreme Court, I had to check my calendar to see what year it was. Not too long ago, pictures like this were of young people demonstrating against the Vietnam War. We had different people in charge back then, but the young folks’ causes were just as strong. Except my generation did not voice their opinions so close to our military warriors being buried by their loved ones.
The Constitution can be interpreted in many ways. The Supreme Court chose to protect us all from losing our freedom of speech rights, but we should remember to respectfully protect families when they are burying their sons, daughters, wives and husbands. Funerals and burial grounds should be off-limits to demonstrations.
Ronald L. Baker
Springfield
Council head panders to minority voters
Re: “MontCo officials consider changing laws to adjust for minority influx,” March 2
Since 2002, Montgomery County Council President Nancy Floreen, D-at large, and her fellow liberal cohorts have been spending tax dollars on unneeded programs and raising taxes at whim. Like the wind, Floreen consistently changes positions, ready to abandon her constituents and her principles in the hopes of future votes.
Her latest fixation? The large influx of “minorities” into Montgomery County — which somehow warrants major policy and regulatory modifications.
The county already ignores the housing, parking and fire code violations of multiple immigrant families crowded into one home. Floreen now wants to build larger rental units for minority families.
Next, she wants to accommodate minorities who desire to run businesses out of their homes by dissolving long-standing county codes. I’m sure Montgomery residents can’t wait to have an auto repair business, gardening service or food stand next door. But if it garners Hispanic votes, Floreen can pander with the best of them.
Her “best idea” is to radically change the composition of the council to reflect the racial composition of the local population. As a Jew, I’m not a big fan of quotas, as they have historically been used to hold back my people. But in this case, I applaud Ms. Floreen and accept her immediate resignation so a true “minority” — preferably with some common sense — can take her place.
Brad Botwin
Derwood
Retirees have to pay back ‘stimulus’ funds
In 2010 federal withholding taxes for retirees were reduced by about 15.5 percent, due to a “change” in the tax rate. Was that part of the “stimulus” or what?
Unfortunately, the tax tables were not changed. So when a retiree files his/her income tax for 2010, he/she has to pay all that “extra” money back, in some cases amounting to hundreds of dollars.
For 2011, the federal withholding taxes were increased by about 15 percent.
After many days trying to call the Office of Personnel Management, they blamed the Internal Revenue Service, who blames Congress.
Carl C. McNamee
Washington
