On Your Mind is the Herald/Review’s telephone opinion line and is intended as a public forum for our readers. Comments represent the opinions of callers and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the newspaper or any specific knowledge that we have. Readers may share their opinions by calling 458-0332, or by e-mail to svhoym@transedge.com or regular mail at 102 Fab Ave., Sierra Vista AZ 85635. Due to the volume of submissions, comments will be limited to 150 words or fewer. Comments are edited.

Nov. 24

Congratulations, Sheriff Dever. I see you have got Sierra Vista Police Chief Kimmel to assign one of his unmarked police units to patrol Ramsey Road for speeders and issue citations. The officer driving a plain brown vehicle with hidden emergency lights is certainly better than your sheriff’s marked units, and the cop is more aggressive and issues more citations along Ramsey Road east of Moson. His disheveled non-uniformed appearance is very effective, and his demeanor means only one thing. He must live off Ramsey Road and is making a statement that says, “Not in my back yard you don’t.”

Nov. 25

As someone who has been recommending the railroad rejuvenation process for several years, now I’d like to thank Stanley Crouch for his support. Railroads are the answer to many of our social, business and transport problems. No, it won’t put truckers out of work. Reducing the number of large trucks off the highways would make it safer and more economical for everyone affected. Many of our accidents and deaths can be attributed to carelessness and fatigue of drivers on the road. Long-distance hauling could be done by the railroad to warehouses located outside our cities and leaving the local delivery to former long distance truckers. It would be good for everyone, especially the families of the truckers. The railroads could be manned by the surplus and soon to be unemployed.

Nov. 26

OYM callers both astound and amuse me. One stated recently that “the president can’t do anything without the consent of Congress.” The caller’s ignorance would be merely hilarious except that I presume this person actually votes. How could he have missed all the “signing statements” Bush made indicating what legislative features he would ignore? How about presidential authority to create or change national monuments, wildlife refuges and marine sanctuaries? And how about reshuffling the budget to focus on personal agendas rather than legislative mandates? “W” is now ideologically changing a massive code of regulations to re-interpret existing law. He has already issued presidential pardons. I suspect this caller is an eight-year Bush apologist and worshipper who has not yet learned that a new report by the Intercollegiate Studies Institute on Democracy concludes that most Americans are too ignorant to vote.

Quit your bellyaching about gas prices, people. They are set based on supply and demand. Until you change your driving habits the prices will be high. Even the price on post is set due to being annexed by the city. Have you ever tried going to an eating establishment around town between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.? Traffic from and to post paralyzes the city. How many car-poolers do you see? How many are running errands? If you boycott a station he will only sell his gas to a station that ran out due to high sales. Change your driving habits. Work on something worthwhile like monitoring your children, bringing civility back, or being nicer to someone. Have a happy Thanksgiving. It could be the last one for a while.

Hey, Mr. County Assessor. You need to read the article on today’s front page. Home values in state still falling. What about it? None of our homes are worth near what they were years ago, yet our overinflated rates that you put on our homes cause our taxes to be exorbitant. All the homes in my area have sold for up to $40,000 less than the assessed value. Get on the stick. It’s a shame you didn’t have anybody running against you in this past election or you would be out the door.

Nov. 28

Now there’s a “holiday season,” not a “Christmas season.” No Christmas, no trees, no wreaths, no “ ’twas the night before Christmas,” no Saint Nicholas, no Saint Nick, no Santa Claus, no sack full of toys, no presents, no sales events. Really.

When is the city of Bisbee going to terminate its contract with the current fire chief? What a waste of money. This man has done nothing for the city of Bisbee for years and years. It’s time for us to move on and for the city to get its money’s worth. Wake up.

Nov. 30

Thank you for publicizing “The Shootout in Miracle Valley.” I managed to get a copy of the book and wanted to get another one for my mother for Christmas. However, Hastings was sold out in one night. It seems you can buy drugs in this town easier than you can get your hands on a book.

Editor’s note: Hastings has received more copies since you made your comment. And there are other locations to check, such as B. Daltons in the Mall at Sierra Vista.

Dec. 1

You lied when you responded about Obama’s birth certificate, and you wonder why people don’t trust the media. You, too, are not to be trusted to tell the truth.

Editor’s note: We’ll stand by our statement about the president-elect’s citizenry.

We must be really stupid. We will rely on the same gang of so-called political leadership that brought us the housing mess, followed by the world recession to save us. Contact your senator and representative and tell them that you do not want any more mindless remedies to our problems. Our government is not competent to do or fix anything. Ask your grandparents how they would recover from an overextended position. Tell you congressperson that you do not want any more bailouts to any state or business, nor do you want another useless stimulus package. Repeating more failed liberal socialist programs serves only to discourage those of us who would invest and/or work hard to make this country function. cutting taxes is the answer, but we seem to be going the other way. While you are on the phone, ask your congressperson if Obama was born in Hawaii or Kenya.

I was thrilled to read today’s AP article about how Muslims are worrying about their image following the Mumbai carnage. It said Muslims in the West Bank, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Britain are concerned that terrorist slaughter in a synagogue could tarnish the image of Islam. This is different from the dancing in the streets we saw on 9/12 from those same quarters, and one can only wonder how this reversal of Muslim attitudes has come about. Could it be that Mr. Bush’s idea of hunting down and killing every al-Qaida we could find anywhere on earth for the last seven years has had some effect? This doesn’t support the liberal concept that Bush’s “failed foreign policies” have destroyed American credibility worldwide too well, so I am perplexed as to why The AP even published the article. It’s so out of character for them.

Last night on the History Channel a program examined the history of the United States and how we have fared compared to other great governments. The future of our country is not a good. A group of respectable scholars, using previous histories of great societies and the current direction our country is taking, developed a scenario of where our country will be in the near future. The outcome does not leave much for our grandchildren. We are on the back side of a very slippery slope. We will be a Third World country in the near future. Moral standards, greedy politicians, greedy citizens, and the expectation of the citizens for the government to take care of them from birth to death has taken its toll on this once great country. The group’s conclusion on how to stop this trend is in our court, but do we have the fortitude to turn the country around?

One major problem I see with Janet Napolitano becoming our secretary of Homeland Defense is now the state will fall under total Republican hands again. I’m just hoping they don’t run us into the ground like they did with the nation. God help us.

Editor’s note: Just to correct one fact: She is being nominated for secretary of Homeland Security.

Was Sunday’s letter to the editor written by the same Bob Carpenter recently appointed to the commission on disability issues? If so, I think our illustrious City Council needs to revisit just that considering the blatant hostility toward someone with a different opinion that his. This indicates someone who acts in his own rather than the public’s interest.

Dec. 2

K101 doesn’t seem to want to get their Web site up and running — been more than a month. Probably because they know that they are “muzak,” sin to the ear, an enemy to life and love, one unto themselves and no one else, that’s what they are.

So, the election is behind us, and face it my friends on the right, Obama has won and he has won big. And if you keep blaming the supposedly liberal media you’ll be missing the real reasons why this is happening, which could perhaps enlighten you as to the problems with conservatism. It goes back to Reagan’s war on the poor, but let’s jump ahead. Bush and the greedheads got in, and made billions while the USA’s infrastructure and middle and lower economic classes have been neglected and have fallen behind, and now the whole house of cards is tumbling down for all to see how empty and phony and really all about greed the conservative movement has come to be about. It’s fine to wave the flag and be patriotic, but finally people realized that that’s just about all the Republicans have been doing for them, and guess what? It ain’t enough.

Don’t be bamboozled or misled. All of these wonderful movements to bring us together in love and harmony are the beginnings of our downfall (remember the hippies?). Examples are NAFTA, using a common currency, one ecumenical world religion (we all love God), United Nations declarations on religion, human-implanted ID chips, social justice, funded political activism and one world government. It is often hard to see these things coming or understand the long-term implications until it is too late. Resist proposed changes, as it will take away your rights and liberties.

I think the latest move by George Bush is the only thing he has done for the long suffering middle class in this country. We have our remaining life savings hopefully protected by FDIC. Most of our everyday funds are in our bill-paying accounts. We’ve endured the foils of our selfish politicians and lawyers. The other foreign countries always look to us to pull their chestnuts out of the fire yet never support us. The U.N. is just a bunch of phonies on the largesse of the American taxpayers. I guess we will have to support Obama and hope he is for real.

I would highly recommend that people instead of stampeding at all these sales, especially after Black Friday, up through Christmas Day that they should rush and flood the churches instead of worrying about what they are going to get or buy. The whole focus of Christmas is Jesus and the Nativity scene rather than the materialistic lifestyle Americans are living. Perhaps this is the reason our nation has gone into such a decay. It’s a depressing situation, and it appears it’s not going to get any better.

Dec. 3

A short time ago Senator (Harry) Reid (D-Nev.) noted the much larger center was needed due to the smell emanating from the tourists. Since construction of the new one went multiple millions over budget, I suspect the smell emanated from the senator and the speaker.

People have a misconception about a left lane being considered a passing lane when you have turns going to the right and left. There is no such thing as a passing lane especially on our city streets where businesses and residences are located. I get tired of people cutting me off, driving around tailgating, and jumping in and out of lanes. The next person that puts my family in danger I’m going to follow you home.

I’’m having a real hard time dealing with the racist jokes and put downs. Not funny. But I guess it is the dimwitted culture we live in called Cochise County. Don’t assume everybody is as stupid as you are. I know you think it is funny. Not. Rush Limbaugh ain’t funny either. That is his claim — that he is an entertainer. What a lame excuse for entertainment. In reality it is propaganda. Let’s all hate everyone who has more than a high school education and claim we know better. You had better beware of who you shoot your mouth off to. It might come back to bite you.

So David Letterman proves George W. Bush is an idiot every night by showing clips of his total incompetence. Letterman isn’t the liar here. Letterman isn’t the one who is incompetent. Letterman doesn’t pretend to be a news source. Come on, admit it George is funnier than Bozo the Clown.

To the person who complained about Janet Napolitano being made head of Homeland Security: It’s not her job to get a handle on the 300 miles of border. That belongs to the feds, and they didn’t do a very good job. Maybe now things will be done better because Mr. (current Homeland Security Secretary Michael) Chertoff has done a very poor job. I’m all for Janet because at least she knows what’s going on down here, unlike Mr. Chertoff.

We seem to have the same chairmen of their particular imagined level of importance who were the worst still in that job. We need new people. Change, yes, but we must be especially alert to their past endeavors and performance. Well trained and learned is great but who taught and trained them? This world is being corrupted by the “new idea” people. So look carefully at from whence they came. We are very susceptible to being duped at this time. Be alert and don’t get hurt.

I still haven’t heard an apology from MSNBC or NBC or CNN or the New York Times or any of them guys for the smear job they did on Sarah Palin. But I guess we’ll never hear that from them.

On occasion individuals say global warming is a big farce and a boondoggle. I’d like to discredit that because ever since I was a young man and saw movies like “The Vanishing Prairie” and “The Vanishing Desert” I got involved with the environment, global warming, solar energy, etc. and I followed it all on into college. It is just as serious as a heart attack. People that discredit it have done it only for their monetary gain and for exploitation of their own resources just like companies that state that you can smoke a carton of cigarettes a day and you will not get cancer or any other disease. It will probably be man’s greatest challenge, over wars, over our very existence. All of humanity should be greatly involved because it is as true as it can be.

To all the people writing letters and calling in about the school budget override that was voted down in the past election: Please don’t blame the students or the taxpayers. Until the school district administration learns how to manage the money no extra amount of money will solve the problem.

I’ve lived in Bisbee all my life, born and bred. I’ve worked here forever. I just want to say I thank Freeport McMoRan for coming to our town. I appreciate every effort they are making. I think they are a quality company.

Just wanted to remind everyone that we are coming into the season and to please remember that Jesus is the reason for the season, not Santa Claus.

I just returned from watching a U12 soccer game between the Celtics and the Titans. After watching a hard-fought battle where the Celtics came back from a 2-0 deficit to tie the game, they went into overtime. This resulted in a shootout of penalty kicks, which resulted in the Titans winning with one goal. After the game a Titan player made a rude comment to a Celtics player. I’m disgusted by the lack of sportsmanship instilled in these young players by coaches and parents. What happened to the gold old days when players said “Good job” after the game? Maybe some of these coaches shouldn’t be out there. Remember this is for the kids not the adults. Let the kids have fun.

Here we go again helping Mexico with all the stuff that our own people can’t make. Let’s help our own people, like the Fire Department that needs it so badly. Last year they were short on food and donations. But we’re giving it to Mexico. Come on Rotary, come on Kiwanis. Keep it in our own town. Keep it for our own people. Quit helping Mexico. They should be ashamed of themselves asking for help from the U.S.

Dec. 4

I’ll make this short. Why hasn’t anyone put any pressure on the oil companies, as they are the ones hoping to get the automakers to make these “gas hogs” so that they might sell more gas, oil, etc. I notice they have been very quiet lately and keeping their gas prices down, maybe so we don’t look to them. I say let them help with the bailout, as they are in part responsible.

Please send your unwanted Xmas cards this year to: St. Jude’s Ranch for Children 100 St. Jude St., Boulder City NV. 89005. They will appreciate it and they won’t go into the landfill.

Editor’s note: Go to this Web site for more information about the recycling program: http://www.stjudesranch.org/help_card.php

Dec. 1st article about Gabino’s plight to stay in the U.S. illegal. Gee, we really need people like him here. Came here illegally, worked here, resident in Phoenix somewhere, Gov. (Janet) Napolitano passes a law that agrees with our constitution, and Gabino goes underground to work for cash. Well, isn’t that someone we want here. Why is it so hard for Mexicans to do anything legal. My friends, my father and others have gone through the system. Not that hard. And it’s worth it. Look at all the benefits this place has, and you don’t have to look over your shoulder all the time when you’re here illegally.

It sure is strange that when gas prices were going up store prices in the major businesses and the family shopping centers were increasing even faster than the price of gas. Now gas has receded to less than $2 yet the prices are still climbing and there’s no sign that the prices at major businesses in Sierra Vista are dropping. That is a strange situation. It appears the shoppers in Sierra Vista are being taken to the cleaners.

Dec. 5

Hey I don’t like Rush, but I don’t hate him. He spews hatred then calls it entertainment and he makes a good living at it. If you like the stuff he does, more power to you. If he brightens your day, I’m happy for you. He literally turns my stomach. Full on nausea. He must be an acquired taste. I can’t get past the smell.

For years faulty management decisions and exorbitant union demands are the root causes of the Big Three Detroit automakers’ demise. When Detroit autoworkers earn nearly twice the salaries ($75 an hour) as stateside autoworkers for their Japanese competitors ($45 an hour) and get enormously outrageous benefits to boot, you don’t have to be a rocket scientist to see why the Detroit Big Three cannot compete. The scandalous bailouts which Democrats in Washington are ready to hand out are actually payback for the heavy financial support by unions Democrats received in the recent election. It’s called the “spoils system.”

There’s a big lime spill on Highway 92. Why isn’t the company that spilled it responsible for cleaning it up? There are shades of the Hereford bridge collapsing — the company is getting off easy. It’s not right that the company that causes the problem doesn’t have to clean it up.

It’s cold out and dogs, cats, and all animals need shelter. It’s the law. Give your animal shelter from the weather.

Today someone stated in OYM that the money raised by Bisbee 1000 Save Our Stairs should go to repairing the stairs. The stair people have donated a lot of money to obese children, which is a good idea. But have they looked at the stairs in Bisbee. They really need to be repaired since the city doesn’t have the money, or the workers, or the time. For whatever reason the city doesn’t fix the stairs. It really would be nice if Save Our Stairs organizers donated the money to fixing the stairs. The obese children could walk up the stairs in safety. It would be wonderful. Please encourage them. Please Bisbee organizers, spend the money on the stairs. Please save our stairs.

I’m calling about shopping local. I went to a craft store. I knew what I wanted and as I got up to the door they were locking up. I motioned “One minute please,” and she shook her head “no.” I looked at the time and it said they closed at 4 p.m. I checked the time on my cell phone and my car clock and it was two minutes to 4 p.m. I understand it was close to closing time, but I left and I went to their competitor. I spent $68 in 10 minutes. If they had thought of this, they would have had my business. From now on I will make sure they don’t get any of my business. So much for shopping local. Have a happy new year.

This is for the ad in today’s newspaper on the concert they are having called the “Holiday Concert.” They are singing holiday carols. I don’t know what the holiday is you are talking about. But I thought it was Christmas carols.