January 23, 2008 03:22 pm
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America’s ideals are being eroded
All the great civilizations and empires have left in their wake something physical to show the world of their rise to prominence: Egypt, the pyramids; Greece, the Parthenon; Rome, the Colosseum; Incas, the temples, etc. Time is slowly turning these structures to dust.
America’s great accomplishment is not one of these great stone, architectural achievements, but one born from the minds of men — an architecture of ideals simply written on parchment that nature cannot erode. Only man can harm this great experiment on the rights of man.
Chipping away at our inherited rights is as effective as the sands of time eroding the pyramids of Egypt. Vigilance must be maintained by all to ensure our liberties and rights are not being infringed upon. Many have sacrificed with blood and life for our freedoms.
The U.S. Constitution — its preamble, Bill of Rights and other amendments — have the words people or persons mentioned no less than 40 times. Nowhere have I seen the word corporation. Yet Washington is being run by corporate America and the laws being passed are slanted toward corporations.
We are allowing our health care laws to be written by the insurance and pharmaceutical companies. We allow predatory lending laws to exist and provide tax breaks for jobs going overseas. Big Oil bilks billions from Americans. Illegal aliens cut labor costs. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that private property can be seized through imminent domain for economic reasons, and not for public use as our forefathers intended.
America’s middle class is at risk of falling into the abyss of economic ruin. Our nation is being sacked just as surely as the vandals sacked Rome.
Earl Ferguson, Wurtland
It’s not too late to winterize cars
It’s time to fess up. You didn’t winterize your car and it really could have used some attention, especially with frigid temperatures striking many parts of the country. Now what?
The good news is that you’re not alone and it’s not too late.
Nearly 70 percent of motorists don’t winterize their vehicles in preparation for cold weather. There’s still time though to have the battery, antifreeze, wipers and wiper fluid checked to help avoid “no starts” and breakdowns and ensure safety and visibility during harsh winter driving conditions.
The Car Care Council recommends changing to low-viscosity oil in winter, as it will flow more easily between moving parts when cold. Drivers in sub-zero driving temperatures should drop their oil weight from 10-W30 to 5-W30 as thickened oil can make it hard to start the car.
It’s also good to allow your car a little more time to warm up when temperatures are below freezing to let the oil in the engine and transmission circulate and get warm.
Tire pressure should also be checked as tires will lose pressure when temperatures drop. Lastly, don’t forget your winter emergency kit that should include an ice scraper, flashlight, blankets, extra clothes, candle/matches, bottled water, snacks, gloves, flares, a first aid kit and needed medication.
Below freezing temperatures can stress out a vehicle, as well as its driver. Motorists who invest an hour or so to have their vehicles checked will have peace-of-mind and one less thing to worry about as the harsh winter conditions continue throughout much of the country.
Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council, Bethesda, Md.
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