Letters: Vendors going too far at Beaver Stadium; Shame on Bezos

Vendors going too far at Beaver Stadium

Vendors selling T-shirts or hats around the tailgating lots of Beaver Stadium have done so for many years. Here and there, some deal in cash, selling small items with high mark-up prices. While these sales may be illegal without approved permits from College Township and Penn State, there’s seemed to be no strict enforcement around breaking these laws. Very recently, the number of vendors and “donation-solicitors,” has seemed to have skyrocketed. As an alumni and Penn State tailgate attendee, this season I have witnessed numerous different vendors walking between tailgates, “interrupting” fans and guests, repeatedly. Most ask for money right away. At least twice, I’ve seen vendors respond rudely if a fan signals no interest in doing any sale with them.

On Saturday, Nov. 2, I was a guest at an RV tailgate. Before and during the game, I witnessed six different vendors interrupt the owners/organizers of the tailgate. One man sold shirts. Another sold hats. Two young girls sought donations for their church in northern NY. Another man sold American flag pins. Two other different groups of men stopped, both trying to sell mini-pies. They asked for $5 per pie. Mind you, I saw these mini-pies on sale at Weis Markets the night before (59 cents/pie).

While most Penn Staters are very generous and open-arms to a stranger walking up to their tailgate, the sales-solicitations are now going too far. This issue is beginning to damage the guest experience of tailgating with friends. It needs to be addressed.

Shame on Bezos

I have also canceled my subscription to The Washington Post. Thank goodness for the integrity of CNN and of the Centre Daily Times. Shame on “billionaire Post owner Jeff Bezos for his attempt to pre-emptively bend the knee to a possible second Trump administration.”

Suggestions for Trump’s next term

Congratulations to President-elect Donald Trump for his convincing victory and mandate, and congratulations of a sort to the Republican Party and the American people for their brazen audacity in re-electing a convicted felon, serial sex offender, and general nincompoop to our highest office, just in order to offend the rest of us. I have two suggestions. First. In the matter of his Second Inaugural Address, he should make his theme the inverse of Lincoln’s: With malice toward all, with charity for none — just in the interest of accuracy. Second, he and his party should immediately dismantle the Statue of Liberty and ship it home to France. On the pedestal facing the sea, cheap, merely life-size statues of Trump and Stephen Miller should be placed, with middle-finger salute raised to the rest of the world. Similar statues could be placed along the southern border, at the Golden Gate harbor entrance, and for good measure, in every U.S. international airport’s arrival hall. That would convey the true spirit of the incoming administration and the MAGA people who elected him.

Dems’ message received loud and clear

Centre County Democratic Chair Margie Swoboda observed after the election that the party just didn’t do a good enough job getting their message out. On the other hand she might consider the party’s message was received loud and clear by voters, and they responded appropriately. Despite running against a candidate with approval rating consistently below 50%, America rejected the Democrat ticket. Other than abortion, Vice President Harris didn’t articulate a specific policy agenda. Voters could only refer to the Democratic record, policies like electric car mandates, Title IX rules, mandating schools allow biological males participate in girls and women’s athletics, policies that allow schools to authorize treatment of gender dysphoria absent parental notification, ultimately unconstitutional efforts to require vaccinations to remain employed and forgiveness of student loans. Voters noticed chaotic border policy, and party leaders, including the President, Vice President, and climate czar complaining about and calling for reforms regulating platforms that published opposing viewpoints as if the First Amendment only applies to them.

Turns out there are political realities, if your party champions unpopular policies, voters might just reject your candidates on Election Day.

Support the fight against COPD

COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) is the third leading cause of death (excluding COVID-19) worldwide and the second leading cause of disability in the U.S. And one in every eight adults over the age of 45 has COPD. Early diagnosis is crucial.

Thirty million people in the U.S. are living with COPD and in Pennsylvania there are 705,310 who have COPD. Millions more suffer from COPD But have not been diagnosed and are not being treated.

The official color for COPD is orange.

The theme this year is “Know Your Lung Function.”

Let’s light up the month of November in orange and wear orange the month of November to support our fight against COPD.

World COPD Day takes place on Nov. 20 to honor those that have COPD and those that lost their battle with COPD.

Each November it is proclamation season where I contact the governor and ask him to sign and announces November is COPD Awareness Month.

Having COPD myself is a life-changing event. Pulmonary rehab is essential for those of us with COPD. I not only speak and spread awareness for myself but for all the others who are affected by COPD. It gives those of us better quality of life.

With your help, we can spread the word about COPD and chronic lung disease awareness.

Please, show your support for COPD and help elevate the disease as a public health priority.