today’s news and information gleanings from here and there!

Quote for today… “The people of Florida, so far, have proven to be either inept, apathetic, prejudiced, or maybe, just plain stupid.” – Buzz Lattuca, in a letter-to-the-editor in the Harrisburg Patriot-News.

• The dementia / Alzheimer’s debate: Maybe there’s no increase – Susan Reimer column, Baltimore Sun

• Penn Manor’s School Board published a legal ad seeking bids for “milk and drinks” for the 2013-2014 school year; a prudent fiscal and logistic management practice.

• “Penn State football single game ticket sale set for July 30, new purchase policy for Michigan and Nebraska games” – Harrisburg Patriot-News

• Sexting Wiener: Is it possible that New Yorkers will elect an “exhibitionist?” – Harrisburg Patriot-News

• “John McCain, the ‘maverick,’ is back” – Dana Milbank column, The Washington Post

• Clarification emerged about borough sidewalks, weeds and spraying item discussed at Monday’s Council meeting-of-the-whole. Readers may recall the letter to the editor published here several weeks ago: “‘Unauthorized, unannounced use of pesticides / herbicides on homes by Columbia borough’  – Columbia homeowner wonders.” The letter writer expressed an opinion and suggested that the borough, at the command of the mayor, sanctioned the spraying of the brick sidewalks in front of his property. The borough manager responded to a citizen inquiry asking for an explanation about the spraying. The borough manager said the Shade Tree Commission undertakes the spraying of the base of trees along borough streets; the borough has no involvement in that process. He said, “they weren’t spraying peoples’ properties or sidewalks.” The mayor interjected, “… nor did the mayor give anybody permission … ” to spray. The borough manager continued that no borough employee was or is involved in the spraying and the borough does not pay for the “organic” spraying materials used.

• Opinion: There are differences between “news” and opinions and letters-to-the-editors of media – whether online or another model. News is the telling and chronicling of events – either with words or pictures. Simply stated it is a chronicler’s observations of what happened or is happening. “Toward a Definition of News” is one person’s explanation of news. Opinions, columns and letters-to-the-editors are reflections of a writer that may expound further or elaborate on events, actions, decisions, etc. These reflect personal impressions and are guaranteed by the first Amendment to the United States Constitution: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” Citizens, whether we agree with them or not, have the right to say what they want and government shall not “prohibit” or “abridge” their right to do so. Nobody has to agree with what is being said or written! The Boston Globe‘s “Frequently Asked Questions” Webpage has a pretty good assessment of editorial commentary! [NOTE: When the writer says something like “pretty good assessment,” that’s subjective, therefore an opinion.] Many media outlets, including blogs, pursue a path of separation and identification of subjectivity and objectivity. This may be worth a grain of salt.