Your opinions

Geauga Theater is top-notch

My wife and I were never in the Geauga Theater in Chardon until we saw the performance of “Newsies” on Aug. 17.

We were ushers at the Playhouse Square theaters from 1999 to 2018, and have seen live theater locally and elsewhere. We did not know what to expect regarding parking, the interior of the theater and the production itself. We were amazed that of the 29 cast members, 21 were 10 to 18 years old.

The acting, singing, tap dancing and gymnastics were flawless, including how the cast managed the set changes, far too many to count.

Outside during the intermission, I accidently met the young director. I told him that we paid $15 each for our seats in Row B, but that the seats were worth $100.

I hope they don’t raise their prices too high. Kenneth Fink Willoughby

We must stand united as Americans

America was destined for greatness when those renowned statesmen who envisioned our Constitutional Republic risked their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor to secure their inalienable right to life with liberty in a union of states flourishing under the banner of freedom.

We stand to honor our eminent patriarchs whose wisdom and fortitude forged the foundation of our United States as a free and sovereign nation.

We stand to commemorate our military whose courage and sacrifices for their patriotism sustains the freedom and independence of our United States symbolized by our nation’s flag.

And we stand in gratitude for the endowed gift of life and liberty claimed by the American colonies “with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence” in their righteous battle for deliverance out from under a tyrannical governance, as immortalized in their Declaration of Independence and the Constitution that is their legacy of liberty and humanity.

When our American culture stands united in allegiance to the blessings of liberty expressed responsibility, consistent with integrity, respect and mutual benefit, societies who follow our lead will flourish in the global arena of free enterprise and economic prosperity.

When Americans stand united defending the rule of law with liberty for everyone, and self control within boundaries of “freedom and equal justice for all” we will know what made America “Leader of the Free World.”

We will understand the outcry for “liberty” or “death” from the American colonists desperate for freedom from their misery in submission under the scourge of tyranny.

We will acknowledge, with respect, their beliefs in divine Creator bestowing the right to life with blessings of liberty that are proclaimed in the Declaration of Independence.

And we will realize how irrepressible power of liberty, they gave their lives to secure in victory, was contained from misuse within their cultural code of ethics that served as reference for the network of laws included in the “code of conduct for self-government” enshrined in the Constitution.

The principles of self-government that support heritage of independence, and our innate rights to freedom of choice, are the essence of American citizenship. They require eternal vigilance in maintaining and preserving the instructions of selfrule, civil rights, and personal and political independence contained in our nation’s priceless legacy of liberty that has been abused since it inception by the egoism of our human nature.

When every generation of Americans stands united for the inalienable rights to life with dignity and freedom for persons of every age, race, color, individuality and beliefs to express their feelings and opinions responsibly, without persecution relevant to their physical and mental abilities, we can rejoice in promoting the profound principle of our Constitutional Republic for the edification of posterity. Carol Sustarsic Willowick

If only we could outlaw hatred

There’s been an awful lot of hand wringing/finger pointing of late regarding the mass murders being committed by ...

It’d be nice if we could simply outlaw hatred ... but, alas, that not an option/how it works.

Even our local law enforcement officials will readily admit: “We’re really good at solving crime; however, not so good at preventing it.”

So, until/unless we can come to view the “other(s)” as being indeed/in fact ONE with ourselves ... peace on earth will remain merely an elusive pipe dream.

What we all need to do is: Face squarely the “man/woman in the mirror” (the eyes are the windows to the soul).

If he/s he reflects back to us: “Well done, thy good and faithful servant” ... then we will be advancing on the pathway toward peace (both internal and external).

Hate’s a disease ... love’s the cure. Dale B. Rhinehart Painesville