Advertisement And while some visitors at www.lacrossetribune.com scored it as a win for our agricultural heritage, others saw it as evidence that a slide from traditional family-run farms toward “factory” farming has too much momentum to stop.
Here are some of our readers’ comments on the issue:
BRAVO!!!!!!!! wrote: “It’s about damn time some elected officials grew some gonads. We need a lot more politicians who quit caving in to the NIMBYs and the other groups that constantly try to stifle growth and tell others how they should conduct their affairs and business.”
PORK PRODUCERS MONEY WINS wrote: “Threats of lawsuits by the pork industry win over common sense and the responsibility of the elected officials to protect the people. They think there won’t be lawsuits when lives are damaged, water poisoned and all that goes with this type of factory farming, especially in our type of karst geology, rolling hills and fishing streams? ... Get those cowards off the county board next April before the entire county is ruined.”
re Waa wrote: “Maybe you like the idea that these agricultural Wal-Marts produce lakes of hog manure on your little slice of heaven, but others don’t. Maybe you will change your tune when the ground water is contaminated or the local economy is ruined.”
re farm loss wrote: “Lose the family farms and what do you think happens to most of the small towns in the region that historically have serviced the farm economy? ... We should be encouraging keeping the independent family farmer on the land and prevent productive farms from becoming part of another huge multi-national corporate operation or housing development. We all lose then.”
Porky Pig wrote: “I hear Febreeze works well.”
Can downtown handle ‘high-end’?
When the developers of Three Rivers Plaza in La Crosse approached the city about land for a high-end, 130-room hotel in downtown La Crosse, the idea got mixed reviews at www.lacrossetribune.com.
Many Web site visitors warned that the city had better get a decent price for the property between Jay and King streets, east of Second Street. Others liked the prospect of getting the parcel on the tax rolls. Here’s a sample of visitors’ comments:
DJ wrote: “We need more departing Amtrak and Jefferson Bus Lines seats to take all the naysayers to what they perceive to be greener pastures, elsewhere, anywhere.”
wow wrote: “When the term ‘high-end’ and La Crosse are used in the same sentence, I makes me laugh and laugh ...”
Please! wrote: “Do not sell this parcel for $1. Let’s try market price for a change. The mayor and this city do not belong in the development business.”
To: Larry Kirch wrote: “Why would you even consider not selling the lot to them. Would you rather have a empty eyesore lot stay that way forever?”
Health care coverage a never-ending debate
A Tribune editorial pointing out the shortcomings of both the Republicans’ love affair with health savings accounts and state Senate Democrats’ single-payer approach drew fire from all around.
Here’s a look at some of the debate.
Damn straight wrote: “Neither the Republican or Democratic plans will work because they focus too much on the revenue side of the equation. There is plenty of revenue but until and unless we also address the costs, there will never be enough to keep pace.”
Karl M wrote: “I believe everybody should have affordable car insurance. Why stop there I believe everybody should have affordable food/clothes. Don’t forget some people don’t have cars either. Everybody should have affordable vehicles and gas. If the capitalists won’t ‘give’ it up, just vote in more socialists. I meant to say ‘progressive’ Democrats! Just confiscate. Don’t stop there .... Remember, ‘from each according to their ability and to others according to there need.’ This usually results in the theft of other people’s money and resources, but we all need to be good comrades.”
Bugs Raplin wrote: “If Wisconsin were able to come up with a solution where ‘everyone’ was afforded health care, then we’d be flooded with people moving here from other states to take advantage of that. No, my timid Tribune friends, this is a NATIONAL issue and it MUST be addressed NATIONALLY in Washington. If the Tribune really wants to solve the problem, it should show some courage and advocate for a single-payer health care system like Canada’s.”
The Republican plan ... wrote: “... only works for those who are healthy AND WEALTHY. ... Dennis Kucinich has the right idea: Health care should not be a get-rich, profit-making opportunity. Why do we allow an industry to get rich off of the illness, misery and suffering of our family, friends and neighbors?”
You may reach online editor Marc Wehrs at mwehrs@lacrossetribune.com or (608) 791-8218.
