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By Doretta Donovan
| Monday, March 22, 2010, 07:30 AM
A recent study shows cell-phone ownership among 8- to 18-year-olds rose from 39 percent to 66 percent in the past five years. How old should a child be before getting his own cell phone?
KEYATTA JONES
KEYATTA JONES, Dayton: “My daughter got a cell phone at age 7 for transportation issues. She’s 12 now, and she’s very responsible with it. We’ve only had the phone stolen once, but it’s never been lost or broken.”
GEORGE WILDER
GEORGE WILDER, Fairborn: “About 16. That’s when they become young adults and they may need it, and parents need to be able to contact them.”
CINDI MCMAHON
CINDI MCMAHON, Huber Heights: “I haven’t even thought about it because my kids are 2 1/2 and 10 months. I dread the day that they start asking for it, but it might be a safety issue for them to be able call me if they need me. They’d have to be responsible enough not to lose it or break it, and know when it’s appropriate to use.”
MARVIN BONNER
MARVIN BONNER, Cincinnati: “Eighteen. They’re a little more responsible by that age.”
SHARON WILSON
SHARON WILSON, San Diego, Calif.: “At least 16. I don’t think children are responsible enough to have cell phones.”
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Parents/children, Technology
By Doretta Donovan
| Sunday, March 21, 2010, 07:30 AM
Should taxes be raised to cover the rising federal deficit?
KEVIN KIRBY
KEVIN KIRBY, Dayton: “Not really. I think we should just rein in our spending, not raise our taxes.”
ANGELA BALDWIN
ANGELA BALDWIN, Beavercreek: “I think so, because I don’t want our country to be a poor country.”
MIKE BAKER
MIKE BAKER, Miamisburg: “No, because I think the federal government should be required to balance its own books with the budget its got right now. There are too many taxes on too many things today, and there’s too much wasteful spending.”
JEWELL MICHAELS
JEWELL MICHAELS, Kettering: “Economically, right now, I would say no. It’s hard enough for everyone. But what do you do with that debt? Half of me says yes, and half of me says no.”
LARRY MUNZ
LARRY MUNZ, Fairborn: “No. We have too much debt right now, so I think you have to cut spending.”
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Economy, Government/Politics
By Doretta Donovan
| Saturday, March 20, 2010, 07:30 AM
Sony will start selling 3-D televisions in June. Would you buy one?
MARY PRICE
MARY PRICE, Beavercreek: “We’re actually waiting to buy a flat-screen TV until the 3-D comes out, and we’ll base our purchase on what Consumer Reports says. My husband likes to stay on top of the latest technology.”
JOHN DATTALO
JOHN DATTALO, Beavercreek: “No. It’s a waste of money, and you don’t need it.”
ANDY PENROD
ANDY PENROD, Fairborn: “No, because I just bought a television, and I’m waiting for the autostereoscopic displays where you don’t have to use the 3-D glasses. They have them now, but they’re like $25,000. I’m waiting for them to go down in price.”
ERIC LENHART
ERIC LENHART, Dayton: “Probably not. We’re pretty tight with our finances, and we normally wouldn’t go out and splurge on something like that when there are other bills to pay.”
SHANTA CASSEL
SHANTA CASSEL, Beavercreek: “It depends on the price and the quality. You don’t want to spend your money on a bad TV. Do your research. Don’t just buy something because it sounds good.”
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Technology
By Doretta Donovan
| Friday, March 19, 2010, 07:30 AM
Should the city of Kettering ban folks from gathering outside Fraze Pavilion to hear concerts?
CHARLES LITTELL
CHARLES LITTELL, Butler Twp.: “The people should be allowed to gather on public property, but not on private property. Private property owners have a right to prevent trespass.”
JOSEPH STEPHENSON
JOSEPH STEPHENSON, Dayton: “I don’t think they should ban it. It’s good for people to come together.”
CINDY FALASCA
CINDY FALASCA, Beavercreek: “I hope not. I’ve been to Fraze shows, although I never listened from outside. But, having children now, I think it would be a nice escape to just go and listen outside for a little while.”
JASON COOK
JASON COOK, Dayton: “It sounds to me more like enforcement should be kicked up, rather than barring people from sitting outside. If they’re in the public area, that should be OK.”
MICHELLE HUNTER
MICHELLE HUNTER, Fairborn: “I’ve been to the Fraze, but only inside. I’ve seen folks sitting outside. If I were a resident, it might make a difference to me, but I’m really not sure.”
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Entertainment, Government/Politics
By Doretta Donovan
| Thursday, March 18, 2010, 07:30 AM
When you first saw the E-Trade commercial with the “milkaholic Lindsay” baby, did you think it was spoofing Lindsay Lohan?
JULIE WARE
JULIE WARE, Fairborn: “No. I think it’s the height of narcissism. She’s saying her name is like Madonna or Cher — because, you know, the world revolves around Lindsay Lohan!”
KATHRYN RAWLS
KATHRYN RAWLS, Kettering: “Yes, I did. That’s the way she acts in public. I thought it was (spoofing Lohan), and they did a great job with it.”
DAVE HUTCHINSON
DAVE HUTCHINSON, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base: “No. I thought it was funny. I think it’s ridiculous that she’s suing. Just one of those celebrities trying to abuse their power.”
JENNIFER BOYER
JENNIFER BOYER, Vandalia: “No. Her lawsuit is ridiculous.”
ADAM BOEHM
ADAM BOEHM, Lexington, Ky.: “No. I didn’t think anything about Lindsay Lohan, but I think it was hilarious.”
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Entertainment
By Doretta Donovan
| Wednesday, March 17, 2010, 01:30 PM
Does it make sense for the government to mail letters alerting all U.S. households that they’ll their Census questionnaires are on the way?
LIONEL GARRETT
LIONEL GARRETT, Dayton: “No. That’s duplication of effort. If you’re going to send it out in another week, just send it. Don’t waste the postage.”
MICHAEL WELLBAUM
MICHAEL WELLBAUM, Beavercreek: “Yes. It gives notice that they can expect the Census form in the mail, and if they fill it out and return it, no one will come to their house. And then, if someone comes to your house, you know they’re bogus.”
KAREN MOORE
KAREN MOORE, South Vienna: “No, because we are a nation in debt, and yet they spend whatever money it costs to send out a letter saying you are going to be receiving the Census.”
JOHN BEATTY
JOHN BEATTY, Riverside: “No. I don’t think it’s necessary. People will do what they want to do with the Census, no matter whether they get this letter or not.”
KENNETH BREWER
KENNETH BREWER, Caesarscreek Twp.: “That’s just ridiculous. It serves no purpose. … They feel they have to do something, but they lose sight of what their purpose is — taking the Census.”
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Government/Politics
By Doretta Donovan
| Tuesday, March 16, 2010, 07:30 AM
If the U.S. Postal Service stops Saturday delivery, how will that affect you?
MIKE GARD
MIKE GARD, Sugarcreek Twp.: “I don’t see it as a big deal. We’ll just get out bills on Monday instead of Saturday.”
LAVONNE HOLDER
LAVONNE HOLDER, Huber Heights: “The question you should ask is ‘What if they stopped delivering all that stupid junk mail?’ That would be wonderful. But no Saturday delivery wouldn’t bother me.”
SYDNEY GOODWILL
SYDNEY GOODWILL, Dayton: “Considering my boyfriend is a Marine, and the only way we can communicate is by mail, that would really affect us.”
STEVE GRAY
STEVE GRAY, Troy: “I have a post office box, so it doesn’t matter to me.”
DIANA DEBORD
DIANA DEBORD, Riverside: “It wouldn’t. I think you’re talking about more junk mail and another day to get bills. It can wait until Monday.”
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Government/Politics
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when a carrier will sell them one ……not when a parent will “GIVE” them one……….