We the grassroots ...

Contrary to the editor, I was pleased that the city council passed a resolution on ending U.S. occupation of Iraq, as have 287 other cities, 10 counties, 17 states and the U.S. Conference of Mayors. The editor says it “has nothing to do with municipal business,” but we the grassroots elected the council as our leadership. Our concerns should be its concerns — that’s the basis of our relationship.

Since the council was very divided, public discussion could follow. Perhaps a forum?

June Hemmingson, Albany

Next on council agenda: Iran?

On May 14, without regard for circumstances or unintended consequences, foreign policy experts on the Albany City Council passed a resolution calling for a rapid end to the war in Iraq.

I petition the city council to unleash their wisdom and tackle the Iranian situation next. Iran could be the next hot spot, and this country desperately needs the expertise of the Albany City Council.

With time on their hands, maybe the council could then take on the Israeli-Palestinian crises and, before summer, solve the problem of high gas prices.

With a looming sense of national urgency, we also need the council’s solutions for global warming and universal health care.

Maybe then, the council could return to solving the problems of the city of Albany.

Larry A. Smith, Shedd

If not occupation, what?

In response to Hasso Hering’s Friday editorial (May 16) regarding the end of the occupation resolution passed by the Albany City Council this week:

I am at a loss to know what else one would call the current situation in Iraq, if not occupation. We attacked, defeated the military, destroyed most of the infrastructure and took over the functions of government.

After five years, the United States still has an active military presence and wields a great deal of control in most aspects of Iraqi life. The cost of this “situation” in life and treasure is huge for us and future generations. To call it anything but what it is perpetuates the same tangle of lies and distortions that got us here. Like it or not, occupation is the correct word to describe the American presence in Iraq in May 2008.

Sharon Gisler, Albany

A redress of grievances

Hasso Hering wrote in his editorial on May 16 that local government has no part to play in the concerns of our country and that naming our presence in Iraq an “occupation” instead of a “war” dishonors our troops.

I beg to differ.

First of all, local government serves the unique concerns of U.S. citizens with a specificity that federal government cannot do. Since the federal government of this country refuses to acknowledge the concerns of over half its citizens who see that our presence in Iraq is wrong and that we should never have invaded Iraq in the first place, many U.S. citizens in Albany have gone to their city government to find redress for their grievances on this issue. I see this as a sign of hope, not a point of criticism, that our government is still a vital entity and is responsive to our interests no matter where we live.

In regards to our troops, again, criticism should be leveled toward the Bush administration. This administration willfully, purposefully and knowingly sent our troops into Iraq, a sovereign country that had nothing to do with the Sept. 11 events here in the United States. Our troops take their jobs seriously and do their best to fulfill the duties required of them. Unfortunately, their commander in chief is corrupt and inept. Most of what the troops try to do in Iraq is impeded by Bush’s deals with providers who are there not to promote democracy or help the Iraqi citizens rebuild their infrastructure, but to cash in on lucrative contracts.

If our troops are dishonored by these facts, don’t blame citizens of the United States who want the troops to come home. Blame the Bush administration.

Leonora Rianda, Albany

About a missing bear

On Friday, May 16, between the hours of 1:30 and 3 p.m., my daughter and I were walking between 10th street and downtown and in the downtown Lebanon vicinity between Second and Park streets. When we got home we realized that her beloved bear had fallen out of the stroller somewhere on our trip. We repeated our route looking for it four times that afternoon.

This bear is my daughter’s favorite stuffed animal. It goes everywhere with her and she misses it very much. He is light brown with a Ty label.

If you have seen it lying in the middle of the sidewalk and know where it is, will you please return it to her? I am offering a $25 reward for it with no questions asked. We just want our beloved bear back. Please contact me at 451-4526 to arrange its return.

Kimberly Lopez, Lebanon