Someone else for Senate?

Douglas Bauer, you are right on (Mailbag, Sept. 19).

I’m so sick of the Merkley/Smith senatorial race with all the negative ads that I have come to the conclusion that neither one of them is fit for the office. Now is the time for a write-in “dark horse” to enter the scene. The both of them are disgusting.

Margaret Hanson, Albany

Pinky takes trip, gets hurt

Well it happened again, but at least it has been 25 years since I took my last trip.

My owners were notified by the Albany police this morning about my whereabouts about 7:45. They also received other calls telling them where I was. My owners made a call and soon had help to get me home. They were nicer than the people who pulled me down the street blocks as this time I got to ride on a borrowed dollie.

The people who took me for a ride weren’t very nice. They drug me down the street and of course left a trail of fiberglass along the way. I now have no toes on my hind legs and my trunk is flat in a spot. Lots of people heard noises but sadly no one came to my rescue.

I am glad to be home but dear me the poor mailboxes didn’t survive again!

This is a message to say: Please leave me alone as I am a landmark who enjoys where I am and have been at this address for over 30 years.

Sincerely, Pinky the Elephant.

Don and Wilma Albright, Albany

How I decide for mayor

Albany is fortunate to have two very qualified public servants running for mayor on Nov. 4. Each has a unique set of personal skills and experience to offer. How does a voter decide? There is no one way. Each person has their own criteria. I can only share my way of deciding.

To use a medical analogy, who do you go to if you have a medical problem? It all depends on the specific medical concern. You wouldn’t turn to a brain surgeon if the problem is with the heart. What are the issues facing Albany and who could provide the needed leadership? Who has the most practical, inclusive and compassionate community understanding?

Who has the ideas, concern and thoughtful approach to solutions on difficult issues facing our community? Who has the community interest as the No. 1 priority? Who is willing to confront special interests who don’t?

Who has a vision that deals with 21st-century realities? Who has demonstrated that all Albany citizens are equal and all concerns worthy of a fair and just hearing at City Hall? Who will be the most effective advocate for the common good of Albany?

I will vote for Sharon Konopa.

David Anderer, Albany

It’s just like before

Seems we have a bad case of déjà vu. Anyone remember the savings and loan debacle, when another president, George H.W. Bush, had to rescue one of his other sons from the crisis of the Eldorado Savings and Loan Bank, plus a lot of other S&L’s. Who paid for that? You guessed it — us.

It really won’t his fault, entirely. The “Great Deregulator” deregulated just about everything he could get his hands on. That was the “great communicator,” Ronnie Reagan. Chaos.

In a capitalistic society such as ours, a free market works just fine as long as there are some simple but necessary rules governing against excess greed. Unlimited freedom has its bounds, like yelling fire in a crowded theater. You would think a Christian president would know that. And guess who is going to pay for this one. You guessed it in one: us. Just like before. Will we never learn?

Kenneth Houston, Albany

Palin and global warming

During political campaigns there is a lot of talk about candidates’ records.

I think Sarah Palin’s record is her five children, which indicates to me her ignorance or, more likely, her unconcern about the fact that the growth of the human population is a major cause of global warming, wildlife habitat loss, poverty, overuse of natural resources, pollution of water and air and solid waste disposal problems.

Scott Pirie, Albany

Where liberals draw the line

With regard to Jeani West’s misplaced frustration with liberals (Mailbag, Sept. 20): As a lifelong progressive/liberal closing fast on 63 years of age, I may be in a position to elaborate.

First of all, we liberals do not shun those with values and beliefs other than our own. Where we draw the line is when those of you claiming the superior mantle of “Christian” attempt to foist your values or ideals on the rest of America.

If the idea of a homosexual relationship is repugnant to you, then please don’t have one. If you feel abortion to be murder, then you must never have one. If the current state of morality in the movies is below your standards, then be conspicuous by your absence.

But what gives you the right to tell the rest of society that you alone are right and the rest of us must cater to your comfort? Who appointed you as protector from all of the evils (in your eyes) of this big bad world? And please don’t profess to have any divine right, because that right only exists within the dogma of your beliefs, and not in the world at large.

The Declaration of Independence claims the rights of “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” The Constitution provides for a wall of separation between church and state.

So please, by all means, hold your beliefs dear, and worship as you choose in freedom, but afford the rest of us the same freedom not to, as we may see fit.

J.M. Collins, Lebanon

Judgmental? You bet!

In response to Jeani West’s letter “Tolerance out the window,” whoever said that liberals were nonjudgmental? I’m a liberal and I’ll be the first to admit that I’m judgmental. But I’d rather be judgmental about people that are narrow-minded than be judgmental about other people’s lifestyles. Who are you or anyone else to dictate that two people who love each other shouldn’t enjoy the same rights and protections as a “traditional” married couple?

In any case, I’m sure that Bush, Mrs. Bush in a Skirt, and McSame will all continue to express their opinions about homosexuality and same-sex marriage, and I will continue to take great pride in being judgmental about their opinion.

Linda Bruslind, Lebanon

Smoke enhances sunsets

The field burning issue is clear as mud to some nonfarmers. Farmers must burn the fields. I wonder why they don’t burn in the evenings like they did years ago. The sunsets were beautiful, just like the other night with the smoke from the forest fire south of us.

Edi Smith, Brownsville