Posted: Monday, February 4, 2008 12:00 am
Broom letter didn't belong
Regarding one of the letters Jan. 28, I think everyone has the right to express their opinions, but I think the editor also has a responsibility not to print hate-filled letters in the Democrat-Herald.
The comment regarding Hillary Clinton said we could save fuel on Air Force One by electing Hillary, who could in turn travel from one place to another on her broom.
Why doesn't this person go after Hillary on the issues if he has a problem with her policies instead of lowering himself to a personal attack? This seems to be the tactic taken by those who do not bother to educate themselves on all the issues in this important campaign. I think it is an outrage that the editor saw this as fit for print, no matter who you do or don't support in this upcoming election.
Pat Hord, Albany
The Mideast first-hand
For some time I have read the letters of June Forsyth Kenagy espousing the plight of the Palestinian people and vilifying Israel's measures to secure the safety of its citizens against an enemy that is insidious in its efforts to terrorize the Israeli people to the detriment of the interests of those it purports to represent.
I have witnessed the plight of Palestinian refugees in Sabra and Chatila in Beirut, Sidon, and in Gaza. The plight of these people is deplorable, and one can easily understand the hatred and resentment such conditions can foster. However, I have also taken refuge from Palestinian launched Katyusha rockets and shopped in fear in Jerusalem and Nahariya. I have been detained by Israeli soldiers, threatened by masked extremists, and enjoyed the hospitality of a Palestinian family. I lived in Beirut at the height of the civil war - one prompted by Palestinians - and shared a bomb shelter in Nahariya with frightened Israeli children.
I do not know if Ms. Kenagy has ever been to the Middle East. If she has not, I would recommend that she do so. Solutions are very easily reached when one is distanced from the problem. When I went to the Middle East, I was certain that I knew the solutions to all of the problems facing the region. I was not there long before I realized that I was not even sure of what the problems were.
The solution to the issue of Palestine is a complex one. In fact, I think it has become a cancer in the geopolitics of the Middle East. The British abandoned their mandate because they saw no solution to it, Arab states use it as a banner to rally support for the destruction of Israel, and, if it is ever resolved, it will lead to the recognition of the state of Israel, the establishment of an impoverished Palestinian state, and dissolution of the last facade of Arab unity. Unfortunately, I do not see such a solution. The plight of the Palestinian people and the security measures of the Israelis are facts of life that are not likely to change in the near term.
Kenneth R. England, Sweet Home
Ken England was a Marine officer serving as a military observer with the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization in Palestine (UNTSO) in 1983 and '84.
Those times were bad?
Let me ask the writer of "Bill acts disgracefully," (Mailbag, 1/26/08), if she would prefer eight more years of the present administration?
If I recall correctly, Bill's eight years included eight of the most productive periods of prosperity since the end of the great Depression with budget surpluses, which the present administration inherited and squandered on a useless and costly war, not to mention the loss of untold numbers of casualties.
This was done with the Republican Party in control of both houses of Congress and at least six years of ongoing harassment for a failed business deal, which resulted in nothing and impeachment proceedings for an alleged affair with an White House intern, which also failed at a cost of some $50 million of our taxpayers' money. These were the "bad old years"? Give me a break.
I'll take eight more of the same. Maybe we can start digging ourselves out of the hole the present incumbent has dug for us and restore some sanity to a nation badly in need of same.
I don't know who will be elected, (G.W. Bush wasn't in 2000), but I hope and expect it will be either Hilary or Obama, either of whom would be an improvement over any of the Republicans currently running. As for Bill's "disgraceful performance, let me remind the writer that this is, and will continue to be, a hard-fought contest to see who will best accomplish our goal of "digging out," and may the best man/woman succeed.
Kenneth O. Houston, Albany
Bilingual societies doomed
We are allowing the far left liberals and newspapers to destroy our nation from within. History has shown that bilingual, multilingual and bicultural societies cannot survive the conflict and antagonism of two or more competing languages or cultures.
The push today is for multiculturalism with the idea of immigrants to maintain their culture and celebrate diversity instead of unity. We have stood by while these ideas are taking root.
We are allowing the promotion of dual citizenship, the lack of enforcement of our federal laws, the abuse of our health and welfare system, and then allow the illegals to try to dictate what we should do for them.
I'm asking, why do we allow this? Why do we have to push for English? English should be the language of our nation, period. What people speak in their home is their business. The illegals should have no rights to demand anything from us. Secure the borders first, then fine every employer who hires any illegal. Have states enforce the federal laws we have on this issue, and if our legislators won't enforce the laws, we can vote them out of office. I think it's time for the American people to take control of our country. God bless America.
Clyde Buckner, Lebanon
Toppling snowmen?
My boyfriend and his 6-year-old daughter spent a good part of the afternoon building her first snowman in his front yard while they were together last Sunday. When he came home the next day from work, some lovely person had come by and knocked it over.
His friend who lives around the corner on Southwest Ninth Avenue had built a snowman in her front yard also and probably the same person came and toppled hers over, not once, but twice. She later found out who it was because "he" had borrowed his mother's car to go do his dirty deed.
I hope whoever you are you feel real special destroying the result of a 6-year-old little girl's - and her father's - fun afternoon and only you know how many others'. I think you need to be accountable and go face each person you did that to and apologize for your foolishness. Maybe, just maybe then you'll learn your lesson and won't do something even more foolish with your time.
Mittaline Mankin-Scott, Albany
GUIDELINES: Letters must bear the writer's full name and address, but we'll omit the street address in the paper. Please include a daytime telephone number.