Group members are neighbors

With all the emotion of the vote for the Stamford Town Local Law on Industrial Wind Turbines on May 16, I forgot to acknowledge a very important segment of our community _ the newly formed "Concerned Residents of Township Valley."

In three weeks, this group of people got together and epitomized the word "neighbors." In this short period of time organizers collected 125 signatures from valley residents and 77 signatures from friends; an incredible 90 percent of the Township area.

These residents aren’t "second homeowners, newcomers, divisive or agitators" as many turbine proponents choose to call anyone who dares to oppose the turbines. They’re our neighbors, our friends, people we meet at the post office, supermarket, horseshoe festival. They’re the folks we socialize with, invite to our homes and visit theirs for coffee, dinner or to meet their families.

Most are longtime, if not lifelong, residents of the Township area. They’re also the residents of the town of Stamford who will be most adversely affected if these turbines are built. Many have their life savings wrapped up in this investment. Should they sell before the turbines are built, because they won’t be able to after the project begins? Should they hold on, hoping the project is stopped and they won’t want to sell? What a "Catch 22" situation!

Although I don’t think this project will ever see the light of day, we will all be the losers if it does. If anyone believes the energy companies will stop at 20 turbines in the town of Stamford, they’re dreaming. There’s not enough money in it for them. You’ll soon see the law changed to 40 or 100 or any unlimited number they choose to build. Nothing will stop them once they begin.

We have to stop them before they get started.

Barbara Doyle
Hobart

In a press conference on May 24, the president of the United States, in response to questions on U.S. military action in Iraq, repeatedly used the phrase, "Al-Qaida will fight us wherever we are." Here’s what that phrase means to me:

"Al-Qaida" means forget about Sunnis, Shiites and Kurds. Ignore a century of events that contorted ancient lands and peoples into what we call Iraq. "Will fight" means think in terms of conventional warfare because, as a nation, we are predisposed to that, not to counter-terrorism (President Eisenhower may not have known the future enemy, but he knew the danger). "Us" means the U.S. has been singled out by al-Qaida, regardless of statistics on worldwide terrorist attacks. "Wherever we are" means less likely here on U.S. soil if our military stays there in Iraq.

From one message, we each take a different meaning as fits our view. Yet if there is any value to hold dear, it is our personal capacity to change our view. Winston Churchill said he could always count on the Americans to do the right thing after they had tried all the rest.

On various Memorial Days past, I have marched as a Boy Scout, recited the Gettysburg address in ceremonies, and toured U.S. cemeteries in northern France. As a U.S. Army officer, NASA engineer, and R&D manager of government contracts, I haven’t just supported our country, I’ve participated in its roles.

I admire both the creativity of a White House staff that can develop a message and the vigor of a president who can deliver it. It pains me to listen to a president who has abandoned his role of leading with rhetoric to pursue a role of misleading with propaganda.

Chuck Hage
Cooperstown

Regarding the serious illegal aliens situation, there should be no compromise! Alert! All illegals! Go home now!

Apply for U.S. entry the normal way and avoid arrest, or find a U.S. citizen willing to sponsor you now. Demonstrators and pro-illegals should put up or shut up, by each sponsoring a foreigner of good character instead of promoting the breakdown of our society.

Illegals are felons, law-breakers who must be punished and driven out of our country. Employers of illegals are law-breakers as well and must be punished severely with heavy fines or more. Such employers are greedy and take advantage of such people.

We all welcome immigrants who enter our country through the proper procedure _ obeying our law.

The new proposed immigration laws are a travesty. We have had perfectly good laws on the books for many years, which need to be enforced. We should close the entire border now. Arrest illegals, send them back out after completely identifying them. No offspring of an illegal should ever be called a legal citizen of this country until they are processed. We should send them all out regardless of how long they have been hiding in this country.

Our so-called leaders are a disgrace for trying to sweep the illegals issue "under the rug" by putting together yet another law attempting to undermine our country and its laws. There is no time to lose. Close the borders now.

Mary Buck
Colliersville

I would like to make a short comment concerning the Rev. Kenneth Baldwin’s letter concerning the war in Iraq.

I know Rev. Baldwin very well. He is a great man and a "class act," in my book. When I read his letter, it brought tears to my eyes. To me, the way Rev. Baldwin worded his comments said it all. I’ve always wanted to put down my feelings about this "huge mistake" our president made when he initiated this war and involved human lives and money that most of us could never realize in our lifetime.

Our country is in a mess. We have lost the respect of other countries. When other countries don’t agree with us, we act like "bullies." It’s time to end this war and bring our soldiers home.

Maybe Hillary can get us back on track. I believe she can and will.

I pray our country will someday live in peace. You’re right, Rev. Baldwin, that’s what God wants. Amen.

Jo-Ann LaMonica
Oneonta