Attacks didn't help cause

We agree with much of Robert Lidsky’s recent letter to the editor about Supervisor Frank Bachler’s position on industrial wind development in Meredith, but we found one statement very troubling:

"In search of a buck, at the expense of the public, Bachler arbitrarily replaced the board’s recommendation with one based on the developers’ wishes."

While we believe the ordinance Frank and the town board are supporting is totally contrary to the goals expressed in the Meredith Comprehensive Plan and certainly not in the best long-term interests of the town, we’ve never seen any evidence to suggest that Frank was doing this for money.

The only questionable thing we know of that Frank has actually done in this regard is to indicate _ in an article in The Daily Star back on Dec. 11 _ that "he favors" industrial wind development in Meredith, while at the same time "his own farm property is being considered as a site ... although he said he and his wife have not yet reached a decision."

If Frank were really just trying to make a buck, why would he be so open about acknowledging the offer of a contract from a wind developer? Frank may indeed be misguided or even totally misinformed about the supposed benefits of wind power, but it’s apparent to us that his beliefs are genuine and sincere. Mr. Lidsky does our cause a disservice by suggesting otherwise. Frank has done many good things for the town of Meredith over the years and deserves our respect, no matter how much we may disagree with his current plans for the town.

The right way to express that disagreement is not through unfounded accusations, but at the polls in November.

Bob Rosen
Meredith
Rosen is spokesman for Alliance for Meredith.

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Loyalty cards a pain, not fair

Life is getting much too complicated, and some retail merchants are making life more and more difficult to shop at their stores. A special card is needed when you pay for your purchase at some stores. Recently I tried to purchase a gallon of milk. However, my "reward card" was in our other car. I asked the manager if I had to pay a higher price because I did not have my card with me, and his prompt reply was, "Yup."

Actually, I need a purse to carry all the merchant loyalty cards issued to me. This is insanity!

Do these merchants actually think we all carry a wallet that can fit three dozen store cards, along with a debit card, a couple of credit cards, AAA Motor Club card, driver’s license and maybe a couple of dollars? By our using these cards, merchants keep track of our buying habits.

This whole situation is bothersome. It just adds one more burden in our already-very busy lives. Perhaps if someone will just issue a "Disadvantage Card" to those of us who are tired of being forced to keep track of all this and tired of hearing a sales clerk say, "Do you have your Rewards Card?" I have on more than one occasion had a good Samaritan in the checkout line allow me to use their card. Some store clerks have a "house card" to help those of us who forgot to bring the reward card.

Life if much too complicated to have to keep track of all these merchant loyalty programs. Why not just offer all customers a fair price and drop the silly cards? Put up a sign that says, "No loyalty card required."

Orlo Burch
Hartwick

Parents need to wake up and realize that kids by the fifth grade have been exposed to more sexual content and foul language by just being out in public in today’s society.

I believe James Benjamin did nothing wrong by showing the documentary to his students. I believe the Schenevus Central guidance counselor was clearly trying to see how his students reacted to what they see every day in marketing ads on TV, in music videos, and in magazines. I commend him for having tackled the issue that most won’t. When it comes to our sexuality, it becomes such a hush subject we just turn our heads and hope it goes away.

I am the parent of a son in the first grade. Here in Florida, they discuss sexual harassment as early as first grade. I believe tackling this subject and teaching kids at an early age on how to react to certain explicit images that they see on TV every day wouldn’t be a big issue when they get older. We preach to our kids about not smoking, saying no to drugs, and strangers. But we don’t take the time to talk to them and see how much they actually know and aren’t telling us!

Mr. Benjamin should get a raise for doing what parents aren’t doing, talking to their kids.

Chuck Barringer
Summerfield, Fla.
Barringer is a graduate of Schenevus Central, Class of ’95 and the father of two children.

The Internet headline read, "U.S. Navy Ships Fire on Northern Somalia Village." By what authority does the Bush administration order U.S. warships to spend our tax money bombarding Northern Somali villages?

Did the Congress debate and then pass a resolution declaring war on Somalia? With so much going on, perhaps I missed the debate. The administration has alleged the usual al-Qaida connection. Has anyone presented evidence that al-Qaida forces are in fact in the village?

Since it is a village, there are likely more than a few Somali villagers whose already-fragile existence is being blown to bits. The sons of those villagers will want their revenge; if they were not our enemies before, they are now. When will the Congress do its constitutional duty to protect this country from the lunatic policies and the illegal and immoral acts of the Bush administration?

Eugene Marner
Franklin

I would like to add my support of the Rev. Wright’s assertion that man co-existed a few thousand years ago with the dinosaur.

One need only to revisit the many inventions of one Professor Bernard Rubble to validate the Rev. Wright’s claims: The rock toaster with the tiny, fire-breathing dinosaur inside, the mastodon shower, and, of course, the majestic pterodactyl airplane.

I’m sure my brief reminders of our recent history will help build on the "Bedrock" of the Rev. Wright’s claims.

James A. Nefsey
Oneonta