Letters for April 29, 2008

April 29, 2008 08:05 am

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Citizens must support firms

Your editorial "Owners must know all options" on March 24 stated that downtown business owners may not be aware of support and grants available to them.

While I can't speak for others, had you done your homework, you would have learned that the Sego Cafe was the recipient of a $25,000 loan package from the city of Oneonta and was also recently approved for a $30,000 Facade Grant. Those financing packages were the direct result of the hard work of Mayor John Nader and Downtown Developer Jeff House. Both of those individuals not only supported the Sego Cafe and other downtown businesses through their official duties, but were frequent patrons. We owe them a debt of gratitude. Thank you!

Certainly, like many downtowns, there's no doubt that ours has its challenges. But Oneonta is better off than the vast majority of similar-sized cities. If blame is what you seek, we need to point a finger at ourselves. If the citizens of Oneonta want a vibrant downtown, then we have to stop driving an hour to avoid walking 300 feet. It's that simple. Let's stop bashing City Hall for problems of our own making.

Intimating that business people are naive and don't know what's available to them is an insult. The Sego Cafe closed for one reason. After a significant investment, and with the recent surge in food prices, we concluded that the business model would never provide an acceptable return. And contrary to what you suggest, we did turn over every rock looking for a solution. But sometimes businesses just don't work and investors have to make tough decisions. It's the law of the marketplace, and it's a good law.

To ask the government for a bailout of an unprofitable business model, is simply another form of taxation. And that's a bad business whether on Wall Street or Main Street.

Alan H. Cleinman

Oneonta

Cleinman is president of SEGO Management Inc.

Homosexuals

at greater risk

Thanks, The Daily Star, for publishing my letter of Feb. 1 opposing homosexual behavior. Some opposed publishing my letter. They don't realize most Americans, including the local population, are against homosexuality. But perhaps only my detractors' letters should be published. Glad they aren't the editors. They want me to listen. And I do. But when I speak, many head for the door, afraid they will hear a discordant tone. Those left tell me to shut up. I refuse.

One said I "... ha(ve) no idea that we are living in the 21st century and that many, if not most, homosexual men are in ...monogamous relationships." I can picture him in 208 Rome remarking, "Don't they know this is the third century?" as he passes Christians protesting the same immorality. Many male homosexual relationships are like an extreme open marriage, encouraging extra-partner relationships.

Another hypocritically accused me of "cherry picking" because I didn't mention more heterosexuals die of AIDS than homosexuals: 9,000 vs. 8,000. He also cited Jesus: "Let the one without sin cast the first stone." First, he failed to say the U.S. Census has homosexuals at 2 percent of the population. The proportion of their AIDS deaths is astronomically greater than heteros. Further, he threw stones at me! He also cherry-picked his Bible quote. Jesus confronted suffering and evil. After his resurrection. he told his disciples to encourage repentance ... and forgiveness. Incidentally, I'm not better than anyone. I seek God's forgiveness daily.

The CDC reported 450,000 male homosexual carriers. AIDS experts, however, agree it is under-reported by at least 35 percent. So, 607,000 are infected. The Census reports 2.1 million male homosexuals _ 29 percent then are infected.

We discourage loved ones from other behaviors with a much lower risk. So, why not this behavior?

Jerry Kabat

Oneonta

We must vote Democratic

In 1835, Alexis de Tocqueville's "Democracy in America" pointed out: "In a democracy, people get the government they deserve."

Anger and frustration are understandably emotional reactions to the continuing occupation of Iraq, but practical politics and a reasoned response will eventually be more productive. I consider my positions of supporting the Democratic candidates for president and Congress rational, pragmatic and politically savvy.

Voters are susceptible to being misled by those in the media who blame our politicians. In fact, those politicians represent the judgment of "we the people," and it's the informed or uninformed opinions of the people that determine the direction of our nation. Consequently, we get the government we deserve.

Former Sen. Mike Gravel made a very significant statement when he said: "There's only one thing worse than a soldier dying in vain. It's more soldiers dying in vain."

Gravel hopes to be selected as the Libertarian Party's candidate for president at their convention in May. He claims that there's no way Democrats are going to get us out of Iraq. Hopefully, we'll have an opportunity to determine if his prediction is accurate.

The harsh reality is that Gravel has zero chance of becoming the commander in chief and issuing the command to withdraw troops. I agree with Gravel's position on Iraq, but unfortunately, that is not where a majority of the American voters are at at this time. Gravel could enable McCain to become commander in chief, which would ensure four more years of American soldiers dying in vain. Our worst presidents are elected by good citizens who do not vote or vote irresponsibly.

Voters must coalesce behind Democratic candidates, who have tried to get us out of Iraq. Furthermore, Democratic candidates come closest to the views of angry and frustrated voters on a multitude of other important issues facing our nation.

Jim O'Leary

Delhi