Published: October 06, 2008 10:19 am         

Letters for October 06, 2008

McCain made poor pick for VP choice

When Eliot Spitzer met his sudden political demise, relatively few people across New York knew anything about the man who would replace him as governor. In the days that followed, any anxiousness about David Paterson was replaced by a general sense of relief. It turned out the new governor was respected on both sides of the aisle for his knowledge, ability and candor. Under difficult circumstances, the transition to new leadership was remarkably smooth. New York was lucky to have him waiting in the wings.

In his quest for the presidency, John McCain should have selected the equivalent of a David Paterson for his running mate, someone who could comfortably step onto the world stage. Seventy-two and with significant medical problems, he could have eased concerns about a successor, making it a non-issue. Instead, he chose Sarah Palin, a governor already under investigation for abuse of power who seems clueless about anything not directly related to Alaska. If seeing Russia out your back door means anything, not seeing the rest of your own country from up there means something too. Out of sight, out of mind.

Competent governance is what the country desperately needs. McCain keeps giving us reasons to doubt he could provide it.

Picking Palin is one. If he wins, we should all worry.

Peter Exton
Oneonta

Letter only fanned flames of hatred

I am shocked and disappointed that this paper would publish such a hysterical and mean-spirited letter such as that submitted by the Rev. Mitch Wright, printed on Sept. 26.

Of course we are all quite tense about the upcoming election, because what happens in the next 29 days will likely change the course of history. But neither Senator Obama nor Senator McCain are killers, of babies or otherwise. They are both honorable men, vying for a very difficult, thankless job. I cannot believe that a man of the cloth would stoop so low as to try to scare people into supporting his candidate, and that The Daily Star would be so irresponsible as to play right into his hands. And the emphasis on the “Hussein” middle name, clearly designed to scare people more, was the icing on the cake.

Will we next see letters accusing John McCain of being a “soldier-killer,” because he voted for a misguided war that has resulted in thousands of deaths of soldiers? I hope not. Although I support Barack Obama, I would never say such a thing about John McCain. I would never, ever want to take votes away from John McCain using this tactic.

The news media have an important job in this election, to bring out the issues and to encourage healthy debate.

However, you also have a responsibility not to fan the flames of hatred based on a person’s name, nor to facilitate manipulation of voters through fear. You have really let the community down this time.

Giulia Earle-Richardson
Oneonta

Discrimination at polling sites illegal

The editorial on Sept. 15, “Voters, try out new machines,” reported _ incorrectly _ voters will get to try optical scanners this November. There are no certified optical scanners available for use in New York state this year. The author is correct in saying the new machines, ballot marking devices or BMDs, can be used by anyone. BMDs allow a voter to indicate his or her choices by filling in a ballot using the accessible features that best suit the individual. After the choices are made, the BMD then prints out the ballot, which, according to the procedures written by New York State Board of Elections, gets counted at the polling site directly after the close of polls. BMDs only mark ballots; they cannot count votes.

The Sept. 18 correction made by Mr. Nicols, Otsego County Democratic Elections commissioner, further confuses the issue. Mr. Nicols says, “any voter may use the new machines,” but then indicates BMDs will “be set up only for handicapped use.” Deciding who votes on which machine is called segregation and is illegal. Will poll workers ask voters who want to use the BMD whether they have a disability? That is illegal.

Voters across the state reported BMDs in their polling sites on Primary Day were placed “over in a corner,” set up with “no privacy screen,” “not even plugged in” or “still covered.” Mr. Nicols’ idea of reducing delays by discrimination is appalling and is most likely a dodge to cover up the reality that most poll workers are not adequately trained on the BMD or informed of appropriate procedures.

New York has had several years to prepare for this change. Machine manufacturing delays and drawn-out certification procedures aside, there is no excuse for this ignorance to continue. Helen Benlisa
Oneonta
Benlisa is the Project HAVA coordinator for the Catskill Center for Independence.

`A Chorus Line’ a disappointment

I attended the Orpheus production of, “A Chorus Line” on Sept. 27 at Oneonta High School. Whoever chose this show to begin Orpheus’ 25th anniversary season surely chose a disappointing bummer.

The best thing I am able to say about the evening is that the actors performed well. Comments I heard after the show were “depressing” and “vulgar” to name a few. Are we so inured to shows on TV that we’ve become accepting of this caliber of so-called entertainment? I personally feel we should be outraged by the language and the costuming. I don’t think female rears’ hanging out are very attractive, not to mention that they looked very uncomfortable with material sticking in crevices! Minor disappointments were: 1. The music was so loud we couldn’t hear some of the dialogue, except for the vulgarities; and 2. Some of the dances were extremely long (Cassie’s in particular) so that they became boring.

I look forward to attending something better in the future.

Joyce B. Shultis
Maryland

Vote against every incumbent

Is it possible to laugh and cry at the same time? Just when you think that things couldn’t get worse _ they do. Only in America (where people are stupid enough) can you take taxpayers’ money and bail out corporate greed. Only in America can you find CEOs and other corporate executives who are inept and totally incompetent expecting to be paid bonus money and exorbitant salaries for doing a lousy job managing their corporations. Only in America does this need to be done in a hurry because we really don’t want the average taxpayer to realize just how bad this really is.

Only in America (where people are stupid enough) will they go to the polls on Election Day and vote these crooks back into office.

The solution? Vote every one of the incumbents out of office and let’s try to start with a clean slate. The new faces might get it right!

Henry F. Geerken
Worcester

Lambert right choice for judge

I’ll cast my vote for John Lambert for Otsego County judge this fall. I have known John for many years. He exemplifies dedication, knowledge and professionalism to any matter presented to him. John is fair, open-minded and impartial. His legal experience highly qualifies him to be elected to this important position.

My registration as a Democrat will not stop me from voting for this Republican in November. This candidate has all the qualifications to adequately fill this seat. John Lambert is the right choice.

Wayne Benjamin
Morris

A professional job at Orpheus musical

One reason I would welcome a play, other than a musical, from Orpheus, is the relative lack of great acting opportunities in a musical. In an exception, “A Chorus Line,” Jeremy Pichard as Zach, Lynn Sher as Cassie, and Benjamin Gartman took full advantage of roles that allow one, as they say, to chew up the scenery.

Abetted by Carleigh Bettiol’s sophisticated choreography, the production was ... what’s the adjective I want? ... oh, yes, pro.
Norma Hutman
Oneonta