Published: July 09, 2009 10:34 pm      

Letters to the Editor: July 9, 2009

Sears not watching same fight as most

While reading Tom Sears' column of June 23, I am reminded of the judging of the boxing competition at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, South Korea. After hearing the scores, one wondered, "Were these guys watching the same fight I watched?"

In calling for the president's impeachment, you question his eligibility to hold the office? That's the best you can come up with? You think his foreign policy is influenced by Bill Ayers and the Rev. Wright. That's the best you can do? The Black Panthers? C'mom, Tom, the '60s are over. It's a new world now with new problems that require innovative solutions.

You criticize President Obama for referring to the U.S. as a secular nation when the Constitution dictates that there be no state-supported religion, while all are free to practice the religion of their choice. But, that's not good enough for Tom and the Christian Taliban.

You accuse the president of unnecessarily running up the budget deficit and of trampling on the Constitution, both of which were trademarks of the previous administration, your heroes. The Bush tax cuts for the wealthy cost more than the health care reform we need, which is expected to cost $1 trillion over the next 10 years. This represents three percent of the expected health care cost in that period. Providing health care to all, while forcing the insurance companies to compete for our business, is not socialism. That should be the goal of any civilized nation; plus, it's good business that will ultimately save us money.

Those who supported the Bush regime's policies of torture, wiretapping and detainment without trial display unparalleled hypocrisy when they accuse the president of undermining our Constitution.

Fortunately, 70 percent of Americans approve of the president and are watching the same fight I'm watching.

Mark Lavine

Cooperstown

More pay phones needed in Oneonta

Another Fourth of July has come and gone. What does this mean to me? I'll tell you.

I have gone to Neahwa Park for the Fourth of July for the past three years. I don't have a cell phone. I can't afford one. Why is it there are no pay phones in the park? One year, I became very sick from the heat and had to ask a police officer to call a taxi cab for me.

I also went to the ball park looking for a pay phone. They had no pay phones either. I only know of two pay phones in Oneonta, one near 125 Main St., and the other at Southside Mall. This sure is a funny city.

Frances Monroe

Oneonta