Election to take back our country
It's been a long time coming and now it's here.
After eight years that have seen our standing in the world and economy decline, while our budget deficit and casualties increased, the choice is clear. Change or more of the same.
On Sept. 2, Tom Sears wrote that the Republican vice presidential choice clinched the election. Senator McCain would have us believe only he can protect America in today's dangerous world. Yet, his choice has no experience outside Alaska and no foreign policy experience. She can, however, hunt and fish. Why Sarah Palin? Because she is on the right side of the God, guns and gays issues, the same criteria used by the Bush/Cheney junta in making Justice Department appointments.
Why Sarah Palin? Because it is hoped she will attract disenchanted Clinton supporters, which patronizes and demeans all women, considering Palin's opposition to a woman's right to chose when to bear a child. Those who vote based on these narrow social issues would never vote for a Democrat, while most Americans realize that serious problems are not solved by religion, guns or discrimination, but by dedication, hard work and a new approach to government. That's why we will win.
This election is no longer a campaign. It is a movement of America's people to take back our nation that has been created and supported by common citizens, many not previously involved in the political process. As Senator Obama said: We are a better people and a better nation than the world has seen these last eight years. That's why we will win.
Mr. Sears, change is coming in 2009. Get used to it. As for me, I will be at the Nokia Theater at Times Square on Nov. 6, celebrating with Phil Lesh and Friends. Don't expect I'll see you there.
Mark Lavine
Cooperstown
Nursing classes not convenient
Tuesday's story on the aging of upstate mentioned lack of qualified medical staff to meet the needs of a growing aged population in New York state.
One of the biggest problems in this area is lack of educational opportunities for motivated adult students in the field of nursing. I would very much love to go back to school to be a nurse. As a woman in my 30s, I have a good 30-plus years to devote to working before retirement. However, I have small children at home and a husband with a full-time job. Therefore, my educational choices are limited.
The State University College of Technology at Delhi has an excellent nursing program, but even though I only need the nursing courses (I already have a four-year degree), I would still need to be on campus four or five days per week, sometimes right in the middle of the day.
Hartwick also has an excellent reputation for educating nursing students. However, while some of its classes are at reasonable hours (and more convenient for me, as I live in Oneonta), it has no "part-time" option. Upon inquiring, I was told that if I wanted to take the classes on a per-credit basis it would cost me more than $900 per credit! Full-time tuition is more than $30,000 per year and unobtainable for many in our area.
Bassett Hospital has several wonderful programs that promote nursing education, but you must already be enrolled at SUNY Delhi or Hartwick to participate. What is needed in this area is a qualified nursing program for "career-changers" like myself that can be attended around the life of a busy family, such as nights, weekends and online classes.
Juliana Hanbridge
Oneonta
Return Seward to Albany
During these times of political unrest and a general feeling of mistrust, it is comforting to know that there still remains a man of irreproachable integrity and high ethics such as James Seward. We need to re-elect this man who has had many years of experience as our New York state senator. He has been responsible for many changes in both local and statewide economical development.
When our area was devastated by the floods of 2006, it was Senator Seward who was very instrumental in helping many local people put their lives back together.
It was the position of my late husband, Derwood Lifgren, founder and owner of Astrocom Electronics, to always be a great supporter of Senator Seward. His business world occasionally had issues concerning state, county and local government where he would call upon Senator Seward for his assistance. He was always accessible, willing and able to help solve the problem.
It is so important for all of us, especially during these trying times, to make sure that we have people in these positions that we can trust and depend upon.
Therefore, I write this letter of support without any hesitation. James Seward is a man who cares about his job and the people he represents.
Beth Lifgren
Emmons
Vengeance on Republicans?
Three years ago, the Rev. Pat Robertson, the Rev. Jerry Falwell and others of their ilk, opined that their vengeful Old Testament God visited Katrina on New Orleans because of its licentiousness (never mind that the French Quarter, the source of their complaints, was left unscathed by the hurricane).
Now that New Orleans was impacted by Gustav to coincide with the Republican Convention, I wonder if those worthy prelates will say that their same God is wreaking vengeance on the Republicans for their mishandling of the Katrina disaster. That would be a social message worth hearing.
John A. Rudy
Cooperstown
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