May 11, 2008 04:00 am
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&letterheadĀNo pets' clause
TO THE EDITOR: Animal shelters locally and nationwide are constantly encouraging to adopt a pet and give them a chance for a good life in a good home.
My question is what if you can offer a pet a good life and you are not a homeowner and you already have a pet and for unforeseen reasons you have to move? It is nearly impossible to rent anywhere because all rental agreements have a "no pets" clause. I wish landlords would assess each tenant's background and allow pets for people who know how to treat and take care of their animals. Some pets have been with their owners for a very long time and are considered family members. And, when it comes to the elderly, pets are considered very therapeutic.
Pets and people are suffering. What can be done about this?
Melissa Brown
Plattsburgh
&letterheadVoting for a hero
TO THE EDITOR: The Democrats have plans for the war. Obama says he will wave the white flag and pull out the troops in 90 days. What then?
Iraq will fall to al-Qaida just as South Vietnam fell 33 years ago. There is a difference, though. North Vietnam and Red China did not threaten Israel and the U.S.A. with annihilation publicly. Al-Qaida has done just that. North Vietnam and Red China did not behead American newsmen and not even the South Vietnam survivors were executed. Al-Qaida did that just yesterday, kidnapping the unarmed archbishop of Mosul, just for being a Christian and actually siding with the pro-Western local government and casting his body by the side of the road as garbage.
Sen. Clinton apparently is not quite as rash as Obama, but will do essentially the same thing but just take a year to do it instead of 90 days. Methinks she'll get the same results.
In November, it will be your turn to vote. Vote for surrender in Iraq. Vote for tax increases -- an all-time record tax increase at that. Vote for bridges to nowhere. Vote for sex scandals in the Lincoln bedroom presided over by a madam. Vote for global warming lies raising corporate expenses and possibly costing you your job. Vote for "Travelgate" scandals. Vote for bribery money to be concealed in freezers in Louisiana by Democrat congresspersons like Jefferson. Vote for tax money to be spent on prostitutes by your governor. Vote Democrat and continue these things.
But as for me and my house we will vote for a brave hero who is qualified by actual experience to be commander-in-chief. A man even tested by torture who would not and will not compromise my country's principles.
James Knapp
Plattsburgh
&letterheadMcCain's lead
TO THE EDITOR: Aggravated by high gasoline prices and skyrocketing food costs? Looking for someone to blame?
Start with Democrat Gov. David Paterson and the Democrat-controlled New York State Legislature, which impose a staggering 44.5-cent-per-gallon tax on gasoline, which is the highest in the nation. Disgraced former-governor, Eliot Spitzer, also a Democrat, had plans to increase it even more.
When added to the 18.4-cents-per-gallon tax, Democrats Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid and the Democrat-controlled U.S. Congress tack on, the total is an astounding 62.9 cents per gallon. Not to be outdone, the Essex County legislature adds about 2.25 percent tax per gallon, which means that the more the price of gasoline increases, the more taxes you pay.
Meanwhile, the "evil, greedy" oil companies make between 8 and 13 cents per gallon in "obscene" profits. (I had to laugh last week at the congressional hearings in which sanctimonious committee nitwits who have all the economic expertise of the manager of Bulgarian shoe factory grilled oil company executives about "excessive" profits.)
Republican presidential candidate John McCain has proposed a Memorial Day to Labor Day "gas tax holiday," which would eliminate the federal tax during that period of time.
Conspicuous so far by their silence on the idea are Democrat presidential candidates Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama, and Speaker of the New York State Assembly Sheldon Silver. Let's see if any of these people will follow McCain's lead.
Gas taxes are just one of many reasons why New York needs to get (and keep) power away from Democrats.
Ted Hohn
Willsboro
&letterheadThanks to life savers
TO THE EDITOR: On April 18 while returning from an outing to the casinos at Akwesasne, my wife and I were involved in what could have been a fatal accident.
For reasons known only to others, a car turned directly in front of us. I didn't have time to react, it happened so fast. Thankfully, we were wearing our seat shoulder belts. Both air bags deployed also. If it wasn't for these safety devices, I don't think I would be writing this.
First on the scene were a young man and woman. They identified themselves as lifeguards with first-aid training. They asked us questions and assured us help was on the way.
My wife and I would like to thank all who came to our aid, the two young people, the EMTs who treated us on the scene, the ambulance crew and all the doctors, nurses and medical technicians at CVPH.
To all who read this, wear your seat and shoulder belts. Driving is a full-time job. Be sure and treat it that way. All involved in this accident dodged a bullet that day, especially the young person in the passenger seat of the other vehicle.
Again, thanks to all who came to our aid.
Bob and Mary Melhorn
Peru
&letterheadNo respect, courtesy
TO THE EDITOR: After attending the Good Friday prayer service at Planned Parenthood, I felt bad that people unable to attend received no written report of the event. The Press-Republican was present. Was the problem lack of space in the reduced size of the newspaper or was there some other reason for its absence?
To try to fill in, it appeared that there were many more prayer people than usual at the service. Yet, the Apostles for Life did not receive the use of the six parking spaces as permitted. I was told that early Friday morning, cars were occupying some of the spaces. Our city policemen were called three times, asked to find the owners and asked to have the cars removed. Nothing happened. And I guess the orange barriers were not put in place. We were squashed against cars, trying to stay out of the street.
Again this year, the Stations of the Cross proceeded without incident except for the subtle (?) harassment by the escorts and many blue-shirted supporters of Planned Parenthood who apparently were supposed to support or protect their clients. We saw none enter the building. I was embarrassed for the guards, exhibiting their rude and childish actions which obviously were no credit to themselves or to our community. Again, they walked around, talking, laughing, waving many signs in the air. A couple of them intermittently walked up and down between our lines.
Can you imagine what would happen if the Apostles for Life went to Trinity Park, stood behind the anti-war protestors, waving many signs, jumping up and down, trying to be seen in the camera lens, as protest leaders were trying to speak, being interviewed by the news media? This is exactly what the blue shirts did on Brinkerhoff Street.
And the Press-Republican video was more of their same style, more about Planned Parenthood than about the event taking place. It makes you wonder what has happened to courtesy, respect and fairness.
Jann Shambo
Plattsburgh
&letterheadĀFlorence' was there
TO THE EDITOR: I would like to give a big "thank you" to a lovely young nurse whom I shall call "Florence Nightingale" as it is the best I can do in that department.
I was situated on foot on my way to Lake Forest Senior Living Community. For some unknown reason, my gait had been reduced from a stride to a shuffle. Suddenly the thought of navigating the "round-about" as a pedestrian now became impossible.
A car pulled up beside me and a lovely young woman stated that she was a nurse and recognized the fact that I was having difficulty walking. She volunteered to help me out and five minutes later we were at our destination. I thanked her but not as profusely as I might have.
I understand that being a nurse, she recognized the situation as a problem, but to me she was a true "Florence Nightingale." I was met at the door by our own maintenance foreman who then came to my assistance but his name wasn't Florence. I was most grateful the way my venture was successful.
Bruce McEwan
Plattsburgh
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