Speakout: April 29, 2009

April 29, 2009 03:25 am

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School board
If I were on this school board, I'd pray next year never comes. Unchecked spending, a contract soundly criticized for its excess and disconnect from all reality has added up to a bill we taxpayers can't honor. Even forgoing these ridiculous raises and benefits won't save the teachers from layoffs. Being the sultans of self interest has seen its course, and refusing to reflect the will and needs of taxpayers reveals this board to be endemic, systematic and pernicious. We need to dismantle this board and create education we can afford.

Fuel oil
Fuel-oil customers were not complaining last year when they had a contracted price of up to $2 per gallon less than the going rate, but because their contracted price this year didn't benefit them, they want to blame the oil companies. Did the oil companies ask you to pay the higher price last year? No. They buy contracts of oil at a certain price, but they're greedy. How many years did you have a contracted oil price and you lost money? This is probably the first year. Give your oil company a break.

Left cat
To the family that just moved from Champlain to Rouses Point. If you couldn't take your cat with you, you could have at least given it up or tried to find a home for the cat. Instead, you just left the cat behind — shame on you for doing such a terrible thing to your pet. Maybe you should have been left behind without food and water.

Doctor
As this newspaper reflected on the value of the late and great Dr. Sobol, it leads this one citizen to also lend a shout-out to another great and compassionate community doctor and his staff from AuSable Forks. Dr. Richard Bremer has been treating his community and the North Country for decades now, and his genuine love for his patients and his community shows through and through each and every day. I am proud to call him my family doctor.

Web sites
Why is it that there are certain schools and public entities within our area who cannot seem to keep their Web sites up to date, especially details of meetings, agendas and minutes?

Military studies
I would like to publicly express disgust at a fellow classmate for writing an article for the Cardinal Points last week regarding the opposition of a military studies minor at PSU. Curriculum questions aside, this person's letter was filled with ignorance and hate speech directed toward military personnel. I sincerely hope that this misinformed person seeks out local veterans and thanks them for their service. After all, how else would he be able to spread hate while preaching for peace? Hypocrite.

Cartoon
Your April 20 editorial cartoon "American Idol," which shows an NRA member standing on a pile of skulls and worshiping a handgun, is fraudulent, inflammatory and insulting. There are a lot of men and women in your readership area that are members of the NRA, who enjoy hunting, clay and trap shooting, target shooting, etc. You even have an award-winning outdoors writer who puts together a popular Sunday page on hunting and fishing. We understand that you may be subscribed to a cartoon service over which you have no control, but you really should consider the public you're addressing.

Counseling
A word about the school counseling office. I would think that at a counseling office you could be greeted in a kind manner. People go in with concerns and issues, and the last thing they need is a rude greeter or someone who is not sensitive to people and their kids. Teens go through a lot, and it in no way should be allowed to be rude, cold or judgmental in an office of this nature. Smile — it doesn't cost anything, and it might make peace in the school counseling office.

Marriage
I'm not gay, so have no personal stake in the legalization of gay marriages. I think that a marriage is a marriage, whether it is between two heterosexuals or two homosexuals. If you love someone and want to spend the rest of your life with them, who is the government to tell them no? The law should be no different for anyone, regardless of their sexual preference. Two consenting adults should be able to be married if they wish to be.

Ballot
I totally agree that the government has no stake in legislating for or against gay marriage. Put it on the ballot, and let the people's voices be heard.

Rite
To the person who wrote about New York state passing legislation for gay marriage, you are right. Notice the spelling. Marriage is a religious rite, not a civil right. When you recognize the difference, maybe then society will recognize you. Until then, stay in school, and learn how to spell. It's Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve. Gay couples went to their government when the church said no. Proposition 8 in California, the people said no. 58 percent of New Yorkers said no. You're right, it's time for you to hear ... no means no.