June 29, 2009 03:25 am
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Mission supported
TO THE EDITOR: Dear Press-Republican and readers of the North Country:
While I am deeply humbled and grateful for the kind words shared in the Cheers and Jeers column on June 8, 2009, I would like to personally thank the entire North Country for their support of the Mission of Hope.
Since the founding of the Mission of Hope more than 10 years ago, the generosity, volunteerism, compassion and donations have continued to sustain the Mission of Hope and its projects in education, healthcare, ecological and community development.
Without a doubt, there would have been no accomplishments or accolades shared had it not been for the wonderful North Country as well as the increasing numbers of people around the United States and other countries as well who give from their hearts to the Mission of Hope and those extremely disadvantaged in Nicaragua.
Those of us who live in this area know full well that "what we reap, we will sow"... and what has been reaped through the Mission of Hope and so many other wonderful humanitarian organizations is the reality that we are one human family — here in the North Country as well as in Nicaragua. What we have received as gifts, we should give as gifts. We have received the abundant blessings of friends and neighbors, have had our basic human needs met; and, our new awareness is that we can only change this world one heart at a time.
So, it is indeed, most appropriate that on behalf of everyone connected with the Mission of Hope, I extend a heartfelt thank-you to all of YOU! Because of you, our world is more just, more compassionate and more responsive to the needs of all our human family.
Thank you. Sincerely in Hope,
Sr. Debbie Blow, OP
Mission of Hope executive director
Plattsburgh
Respect, dignity
TO THE EDITOR: I wish to point out an event not reported by your paper.
The care taken by Planned Parenthood escorts during our May 28 prayer vigil was noteworthy. A level of respect between those keeping vigil and those showing courtesy to people walking in front of the clinic demonstrated to all who participated that we in the North Country can agree to disagree without resorting to destructive means.
Participants of both persuasions can be encouraged by this dynamic.
While abortion is an intrinsic evil, mastery of one person over another can never be justified.
Let us then agree to place our efforts, resources, energies and even our prayers at the disposal of those faced with a decision of life.
In our small city, our beloved North Country, we have much for which to be thankful, not the least of which is a great respect for the dignity of persons.
Dennis Monty
Altona
Tournament well done
TO THE EDITOR: As the Section 7 golf coordinator, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the people that made the Section 7 golf sectionals a success. The players, coaches and golf-course personnel made my job a lot easier as the tournament went off without a problem.
Thank you to the players, whose conduct and sportsmanship were commented highly on throughout the tournament. Thanks to the coaches and volunteers who helped mark for each group. It is because of these people that this tournament goes well each year.
The biggest thank-you has to go to Jim Conners and his staff at Saranac Inn golf course. The course was in great shape and provided a challenging but fair test for all the competitors. The deal that Jim gave to participants during practice rounds and for food during the tournament just shows what a great supporter Jim is of high school golf. His staff was very accommodating to all the players and coaches. We couldn't have a great tournament without this kind of support.
Congratulations to PHS for winning the team sectional title and the nine players who qualified for states. You represented Section 7 with class at the state tournament in Ithaca. I look forward to seeing a lot of returning players at the 2009 sectional tournament.
Chris Dubay
Section 7 golf coordinator
Peru
Cartoon a mistake
TO THE EDITOR: The Press-Republican chose to publish a cartoon equating the murder of a doctor by an acknowledged urban terrorist with the legal medical practice of abortion.
The position taken by the most radical of anti-abortion groups has been to justify murders, assaults and bombings as deserved punishment for breaking what they define as "God's law."
Carried to their illogical extreme that's a go-ahead for anyone or any group to commit murder and mayhem if they believe they've received God's special permission to break the law and the Ten Commandments. Anyone with strong belief may become judge, jury, and executioner. That's al-Qaida's idea of morality.
Presenting that cartoon as representing one side in a reasonable exchange of ideas was at best a mistake; at worst an encouragement to fanatics and lunatics to break down the rule of law.
Religious leaders including "Right to Life" groups have decried this murder as an outrageous distortion of their message. There is no justification from anyone but rabble rousers.
To make things worse, an editorial, claiming to be neutral and balanced, defends publication of that cartoon as merely presenting the opinion of a vocal group of citizens. In fact the Press-Republican has taken sides with a fringe group who act against the very principles of their own church.
Perhaps the editor should consider whether he would publish a cartoon of Right to Life demonstrators praying outside Planned Parenthood with a giant image of a gunman or bomber in the background. He would reject it out of hand as beyond the bounds of decency.
Think about it, Mr. Editor. A graceful admission that the paper was wrong might help to restore your reputation as an honest broker and publisher of what the Times used to call "All the news that's fit to print."
Noreen Lobdell
Plattsburgh
Great luck, and friends
TO THE EDITOR: Only in this wonderful part of the world can one be so proud to call so many neighbors and friends, and mean it. We want to thank each and every one of you for your help, concern, texts, e-mails and prayers during our absence to North Carolina for a family emergency.
If that wasn't enough to be thankful for, there was the harsh wind storm that claimed the giant spruce tree in our front yard. We thank the Lord for it falling with a twist and only the tips of the branches barely grazing our house.
What really brought us to tears was returning home to see only the stump and no tree or mess to clean up. Where else in this great land can you have friends that cut, move and chip such a large tree and even rake your lawn so you have no worries to return home to?
Only here, and we are so proud to live here!
A very special thank you to Pete, Jan and Ken Sayward, as well as Doc Bonfante and D.J. & John for the chipper work.
Win and Polly Belanger
Willsboro
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