Where is our leadership?

To the editor

As an American and voter I am completely disgusted with our current government leadership. This nation is quite possibly on the way to self-destruction.

Bush took us to war with no justification, and the senators and representatives went along with him and with his leadership. Why?

The job situation is critical—so critical that many have stopped looking for work. Yet, the House lawmakers took their automatic two-percent pay raise, amounting to $3,000. How is that right?

We need security, but not at the cost of the type of dictatorship that is being put in place now. Why is it that no one in government challenges this? As far as I can see, the government now is not “by the people” because the people’s representatives, the legislative branch, gives in constantly to the executive branch. Part of the system of checks and balances is the requirement that the Senate approve presidential appointments, but the president has found tricks to bypass this system.

The Iraq War was wrong, and a lot of brave men and women have died. So let’s honor their deaths and end the war honorably. When our president says, “let’s go to war,” let’s be sure it’s necessary before following him. Let’s be a nation that is looked up to, and not down on, as we are now.

Let’s not give the government and our leadership complete control of our nation. Get involved and help correct the problems. Write to our government officials let them know when they are doing a good job and when they are not. Remember, we put them in office and we can vote them out. Speak up before we can’t and a dictatorial government speaks for us.

Bill Lunderberg

Dingmans Ferry, PA

A plea for the museum

To the editor

As a volunteer at the Sullivan County Historical Society Museum and Archives for the past 15 years, I have witnessed the growth of both the museum and archives. The value of the museum and of the research capacity of the archives has grown immensely.

The society’s archives, reading and research room with its genealogical section have provided research material to many people. Numerous researchers have visited or contacted the archives with a variety of inquires of all aspects of Sullivan County history. These people arrive and visit the building regularly. They come from local towns, New York State and many other states. Some have even visited us from foreign countries and Canada. Our visitors add much to the economy of this county.

Sullivan County history is important to many individuals. Our holdings include a vast collection of records, genealogical aids, artifacts, collections and many contributions of various people. All our inventory pertains to the early history of our county.

Please, oh please, help to preserve the home of the Sullivan County Historical Society, The Catskill Art Society, The Dramatic Workshop and The Frederick Cooke Society. The building holds many valuable artifacts. The museum and archives are a popular attraction to both residents and non-residents alike.

We receive no public aid. Our only help is the maintenance and upkeep of the building provided for in the budget of the Department of Public Works. Our historical society and its volunteers have spent countless hours organizing and providing research materials to accommodate persons of worldwide origin. Our historical programs and facilities are free and open to all. Please, don’t force the closing of the Sullivan County Museum building in Hurleyville.

Charlotte Osterhout

Liberty, NY

Sullivan County at the crossroads

To the editor

Recently I have been attending the video series presentation by Dr. Charles Stanley entitled “America at the Crossroads.” I have learned that this country is being pulled out from “under God” and His protection and blessings toward judgment.

The Supreme Court once looked to God to interpret the laws and worked with the other branches of our government, but now five out of nine people have become the “Supreme” rulers of this country and legislate from their benches, often to the detriment of this great nation.

Many of us have forgotten that early European settlers came to America for religious and political freedoms. Yet there is a great political push from the left to put us under international rule. We have seen how this could even affect our own Sullivan West schools with regard to the International Baccalaureate program.

Where has the Jewish and Christian faith of grandma and grandpa gone in Sullivan County? I was raised Catholic and have had a strong Protestant Methodist influence in my family as I grew up. My grandmothers taught me how to pray, to trust Jesus, to respect others, and not to curse. I rebelled against my family’s Christian heritage as a teen and young man only to find myself sowing and reaping immorality, and the penalty was emotional, mental and physical pain and suffering. Sullivan County: it is time to return to the cross.

If you are a Christian and attend a church that thinks that holding a rummage sale or a chicken barbeque is evangelizing then please, I respectfully ask you to wake up. Be filled with the power of the Holy Spirit and go out and love your neighbor. Please e-mail me at JPtherapy@hvc.rr.com or call me at 845/665-1918.

J.P. (John) Pasquale

Livingston Manor, NY