Giving too much credence to impeachment

To the editor:

As a recent subscriber to your paper, I have tolerated your liberal slant on the editorial page on a regular basis. But we are all entitled to our opinions, and as long as you limit it to that page, I don’t mind. I was a little more irritated with the constant theme of radical environmentalism seen in most every edition, and began to question your ability to impartially report the news.

Then the August 9 issue made me realize that you, like so many of your ilk in the media, can’t handle that vital public trust. In it you gave unwarranted attention and false credence to an anti-American left-wing group that, despite how you attempted to inflate and exaggerate it, represents a small percentage of our population that would support the impeachment of the President and Vice-President. A long article, previewed from the cover, in which you helped these radicals perpetuate a national subversion of our government and military. This is not responsible and ethical journalism, nor is it being a responsible American, especially in a time of war.

Maybe that was business as usual where you came from at CNN, Mr. Mayer, but I will not stand it in the local press. I expect the kind of nonsense I read from them and the New York Times, not a paper like yours that could be a great asset to the local area. You have done a grave disservice to your community and country with your lack of editorial discretion.

Do you actually want us to win this war? Through your unfair coverage of this issue, you and your paper are undermining our war effort where brave men and women, many from this community, are dying for our freedom. The media has become one of the biggest enemies of the public interest, and you should be ashamed to be a part of that. And you printed the actual impeachment petition, which has a measly 174 signatures (that doesn’t seem like 45 percent of the population). I’m sure I speak for most of your readers when I thank you for using this much space to further the “impeachment movement.” What a great local newspaper.

Where are the stories about local military families coping with their sacrifice as their children fight for our freedom? When will you start honestly reporting local news and not deceitfully preaching to your readers about this ludicrous national issue? I’d say it is our duty to marginalize these insane zealots, not recruit them. What disdain you have for this country and those who serve it.

When we do win this war, I can proudly tell my grandchildren that I stood on the side of victory—sadly, you and this shameful paper cannot. Apology not accepted.

Delaware County needs to step up

To the editor:

On June 19, 2007, the Spring Brook Valley of County Route 7, State Route 206 was hit by a massive flash flood that killed four people. The damage was devastating, but the greatest devastation is the letdown we are getting from our government.

First, FEMA denied any help to the individuals that were damaged by the flood. Now our local government is letting us down by giving us no help. At a recent town meeting for the victims, we were told that not a penny of town money would be spent to help rebuild private property. The damages suffered range from $25,000 to upwards of $300,000. We have six houses that were completely destroyed, either washed away or split in half.

The citizens of Delaware County have held practically no fundraisers or other functions to help. They held a fundraiser for one family, which is wonderful, but what about the rest of us affected, at least 40

families? Sullivan County/Roscoe has put together a committee of volunteers who have held a clothing and household goods drive, a tag sale, and an upcoming auction. One local businessman held a spaghetti dinner; another held a concert. There is a poker run planned and a benefit happy hour by other local businesses. A car dealer is donating a portion of all car sales for the month, and a bus company plans on matching that donation.

But yet nothing is coming from the county where are houses are located. I have started a letter and email drive to everyone I know to please send funds to the Roscoe Flood Relief Fund, c/o M&T Bank, Stewart Ave., Roscoe, NY 12776.

When things happen in other countries we are the first to send aid and get involved, but when it is our own who are suffering we can’t be bothered.

County block party gets great support

To the editor:

The Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce recently hosted its first Sullivan County Block Party at the Town of Thompson Park. I saw a lot of familiar faces and hope that everyone enjoyed the event. It was terrific to see the networking and intermingling of so many different groups and people from all over the county.

I am writing this letter to publicly thank the groups that made this event a success. They are: the committee (Guy, Charlene, Chanel, Ellen and Nicole, who put the event together and spent months in planning); the booth exhibitors (both chamber member businesses as well as non-profit volunteer organizations and government agencies); the bands, PartyMaster (for the children’s rides) and the food vendors; and the chamber staff (Terri, Lisa and Ken), who were the real energy behind the event on a day-to-day basis.

I also want to give special thanks to Daytop for providing us with 12 terrific volunteers for the day to help with everything from event set-up and break-down to traffic direction to general assistance throughout the course of the day. I am constantly reminded of the tremendous resources and assets that we have in Sullivan County, and would strongly encourage other groups in search of good volunteer labor to consider using Daytop for their next project/event.

Signs of hope

To the editor:

Since I moved here three years ago I have seen four disastrous floods, fires and tragic deaths, but most memorable of all I have seen a community of wonderful people who volunteer to help others in all ways. But I also see a lot of pain in Sullivan County amongst these beautiful people. I see low church attendance, confusion about faith and spirituality, hate-filled peace rallies, divorce rates at about 50 percent, with living together replacing marriage or worse, dead-beat dads, drug use, alcoholism, teens with multiple body piercings, teen pregnancies, criminal gang activity on the rise and youths afflicted with sexually transmitted diseases. But I also see a solution for these problems.

My family attended the last night of a Vacation Bible School (VBS) held from July 30 to August 3 at Rotary Park in Livingston Manor. It was put on by Child Evangelism Fellowship along with Willowemoc Baptist Church. I encourage them and praised them for their efforts. I had tried to pull together an event in Livingston Manor like the one I did in April in Callicoon, in which about 50 youth and adults and three churches participated, but my efforts were to no avail. However, this VBS may have opened a door to develop the knowledge and experience of “true love” in the youth of this community.

As the Beatles put it, “All you need is love.” But what is and who is love? The Holy Bible states in “the wedding verse,” “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, and it keeps no record of wrongs, love does not delight in evil but rejoices in truth. Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres; love never fails.” (1 Corinthians 13.) That is what love is. But who is love? God is love.

God bless America, one nation under God.