Things of beauty

To the editor:

Recently there have been a number of articles in local publications about the wonderful new historical murals placed on the exterior of the Sullivan County Museum. I would like to take a moment to also draw attention to the beautiful stained glass window mural that graces the museum’s neighbor, St. Mary’s Church.

This work of art was painted by Hurleyville resident Ann Finneran, and I would like to take the opportunity to compliment her on a job well done. Not only is the stained glass absolutely stunning, but it contributes to the overall efforts to improve the aesthetic appeal of the Hurleyville museum complex.

I encourage anyone passing through the area to stop by and view these wonderful pieces, and to stop into the museum and enjoy all the history it has to offer.

Conflicts of interest

To the editor:

Last winter, there was a big controversy about Bob Goldsack’s wife being named the director of elections. There was at least one charge that Forbes and Caridi appointed her in order to get support from his political group, Taxpayers United (TU). If I remember correctly, Goldsack wrote to any paper that would print him that everything was on the up and up, and there was nothing unethical.

So yesterday, I picked up one of the county newspapers and saw that Taxpayers United is meeting on October 10 at 7:00 p.m. at the Pike County Administration Building, and that the only invited speakers are the three county commissioners, who hired Goldsack’s wife.

First, do the commissioners allow meetings of other political groups in the administration building? Would they allow a group that opposes them to meet there? Second, I am guessing that at the end of the night, TU will endorse those three candidates. Of course, if you go to the Forbes-Caridi website, you would see that Bob Goldsack has already personally endorsed Forbes and Caridi as a “school board director.” When did our school boards start doing that?

It looks like it is business as usual for Pike County this year. If the taxpayers of this county allow this stuff to continue, shame on us. Vote for someone else this year. If you are a Republican, your self-respect should demand it.

At last, a change in course

To the editor:

Thank you, Mr. Lockier, for clearing up what’s wrong with my country (see the letter “A nation’s falsehood” in the October 4 issue of The River Reporter.) I mean, it’s only logical that we extend the rights guaranteed to American citizens under the United States Constitution to the terrorists we capture. And, you’re right, let’s throw Blackwater on trial and shut down their operation in Iraq. We don’t need their security officials protecting vital interests. What an atrocity! We have better things to do here at home than defeating Al Qaeda, like socializing our health-care system and switching our light bulbs.

Mr. Pasquale, my appreciation for further enlightening me (see the letter “Peace is not that easy” in the same issue). In a conflict rooted in religious extremism, why the heck are we trying to eliminate those who want to kill us with our military? We just need to do as you suggest and send missionaries—Christian missionaries, of course, because we all know Christianity will be our only salvation.

Why don’t those Islamists over there get it? More ignorance, more intolerance and another crusade are just what we need! And my condolences to you for living on “this fallen planet amongst sinful people,” presumably in a country you detest equally. What’s stopping you from grabbing Matthew 24 and walking into a Baghdad market with it? Lead the way, Mr. Pasquale. Mr. Lockier and I will be right behind you.

I really think we’re onto something here, fellas. Let’s mail a copy of last week’s River Reporter to

Secretary Gates and declare a new strategy in the war on terror: undermine security operations in Iraq, grant due process to enemy combatants, drop the guns, pick up some Bibles, and send in the righteous missionaries. At last, a change in course.

Richard Saunders

Milford, PA