9/23/2010

County Hinchey has broken up extended families because children cannot find jobs. Heller, writing from one of his two residences, makes clear that Hincheynosis has been good to him because he can enjoy beautiful views, free of pesky, lower class peasants who disagree with his progressive, Democratic Party religion and might run power saws that disturb him. As well, Heller considers me a simplistic "true believer" because I disagree. For Hinchey and Heller, politics is a religion and all who disagree must be damned.
In Natural Right and History (p. 184) Leo Strauss adumbrates the origin of the left's religious commitment to the state. It arises from the foundation of liberalism. Hobbes built on Machiavelli and converted the biblical notion of a state of pure nature and the fall with a possibility of grace to the Enlightenment notion of a state of nature characterized by natural right and the liberal equivalent of grace, a natural rights-based civil society. Building on Strauss's interpretation of Hobbes, the left's religious faith in the state travels through Hegel's providential laws of history to Marx's teleological messianism. The Bismarckian welfare state that was based on the socialization of Christianity and preceded Nazism by 40 years came to America through institutionalists (today called progressives) like Richard T. Ely and John R. Commons. Progressivism integrated the social Gospel with German historicism and American Populism, and when combined with Marx's atheism produced a new religion of state worship. This religion that Mr. Heller advocates suggests that any human activity is immoral and that nature must be preserved for the elite, of which he considers himself a member. Heller adduces proof of his elite status: his friendship with the publisher of the Adirondack Daily Enterprise.
The eviction of the average person from his home in order to provide aesthetically pleasing environments for the affluent and the super-rich has been part of the left's catechsim ever since the residents of Olive were evicted from the Ashokan and then the New York Times supported Robert Moses's eviction of one sixteenth of New York City residents. Today New York City reflects the flowering of this value system. Only the super rich, of whom Mr. Heller approves because they agree with him about Hinchey, can afford to live in Manhattan after eleven decades of taking advice from the Ochs Sulzbergers, who undoubtedly would also call my views simplistic.
Mitchell Langbert, Ph.D.
West Shokan, NY
Dear Editor,
I agree with Mitchell Langbert, PhD, that the Democratic party and the Republican party "are both marionettes of big business." (I would've said "corporate stooges," but that's a mere semantic difference in taste.) Yet it is clear that, nationally, big business considers the Republicans to be more reliable, or at least less distracted by other matters - follow the money.
Which brings me to my big problem with Mr. Mitchell's expressed views: He seems mostly to be motivated by anger at the Democrats. Not that there's anything inherently wrong with that; I've been mad at the Democrats since the 1970s. (Us Irish can hold a grudge for 400 years.) But I've been mad at Republicans, too, since the 1990s.
I urge a more nuanced view. Locally, I see no problem with being mad at Democrats, especially if they've held power recently. Statewide,I'm a bit split. I'm glad that the Democrats took the State Senate, and it's too soon to boot them. Remember all the waste that Bruno's boys had larded up? Like the private tv studio, for Republican Senators only? Yoiks! However, I would love to see the Republicans take the Assembly for the same reason. And it may be the only way to get rid of that awful Silver guy.
Nationally I'm still mostly mad at the Republicans. We've only just started cleaning up their mess, and there's no indication that they'd even try if put back in charge. They need a longer time out. I admit that I'm rather conservative about money and budgets, but I think the Republicans are less conservative about such things than the Democrats are. Remember how blithely they piled up the debts? I sure do.
All the Glenn Beck talk about radical socialism is utter nonsense. Boob bait for Bubbas. President Obama is a perfectly ordinary center-left Democrat. He ran as one, and he's governing as one. I wish he'd show more anger, but I understand why he doesn't: Angry Black Man Scary.
Gus Murphy
Brooklyn, NY
Dear Editor,
I received my annual Onteora School Tax Bill. Twas an innocuous envelop yet my heart raced as I timidly opened it. There it was, just as foretold, an amount 3.8% greater than last year; in my case now approaching the $2,000 mark.
Despite their protestations to the contrary those in charge of the district budget must think outside the box and find innovative ways to cap/reduce this increasingly strangling economic burden. Those who are lucky enough to be employed aren't seeing anything like 3.8% pay hikes and those on fixed incomes are drowning.
Our NYS representatives are vocalizing roaring silence on the issue and are offering their constituents nothing but the same old business as usual political indifference. Being a fair minded chap I look forward to returning the favor on Election Day and will cast my vote for anyone but the incumbent.
Bob Nielsen
Boiceville, NY
Dear Editor,
The Republicans want credit for American troops leaving Iraq after seven years of war. Although it's a false narrative, they claim "the surge" is why combat troops can now leave - even with more than 50,000 still stationed there and Iraq in ruins. Since Republicans are yearning for credit - let's give them credit where credit is really due:
-For the Republicans' abject failure to prevent the terrorist attacks on 9-11...on the Bush/Cheney watch, while spending billions of dollars on intelligence services. Give the Republicans credit for failure to "connect the terrorism dots."
-For starting an illegal war of aggression against Iraq based on lies. Iraq was a sovereign nation that never attacked us, had no weapons of mass destruction, had no Al-Qaeda, and had nothing to do with the 9-11 terrorist attacks. After WWII these wars of aggression were declared war crimes. Give the Republicans credit for shamelessly following Hitler's example.
-For a foreign invasion that sparked the Iraqi civil war in which nearly 4,500 US troops have died with more than 32,000 grievously wounded while over 100,000 (conservative estimate) Iraqis have been killed and four-million made refugees. Give the Republicans credit.
-For overseeing a system in Iraq and Guantanamo that tolerated and even encouraged torture. Give the Republicans credit.
-For overseeing both the robbery of billions of U.S. dollars in Iraq and the looting of our economy by the largest banks and corporations at home. Give the Republicans credit.
-For costing taxpayers over three trillion dollars for the Iraq war and its consequences. Give the Republicans credit.
-For privatizing military, intelligence, and governmental services while accelerating and subsidizing corporate power which rewards sending jobs overseas and pushes working Americans to the bottom of the economic pile. Give the Republicans credit.
-For bailing out their biggest Wall Street buddies while the rest of us flounder, like New Orleans after Katrina. Give the Republicans credit for the highest unemployment since the Great Depression.
-For continuing their efforts to privatize Social Security and for trying to grab more of our hard-earned savings for gambling by the Wall Street banksters. Give the Republicans credit.
-For tirelessly working for 30-years to gut needed financial regulations and for recklessly driving the world economy into massive failure. Give the Republicans from Reagan through Bush credit.
Give the Republicans credit for decades of malfeasance and financial mayhem, but don't give them (or their Tea Party stalking horses) any votes. If they win in November, sadly we'll end up giving them credit for even more of their failures. Share your own "credit-due" list with us by way of this and other area newspapers.
Tobe Carey
Glenford, NY
Dear Editor,
As a member of the 98 percent of Americans who are not part of the corporate elite, I am deeply concerned and alarmed at what is happening, and what is about to happen to our Democracy in the up coming mid term elections. It is very clear that since the U.S. Supreme Court decision in the 'Citizens United' case, corporations now have the power and resources to control the outcome of any election they choose. 'One person, one vote' becomes a joke when the media is overwhelmed with corporate money. The only answer to this for the rest of us is a constitutional amendment reversing 'Citizens United.' Moveon.org is sponsoring a 'Fight Washington Corruption Pledge' that promises just that, and much more. It is a stand against corporate corruption, and for fair and honest elections. With over five million members nationwide, and many active local chapters in New York State, Moveon.org is working hard to ensure that the coming midterm elections reflect the true concerns and needs of the people of New York, the 98 percent not represented by corporate money. Senator Gillibrand and Congressman Hinchey (and over 185 other candidates) have already signed on, and we need Senator Schumer to do the same, and take a public stand against corporate corruption.
Ed Maestro
Rosendale, NY
Dear Editor,
I first came to the Catskills in 1980 via Woodstock and have had a home in Phoenicia since 1997. I have found one thing that is a continuing annoyance up here in the Catskills. Houses here are far from stores, doctors and dentist offices, jobs etc. It is very difficult, especially if you have little children like I do, to travel to all these places. When you have a place to go, like a doctor or dentist office, a person should be able to expect to leave their home, travel the posted speed limit and arrive at the destination at the correct time. Unfortunately, there are members of our community who are either unable to travel the posted speed limit, or who take some perverse pleasure in driving well below the speed limit for the purpose of exerting control over and aggravating the driver(s) behind them. Many of the roads here do not have passing zones and cars are backed behind such drivers for miles, often resulting in late appointments, unnecessary irritation and danger to all the drivers on the road. There may be times, for example if you are delivering a sick child to the hospital, when you can not wait and may be forced to pass such a driver in a zone that is not designated for passing, this is very dangerous.
There is a simple solution to this problem, one that I use myself when I am feeling tired or dreamy and just want to cruise along enjoying the scenery well below the limit. When you do this keep an eye in the rear view mirror. When cars come up behind you, find the first available spot to pull over and let them pass. Intentionally driving slow for the purpose of blocking the road and forcibly slowing the traffic behind you is not only rude and obnoxious, it is a dangerous antisocial behavior that could result in a serious accident.
Tim Slowinski
Woodland Valley, NY
Dear Editor,
When all goes well it is hard to imagine the many tasks so easily performed that are no longer possible to do. It is a real blessing to have Staying In Place (SIP) to call upon for help from the many volunteers.
Yes, one can get services for a price but in these perilous times the added financial burden simply exceeds the budget. Finding the services is a daunting task in itself.
Assistance with writing checks, helping with shopping, doing simple repairs and other house maintenance tasks, reading to you, taking you to appointments and much more is simply an unbelievable boon. Also is being able to get instant information and assistance with finding needed services such as snow plowing.
Without having services such as these, many persons would have to find some other place to live or maybe an institution.
SIP, we are ever so grateful for your establishment and want to thank the caring people who have worked so hard to get it in place.
In addition to helping in these ways the organization is exploring the cultural and organizational offerings of the community and introducing them to the SIP members, helping to enhance the quality of life.
To learn more about this organization open to all persons over 50 years of age call 845-514-4891.
Mescal Hornbeck
Woodstock, NY
Dear Editor,
Two years ago, the cross-country course through the woods at Onteora High School was closed due to safety reasons. The OCS cross-country team could no longer host meets or even practice running on the trails. As part of my Eagle Service Project, the trail has now been repaired and is re-opened. Community volunteers donated over 120 hours of time raising funds, clearing the trail, fixing drainage and building bridges. Our first home meet on the new course will be October 19.
I would like to thank everyone who helped me complete this project, including the OCS cross-country and track teams, parents, Boy Scout Troop 66, Lowes Home Improvement Center, Stewart's Shop of West Hurley and Mr. Nicholas Millas of OCS. Thank you!
Reilly Hayes
Hurley, NY
Dear Editor,
The Phoenicia Rotary wishes to thank everyone who made our September 10th fundraiser so successful.
In particular a special thank-you to all the merchants and restaurants for the donated items and gift certificates for our raffle including: Adams Fairacre Farms, Al's Restaurant, Boiceville Wine & Liquors, Boiceville Market, Dave Channon, The Emerson Place, Hanover Farms, Hong Kong Restaurant, Mama's Boy, 60 Main a Community Store, Oriole 9, Peek-a Moose Restaurant, Sewplicity, STS, Stucki Embroidery, Sweet Sue's, Tender Land Home, Ulster Savings and VidaKafka.
Kudos to Paul Pettinato and his staff for once again providing plenty of great food and service to all who attended and to Keith Holmquist for the excellent music mix that seemed to please everyone.
Phoenicia Rotary
Prize Committee
Dear Editor,
Life can have wonderful continuities, little circles within larger circles. I interrupted my reading to step outside and three women and a man emerged from a car that parked on the side of the road. They were middle aged to elderly. As they walked onto the far end of my property, I thought "they're from Europe," one woman especially with her colors and sensuous look.
I had been reading Maxim Gorky, ( pseudonym of Alexsy Maximovich Peshkov, 1868/1936, Russia). When one of the women told me they were from Uzbekistan and Russia they were delighted to hear I was reading Gorky's novel "Mother", ( about the 1905 Revolutionary movement. He took a prominent part in the Russian Revolution of 1905 but opposed Russia's participation in WW1 as well as the Bolshevik seizure of power in 1917 and was also critical of Lenin's dictatorial methods in his newspaper.) One woman was 86. She had white hair and four of her own upper teeth protruded prominently. She did not speak English but when I told her I was a baby, 77, compared to her, she laughed. The man was big and I asked him where he was from and when he said Brooklyn, I said, "that's not a Brooklyn accent" and gave him a playful pat. He walked among my carvings with his arms crossed and did not engage in conversation. The two other women, one an artist, the other a musician, were animated about my sculptures and one said "when I look at your work it gives me a warm feeling."
Bob Jacobson
Mt. Tremper, NY