(letters from February 15, 2007)

Write and call Senators Schumer and Clinton and tell them it is time to be bold. To act. It is not good enough to say, "If I had only known I wouldn't have supported the war." We have to tell them, well you know now. The only way to support our soldiers is to bring them home. Our presence in Iraq only adds fuel to the civil war there. Write, call, join a vigil; convince a friend. It is up to us now.
Sue Rosenberg
Saugerties Committee
for Peace and Social Justice

Dear Editor,
Five students and two staff members from the Hudson Valley Sudbury School joined an estimated 500,000 other protesters from around the country at the recent "March on Washington," to protest President Bush's proposed "surge" of troops in Iraq.
The trip was organized at the request of a group of students who, although not yet old enough to vote, felt it was their responsibility to be part of the protest. I'm proud to know that our students feel this way.
The war in Iraq has been a constant topic of conversation at our school since we opened, just three years ago. On Monday, one of our students, Marina Lopez, a fifteen year old, had a chance to talk about it with staff members from Senator Schumer and Senator Clinton's offices. Here is what she said: "I wasn't old enough to vote for my representatives, but my generation and I will have to pay for this war and, if the escalation is allowed, generations long after mine will have to deal with the debts. I want these Senators to look me in the eyes, and those of my generation, and tell us truthfully that they did everything that they could to prevent the deaths of more, innocent children."
I can't seem to get those last words out of my mind. I sensed, when Marina asked those Senators to look into her eyes and tell the truth, that she was asking all of us who are old enough to participate in government if we've done all that we can to protect and provide for her and her generation in the future. Have we?
The day after the march, our group visited the National Archives building and viewed, among other things, The Constitution and the Bill of Rights. I stood there, marveling at these corner stones of our great country, and I couldn't help but wonder if the President had ever taken time to appreciate them. Afterward, Tyler Anderson, an eleven year old, said: "That was so cool. Those are the documents that allowed us to march yesterday!" He got it. He totally got it.
At the end of Monday's meeting, Cody Cragnolin, a 13-year-old, presented the Senator's aides with two sets of children's shoes as part of a protest organized by Code Pink, the women's group that had played such an important role in organizing Saturday's protest. I could see, by the look in her eyes, that Cody understood that the shoes represented a five-year-old Iraqi boy and a two year old Iraqi girl - innocent, adolescent, tragic victims of an adult war.
"I hope the Senators will bring these shoes to the senate to remind them of the children when they vote on bills that will affect the war."
Maybe we should all carry little shoes with us, to remind us of what it's like to be a kid in the world these days, and to remind us of the responsibility we have, as adults, to keep them safe. And maybe we should listen to them more often. After all, we share the same future. It's only fair that they should have a say in it.
Jeff Collins
Hudson Valley Sudbury School
Woodstock, NY

Dear Editor,
Oreo Joseph Palmer was 45, a 20 year veteran of the New York Fire Department; he was the battalion chief of Engine Company 3 and Ladder 12 in Chelsea. He lived in Valley Stream NY with his wife Debbie and their three children Dana 14, Keith 12 and Alyssa 9. Chief Palmer made it to the 78th fl. of the south tower on the morning of September 11, 2001 sometime shortly after the second plane hit at 9.03 am. He reported on his radio that morning on the 78th fl. that there were “two isolated pockets of fire which could be put out with two lines”. On that chaotic morning Chief Palmer intrepidly scaled the South tower, with 20 years of fire fighting experience he quickly evaluated the situation and reported what would be needed to bring the “Two Isolated pockets of fire” under control.56 min after the South tower was hit, it mysteriously collapsed killing Chief Palmer and many other first responders. The official 9/11 mythology asks us to believe that on Sept.11 ,2001 the South tower ,the North tower and WTC 7 all steel frame buildings collapsed after relatively minor fires of short duration weakened them enough to make them lose their structural integrity. Never, I repeat never in the history of steel frame buildings has one ever collapsed due to fires. And on this day we are being asked to take a leap of faith and accept that three Steel frame buildings collapsed due to fire with absolutely no scientific evidence to back it up. WTC 7 was a 47 story steel frame building that housed the New York offices of the Mayor, the CIA and the SEC. It was not struck by any plane that day. While damaged by some debris it had only minor fires and yet it collapsed into its own footprint in 6.5 sec at 5.20 pm on Sept 11, 2001 in the exact manner of a controlled demolition. Office fires burn at low temperatures of 600-800 f. Jet fuel, an ordinary hydrocarbons, maximum burning temperatures is 1200 f. in open air. Steel melts at 2750 f. neither jet fuel nor the burning contents of the buildings could cause the towers to buckle or fail. All the recorded evidence from the morning of Sept.11 whether police, fire radios or official newscasts talk about repeated explosions in the towers, explosions which rocked the building from basement on up. We know ‘Isolated pockets of fire” did not make two 110 story steel buildings collapse. The Towers designed to withstand 140 mph hurricane winds and multiple hits from jetliners came down from controlled demolitions each in about 10 sec. We are also on this day being asked to believe that four commercial jetliners were hijacked and crashed yet we have no plane wreckage in four separate locations. These massive jetliners just all vaporized into thin air, how convenient.
Battalion Chief Oreo Joseph Palmer and about 3000 other innocent individuals were murdered on that morning and yet justice has not been served. The so called 9/11 Commission was a blatant cover-up and WE MUST DEMAND THAT JUSTICE BE DONE for Chief Palmer, his family, the 3000 other victims and for future generations.
We have a presidential election coming up in less then two years .Lets put the 9/11 hoax back in the major media and make it be the number one issue for the 2008 election. Lets put all of our so called representatives on notice that they are either with us or against us in finding 9/11 Truth and justice. And may we rise like a tide united in this cause sweeping away all who stand in our way. Please join me in this fight for truth and justice. For general info go to 911WeKnow.com or contact me about our local campaign.
Francis Posavec
Woodstock, NY

ear Editor,
Senator Barack Obama's book, "Audacity of Hope," is very refreshing reading. It is separated into chapters on issues such as values, faith, family and race.
Many East Coast-West Coast-New York-Hollywood type liberals appear less than comfortable talking about such issues. It is interesting that Obama has chosen to address them in a straightforward manner which gives this reader the feeling that Obama really believes what he is writing.
I do not think America needs to dredge through some 16 years of White House history - eight Bush and eight Clinton - and the congressional scandals, corruption, trickery, deceit and name calling. There seems to be enough blame to go around for all of the main players.
It might be very useful for America to look to a new fresh face with new ideas, policies and progressive priorities based on social justice for all and pragmatism rather than knee-jerk ideologue news bite rhetoric intended to rattle the cages of the core constituencies and special interests.
Senator Obama seems to be the candidate who can deliver for America. Why not give the new guy a chance to show what he can do - he certainly will not do worse than what is out there.
If you want to know more about Obama, sign up with his email at http://obama.senate.gov/about.
If you feel so inclined, send a contribution to Obama Exploratory Committee, 235 Mass. Ave, N.E. Washington D.C. 20002.
Hoping for a better and fairer American.
H. Clark Bell
Woodstock, NY

Dear Editor,
I want to thank our many friends and neighbors who joined us February 3 to celebrate the official opening of The Hudson Valley LGBTQ Community Center.
More than 500 people - including several elected officials - gathered to bear witness to this inspiring new chapter in local history. We are grateful to the numerous local merchants who donated goods for our reception and look forward to working with many more of you in the months to come.
Our mission is to nurture, guide and support the LGBTQ people of the Hudson Valley through a variety of cultural and social service programs. We also pledge to be good neighbors to this community. For the rest of you: Please stop by and say hello!
Thank you again for the warm welcome to the neighborhood.
Ginny Apuzzo, President
The Hudson Valley LGBTQ
Community Center
Kingston, NY

Dear Editor,
I’m writing concerning the coverage of Maurice Hinchey’s talk at the recent Ulster County Chamber of Commerce breakfast that I attended. I thought Mr.Gruner’s question to Congressman Hinchey regarding the proposed Belleayre project to be fair, even if delivered with a somewhat caustic attitude. Congressman Hinchey’s response I considered rational, informed and evenhanded. And while Mr. Gruner’s question did result in a smattering of supportive applause, there was at least an equal amount of applause, if not more, garnered by Mr. Hinchey’s response. I don’t believe Congressman Hinchey’s supporters in the room felt any need to “defend” him, as he had done a through job of defending his position himself.
I think it’s great that the Chamber provides these types of open forums for the Kingston community and applaud Ward Todd and his staff for the great job that they do.
Bill Colagrande
Phoenicia, NY

Dear Editor,
As humbling an experience as watching your life go up in flames, it is even more humbling to be in a banquet room packed full of friends and neighbors all willing to lend their help and support. Wendy and I want to express our deepest thanks to all of those who have reached out to us during this time. It is greatly appreciated and will never be forgotten by us.
Carl Cappello
Pine Hill, NY