I appreciate the Gazette’s continual editorial comments about the Glendale Nursing Home [May 7 Gazette]. They are right on the mark. The issue is not whether Glendale Nursing Home is or is not needed (as we all know, it is!), but rather about management and costs.
The Schenectady County Legislature majority obviously believes the county should continue to be the managers, and if there are costs above reimbursements, the county taxpayers pick up the difference. The Gazette has pointed out the county-covered costs are huge — $7 million annually! Consequently, future public forums (as a responsible open government Legislature would provide) need to be directed toward location, design and costs.
To start, maybe an info display or posters set up in the Glendale Home’s lobby, detailing these specifics. Then ensure that there is a public forum to discuss the pros and cons.
The new facility location is very important. It is disingenuous to say “at the Hetcheltown Campus,” because the exact location is a very hot-button issue with many residents. Capital costs (cost to build) and an accurate estimate of yearly operating expenses projected for five and 10 years, above reimbursements (or, in other words, the amount coming out of the county taxpayer’s pocket), need to be presented — or at least available to the public — before the bulldozers roll.
I hate to be pessimistic, but I don’t suppose we’ll see any of these things until it’s too late.
John Van Patten
Glenville
I had to respond to Sean Dufresne’s May 15 letter [“Bible clear in opposition to homosexuality”], regarding his interpretation of the Bible and same-sex marriage. On the opposite page is a tiny blurb about New Hampshire likely to become the sixth state to recognize such unions.
While it thrills me to see this country (very) slowly making progress in this matter, bigotry and fear obviously still loom large. Mr. Dufresne points out that this is a country based on Christian beliefs. Well, that was true about 235 years ago, when it was settled by white Christian Europeans (who also thought slavery was acceptable and women did not deserve equal rights). Since then, it has become a country based on freedom from persecution of any kind, filled with people of all races, creeds, nationalities, religions and beliefs — and not all of them are Christians. I do not understand what has the Christian right so terrified, and why they think their beliefs are the only correct ones.
My partner and I have been together 14 years, we have raised a child together, bought a house, hold full-time jobs, we pay our taxes and consider ourselves to be a pretty normal family unit. However, if something were to happen to either of us, we would not have the same rights as those with a so-called “traditional marriage.” What do Mr. Dufresne and his ilk think will happen if we suddenly have a paper legitimizing our union? Does he think the gay community is going to take over and convert his children?
Calling a same-sex relationship “flat out disgusting” is both insulting and ignorant.
One hundred years ago, a black man would not have been allowed to marry a white woman. One hundred years ago, that white woman would not have been allowed to have a vote in such matters. Progress moves forward. All people deserve to love whomever they wish, without hatred and bigotry standing in the way.
The New York state Senate is now in the process of deciding the fate of the gay marriage bill. Let’s hope open-mindedness and the pursuit of freedom win out.
Meghan McGrath
Schenectady
Betty Reksc’s May 17 letter was so laden with false statements and illogic, I don’t know where to begin. However, let’s start with her claim that there is no medical support for medicinal marijuana.
I found that the New England Journal of Medicine, the New York State Nurses Association, Kaiser Permanente, and the American Public Health Association were among a list of 59 health care organizations that support “immediate legal access” to medical marijuana. Two of the groups that Ms. Reksc listed as opposing medical marijuana actually support further research on the question. However, since the government lists marijuana as a Schedule I drug, by law it can’t be researched for any reason.
Second, her claim that marijuana isn’t safe is another fallacy, and the proof which debunks her claim is that there hasn’t been a recorded overdose fatality due to smoking pot ever. Aspirin has claimed more lives. In addition, Ms. Reksc expresses concern regarding marijuana being cut with other harmful chemicals; the most effective remedy for that problem is having a legal, regulated system where the THC level can be controlled so the user knows exactly what he or she is getting.
Under the current system of prohibition, Ms. Reksc is correct that marijuana is harmful, but for other reasons. Once a person is arrested for marijuana (over 800,000 were for simple possession last year) that conviction can impact their life tremendously. You can overcome an addiction, you will never beat a conviction. Would President Barack Obama be where he is today if he had the misfortune of getting caught for his youthful drug use? We have the Higher Education Act, which denies anyone convicted of a drug offense the right to college grants but imposes no penalties for murder, sex or assault offenders.
I am thrilled that the polling on the question of legalizing marijuana finally appears to be turning a corner after 40 years of this failed war on drugs. While the prohibition of marijuana may benefit someone who serves in the role of a substance treatment provider, where anyone caught can be mandated by the court to receive treatment, it’s an extremely harmful policy to those millions of otherwise law-abiding, hard-working, taxpaying Americans.
William Aiken
Schenectady
The writer is a member of LEAP (Law Enforcement against Prohibition).
I had the pleasure of going to Proctors to see my beautiful fiance graduate from Schenectady County Community College on May 16. The venue was spectacular. The speeches by the distinguished guests were inspirational. Watching my future wife in her gown and special sash and hood for graduating with high honors was breathtaking and moving.
Now the downside: There seems to be a need for people to scream out when their family members cross the stage. Then the next rude person feels the need to outdo the moron before them. So we sit there trying to enjoy the presentation, the dignity and pomp and circumstance only to be interrupted by the outburst of the uneducated and socially retarded. It is a disgusting display of disrespect for the ceremony and the graduates themselves.
I write this letter in hopes that the people who participate in this behavior will realize how much it takes away from the event. The only problem is that they are probably not bright enough to read this letter and even if they can and do, I am sure that wouldn’t be more respectful next time. I mean, they are adults and they haven’t figured it out yet. Why would they listen to me?
Jeffrey S. Reed
Rotterdam
What and when did Nancy Pelosi know about waterboarding [May 15 Gazette]?
Waterboarding is not a ride at Six Flags over Georgia! Nancy is a having a hard time getting her story straight and she accused the CIA of lying. Guess what, Nancy? [The] CIA lies all the time, just as you do.
The government lies to us all the time, now they are lying to one another. Should anyone be surprised?
Quick review: Barack Obama (a Democrat) has let the “left” down with his continuation of the struggle in Iraq and Afghanistan. Nancy Pelosi, a lefty Democrat, is not bothered by waterboarding as long as it is not public knowledge.
Edmond Day
Rotterdam
The Gazette wants your opinions on public issues.
There is no strict word limit, though letters under 200 words are preferred.
All letters are subject to editing for length, style and fairness, and we will run no more than one letter per month from the same writer.
Please include your signature, address and day phone for verification.
For information on how to send, see bottom of this page.
For more letters, visit our Web site: www.dailygazette.com