Columnist doesn't understand stimulus
One cannot assume that the opinions and/or column emanating from a college professor should be considered factual. Tom Sears' piece, "Obama well on his way to ignominy" on Feb. 18, makes it quite clear even one involved in higher education can be either totally misinformed, or worse, extremely biased to the point of writing material that is unworthy of one in his profession.
Suffice it to say, Sears' area of "expertise" seems more limited than his resume would indicate. He appears oblivious to the purpose and meaning of "economic stimulus" and how it must be implemented in order to revive our nation's economy while there is still time to do so prudently.
A person who purports to give a reasoned opinion of Obama's early first-step success in undoing the failed policies that allowed unregulated banking and lending practices to decimate our economy writes as if he's one who remains embittered at the severe losses suffered by his party.
To call the Democratic president "arrogant" and to speak of his "dishonesty" would indicate Mr. Sears is hopeful our new leader AND our country will both fail.
Perhaps he is more in tune with the unenlightened Rush Limbaugh; who publicly stated his desire to see Obama fail. It could be that Mr. Sears is unfamiliar with the multitude of both Republican and Democratic economists (some of whom are Nobel Laureates in economics) who are in full agreement with the recently passed stimulus package and are also advocating further such spending to ensure the recovery is long-lasting.
Mr. Sears' cavalier and highly irresponsible statement negates any meaningful impact he'd hoped to achieve. Only a capricious obstructionist would say, "Let's just sit back and enjoy the show."
Tom Pack
South Kortright
Delberta, others made club special
I was recently informed of Carl Delberta's passing. I practically grew up living at the Oneonta Boys Club. Mr. and Mrs. Delberta were my neighbors on Lonergan Avenue. I shoveled their driveway in the winter and mowed their lawn in the summer.
The Oneonta Boys Club gave me the opportunity to grow. I remember sitting in Carl Sr.'s office chatting about Little League or just life in general. Carl never talked about boxing unless asked. He was more concerned about you as a person and what he could do for you.
Saturdays were my favorite time at the Oneonta Boys Club. We would get a bunch of buddies together to play basketball for three to four hours then go the concession for Carl Jr. and Mrs. Delberta's special hamburgers and fries. I have great memories of Oneonta. Many of them were enjoyed with friends at the Oneonta Boys Club.
I have had the pleasure of visiting different Boys and Girls Clubs across the country, from Las Vegas to Minneapolis, Minn. They do not compare to the Oneonta Boys & Girls Club. Not even close. I think it was the people who ran the Oneonta Boys & Girls Club who made it so special, such as Gary D., Tim Pidgeon, JB, and of course the Delbertas, to name a few.
I thank everyone at the Oneonta Boys & Girls Club for all that they do for the kids and families in and around Oneonta. One doesn't realize the impact that an institution such as the Oneonta Boys & Girls Club has had on their life until they have kids of their own. I cherish the memories of the Oneonta Boys & Girls and will never forget the time I spent with friends and the entire Delberta family growing up.
Steve Corraro
Farmington, Minn.
Afghanistan can't be made into nation
The U.S. should negotiate with the Taliban in Afghanistan on the condition of women and school children and then get out.
Afghanistan is a society and a culture; it is not a nation. It functions as a conglomeration of regional warlords. The U.S. cannot make it a nation. All the talk of training an army and police force, holding more elections and building up the infrastructure and economy, which is supposedly Obama's and NATO's policy following on from Bush, is all nonsense.
The first mistake the U.S. made was invading the place. The second was putting forward Karzai as head of state. The person to fill that post should have been the son or grandson of the last king, now living in Rome. The monarchy, as the warlord of all warlords, had legitimacy; Karzai, formerly an agent of U.S. corporations, does not, and he is failing miserably.
If it is not too late, the U.S. should install a descendant of the legitimate king and leave _ except of course for providing an annual allowance for the king. That's what the British did in the middle of the 19th century and it got rid of their Afghanistan problem.
Martin Wank
Oneonta
Stop publishing politicians' letters
I think you should reconsider your policy of publishing letters submitted by politicians (including their staff, campaign and party officials), particularly when these merely promote retreaded partisan positions.
You would not publish a "letter" by a local merchant promoting his weekend specials; the merchant places an ad. Even more accommodatingly, the media offer the politician the free venues of press releases, op-eds, press interviews and news and editorial coverage.
Moreover, there always seems to be an ample supply of private citizens to promote their favorite pol in this space.
Letters to the editor are one of the few democratic exercises left to a citizenry trapped by an entrenched, nominally two-party political system. Please protect the public voice.
Nick Albaugh
Hamden
Economic crisis hurting sports
As someone who supports and plays sports, I am very concerned with this economic crisis. Teams are limited to one bus for both the equipment and the players.
Even though fuel prices had fallen, the economy seems that it is at an all-time low.
In order for schools to save money, schools have been forced to pack two teams onto one bus. This makes it hard for players to focus on a game because it is very distracting.
Shane VanAlstyne
Franklin
VanAlstyne is a senior at Unatego Junior-Senior High School. VanAlstyne and other students have written letters to the editor as part of Kevin DiBartolomeo's Participation in Government class.
Inauguration was wasteful spending
In a time when our country is in a state of declining in jobs as well as our economy going down the tubes, I find it unbelievable that our President Obama has spent millions of tax dollars on the inauguration.
I would have had more respect for him if he just got sworn in in a small private setting. Is this what we are headed toward? When will the end come to all this uncalled-for spending?
Our country deserves better than this. I believe we need a total overhaul. Good luck, America.
Timothy Dobler
Mount Vision
