We are supporting the wrong people
We can support thousands on welfare who don't work and don't want to work, but we can't take care of a 24-year law enforcement veteran, Delaware County Deputy Bruce Palmer, who served and protected our communities for us. That's wrong.
Steve Brown
Downsville
Hemp can tone down gas drilling debates
A clear political line has been drawn between those who support the development of the natural gas industry and those who oppose.
One cannot engage in a political conversation today without the subject of hydrofracking being acknowledged.
What amazes me is the obnoxiously loud conversation occurring over hydrofracking and the very mute conversation about alternative industries to bring into the area.
While pro-drill land owners and so called "NIMBYs" battle out who's right over the hydrofracking issue, there remains an untapped industry, worth billions, no one seems to be talking about in NYS politics or even local politics.
It's called hemp. For those who have never heard of hemp, or have a vague idea of what hemp is; I suggest you "Google" "hemp" and learn about it. Hemp (if legal) would act as the dominant industrial cash crop to compete with the fossil fuel industry.
When manufactured, hemp can be used for thousands of industrial products.
Aside from the well-known products such as rope, textiles and paper, hemp can also be manufactured into plastic, bio-diesel, cement, and even highly nutritious food.
Hemp seed contains all known amino-acids and fatty-acids needed for good health. Not only is the hemp plant a versatile industrial crop but it also grows in a wide variety of soil conditions.
One cannot objectively look at all the facts surrounding the cannabis (hemp) plant and come away with any legitimate justification as to why this plant should remain illegal to grow, harvest, manufacture and sell.
We shouldn't ignore the gas-drilling issue; it deserves much attention. However, the hydrofracking dialogue has drowned out other potential economic development conversations.
Legalizing hemp is an initiative both pro-drillers and anti-drillers can rally behind, that is, if both sides can tone down their debate to hear alternatives.
Dan Rorick
Oneonta
