Natural-gas drilling not the solution
Drilling for gas is not the solution to either our energy or economic crises. The engineering systems currently used are antiquated, unstable, highly polluting and potentially dangerous on many levels.
Drilling would only perpetuate the inevitability of irreversible contamination of our precious water supply and overall environment.
Please make an effort to read all the easily available scientific reports which support these facts.
As president of an internationally recognized environmental chemical engineering company in business for more than 40 years, I know what I am talking about. In addition to receiving many industrial awards, we are also the recipients of an Academy Award for scientific achievement.
Why would anyone support the drilling process? Greed.
Pure and simple. I can only assume greed of local landowners who are being seduced by lucrative leasing offers, greed of state Department of Environmental Conservation scientists who see a new industry to pay their salaries and greed of selfish Cornell geologists who see new job potential.
Remember, geologists like to drill!
Let's face it. Greed is destroying our country, and this local issue is a perfect example. Shame on the supporters who only see dollar signs. I see a pollution nightmare of a catastrophic magnitude.
I urge all citizens, politicians, business persons, scientists and students to look past the immediate, temporary "fix" of gas drilling in the Catskills and direct your support and finances toward the only viable solution to our energy and economic problems: alternative, renewable, sustainable energy.
Gas drilling will be the final nail on the coffin of our already ailing Catskill Mountains.
Joyce Spector
Downsville
Spector is president of Zeller International Ltd.
Veterans deserve a better leader
Veterans Day, Nov. 11, has just passed. Originally it was called Armistice Day, signifying the signing of the armistice that ended World War I at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in the year 1918.
The name was eventually changed after World War II to Veterans Day, to honor all veterans of all our wars, both living and dead.
I was dismayed to read various news accounts earlier this year reporting Obama's proposal to deny our returning soldiers their health insurance _ which was dropped at the insistence of veterans' groups _ and now I am angry that this same man cannot make a decision about troop support.
He is our commander in chief in name only. He does not have the wisdom or experience to make a decision, and if he did he would not have the resolve to carry it through. We deserve better.
To all veterans, peacetime and wartime, thank you for your service.
Steven K. Anderson
Sidney
