All students deserve access to sports
I am a product of home-schooled education in Richmondville. During my years as a student, I was never allowed to participate in interscholastic sports such as football, baseball or basketball, settling with Babe Ruth and American Legion baseball alone.
I believe it is wrong to punish hard-working students who love athletics, because of the location of their school, even though their parent(s) pay(s) property and school taxes.
One person agrees with me _ Sen. James Seward of our 51st Senatorial District. He vowed to vote for legislation allowing home-schooled children to participate in interscholastic sports, something for which he deserves credit.
I hoped such legislation would pass both houses of the state Legislature, but our opponents have stalled such legislation in the Assembly in the past.
I doubt that will change in the future, unless we act on a unified front to correct these injustices that exist today.
Thanks to Seward and a few brave folks, we have hope for thousands of potential Tim Tebows who have been prejudiced against to this point in New York state. It will require much work to change the education laws to allow home-schooled athletes to compete.
The amazing Tim Tebow would be denied athletic participation in New York schools. Some wonder why New York state is losing residents on a regular basis.
Tim Knight
Richmondville
Tom Sears' column promotes hate
I would like the editors of this paper to answer a couple of questions. Why do you continue to run Tom Sears' column? Do you really digest its content?
His entire theme is full of name-calling, inaccurate accusations, and not a single productive thought. He certainly belongs with the tea baggers.
By allowing this to continue, you are promoting racism and hate-mongering. Yes, there is freedom of speech, but let him write in the letters to the editor space instead.
To all who wish our president to fail in the middle of ongoing wars and the economic situation, I ask, where is your patriotism? With our citizens suffering economically and dying for this country, patriotism is supporting your government, not trying to destroy it.
You do not have to agree with, nor like the president, but those who wish him to fail are wishing for the country to fail, so don't hide behind phony patriotism.
I am an independent voter and may not agree entirely with any politician or president, but we need to support our government. That is why we have elections, and Tom Sears' side lost. So be it!
I am sure this paper could find someone from the right to write a column with more intelligence and less malice.
I do know many from the right that have very constructive ideas and have the maturity to voice their opinions in a more-intellectual manner. This paper can do better!
Donna J. Shaver
Laurens
