For those of you just tuning in, or who weren't around in 1960, it was quite a year.
- John F. Kennedy was elected president in a controversial election over Richard Nixon.
- The Soviet Union shot down an American U-2 reconnaissance airplane over its airspace and captured pilot Francis Gary Powers.
- Black students staged a sit-in at a lunch counter in Greensboro, N.C., the first of many against segregation at Southern establishments.
- The Soviet Union launched two dogs into orbit and returned them safely to Earth.
- The first "Teflon" non-sticking cookware appeared in stores.
- The first study linking cigarette smoking to heart disease was released.
And, oh yeah, the U.S. Food and Drug administration approved the sale of birth control pills, giving women more control over their bodies and stirring optimism that unintended pregnancies would be a thing of the past.
However, it didn't quite turn out that way. Studies show that nearly half of the 6.4 million U.S. pregnancies each year are unplanned.
A study released in May from the nonprofit Brookings Institution estimated that unintended pregnancies cost federal and state governments more than $11 billion a year. The study's authors said preventing those pregnancies would save between $4.7 billion and $6.2 billion.
So, we were very happy to hear the Obama administration announce on Monday that insurance companies will be required to provide birth control services to women with no co-pays beginning Aug. 1, 2012.
"For women's health, this is historic _ a really important turning point," said Judy Waxman, vice president for health and reproductive rights at the National Women's Law Center.
The Guttmacher Institute, an independent research organization, reports that 95 percent of women who have unintended pregnancies use contraception only occasionally or not at all, mostly because they can't afford it.
For a woman in a challenging financial situation, even with insurance, a $40 or $50 co-pay can be impossible. Under the new policy, insurers will have to provide contraceptive services, breast-feeding support and supplies, domestic violence screening and counseling, regular "well woman" visits, counseling about HIV and sexually transmitted infections, screening for gestational diabetes and other preventive services without a co-pay.
Exceptions will be made for religious organizations, but some religious and conservative groups are not happy, and the insurance industry has already begun to squawk.
But the new policy makes a lot of sense to us _ for the taxpayers and _ more importantly _ for improving women's health.
Opinion
Policy on birth control a welcome addition
- Opinion
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Satirical letter was pleasant change of pace
It was a pleasure to read the letter by Mr. Stammel of Stamford in the May 15 Daily Star.
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Teacher was wrong to dismiss fracking
As a longtime resident of Delaware County, and a person with strong business connections to the area, I was shocked to find that my grandson who was graduating from an unnamed upstate high school was told by his science teacher that fracking was not safe.
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Grads' fulfillment can wait if need be
Let's not mince words. Today's college graduates have it rough when it comes to job prospects.
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NRA's senators ignored will of the people
Last month, the bipartisan proposal to expand background checks in the Senate failed with a majority of 54 senators voting to support the bill.
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Fracking moratoriums are ridiculous
A moratorium is defined as a delay or stopping of an activity. Recently some local town boards issued moratoriums that included prohibiting vertical gas drilling. Since the early 1800s, 70,000 vertical wells have been successfully drilled in New York state. About 14,000 are active, contributing 44,000 jobs, and permits are still being issued by the DEC.
- Thursday, May 23, 2013
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Fed ammo theories show who is gullible
Ask 10 people for their thoughts on the National Rifle Association, and you'll likely get a broad range of responses. But on one point, we can all agree - if a threat to the Second Amendment appears, the NRA will find out about it and quickly spread the word. That's why it was nice to see the NRA last summer shoot down one of the more absurd rumors that's been making the rounds: that the federal Department of Homeland Security and other agencies are hoarding massive stockpiles of ammunition for secret, nefarious purposes.
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Natural gas boom is a false promise
Support for the Constitution and Leatherstocking Pipelines is based primarily on the false promise of affordable shale gas. False, since the price of this gas is too volatile to make it a reliable energy source in the future.
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Locally led baseball team deserves support
Springtime has finally come to us in the greater Oneonta area, with its warmth, sunshine, emerging shrubs, green lawns, with more smiles than frowns, and how we relish it!
- Wednesday, May 22, 2013
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Schools must find ways to deal with threats
Anonymous threats to schools are nothing new. Through the years, they have consisted -- among other messages -- of anonymous phone calls, magazine or newspaper lettering glued to a letter, and scrawled warnings on a bathroom mirror.
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City should improve access to river
Many cities make the river running through it a focal point for its scenic qualities. By doing this, they attract more people to their city to spend some time there and also utilize the stores, restaurants and hotels.
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Otsego County veteran's director is top-notch
The veterans of Otsego County are being well-served by Jack Henson, director. I feel he is the best director that has ever served in this county.
- Tuesday, May 21, 2013
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On our Opinion: Cheers
To the DEP's "The Watershed Experience," the Oneonta High School Envirothon team, and to ROPS rebate funding.
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Make sure Blodgett project holds water
Many thanks to Dennis Finn and the Planning Commission for allowing unrestricted public comment on the Blodgett Drive housing project at the commission’s May 15 meeting. Most who spoke are residents of the area who know the safety and drainage issues well.
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We need a law against Google Glass
It’s a technological marvel; a product ahead of its time, or at least ahead of the law for the time being, that is.
- Monday, May 20, 2013
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Make sure you vote in school tax election
School superintendents have it anything but easy in these challenging economic times. In addition to dealing with myriad day-to-day and semester-to-semester issues, they have to have Solomon-like political acumen and management skills.
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No foreign aid until our needs are met
I couldn't agree more with Sal Furnari's letter published in the Weekend edition. I would also like to add that when I was growing up I was taught to "take care of my own first" and then share with others.
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THIS WEEK'S POLL
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It's sad to see Rich Murphy retire
It was a sad day for Otsego County when Rich Murphy announced his intention to retire from the county board at the end of his current term.
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Liberal media only care about themselves
Sounds like it all depends on 'whose ox is being gored' when it comes to the illegal phone tappings of reporters.
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Street Talk: May 20, 2013
Do you think that recent high school graduates have a harder time finding a job than previous generations?
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Satirical letter was pleasant change of pace
