Letters Overregulation of Foods
Overregulation on issues such as these, especially when the language of the laws enacted are extremely vague, are dangerous to both consumers and the healthy diversity in farming practices. If you will recall, it is commercial feed (prepared with animal offal, often of the same kind of animal that is fed the stuff!) which spread the virus for bovine spongiform encephalitis (BSE/Mad Cow).
Jul 2, 2009 - 5:47:40 PM
Letters Taxes and Property Rights
Within the foothills of Western Maine, an issue concerning taxes and property rights is brewing. Disgusted with rising taxes, one landowner, hoping to have his voice heard, closed access to a part of his property, which, until then, was used by snowmobilers and ATVers as ITS 82 and a piece of the trail network between Carthage and Dixfield.
Jul 2, 2009 - 5:02:31 PM
Letters There They Go Again
Last year at this time, American voters united to successfully oppose the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act promulgated by Bush & Company. This year, the man who promised "change" is now promising the same racist immigration scheme.
Jun 29, 2009 - 11:19:09 AM
Letters Create Jobs for Americans
A while ago I read that Bill Gates and Mayor Michael Bloomberg were planning on donating a total of $500 million to reduce the incidence of smoking in developing countries, especially China. I haven’t seen any recent information on this subject, but I believe they made a commitment to this ridiculous project.
Jun 8, 2009 - 11:05:39 AM
Letters Liberty is Dead! Democracy has Fallen!
It relates to an interesting article published in the Russian Pravda Newspaper (English version) opinion columns.
Jun 6, 2009 - 11:00:01 AM
Letters GM Bankruptcy, A UAW Bailout
As GM files for Chapter 11, we ‘should' expect GM, the UAW leaders, and the bondholders, go enter into US Bankruptcy Court to cancel and/or reorganize the UAW employee contracts so as reasonable labor rates for GM to survive, eliminate waste, and remain in a competitive market for our consumers.
Jun 2, 2009 - 12:24:56 PM
Letters Dear Governor Baldacci, the Maine Bureau of Tourism Isn't Working for Maine
Governor Baldacci, I'm well aware that you don't quite understand why I'm always complaining about the Maine Bureau of Tourism - and why I continue to do so. But I'm watching business after business close down - friends - good friends seeking jobs because their dream can no longer exist. Entrepreneurs who came here with a great background and good financial positions - only to see that they get NO help from the State in promoting the State and its varied areas.
Jun 1, 2009 - 3:05:22 PM
Letters Replace UAW President Gettlefinger, Save GM, Chrysler
President Obama, members on Capitol Hill, and Obama's administration government appointees are to bail out GM using American taxpayers' money. If President Obama has the legal authority to remove GM CEO Rick Wagoner, surely President Obama has the authority to remove UAW President Ron Gettelfinger.
May 29, 2009 - 4:08:06 PM
Letters Cars Coming from China
General Motors (GM) received $20 billion in U.S. government loans and might need another $50 billion to survive.
May 29, 2009 - 4:04:25 PM
Letters Nancy Pelosi, It Is Time to Go
The time is "NOW" for Speaker Nancy Pelosi to resign from the US Congress and/or face a Special Prosecutor's investigation.
May 19, 2009 - 12:30:08 PM
Letters Swine Flu by Another Name
Swine flu by any other name is still swine flu. But because the pork industry is worried that swine flu will hurt pork sales, officials now refer to it as the "H1N1 virus." By removing "swine" from "swine flu” to help pork producers sell more sausage and bacon, they are essentially letting the pork industry off the hook for fostering life-threatening diseases.
May 7, 2009 - 10:16:32 AM
Letters Obama Repaying Unions?
"After pouring at least $300 million into supporting Democratic candidates for the White House and Congress last year, labor unions are hoping that the new president will help enact their number one legislative priority..."
May 6, 2009 - 10:44:53 AM
Letters President Obama's Investigative Commission
President Obama is leaving the door open for creating a 'Commission' to investigate members of President Bush's administration's use of interrogation techniques on alleged terrorists who were captured on the battlefield. The used tactics saved many American lives, without destroying one combatant's terrorist life.
Apr 22, 2009 - 10:47:47 AM
Letters Combat Somali Pirates
The Somali pirates continue to wreak havoc on commercial shipping off the coast of Africa. There are about 20 ships with over 300 hundred hostages currently being held by the pirates for ransom.
Apr 17, 2009 - 8:31:33 AM
Letters The War on Drugs is a War on You
The drug war is based on a repugnant assertion: that you do not have ownership over your own body; that you don't have the right to decide what you'll do with your body, with your property and with your life. The position of the drug warriors is that you should be in jail if you decide to do something with your body that they don't approve of.
Apr 8, 2009 - 10:31:28 AM
Letters Father Jailed for Double Payment of Medical Bills
On March 27, 2009 David Joseph Beatty, who grew up in Natick, MA was sent to York County jail for Contempt of Court by Judge O'Neil in Springvale, Maine.
Apr 8, 2009 - 10:11:58 AM
Letters The Smokers' Blues
Let's face it, times are tough. With the federal excise tax increase just going into effect on smokers (and some are bound to be unemployed) it is a cold slap in the face. A friend I know who teaches in prison was talking to a teen inmate who said he was glad excise taxes on cigarettes were going so sky high. When he was questioned why, he replied "It gives me one more thing I can sell on the street."
Apr 7, 2009 - 11:58:55 AM
Letters Shotgun Approach To Economy - The Bailouts
The President is using the last $100 billion from the $700 billion bailout for banks to continue to loan money to them, and he desires an option for another $250 billion. The optional $250 billion should not be approved and the $100 billion in loans should have significant restrictions.
Apr 6, 2009 - 12:02:28 AM
Letters Shotgun Approach To Economy - The Budget
The Obama Administration is throwing many hundreds of billions of dollars at a multitude of programs, hoping for economic success. It appears the thrust of the policies encompass Rahm Emanuel's philosophy of "not letting a crisis go to waste".
Apr 5, 2009 - 12:02:56 AM
Letters Shotgun Approach To Economy - The Stimulus
The recently enacted $787 billion economic stimulus plan designed to create jobs includes about $300 billion in tax cuts for individuals and businesses, which will not create jobs because companies are not hiring and consumers are saving their money, not making purchases they can postpone. The Commerce Department recently reported a U.S. savings rate of 5%, which is the highest since 1995.
Apr 4, 2009 - 10:18:36 PM
Letters Flawed Foundation
Regardless of your current position on global warming, please consider one simple mental exercise that will allow you to put this political and financial issue in proper perspective.
Mar 30, 2009 - 6:10:55 PM
Letters Phoey on Foie Gras
How unfortunate that Maine failed to follow California's lead in taking a strong stand against the cruelty of foie gras (AP story). Earlier this week, San Francisco supervisors passed a resolution supporting restaurants that remove foie gras from their menus. Maine did the opposite: Succumbing to pressure from restaurateurs, a state legislative committee voted down a bill that would have made force-feeding birds for foie gras production a civil violation.
Mar 28, 2009 - 11:22:03 PM
Letters Preserve the 'Secret Ballot'
Will President Obama, a majority Democrat and a few Republican legislators on Capitol Hill recognize America is in economic strife, and then start to act appropriately?
Mar 14, 2009 - 6:44:36 PM
Letters The Healthcare Climate and Long Term Care
Today's healthcare climate is stressful: people live longer with more medical complications, medical professionals and caregivers are in short supply, payments are decreasing while expectations are increasing, mental health issues are widespread, the latest medical technologies are expensive, lawsuits are rampant, quality and inspection scores are transparent, and regulations are growing, among other issues. In long-term care, many dedicated individuals are committed to providing excellent care to our frail elders, including those who must coordinate and manage all of these issues - the nursing home and assisted living administrators.
Mar 11, 2009 - 11:04:59 AM
Letters Christianity and Our U.S. Constitution
The following letter, without her last name, is a ‘copy in response' to an e-mail I received questioning whether the Bible or the US Constitution is superior to the other. Cindy also sends me an acronym (HEAL) Heavens Energy Activates Life.
Mar 3, 2009 - 1:03:56 PM
Letters Tony, Tony, Tony...
I am sorry for you, Tony. You obviously are not well educated on this subject, nor are you a parent. You are ranting about something you know little about.
Feb 27, 2009 - 1:16:59 PM
Letters Tony, You Are Not Seeing the Whole Picture on School Nurses
Hi Tony, I just want to set the record straight re: this article about school nurses. Obviously you don't know very much about public schools and their operating procedures. Here's a history lesson. Many years ago (probably 45+ years) there was a nurse who came to every school regularly, many times during the week. They were stationed at the local health department.
Feb 27, 2009 - 1:12:08 PM
Letters I Disagree With Your Viewpoint That a Nurse in Every Public School is a Sick Idea
Mr. Zizza, I appreciate your openness and willingness to question politicians as evidence by your recent article in the Magic City Morning Star titled "A Nurse In Every Public School Is A Sick Idea." However, I must respectfully disagree with your viewpoint.
Feb 25, 2009 - 12:46:18 PM
Letters The Days of the School Nurse Just "Handing Out Medicine" Are Gone
I read Tony Zizza's article from last week stating that a nurse in every school is a sick idea. Although I am a school nurse in the suburbs of New York City, I was sent the article from my Nurse Coordinator as it was posted in a publication called the School Nurse Digest. The cost for nurses that he listed sounded like a ridiculous amount of money. I bet if he asked the taxpayers to offset the cost via their local school budget, there would not be much objection.
Feb 25, 2009 - 12:40:59 PM
Letters I Am Interested in Your Idea that Children in School Do Not Need Nurses
I am interested in your idea that children in school do not need nurses. I read your editorial this morning. As I was reading it, several questions about the writer came to my mind. Would you take the time to answer my questions?
Feb 25, 2009 - 12:34:33 PM
Letters As a School Nurse, I Am Sometimes the Only Medical Person They See
After reading your article I felt compelled to respond. I am a school nurse in an Elementary School. I see an average of 50 students a day. For some of these students, I am the only medical person they see. If I can save one child there is a reason for nurses in every school. What price do you put on a student's life?
Feb 25, 2009 - 12:20:05 PM
Letters What School Nurses Really Do in the Course of a Day
Perhaps the health and welfare of students and staff is not on your professional or personal radar. I wanted to share with you one school nurse's perspective on her job responsibilities... read them and be amazed at what school nurses really do in the course of a day.
Feb 25, 2009 - 11:58:05 AM
Letters I Challenge You to Print This Rebuttal
Tony, I read a copy of your article in the Nurse's Digest, and was appalled and 'sickened' by your biased, and ignorant article on the 'sick' idea of having a nurse in every public school.
Feb 25, 2009 - 11:27:41 AM
Letters A Clear Picture of My Job as a School Nurse
I recently came across your article titled "A Nurse In Every Public School Is a Sick Idea", dated Feb.16, 2009. Being a school nurse at a public school in Tennessee, I just wanted to respond to hopefully give a clear picture of my job as a school nurse.
Feb 25, 2009 - 11:14:10 AM
Letters I Am Appalled by Zizza's Article on School Nurses
As a nurse form South Africa who is battling to get people to see the importance of having a few nurses in schools let alone all Public Schools, I am appalled at Tony Zizza's lack of understanding or knowledge. I can only assume that your news paper is a sensationalist print who does not take journalism seriously.
Feb 25, 2009 - 10:46:47 AM
Letters Eric Holder is the Real Racist
Attorney General Eric Holder recently condemned all European Americans, saying that they "have always been and continue to be, in too many ways, essentially a nation of cowards."
Feb 21, 2009 - 8:48:20 PM
Letters Direct Negotiations with Iran
The recent coverage of the IAEA report on Iran's nuclear enrichment program has been sensational, and has not provided a realistic assessment of the Iran's nuclear capabilities. While we must take nuclear proliferation concerns seriously, the IAEA officials rightly point out that there are a number of hurdles Iran must overcome before they would have the ability to make a nuclear bomb, and the US's own intelligence agencies have concluded that Iran is not pursuing a weapons program.
Feb 21, 2009 - 7:54:34 PM
