Letters to the Editor for Aug. 31

Even with new technology, nuclear is too dangerous

In an Aug. 25 letter [“Technology for next generation of nuclear reactors ready to go”], the writer extolled the virtues of Integral Fast Reactors (IFRs). Though the writer correctly notes that such reactors would not require waste burial in Yucca Mountain, he fails to consider the other dangers associated with them.

Firstly, such reactors are cooled by liquid sodium, an extremely reactive material that can absorb water vapor from the air and ignite explosively. Secondly, accidents at IFRs can result in the release of large quantities of radioactive material. Thirdly, the projected 200-year lifetimes for IFRs mean that the design and materials of construction would have to be such that there would be no failures for hundreds of years. In the recorded history of the world, man has never built a machine that lasted that long. Why are we so arrogant as to believe we can do that now? Finally, the radioactive fuel and reactive liquid sodium coolant would make such reactors ready targets for terrorist attacks.

The solution to our energy needs is to use solar radiation to electrolyze water to hydrogen and oxygen which, in turn, can be used to produce electricity or used in fuel cells to power automobiles; wind power and tidal movement to also produce electricity; and the use of solar collectors and readily available catalysts to power the conversion of atmospheric carbon dioxide to methanol, a fuel that can be easily transported and readily used to power cars, trucks and railroads with no greenhouse repercussionss. Nuclear energy is simply too dangerous to use.

Harold I. Zeliger

West Charlton

Welcome support for coach and Sch’dy youth

Re Aug. 28 article, “New SHS scholarship is offered”: I recently moved to the Schenectady school district and my kids had the opportunity to visit a football practice. They are unable to do football this year due to other activities, but I was very impressed with Coach [Carmen] DePoalo and his assistants and how they interacted with the players.

It is amazing when you add up all of the hours that Coach DePoalo devotes to Schenectady students and then he is willing to donate over $4,000 to purchasing a piece of equipment that will help the participants.

I realize the Kozak family has every right to make their own decisions about how their scholarship foundation money will get distributed. However, I am very glad that the school board and Superintendent Eric Ely decided to give Coach DePoalo the opportunity to continue with football and hope that he will be coaching for many years to come.

I do not buy many plants/flowers but if I do, it will be from Frank Gallo. It is great to see the willingness of a business owner to invest directly in the success of youth in the community.

Sandra McAnany

Schenectady

Parental STD testing sends wrong message

Regarding Kathy Ricketts’ Aug. 24 article, [“Sexually transmitted disease clinic tests both teens, parents”] on parents being tested with their teenager for STDs (sexually transmitted diseases): By all means parents should be encouraged to bring their children in for testing. But they should not be tested with them.

This is the message parents should be telling their children. “I don’t need to be tested. I’m in a mutually monogamous relationship with my spouse. You on the other hand, my child, need to be tested for STDs because of your promiscuous behavior.”

Sharing of possible sexually transmitted disease results with your child is probably not the way parents should be bonding with their children.

Denny Empie

Rotterdam

Minorities getting the short end in Sch’dy

As my family and I watched the opening ceremonies of the Olympic games, it was easy to reflect on the condition of Schenectady. This is where we call home. So as we watched the faces coming across our screen as representatives of their countries, it was with great pride we watched as the American teams come out with so many different faces and so much diversity representing the United States.

However, here in Schenectady we have not seen the same.

I question how [Judge Vincent] Versaci can give an enormous bail to people of color in City Court, usually a maximum allowable for the charged offense, but allow a young white kid to be released on their own recognizance.

Are we as diverse as we need to be? Why does a police force consist of less than 5 percent of minorities in a community where the population is about 25 percent minority. The fire department has similar statistics concerning minorities and employment. I am not sure that I am in favor of using things as excuses, and believe I will succeed no matter what, but it is a scary at bat when you step to the plate with two strikes before the first pitch.

It is even more discomforting knowing some people will read a letter such as this with no concern, or a belief that this is how it should be.

I am not satisfied with this condition and hope to do my part in changing it, as this is not the environment that I want my children raised in. Nor is it a reason to pack up and run. At some point we must stand up and fight. Change begins individually and can affect an entire community. So if you read this, look within and begin there, as I will do the same.

Edward Overton

Schenectady

Legislators also to blame for hospital fiasco

The Aug. 24 letter [“Ellis management should seek advice of talented nursing staff”], concerning the nurses’ position on the Ellis/St. Clare’s merging debacle, addressed many of the problems created by the Berger Commission. The writer was right on the mark in assessing blame to both the shortsightedness of the Berger Commission and the total lack of planning by the Ellis Hospital board. The result has been a severe reduction in the quality of health care in Schenectady County and a severe lack of confidence in the health care facilities by patients.

The only thing lacking in the letter was asking our local politicians why they all took the coward’s way out and allowed this to take place without any public forums or questions to Gov. Pataki and the Berger Commission. Sen. Farley, Assemblyman Tedisco and their fellow legislators seemed to have lost their power of speech when it came to investigating the impact that these drastic changes in hospital and nursing home care would have on the general public. If they had put half as much effort into this problem as they did in declaring their moral outrage at our ex-governor’s sex scandal, they may have stopped or at least delayed the implementation of the Berger Commission’s recommendations. Apparently there weren’t enough TV cameras or microphones around on the day that the commission’s findings were released.

To this day, none of the legislators have explained their actions (or inaction) at all and have never really been questioned in depth about any of this by the media.

I always believed that the primary job of our senators and assemblymen was to protect the interest of their constituents. Please think about this the next time that you are enjoying a relaxing five- or six-hour wait at the Ellis Hospital emergency room. Maybe you can use some of this free time to read over one of the periodical mailings from your local senator or assemblyman telling you of all the wonderful things they have done for you during this legislative session. That should be good for at least a couple of minutes.

John Angilletta

Scotia

Pig ‘races’ part of animal abuse at fairs

Re: Aug. 27 article, “Fair opens with speedy swine”: If kids knew that the pigs they are cheering on will end up on dinner plates, they’d run kicking and screaming from this “race.”

Pigs are smart and personable animals. On the fair circuit, they are continually carted from one town to the next and are treated with little more care than rigging or equipment. Imagine being surrounded by screaming crowds, blaring music and bullhorns, with no chance of escape. The stress and anxiety this frightening environment causes cannot be dismissed. The logistics of getting from place to place on a tight schedule does not allow for downtime to let animals rest or recuperate.

If fairs want to remain viable in this gigabyte 21st century, they’ll continue to eliminate cruel animal displays and replace them with innovative exhibits that are informative and genuinely entertaining.

Jennifer O’Connor

Norfolk, Va.

The writer is an animals in entertainment campaign writer PETA, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

Letters Policy

The Gazette wants your opinions on public issues.

There is no strict word limit, though letters under 200 words are preferred.

All letters are subject to editing for length, style and fairness, and we will run no more than one letter per month from the same writer.

Please include your signature, address and day phone for verification.

For information on how to send, see bottom of this page.

For more letters, visit our Web site: www.dailygazette.com

September 1, 2008
6:56 p.m.

[ Suggest removal ]

wmarincic ( no real name given ) says...

Edward that was a good letter and you are right in what you say to a point. The Sch'dy Police and Fire Dept's. are always looking for qualified people so I would have to say that minorities are not applying. Also as far as bails go are you comparing apples to apples? Was the white kid charged with the same offence as a person of color and if so, what are the criminal backgrounds of each? These are the things you need to find out before you make a blanket statement about racism in Schenectady.