Thanks to volunteers at Saratoga cemetery
My husband and I have traveled twice a week to be with our son, Keith, whose remains are at Saratoga Gerald B.H. Solomon National Cemetery. A fire destroyed his home and took his life and his pets last June 14.
Each trip has been unbearable mourning his tragic passing at the young age of 34. But this weekend, Memorial Day was overwhelming in a different way.
Each and every grave and collumbarium was marked with our American flag to honor all these fine heroes — men and women in uniform who bravely served our country. We just wanted to thank all you kind, patriotic, giving volunteers who worked so tirelessly, in hot weather besides, to decorate this cemetery with the red, white and blue. It was quite a humbling sight and very beautiful.
And to those young men who spoke with us and saluted our Keith, we are grateful beyond all words.
Linda Andreine
Rotterdam
Everything not going according to the plan
This is the way it was: Clinton was the Princess Royal, trying on the crown at every opportunity; Sanders was her straight man, feeding “Madam Secretary” with lines in the debates. Democratic National Committee chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz had made sure that she had enough superdelegates, that even the voters in primaries could not threaten her formal installation in July. She was well ahead of almost all the Republicans in the general election polls and it appeared that the Republican Party world have a contested convention full of dissension and disarray.
Although there was growing evidence that Her Majesty was dishonest and maybe even criminal in many of her actions as secretary of state, the Obama departments of state and justice would go out of their way to protect her — after all, she was a winner.
This is what happened: Trump surged and became the presumptive nominee of the Republican Party and even started to out-perform Clinton in the general election polls; Sanders gave up his role as straight man, started winning primaries, refused to give up, complaining vociferously about the DNC delegate selection process, and maintained his lead in the general election polls against Trump; the State Department abandoned the presumptive nominee and produced an inspector general’s report that was highly critical of her behavior while in office. After all, she was really starting to look like a loser.
This is the way it could easily pan out: Clinton will be sold down the river by the Democratic Party; the FBI will release its damning findings; the Justice Department will at least threaten a criminal indictment; Clinton will be forced out the race; Schultz will be ousted as chairman of the DNC; the superdelegates will be radicalized; Sanders will get the nomination, because if he doesn’t, he’ll at least threaten to run as an independent; Trump will shift his attack and win the general election against a Democratic Socialist Party in disarray.
Nice guy that he is, he will be magnanimous in his treatment of his old friend in her dotage.
Jim Moorhead
Scotia
Do your homework on climate change
Many letters to the editor only confuse a reader about global warming.
Mr. Wallace Hughes’ May 14 letter is an excellent example of the confused arguments put forth by those who dispute the importance of addressing mankind’s contribution to global warming.
Perhaps it’s time to bring back old-fashioned book learning and compare and contrast two important figures in this debate. I’d suggest we contrast Sen. James Inhofe of Oklahoma, chair of the Environment and Public Works Committee of the Senate, and Michael Mann, a highly respected American climatologist and geophysicist.
Sen. Inhofe is the author of “The Greatest Hoax: How the Global Warming Conspiracy Threatens Your Future,” and Michael Mann, PhD is the author of “The Hockey Stick and the Climate Wars.” These two have clashed at Senate hearings where Sen. Inhofe has questioned all aspects of climate change science.
I’ve been able to read both books, and Sen. Inhofe has nothing to offer but the type of discussion lacking a scientific base that Mr. Hughes uses, whereas Michael Mann conveys the scientific details that underlie his research. The scientific details are complex, and understanding them requires a concerned, scholarly reading of his book.
Sen. Inhofe, despite his very important position as chair of a Senate committee overseeing climate change, uses cherry-picked data and a grade-school-level unscientific view to present his book’s claims. The Washington Post saw fit to say he, “embarrasses the GOP and the U.S.”
Have we become a society of the scientifically illiterate who embrace the claims promoted by the climate deniers? We can do better. Let’s do our homework.
Don Cooper
Amsterdam
State AG can’t indict in police shootings
The editor in the May 8 issue opines, “AG should investigate all cop shootings.” The editor should spend some time reading the U.S. Constitution.
Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution reads: “No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury…” there follows an exception relating to the Army, Navy and militia when in actual service in time of war. Notwithstanding the fact that Baltimore, Chicago and other cities are war-like environments, awash in drugs and the unpermitted hand guns and bloodshed associated with that industry, Congress has not declared war in 75 years.
The amendment then reads: “… nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life and limb…” It follows then that the governor or the president cannot by edict suspend an individuals right to have a grand jury of local vicinage hear any such allegations against him.
The attorney general may investigate but he cannot indict, or initiate the “prosecution of any such incident.” That decision is the sole prerogative of the people, resulting from a finding by a local grand jury.
Further it is not within the power of any district attorney to nullify the finding of the grand jury and turn the investigation into a political witch hunt.
Art Henningson
Scotia
Letters
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There is no specific word limit, but shorter letters will get preference for publication and timeliness. Letters of about 200-300 words are suggested. Longer letters may be published online only.
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Letters to the Editor Monday, March 27 - Two, from readers in Albany and Schenectady- Letters to the Editor Sunday, March 26 - Three, from readers in Schenectady and Burnt Hills
- Letters to the Editor Friday, March 24 - Two, from readers in Schenectady and Glenville
- Letters to the Editor Thursday, March 23 - Six, from readers in Rotterdam, Schenectady, Scotia, else...
Letter to the Editor: Set reasonable and safe speed limits
Categories: Letters to the Editor
