State desperately needs to cut spending, taxes
Gov. David Paterson was interviewed on WBEN the other morning and it was amazing the things he brought out unknown to most New Yorkers. To quote him, “47 percent of taxes used for education are administrative costs.” Yet from the commercials attacking educational cuts to the budget, we hear another take: “It’s for the children.” (Updated: 11/19/09 7:06 AM )
Let county caseworkers pay for own cell phones
In the letter to Everybody’s Column about cell phones for county caseworkers, the writer stated that she did not think the county executive would walk in those neighborhoods and that he would not want his family to walk in those neighborhoods. Chris Collins did not apply for and take the job of a county caseworker, she did. (Updated: 11/19/09 7:06 AM )
Keillor is on right track with comments on city
In his syndicated column on Nov. 10, “How to pass health care reform,” Garrison Keillor wrote: “And then there is Washington. I maintain that Congress would do better work if it moved to Buffalo, N. Y., and the honorables had to experience blizzards and snow-shoveling and cold weather, which stimulate intelligence— SAT scores rise as you approach the Canadian border. Nothing in the U. S. Constitution says that Congress could not convene in Buffalo. . . .” (Updated: 11/19/09 7:06 AM )
President must make tough decisions now
Our U. S. representatives and senators need to set some priorities: (Updated: 11/19/09 7:06 AM )
Paterson is the only one who’s acting like an adult
To start with, I was not a fan of Gov. David Paterson. To make matters worse, I am a member of the GOP. However, it is sad to say that of the “three men in a room,” Paterson is the only adult. Right now I would vote for him. (Updated: 11/19/09 7:06 AM )
Voters need to hold officials accountable
New York State is running out of money, and it’s suddenly a crisis. No one saw it coming—not the unions with their bloated benefits; nor the politicians shedding massive amounts of pork, but not their payroll numbers; nor voters who have it within their power to scan a circle and make a difference. No one. (Updated: 11/18/09 7:28 AM )
Proposals by Obama have not put our republic at risk
A Nov. 8 letter writer cites three essential questions facing our nation—will constitutional law prevail, will America remain a republic and will capitalism be allowed to continue? He then directs his attention to President Obama’s challenge as a candidate to “fundamental change” and concludes that the “changes” he has proposed reflect a departure from who we are as a people and nation. (Updated: 11/18/09 7:28 AM )
Una Voce on same page as the Catholic Church
As president of Una Voce-Buffalo, I strongly take exception to some of the criticisms the Rev. Msgr. John Ryan made in his recent letter. His opinion of Una Voce is a warped one. I would suggest that he reread the Second Vatican Council’s document on the laity’s role in the church and Canon Law. He should also go to
www.unavoce.org
and read the organization’s mission statement. The members of Una Voce are not “spiritual Luddites,” nor have I ever been to a tea party, I am a coffee drinker. As far as the charge that we want to undo the Second Vatican Council, I believe our position is in line with Pope Benedict’s, which is that the council be interpreted in line with tradition and the preceding councils of the church. (Updated: 11/18/09 7:28 AM )
Reception at Statler went off without a hitch
We booked the Terrace Room at the Statler Hotel last year for my daughter’s wedding reception on Nov. 7. With all of the horror stories in the media, we considered backing out and finding another reception hall. I called the manager for Park Lane Catering to discuss our fears. She told a different story than what we’d been seeing in the media. She calmed our fears and we decided to stay since my daughter had her heart set on the Statler. (Updated: 11/18/09 7:28 AM )
We can solve problems by working together
Whether it was the new voting machines, or whether it was the prevailing feeling that “enough was enough,” the turnout of eligible voters in the Town of Sardinia was more than 60 percent. In reviewing turnout from other towns and villages, it would appear that Sardinia was tops in voter response. (Updated: 11/18/09 7:28 AM )
Many would be thrilled to land a job in Buffalo
As I was enjoying my breakfast and reading The News, I came upon the Buzz Column. I could not help feeling sorry for the unhappy twitter. The person found a great job, that paid ridiculously well, but “requires moving to Buffalo.” (Updated: 11/18/09 7:28 AM )
Buffalo should embrace plan to promote biking
The importance of bicycle transportation cannot be overstated. It helps promote physical health, neighborhood vitality and environmental awareness. Knowing this, why does Buffalo still make decisions that discourage bicycle riding within our city? (Updated: 11/17/09 6:47 AM )
Williams merits praise for venture with China
The editorial of Nov. 10, “Seeking lessons in China,” illuminated an important issue. Buffalo School Superintendent James A. Williams should be congratulated for looking to the future while he diligently tries to resolve many educational and financial problems that continue to plague the Buffalo Public School District. (Updated: 11/17/09 6:47 AM )
Harvest House is gem for community
My roots are deeply embedded in South Buffalo. It will always be my home. (Updated: 11/17/09 6:47 AM )
New Naval assault ship is inappropriate memorial
Recently, the USS New York steamed into New York Harbor. The Naval assault ship contains within its massive steel bulk 7.5 tons of steel recovered from the wreckage of the World Trade Center, and is being considered by many a memorial for those lost in the 9/11 attacks. It was greeted with much emotion and ceremony, as it should be. But my question is: Why does the memorial have to be a machine of war? It seems almost uniquely American to celebrate the dead by building something that could then be used to kill others. (Updated: 11/17/09 6:47 AM )
Nudity in art is nothing to be embarrassed about
I have followed the discussion in this column on art and nudity at the Albright- Knox Art Gallery. When I was the age of the children in this discussion, I was very sensitive to depictions of human nudity. My mother noted this and explained to me that art is not nudity. Art is representation of life that God made. Pornography, she said, is different. As I grew, I learned to understand. (Updated: 11/17/09 6:47 AM )
Get out of Afghanistan; we can’t change world
When will common sense prevail to get us out of this never-ending conflict in central Asia? Many nations have tried to conquer central Asia and failed—Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan, the British and Russia. Now we are embroiled in a different war. (Updated: 11/17/09 6:47 AM )
Public funds give Roswell Park an unfair advantage
“Confronting the prostate cancer dilemma” pointed out problems in prostate cancer treatment. Roswell Park receives state subsidies. While the hospital declines to disclose the amounts, likely several million taxpayer dollars have been used for its aggressive advertising. Advertising is necessary for information, but Roswell Park has a clear taxpayer-supported advantage over other hospitals and community practice groups such as Western New York Urology. (Updated: 11/16/09 7:07 AM )
AARP supports bill to improve health care
The U. S. House of Representatives has passed critical health care reform legislation that would strengthen Medicare for seniors and end discrimination by insurance companies that prices millions of Americans out of affordable coverage. (Updated: 11/16/09 7:07 AM )
Planned zoo exhibit seems out of place
I applaud the effort of developer David Stapleton and his company for the donation of a historical barn to the Buffalo Zoo. Preservation and restoration by a developer should be encouraged. I do feel, however, that this donation and the planned exhibit by the zoo would be a more appropriate project for the Buffalo Historical Society or in a waterfront development project. (Updated: 11/16/09 7:07 AM )
Congress shares blame in Wall Street meltdown
Since the bailout of Wall Street firms, Congress has beat its chest about the extravagant pay structure of Wall Street executives. They, according to Congress, caused their firms near-collapse because of their greed. (Updated: 11/16/09 7:07 AM )
Too many people treat seniors with disdain
Kudos to the Nov. 10 letter writer who described the ignorance of people who diminish folks for their differences because of ethnicity, poverty or other states of being. This is also true of folks who are no longer young. We are taken as automatically demented, ignored and treated as outsiders and anomalies among those who have not yet reached senior citizen status. (Updated: 11/16/09 7:07 AM )
Local Democrats need new leaders
This past election proved that the Democratic Party does not care if the county executive takes over Erie County. If Mayor Byron Brown had rallied his followers and Democratic Chairman Len Lenihan had showed any kind of leadership, we would have had a new sheriff. “Leadership” like that offered by Lenihan and his cronies has split the party and contributed to the county-versus-city and village-versus-town mentality. Let’s not even get into Steve Pigeon and the disgrace of the Senate Democrats. (Updated: 11/16/09 7:07 AM )
It’s laughable to claim detainees are mistreated
A recent item in The News indicated that Gitmo detainees would have the option of receiving the swine flu vaccine, possibly before others who may be at risk of contracting the disease. This is outrageous. (Updated: 11/15/09 8:08 AM )
Quit the childish antics, offer reasonable debate
When I saw in the Nov. 8 News that the greatest nation in the world had finally taken the first step in providing health security to the millions of Americans who now lack it, I smiled. (Updated: 11/15/09 8:08 AM )
Let’s take our time, do health care right
I am awestruck at how our leaders in Congress have become arrogant, self-important bullies. We are becoming one giant dysfunctional family bent on self destruction, jumping on a feel-good bandwagon without a moral compass. Happy as long as we are promised something for seemingly nothing, we rally for the “common good.”We are like two passionate teens on prom night, everything seems so right, nothing could go wrong, but when we’re awoken by the unintended consequences of a life and financial-altering realization that we have made a mistake, we cannot turn back. (Updated: 11/15/09 8:08 AM )
New York must cut, not raise taxes, fees
Apparently, the state of New York doesn’t get it. If this state wants to keep and attract business and residents, then here’s the solution: cut taxes and fees. Otherwise, for New York State to continue charging obscene taxes and fees means Albany deserves to lose revenue to lower-price entities such as Indian tribal gas/tobacco stores, out-of-state purveyors and even Internet-based providers. (Updated: 11/15/09 8:08 AM )
How will Paterson put the people first?
Gov. David Paterson is focusing his campaign on “the people first.” Yet I’m not sure if Paterson is in tune with what’s necessary to put the people first. (Updated: 11/15/09 8:08 AM )
State politicians keep padding their pockets
New York State government is so dysfunctional. Another great example was Gov. David Paterson getting rebuffed by his own party as he called for a joint session of the State Legislature to discuss the soaring deficit. Senate Democratic leaders said they didn’t want to “waste the time or taxpayer money to be present for a photo-op for the governor.” However, it is amazing to note that the joint session came on the same day several top Senate Democrats were in Puerto Rico on the taxpayer’s dime. (Updated: 11/15/09 8:08 AM )
Frustrated voters wave the white flag
“Where have the voters gone?” is the question. The answer lies with all of the politicians. Let them look in their mirrors and see what the voters are seeing. A pompous, overstuffed, arrogant, corrupt group of cheaters, liars, scheming what’s-in-it-for-me manipulators. The general malaise is “why vote?” Too many have been in there too long, and it’s almost an impossibility to ever remove them. (Updated: 11/15/09 8:08 AM )