Internet brings out worst in some people
To the editor:
I use the Internet nearly every day, and my home page is Yahoo. Nearly every day for the last three weeks or so, I have been bombarded with stories about religion that have been reacted to by atheists and believers who do nothing but sling mud back and forth at one another. I learned long ago to expect this kind of behavior from kids on a school playground, but coming from adults, both young and old, it is nothing short of disgusting. Even as a practicing Catholic, I do not feel it is my duty to run around telling atheists and agnostics that they will burn in Hell for not thinking like me. To say the least, that’s rude!
At the same time, I do not appreciate atheists telling me and others like me that we are all outdated, old-fashioned, ignorant, uneducated, and unintelligent, simply because we believe in God and go to church! I am a practicing Roman-Catholic. I love my Lord and I love my church. I have dear friends who do not go to church, but they are my friends anyway, because they have good hearts. We don’t insult one another. They respect the fact that I go to church and practice a religion, and I respect the fact that they do not. We love and respect one another in spite of our differences. That’s as it should be.
So, to all those folks on both sides of the spectrum, here’s an idea: Instead of acting like a bunch of cretins and yahoos, why not act more like responsible Christians and atheists who use Yahoo?
Paul Gutman
Caribou
Some earmarks save taxpayers money
To the editor:
Since 1997 Maine Military Authority (MMA) has refurbished more than 14,000 vehicles for the Army and National Guard. The vast majority of these vehicles were discarded by the Army and headed to the scrap yard. After comprehensively refurbishing these vehicles to “like new” condition, ownership is transferred to the National Guard for 40 percent the cost of a new vehicle. Over the years, MMA has saved the National Guard and taxpayer hundreds of millions of dollars.
MMA currently employs 350 workers in Limestone and injects more than $19 million in payroll into the northern Maine economy each year. Despite MMA’s demonstrated ability to refurbish vehicles faster, better and cheaper than our federal counterparts, federal budget cuts and regulations are increasingly directing more workload to federal facilities. In fact, in 2009 MMA’s budget was cut by more than 50 percent without notice. Working with Maine’s Congressional Delegation, MMA received an earmark to produce additional mission-essential vehicles for the National Guard. This earmark saved 175 jobs at MMA and the taxpayer millions of dollars. Senator Collins currently supports an earmark for MMA that will lay the foundation for a new, long-term, high volume, program commencing in 2012 that will likely support more than 100 jobs for five years.
Over the past year, earmarks have become synonymous with excessive government spending and waste. While citizens are rightly outraged by wasteful projects, we must pause for a moment and acknowledge that some earmarks are proper and beneficial to taxpayers.
Tim Corbett
Belgrade
A county on the move
To the editor:
I’ll begin this letter with an apology. When publicly thanking others for their support it is easy to overlook some who have contributed their resources to make an effort successful. With this thought in mind I find it important to give a big “thank you to all” who have and continue to support Friends of Aroostook, both financially and through their volunteerism.
On various occasions we receive phone calls that seem to make or break our day. Recently I received one of those make my day phone calls. A representative from the County Federal Credit Union called to inform me that Friends of Aroostook had been awarded a $1,000 grant to assist us with our Operation Wood Heat program. This was one of those calls that tend to make one’s day. As the first recipient in southern Aroostook, it is truly an honor to be chosen for this award. And on behalf of those who receive our winter firewood a big thanks to The County Federal Credit Union for making this gift possible.
The County Federal Credit Union gives 12 grants to Aroostook annually. Grants of $1,000 each are given on a monthly basis to support organization that benefit northern Maine. You might say they are about, “connecting local resources with local needs”. You can show your appreciation by stopping at one of their branches and acknowledging their generosity.
Others who have financially supported Friends of Aroostook are The Maine Community Foundation, The United Way of Aroostook, S.W. Collins Co, Katahdin Trust, F.A. Peabody Co., Dr. Chester Husted, Walmart, and other concerned individuals. As mentioned earlier, on occasion it is easy to overlook a supporter but the important thing is, all should know within themselves they have given to help some one less fortunate.
FoA was created to give a hand up to Aroostook’s elderly, working cold/hungry, and others less fortunate in the County. Although there are much needed town, state, and federal assistance programs, they often can not give the recipient an opportunity to get involved. We are making every effort to incorporate our consumers into the FoA program. I’m told of a time when those who received assistance were encouraged to get involved in the sponsoring program. Consumers were given the opportunity to shovel a side walk, process firewood, or do other forms of community service. You might say we are rolling back the clock 50 years by encouraging the recipients to join us in giving back.
On this bright sunny day, Nov. 29, we have a gentleman helping our staff process firewood. The man is currently unemployed and his family came up short in their need for firewood this year. He volunteered to assist in splitting firewood for others this winter. When I asked, how should we compensate you he said, “a load of firewood works for me”. FoA appreciates the man’s help and are very pleased to get wood to his family.
Not all can give in a physical fashion, but all can give something to help a neighbor. I guess the question is, “What can I do to lend a hand up to another who is dealing with life shortfalls”? Keep in mind the most rewarding contribution is giving without expectation.
Our Operation Wood Heat Program relies on The Salvation Army to help identify and screen those who need firewood. This program is not designed to provide winter heat to those who have alternative options such as state and federal programs, but if you or someone you are aware of is falling through the cracks (elderly, working families, and such) and in need of emergency firewood, please call The Salvation Army in Houlton at 532-2322 or call me at 694-8131.
Dale Flewelling,
Director FOA
Houlton
