To the Editor:
Sometimes “peace talks” are a way to cover up more war. This is especially true when one side has all the military power and no incentive to resolve the conflict. The Annapolis talks between the Palestinians and Israelis are an example of war making dressed up like peace negotiations.
Israel holds all the cards. It has the fourth-most powerful military in the world, with all the latest fighter jets and tanks that American tax dollars can buy. Moreover, It has 200 nuclear weapons, and the unquestioning support of the world’s only superpower. The Palestinian people are virtually powerless, prisoners in their own land. This year, Israel killed 650 Palestinians while suffering 27 fatalities. Human rights groups estimate that 80 percent of Palestinians were civilians.
Israel just sent 30 tanks into Gaza on another killing spree, murdering 8 “gunmen.” In addition, Israeli Minister of Housing announced that 307 more units would be added to the illegal Jewish settlement in east Jerusalem on Jabal Abu Ghunaym. This is reminiscent of the Clinton era “peace talks,” during which Israel doubled its Jewish settlements in the Palestinian West Bank.
And the hope of real peace keeps receding, as senators like Clinton and Schumer spend more time boosting Israel than New York State. Israel recently won a new arms deal with the U.S., getting $6 billion aid in one year. The Israeli lobby and their allies in our government are the real causes of endless war in the Middle East.
Fred Nagel
Rhinebeck
To the Editor:
On behalf of Brother 2 Brother I would like to thank you for your generous gifts donated during our Dress 4 Success Clothing Drive. Your commitment to helping those less fortunate in our community is sincerely appreciated.
Each year, Brother 2 Brother continues to advance its mission of mobilizing the energy or our young men to create meaningful change in the community. Through our program we have seen many lives change for the better.
The goal of Brother 2 Brother is to continue to make a difference in the school and community. With the help of donations from supporters such as you we will continue to cultivate positive leaders by promoting effective communication and coping skills.
Thanks again for your generous support of our efforts.
Wayne Boone, Earl Brown, Ralph Coates, Maliek Williams, Curtis Whitted
Advisors
To the Editor:
How sweet it is for a Dutchess County Democrat (me) to finally see a Democratic majority in the county Legislature. Then, even sweeter, not one month after Democratic control, to read former Republican Chairman Gary Cooper’s Jan 18 “Guest Column” in the Dutchess Beat, where he whines because his “seating chart” was changed.
He mentioned the seating chart five times: his major accomplishment after being chairman of the legislature for a year. He accuses the new chairman, Roger Higgins, of partisan politics. But he expects that we have forgotten that, only this past December, he put fellow Republican Legislator Marge Horton in the penalty box for voting with the Democrats about an appointment to the Dutchess Community College Board of Trustees. Maybe his bipartisan seating chart was working too well on that one, even for his own liking. I hope the whimpering about the seating chart is over. Please, somebody get this guy a tissue.
Jim Beretta
Poughkeepsie
To the Editor:
I attended the Dutchess County Legislature meeting in December and there were many things I liked and things I didn’t like. I liked the fact that the seats were arranged in a way so that the audience or the viewers could see what’s going on. They spoke loudly so everyone could hear clearly what they were talking about. However, they didn’t let the audience know when they were switching subjects. I still thought the meeting was good and I will be attending many more.
Jordan Weir
Poughkeepsie High School
To the Editor:
I’m a senior at Poughkeepsie High School. I recently attended a Board of Education meeting. This meeting was different from the usual – it had entertainment. During the meeting, new technology was displayed to show the education purposes and advantages. This software was designed to both capture the students’ attention and educate them at the same time. During the presentation a cartoon containing rap both engaged and captured my attention, and I’m sure it would do the same to the suggested group. I hope they approve this new software so children can learn in an interactive environment.
Domonique Baker
Poughkeepsie High School
To the Editor:
“An audit released last year by state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli found $1.2 million in questionable spending during the tenure of former Superintendent Robert Watson, who left the district in 2006. A Dutchess County grand jury is investigating the district’s fiscal affairs during Watson’s tenure. No one has been charged with any wrongdoing.”
The preceding information was in a Poughkeepsie Journal story dated Jan 18, 2008. Poughkeepsie residents still wait for the grand jury report on the finding of this issue for around two years now. Many of us wonder if Mr. Grady will release any report much before he retires from office. (Many feel that retirement is long overdue). We only ask for a report on this issue from those paid to provide it. To some, it appears the “questionable” $1.2 million dollars followed by jury investigations that remained un-reported leave us wondering is the fox in charge of the henhouse.
When will the tax-paying residents receive reports that explain where the monies unaccounted for really went?
Mr. and Mrs. John J. Mihans
Poughkeepsie