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V/*—-, 4' Decern berl 0,1990 The Democrat ttm <r P Opinion... ^ Published every Monday by: North Country Publications 7439 Lake St., Pulaski,'N.Y. 13142 H. Thomas Swartz/David J. Alteri, publishers C. Timothy Sullivan, editor Lisa L^Reape, managing editor Kelly L. Fargo, reporter Phone: 298-5176,298-5177 Postmaster: send change of address to The democrat, P.O. Box 207, Pulaski, NewYork 13142 As I see it Saudi venture isn't worth the costs A new beginning j We're back. After some necessary adjustments, we resume publication today with a new name, a new look and, we hope, a new focus intended to better serve our readers. Nothinghappensall at once. Things evolve and this is the case with The Democrat which will broaden its base to better inform readers in Pulaski, Sandy Creek and the smaller commu- nities of northern OswegoCounty. We'll be coming free - direct mailed - to the entire area formerly served by the Town & County Pen- nysaver. We'll continue our emphasis on reportingthethingsthatareimportaht to you, be it the news of the schools, the clubs, the churches arid the civic organizations. We'll have features on interesting people and evenjsthat you won'tfind elsewhere. We'll have news that often es- capes attention in other media and, together, we'll hopefully make our area a little easier place to understand One man's opinion and a little better place to live. Towards this end, you'll find in this and-future editions a more com- partmentalized and better-packaged method of reporting. Whattofindoutwhat'shappening in education*? Look at bur '%n school\ section. Want 4© know about business? There'll be an \In Business\ com- partment, too, along with \Diver- sions,\ where you'll learn about rec- reational and entertainment opportu- nities mthearea. - We're workmghard to make this an all-around better* product, but we can't do it alone. We need and wel- come your lielp. If your clufr has something going on, we are interested. If your business is changing, weM like to share that wiuiourreaders,ttx),Sdmethingg^ing on in your church? Heasecall. See something tiiat\ doesn*t seem quite right? Call us, we'll get the answers. We're The Democrat and we're here to serve. -Tim Sullivan By Floyd G. Nolan, Sr. I have been asked to repeat this column which I wrote over agenera- - tion ago for this publication, \Old: Alone, Forgotten and Scared\ A recent event by two of our local organizations, in calling on the homes which house and care for some older members of our society, isthereason for the tide of this article. Of all the world's societies, ours seems to be rapidly approaching the number one position of being most callous in regard to the elderly. Only a small number-two at the most-exceed us in shameful behavior toward die old and infirmed. Their action toward their elders isfrequently dictated by climate, lack of food, or water. We, however, have little or no excuse for our lack of care. Many of mem, confined to chairs, walkers or beds, have not had a card, call, or a visitor since last year, when we made our yearly visit to these places! The tearful Christmas greet-, ings, expressed to our members by many, points out the lack of concern by die rest of die society. Once -a- year contact wiUi Uiesepoor unfortu- nates is a shame on all of us. ' This neglect must stop and a new program should be formulated to change our benign concern. Those not confined to Uiese vari- ous homes, but living alone, behind multiple-locked and chained doors, ridden with fear of break-ins, mug- gingsorbcatings, deserve something better than our present social treat- ment of the aged. As the rural, small towns grow from die fearful and elderly migration from die larger centers of the populations, we could lead by inaugurating a new program for, die aged. Eventually, it could becomea national policy and restore our nation to a position of respect, among die othe* national societies. Unless we start here and formu- late a new approach to this national horror, we shall inevitably descend to die level of the jungle \where die might is right.\ This condition is presently die status of someof die largest nations, as well as some^of the emerging countries. I strongly hope we never reachdiispositionpf \mightisright\ while you and 1 are alive! Three years ago, while making calls on thehomes,one of ourmem- bers said, \I in never going to grow old!\ He was right, as he died a year andahalf'Ago. Youandlarestill here tiiough. Are y ou going tp grow old and let tiiis happen to you? I don't tiiink so, andlhopeyou'lltakestepstochange die attitude society has towards its elderly people. Remember, almost 2,000 years ago, it.was written, \Honor your mother and your father.\ And mar- riage vgjvs generally commission each partner \to care for the otiier in sickness and in health.\ ' Let tiiis new position of caring for our elderly begin now, right here! Take a moment and write down what you'd like to see happen to help the older citizens. The next step would be to let your electedrepresen- tatives kn6w how you feel. Also, i write a letter to your newspaper. Only you can change this shame- ful condition, and whenyou do, you'll feel better, and all society will benefit from your actions! \ By Robert Yesensky Well, our government has done it Ijlgain. They are sticking their noses in places tfiey don't belong and are willing to pay for it with die lives of ouif citizens and our tax dbllars. As far as I can see it is a no-win situation for us. I am, of course, talking about the Persian Gulf problem. When die problems first started over tiiere, Ipredicted thafctfie United, States would get involved, if for no other reason titan to than the billion- ares who run theoilcompanies in tiiis country would insist that something be done to protect their interests. Is this a good reason to send American troops to acountry far away? I really don't think so. Then, as if to add insult to injury, the price of gasoline and other oil product shot up by at least SOpercent. This seemed strange since we only, get about three to five percent of our oil from that area. Are these oil companies 'making a kiUihgin theoilmarket? Youbetcha. While our government is spending all of die tax dollars we worked so hard to provide and is putting- die lives of our military, people iftdanger toprotectthesebig~oilinterests,they arerakingus Over tiiecoals withiheir higher and h;igherj)rices, Whenluie»^blem iretdevelopcd overmeii;thegWernments of Kuwait and Saudi Atrabia asked the United States and u>e rest of the world for help. Of course, our country was the first to respond. When we asked die other countries that depend more heavily omhe oil frontitoltarea for miliiaryanti financial assistance, they, more or less, tfiumbed dieir hosesat us. Countries, like Japan, who get most of thejr oil from that area are helping only begrudingly and, hey, can you blame diem? If you were getting your milk and Letters : beefforfree, would you be interested in buying a Cow? They know tiiat, whether or not they pitch in, the job will get done. The gOvernmentOf Kuwait; which is now in exile, iskeeping pretty busy these days, ttx>;-.V/hfle as far as I know, Japan hasn' l contributed one cent to die defense of their own con- try, they have come up with about 3,500 volunteers to help. Big deal\. Less than half of one percent of die people in Kuwait are willing to fight to regain possesion of their country. The Kuwaiti exdesare really busy these days. They have set up offices in otiier countries and are making millions $ dollars a day by shifting their vasewealth from CDs to money market funds and die like. They are able tojget their hands on literally tons of money that is in Swiss bank accounts,butare unwilling toput one leentofitintothedGfenseofdiierown home. Thedefenseforcein Saudi Arabia is comprised of mostiy American soldiers, While our military;, is over there, do you tiiink that they should -• have to ask die Saudis for permission to defend tiiemseves in the ev«nt of ah attack? -u.. :•.•',' ^ ---'• - No way, but ti^ey live by the besides. Amerioaf tarn things that do over there that w question. ? With Christtiasl^mgAe relat uvesof die soldiers were wondering whatuieycx)uldseoddi^irloved<)nes, J^taded in ti% official lis oftirings that they cannot seoil are: pictures of women that reveal any parts Of die\ body except the hands and face, Bibles, omer i^igioiKJtems, Christ- mas cards and even cadtain foods. I don't think tiiat this islam They knew whentiieyaskedus tt> come over diere what to expect from ahftcannot in \*•\' ;^. our military people and tiiey asked us any way. Itis sortof like lpokingagift horse^in the mouth. It's like saying \You can spend m Uiions of dollarsto come over here to do it by our rules.\ Now comes the time whenlattack \madman\ Hussein personally. I tiling he has earned this nickname. First, he takes all of.these foreigners hostageandrefers to them as \guests.\ Then, to try to make it look like we arc die agressors, he offers oil to underdeveloped nations in Asia for free, knowing we have blocked his harbors and will not let any Kuwaiti or Iraqi tankers pass without being challenged. lit makes us look bad if we hold fast on die blockade anddon't let the tankers pass. We look like we-are keeping oil away from those who need it most. If we did let those tank- ers pass, we would be considered weak: a no-win situation. We know that Hussein is > nut. Anyone tiiat would use 1 chemical weapons on his Own people, for no other reason than to test their effec- tiveness has got to be crazy. Even though the United Nations has put a ban on the use of these weapons, he hasaheady pledged touse them if he feels the need. The United States is in a no-win situation in -the Persian Gulf. The longer we stay there* the worse It . gets. Although the reputation of this country may be slightly marredifour trOops leave, I don't tiiink it will hurt as much ,as the loss «f all those American lives, especially since our government has announced a loss of r 25,000 American lives is acceptable in this situation. Idon't think the loss of one Mfe is . acceptable in this situation. How many should be allowed tp die so we candrivearoundforafewcentsless? Community thanked for warmth Thank you so much foryour sup- portoftiieRefugj^ResettiementProj- ect. Because oTypur kindness and generosity and that of many otfiers like you, thk<3uryeyTamily has been able to escape rdbigious persecution in die Soviet Unipifand resettle here. TherearestUl manyadjustmentstobe made and the language barrier is still aproblem,but much has beenacepm- plished, TheGuryevsareall studying 'English and each day brings small successes.They are very grateful for all die help tiiey have received and wish to express tiiat to dieir new community. The Guryevs are a/musically tat ented famdy and also keep busy witii hand crafts, carpentry, cookingand baking, as well as studying English. They are friendly, hospitable people, always^ eager to receive youintqtiieir hbme, ; Althoughthey Jiave a-limlte4 knowledge of me Miglish language, ccanmunication is possible through die use of dictionaries and hand ges- tures. They are intelligent, eager to learn, and have a great desire to be- come self-sufficient as sopn as pos- sible. .'. • • As our community continues to welcome the Guryevs and help them St. Jude's Ranch Seeks help for kids offers thanks adjust to American life, we find our- selves in die midst of die Christmas season. On the first Christmas almost 2,000 years ago, tiie world welcomed a stranger, and we now have the op- portunity to share the light and love of fliatnightas we welcome theGuryevs and ease dieir resettlement into our community. Thank you for your part in helping thisprojectbe successful. Blessings and peace, The Refugee Resettlement Com- mittee , Elape Fairchild, Fundraising Chairperson DebraFIynn, Co-Chairperson Corey Robeison, Co-Chairperson Hilton family The American public is becoming more aware of the tragedy of child abuse and neglect. But generally speaking, Americans are not aware of someof die programs in operation to help to rescue die innocent victims of brutality. . * • For the past eighteen years I have donated my time and energies as a member of the Board of Trustees of one such organization—St Jude's Ranch for Children in Boulder City, Nevada, just outside of Las Vegas. St. 4 Jude's has grown in capacity of 38 children to a total of 166 in the past 18 months. They care for chil- dren from across the United States and from four foreign countries. St. Jude's has an unique fund- raising project, in recycling Christ- mas Cards, In addition to recycling die used Christmas cards, die Ranch also collects Campbell soup labels, andif your readers want to dirowina few bucks for the children, that would be helpful, too. The kids will love you for! Send card fronts to: St. Jude's Ranch for Children, P.O. Box 1426, Boulder City.NV 89005-1426 or caU for fur- ther information, (702) 293-3131. -,< Sincerely,' EdMcMahon Our family wants to thank every' one in the community who thoughtof Darcy in any special way during her most recent hospital stay. She endures a lot of pain and suf- fering with these treatments and see- ing her face light up when die aide came in and said \cards for Darcy,\ was great. She loved diem all. Wejust ask thatyoucontinue your support, your prayers especially and God will see us through this with your help. Love, Cliff and Nancy Hilton and fam- ily* •' \