The burden of guilt
After reading Stephen Tuttle’s “I Hate You” article (6/6), I have to agree
with him on pretty much all the sentiments he expressed. However, there
is one statement in there that I have to dispute.
He discusses our nation’s sordid hatred of minority races, as expressed in
the line “...we tried to systematically eradicate the indigenous peoples
already populating this continent when our European ancestors showed up.”
Excuse me: “WE?” Sorry, I was nowhere around when that happened, and
neither were my ancestors. There were bad things that happened, to be
sure, but we need to quit apologizing for actions and deeds carried out
several generations ago. It wasn’t “we” who did it. It was “them.” And
they’re all dead now. Guilt shouldn’t be carried on down the generations,
especially when my generation was so effective in ending so many civil
rights infringements on minorities in this country. Pinning our ancestors’
guilt on us is inappropriate.
It’s true that we are trained to hate and to look down on those who are
“different,” regardless of what that difference is. We are also trained
to have contempt for those we feel are technologically inferior to us.
As an avocational archaeologist, I have nothing but admiration for those
who were here before us. They coped with everything nature threw at them,
and developed the necessary technology to cope with it. They achieved a
near-perfect balance with nature. The only problem they seemed to have
had is that they didn’t see the need to develop the technology sufficient
to kill massive amounts of other people. The conquistadors and pioneers
had that need, and developed the weapons that allowed them to effectively
do so. I don’t really admire them. And I don’t admire those who carry on
the legacy of hatred that has been passed down to them through the medium
of ignorance.
Howard J. Blodgett • via email
Heroin & hope
I am very grateful for Patrick Sullivan’s recent article “Shooting Up and
Checking Out” (6/6), promoting awareness of the drug overdose spike across
Northern Michigan. My heart goes out to those who have lost a loved-one
due to a drug overdose.
It is important that members of our community recognize this is a serious,
and growing problem. Myself, and a number of people from our community,
are in the process of starting a non-profit organization called St.
Maximilian Kolbe. This will be an adolescent residential treatment center
to help young men ages 14-17 who are struggling with an addiction.
It is our hope to intervene early and to provide a safe, nurturing
environment in which they can begin to heal and find hope for their
future. The reality of addiction and death was clearly shown in Mr.
Sullivan’s article. It is time for our communities to rise up and provide
additional treatment options for those suffering from addictions. With
early intervention, lots of help and lots of love there is HOPE!
Claire Scerbak • via email
Inhumane politicians
A government’s first duty lies in supporting those people who through
their taxes support that government. For me this would include programs
like Social Security and Medicare, infrastructure construction and
maintenance, and most importantly education for all, to whatever level
they are capable of reaching.
Education is the one factor that can help us rise above the problems we
now face as a society, including the ignorance and prejudice that
produce the division and conflict evident everywhere. Through
education we can bring people’s awareness to a level where the attacks
on everything civil in our society can be seen for the ruthless acts of
greed and aggression they truly are.
We the people have lost control of our government. Our elections have
become more about what the candidates don’t tell us about their agenda
than what they do tell us, as in the case of Republican members of
Congress and their promises of jobs, or our governor and his attack on
education to fund tax breaks for corporate entities that are returning to
profitability without his help.
Republicans in Congress raised our debt ceiling FIVE times since 2002,
twice in 2008, and now, uncompromisingly, they fight another raise, even
going so far as to refuse aid to those obliterated by tornadoes in
Tuscaloosa and Joplin unless we meet their demands.
We’ve been run over by a big truck full of rich people and the inhumane
politicians they’ve hired through overwhelmingly financed and deceptive
campaigns. Some of you just don’t realize it yet.
Don’t lose hope. Support all the recalls, and we can undo the damage done.
Robert A. Wallick • Cross Village
Win with wind power
We have been reading about, talking about and contemplating the Gail
Windpower Project by Duke Energy in northern Manistee and southern Benzie
counties for the past 6 months. With an open mind last winter we attended
the Duke Energy Open House as well as viewing the film “Windfall” .
We know that whatever we as humans do to generate power there are
environmental and human impacts. When we evaluate the safety of our
current energy sources, we see many problems and disasters with our fossil
fuel based energy production. Compared to fossil fuels like coal and the
safety problems with nuclear -- a wind farm seems to have the lowest human
and environmental cost.
Are the doomsday claims by people against wind farms really based on fact?
Wind production doesn’t kill or cause disease with air pollution and seems
likely to contribute to saving hundreds of millions of lives in the future
through reducing greenhouse gasses. Wind is a low-impact, constant,
renewable resource.
We have viewed the wind farms already in production in Michigan,
Illinois and Indiana and personally think the appearance is much better
than smoke stacks, and cell telephone towers. It isn’t the only answer
to our energy production -- just one of the alternative energies we
should “invest in” in for a cleaner, safer, future for our world.
We think this wind farm will have a very positive effect on our
region. This wind-farm would announce to future residents and visitors
that Michigan cares about the world and our environment. It will help
diversify the economy of our area, add to the tax base and provide new
types of income. Not to mentions the 150 construction jobs that will be
created, as well as a number of local long term positions.
Governor Snyder talks about the bright future Michigan has building on our
natural resources, universities, manufacturing and industrial base and
our people. Duke Energyʼs wind project uses all of these assets.
Michigan needs a change and our area has been blessed with great wind
resources and a company willing to invest in our economy for the long
term.
If we citizens work with Duke Energy and our local units of government, we
can insure that the project will also have great rewards for our
communities. Change is difficult but it is a lot easier when the people
are included. When was the last time you heard of a coal or nuclear plant
sharing their revenue with residents in the area?
Dick and Linda • Manistee
It’s Macpodz
FYI, the band name Macpodz does not have a capital “p.”
Love the article though.
Kay Huff • via email
After reading Stephen Tuttle’s “I Hate You” article (6/6), I have to agree
with him on pretty much all the sentiments he expressed. However, there
is one statement in there that I have to dispute.
He discusses our nation’s sordid hatred of minority races, as expressed in
the line “...we tried to systematically eradicate the indigenous peoples
already populating this continent when our European ancestors showed up.”
Excuse me: “WE?” Sorry, I was nowhere around when that happened, and
neither were my ancestors. There were bad things that happened, to be
sure, but we need to quit apologizing for actions and deeds carried out
several generations ago. It wasn’t “we” who did it. It was “them.” And
they’re all dead now. Guilt shouldn’t be carried on down the generations,
especially when my generation was so effective in ending so many civil
rights infringements on minorities in this country. Pinning our ancestors’
guilt on us is inappropriate.
It’s true that we are trained to hate and to look down on those who are
“different,” regardless of what that difference is. We are also trained
to have contempt for those we feel are technologically inferior to us.
As an avocational archaeologist, I have nothing but admiration for those
who were here before us. They coped with everything nature threw at them,
and developed the necessary technology to cope with it. They achieved a
near-perfect balance with nature. The only problem they seemed to have
had is that they didn’t see the need to develop the technology sufficient
to kill massive amounts of other people. The conquistadors and pioneers
had that need, and developed the weapons that allowed them to effectively
do so. I don’t really admire them. And I don’t admire those who carry on
the legacy of hatred that has been passed down to them through the medium
of ignorance.
Howard J. Blodgett • via email
Heroin & hope
I am very grateful for Patrick Sullivan’s recent article “Shooting Up and
Checking Out” (6/6), promoting awareness of the drug overdose spike across
Northern Michigan. My heart goes out to those who have lost a loved-one
due to a drug overdose.
It is important that members of our community recognize this is a serious,
and growing problem. Myself, and a number of people from our community,
are in the process of starting a non-profit organization called St.
Maximilian Kolbe. This will be an adolescent residential treatment center
to help young men ages 14-17 who are struggling with an addiction.
It is our hope to intervene early and to provide a safe, nurturing
environment in which they can begin to heal and find hope for their
future. The reality of addiction and death was clearly shown in Mr.
Sullivan’s article. It is time for our communities to rise up and provide
additional treatment options for those suffering from addictions. With
early intervention, lots of help and lots of love there is HOPE!
Claire Scerbak • via email
Inhumane politicians
A government’s first duty lies in supporting those people who through
their taxes support that government. For me this would include programs
like Social Security and Medicare, infrastructure construction and
maintenance, and most importantly education for all, to whatever level
they are capable of reaching.
Education is the one factor that can help us rise above the problems we
now face as a society, including the ignorance and prejudice that
produce the division and conflict evident everywhere. Through
education we can bring people’s awareness to a level where the attacks
on everything civil in our society can be seen for the ruthless acts of
greed and aggression they truly are.
We the people have lost control of our government. Our elections have
become more about what the candidates don’t tell us about their agenda
than what they do tell us, as in the case of Republican members of
Congress and their promises of jobs, or our governor and his attack on
education to fund tax breaks for corporate entities that are returning to
profitability without his help.
Republicans in Congress raised our debt ceiling FIVE times since 2002,
twice in 2008, and now, uncompromisingly, they fight another raise, even
going so far as to refuse aid to those obliterated by tornadoes in
Tuscaloosa and Joplin unless we meet their demands.
We’ve been run over by a big truck full of rich people and the inhumane
politicians they’ve hired through overwhelmingly financed and deceptive
campaigns. Some of you just don’t realize it yet.
Don’t lose hope. Support all the recalls, and we can undo the damage done.
Robert A. Wallick • Cross Village
Win with wind power
We have been reading about, talking about and contemplating the Gail
Windpower Project by Duke Energy in northern Manistee and southern Benzie
counties for the past 6 months. With an open mind last winter we attended
the Duke Energy Open House as well as viewing the film “Windfall” .
We know that whatever we as humans do to generate power there are
environmental and human impacts. When we evaluate the safety of our
current energy sources, we see many problems and disasters with our fossil
fuel based energy production. Compared to fossil fuels like coal and the
safety problems with nuclear -- a wind farm seems to have the lowest human
and environmental cost.
Are the doomsday claims by people against wind farms really based on fact?
Wind production doesn’t kill or cause disease with air pollution and seems
likely to contribute to saving hundreds of millions of lives in the future
through reducing greenhouse gasses. Wind is a low-impact, constant,
renewable resource.
We have viewed the wind farms already in production in Michigan,
Illinois and Indiana and personally think the appearance is much better
than smoke stacks, and cell telephone towers. It isn’t the only answer
to our energy production -- just one of the alternative energies we
should “invest in” in for a cleaner, safer, future for our world.
We think this wind farm will have a very positive effect on our
region. This wind-farm would announce to future residents and visitors
that Michigan cares about the world and our environment. It will help
diversify the economy of our area, add to the tax base and provide new
types of income. Not to mentions the 150 construction jobs that will be
created, as well as a number of local long term positions.
Governor Snyder talks about the bright future Michigan has building on our
natural resources, universities, manufacturing and industrial base and
our people. Duke Energyʼs wind project uses all of these assets.
Michigan needs a change and our area has been blessed with great wind
resources and a company willing to invest in our economy for the long
term.
If we citizens work with Duke Energy and our local units of government, we
can insure that the project will also have great rewards for our
communities. Change is difficult but it is a lot easier when the people
are included. When was the last time you heard of a coal or nuclear plant
sharing their revenue with residents in the area?
Dick and Linda • Manistee
It’s Macpodz
FYI, the band name Macpodz does not have a capital “p.”
Love the article though.
Kay Huff • via email
