Various

Letters Various Peaceful but angry in D.C.

Fifteen Grand Traverse area people traveled together in a van to Washington,DC, (along with at least 10 others who went independently) to join - in the organizers’ words: “...the biggest anti-war demonstrations since the Vietnam War.” Hundreds of thousands of people on October 26 took to the
streets across the country, announcing with a massive, visible and vocal presence the creation of a new anti-war movement to stop George W. Bush’s plans to wage war against Iraq.

Letters Various Petoskey‘s peace march

I took a few moments on Saturday to view the gathering in Pennsylvania Park and listen to the speakers. The depth of sincerity displayed on the faces of those in attendance was impressive and the passionate opposition to the Bush/Cheney/Big Oil cabal was evident in the slogans on the signs carried by many of the marchers.
It is comforting to know that there are people in this community who are so dedicated to stopping the proposed war for oil that they are willing to take time out of their busy schedules and drive into town to make their voices heard.

Bill Mayer • Petoskey

Letters Various Support Proposal 4

I would like to respond to Robert Downes’ comments regarding Proposal 4 (Random Thoughts, Oct. 17). I appreciate Mr. Downes giving both sides of the I argument, but I would like to clarify the position in favor of Proposal 4.
I am concerned with his statement: “... Hollywood bookkeeping that will surely squirrel the funds down a drainhole in the state’s hospitals and health industry.” Proposal 4 does provide legislative and public oversight of how the tobacco settlement funds are spent. Proposal 4 requires the Auditor General to conduct an annual accountability report to ensure that funding allocated by the Healthy Michigan Amendment is spent as intended. By doing the audit, taxpayers will know that special interest groups did not raid the funds, and the funds in fact went to health care and smoking prevention as promised.

Letters Various Democrats on Iraq

Since you have had several letters on our posture re. Iraq, I would
like to send along a resolution passed in August at the Michigan
Democratic State Convention. This represents the unanimous opinion of
the 3,000 delegates present who applauded the reading in its entirety.
The resolution was submitted by the Counties of Leelanau and Calhoun.

REGARDING IRAQ:
“Whereas, we condemn Saddam Hussein‘s violation of the human rights
of the people of Iraq and deplore his development of weapons of mass
destruction;

Letters Various Ice Mountain is OK with me.
I disagree with those opposing the Ice Mountain water bottling plant in
Mecosta County. As I understand it, the Ice Mountain plant is taking water,
putting it in bottles, and selling it. Miller Beer does the same thing,
they just add alcohol and hops. Coca Cola adds sugar. Shampoo and water
based paints add a little more stuff to the water. If the only difference
between Ice Mountain and Miller Beer is the fact that Ice Mountain is
selling water as water while Miller Beer and Coca Cola are selling “improved
water,“ then that distinction as a reason to oppose Ice Mountain is
intellectually dishonest. The protesters should also be protesting any
company that sells a product containing water, which of course is
ridiculous. Selling water in little bottles should be treated the same
whether it‘s pure water, or water with stuff added. This company is simply
producing a product to sell like any other company.

Letters Various Standing up to racism
Special thanks and congratulations to Spartan Stores General Manager Kevin Clark for being so prompt and responsive.
While walking to my neighborhood Prevo‘s store, I spotted an SUV emblazoned with the phrase “Kill ‘em all- let Allah sort ‘em out“ on the back window. I was disturbed by this racist and genocidal message and went to find the owner.

Letters Various Crystal River alternative
Regarding the issue of a possible land swap between the Homestead and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, I feel strongly that the land swap proposal would set a bad national precedent. The parkland originally came from private parties, and it would be grossly unfair (if not illegal) to return this property from the public trust back into private hands.
As things now stand, the public faces two unsatisfactory choices. The Crystal River property clearly is worthy of preservation for its pristine quality and “globally rare“ characteristics. Should the Homestead choose to develop this land in lieu of the land swap, I feel certain that we will all be launched into the types of controversies that have previously taken place. So I propose another approach.

Letters Various Eminent domain turnaround
In reference to the Homestead‘s land swap, I feel I have the most logical
answer, and that is for the National Park Service to apply “eminent domain“
upon the Homestead and forcefully take over the rich white man‘s paradise.
We as public owners could then remove the condos, golf courses and pools
and reclaim the property for all to enjoy. Simple enough?

Alex Harvey • Traverse City

Letters Various Stop the swap

I am writing to express my opposition to the proposed land swap between the Sleeping Bear Dunes and the Homestead Resort.
I have started this letter several times, only to scrap it because it sounds too sentimental but then I asked myself why I am opposed to this swap and it is hard not to feel emotional about it. I am opposed because my grandfather and his father before him grew up in Leelenau County and my grandfather knew and loved that land and drove me through it so often that for a while I could tell you about every road, every creek and every hill.
I am opposed because this land was taken away from the original owners, people like my grandfather, surely people that he knew, by eminent domain so that it could be kept precious and guarded from development for the benefit of all those who love that land as well as generations to come.

Letters Various Worse things could happen with water

While I agree it’s pretty stupid to allow private companies to sink a well and then have them sell the water to suckers throughout the Midwest for a buck per half liter, Eartha Melzer‘s article on the Ice Mountain issue is a bit lacking on several counts.
First off, what is the big deal with this particular plant? Why do we have people blocking trucks as if what this one plant is doing is of some grave importance? Why has this become the progressive cause of the moment?

Letters Various Dismay over swap plan
I was extremely saddened to learn that the idea of a so-called “land swap” between the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and the Homestead resort has been revived. I’m not sure I will be able to convey the particular feeling I and other members of my family have regarding this issue, but fatigue and deep concern and dismay come close.
Both the Homestead itself and the “swap” parcels in question formerly belonged to my grandparents, Arthur S. and Helen M. Huey of Suttons Bay. (My father, Richard K. Huey, also briefly owned the resort together with a partner, Jim Stevens, whose interest was eventually bought out by Robert A. Kuras; around that time the property to its north and east on Thoreson Rd. was purchased by the national government.) As I have written elsewhere, the Thoreson Rd. property was acquired for the park through an exercising of the government’s right of eminent domain (or the threat of such action). My grandparents would not have otherwise chosen to sell this property.

Letters Various Boycott all spring water

I was absolutely thrilled to pick up your latest issue and see the great cover with the protesters lying down in front of the Ice Mountain trucks. Talk about real-life heroes! I want to express my utmost respect and gratitude to Sweetwater Alliance for doing what the rest of us, for whatever reasons, can‘t or won‘t do.

Letters Various A burning (CD) issue

After reading Robert Downes‘ latest “Random Thoughts“ (“The Day the Music Died“ 8/1) I am compelled to
pooh-pooh the entire notion that the music industry as we know it is
something we should keep alive or are somehow obligated to preserve by
purchasing CDs. I have no compunction about burning CD copies of music any
more than I feel guilty about switching television channels during
commercials. While I do feel compassion for those who might be thrown out
of work because of the closing of the traditional record store, it is a
natural and unavoidable consequence of an evolving technology base and those
who choose not to cling to the old model are not to blame for the change.

Letters Various Follow the oil: Cheney created war for profit
As more and more corporate accounting scandals emerge - the latest involving Vice President Dick Cheney during his watch as CEO of Halliburton Co. - an even bigger offense lurks in the shadows.
Perhaps the greatest crime committed here is by those who would play upon the highest sentiments of human beings for the basest of reasons. For this is often how wars get fought, and how the innocent and the courageous get killed by the thousands. To paraphrase “Deep Throat” - just “follow the oil.”

Letters Various A system gone mad
Corporate fraud, scams, stealing and corruption are simply symptoms of a
system gone mad.
Fueled by greed, motivated by increasing the “bottom line“ at ANY cost,
and “unhindered“ by social or environmental responsibility, is it any wonder
that corporations have gone amok?
These are the crooks, who buy the politicians, who write the laws, which
steal billions of our tax dollars in the form of corporate welfare.
Welfare given to the poor is a drop in the bucket compared to what is
shelled out to these rich, seedy crooks and their corporations!
Time to get these greedy scumbags off the tax dollar gravy train and
enact strong campaign finance reform to put an end to this “good ol‘ boy“
network, which is sucking the lifeblood from working people, their children,
future generations... and the earth itself.
Time to strip corporations of their power. Time to demand reform and
accountability. Time to take back our democracy... don‘t you think?

Virginia Heick • via email