Letters to the Editor
Published: January 22, 2009
Got to do it
To the Editor:
The Youth Task Force appreciates the position of reader Megan Klein, in her letter titled, "Bad timing," published January 8. Although it does seem to be counterproductive to announce alcohol outlet compliance checks in our local area, we are working within the framework of Massachusetts state guidelines and the Alcohol Beverages Control Commission (ABCC) to facilitate effective compliance checks in our community. Within the guidelines, it clearly states that, "Notification that a compliance check will be taking place will be made in the media prior to the start date."
The Martha's Vineyard Times has been consistent in their coverage and support of promoting our initiatives, and we are grateful to them for their commitment to this issue. We know that this guideline may be thought of as a warning or a tip to establishments to be on guard, however this step is essential in prosecuting offenders of this law. We chose to publish a range of dates (two months) to have a broader time frame of deterrence, and we do look forward to publishing a follow-up article applauding the establishments that are in compliance in our community.
Thank you again for paying attention and commenting on our work.
Mike Joyce, Bill Jones, Cindy Doyle, Theresa Manning, and Jamie S. Spears
Youth Task Force Steering
Committee
SWAT fear
To the Editor:
Osama's not in Pakistan, Although Fox News tells you so. Is he in Iraq? In Iran? He may be on our island, but have no fear. Island SWAT is here, with big guns and big funds. Lord, save us from our own fear.
Wooton Renfro
West Tisbury
Enough with the aggression
To the Editor;
While bombs fell on the streets and homes of Gaza, it was ironic to see photos of our very own Vineyard SWAT team. I'm so relieved - the deer in my garden have really been pissing me off.
I did read the article, and I know examples of potentially dangerous situations were given, but it is far more dangerous to promote the culture of aggression by using extreme violence to counteract violence. How long will it take us to realize that we have to change our responses on all levels to achieve peace?
This is somewhat reminiscent of those helicopters we taxpayers spend thousands on that invade our skies in late summer to score a couple of marijuana plants. Enough already.
Mitzi Pratt
Aquinnah
SSA gift cards are "no good here"
To the Editor:
I was given a Steamship Authority gift card for Christmas this year (a thoughtful and practical gift) and have tried to use it on two occasions, but both times it was not accepted. I should say that the back of the card reads, "This card is redeemable at any Steamship Authority location or online at www.steamshipauthority.com."
The first was at Palmer Avenue lot, where I was told the card was "no good here." Upon inquiry, the SSA told me there was a glitch in the system, which had been fixed. I have not had the opportunity to test this claim.
The second was on the ferry at the lunch counter, where I was told the cards "are not accepted here" (I see a pattern). Upon appeal to the SSA, I was told that because the food service is handled by a vendor, they are not accepting SSA gift cards, but they are working on that.
I'm not sure who is in charge of the gift card program, but they have not done their system testing or their due diligence and rushed to release a product that is sub-par.
If anyone from the SSA would like to read my notes and suggestions for this program, I will gladly make it available for a small fee. My contact information can be found in my SSA profile.
Ross MacPherson
Vineyard Haven
War is the question
To the Editor:
A few words to Peter Colt Josephs (Letters, Jan. 15):
War does not determine who is right - only who is left.
Vivienne Perry
Vineyard Haven
Corporate gangsters
To the Editor:
Bush and Cheney are corporate gangsters. They piloted government domestic and foreign policy for the benefit of corporations. They killed more Americans than the 9/11 terrorists, in a bogus war in Iraq in order to rape the treasury for Halliburton et al, and to drive the citizens of the USA into paying massive interest payments to the wealthy for the now astronomical national debt.
They emasculated regulatory agencies for corporate gain, making a mockery of OSHA, the FDA, and the EPA, to the point that citizens have had to sue those agencies to do their jobs. Their similar "free market" lack of regulatory oversight allowed the subprime mortgage meltdown with junk loans being packaged as investment vehicles sold on to the unwitting, and the credit crisis with lack of oversight of credit card lending practices.
Imagine if President Bush had managed to put a privatized Social Security system into the hands of Wall Street, as he pushed so hard for in 2005 - it would now have been catastrophic for millions too old or sick to work. Thank a deity for that - or the Democrats that stopped him.
Bush and Cheney are the face of evil which comes with a smile and an affable wave of the hand couched in jingoistic jargon to snowball the masses by appealing to their gut and avoiding their intellect. They will now retire to their ill gotten gains while we have to pay for their extra protection needed from an angry public, many of whom will be suffering from the Bush consequences until they are dead.
I am disappointed with Congress for not pursuing the wrongdoings of the Bush administration. Why does the mass media consistently avoid the corporate gangsterism of the Bush White House? Will we hold hearings into their criminal manipulation of government policy for corporate gain? Obama talks of "moving forward," meaning he does not want to prosecute.
Whatever the outcome of this, I'm certain we are always going to get the democracy we deserve.
Lloyd Petruzzell
Edgartown
Hugs, kisses, and kind words
To the Editor:
I would like to thank so many people that helped me and my family during a very difficult time. Thanks to all those who came by dropped off food, called, and sent beautiful flowers and cards. Thanks for all the hugs, kisses, and kind words. There hasn't been a day when someone hasn't stopped me to express their sympathy.
Thank you to Chapman Cole and Gleason Funeral Home. They were so caring and understanding. Someone always answered my call and took the time to calm me down and talk me thru the process.
Thank you to Father Nagle and the choir at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church for such a spiritual Mass and beautiful music. It certainly helped me believe that my brother is in a better place and that I will see him again. Thanks to my niece Sarah Turner and my daughter Alicia, for such heartfelt readings to their Uncle Tuffy.
Thank you all for standing in line at the wake and attending the standing room only Mass. It showed us how much Tuffy was loved.
Many thanks to the girls of the PA's Benevolent Fund who set up and cleaned up after feeding more than 150 of us.
Thanks to my coworkers and friends who donated, and those who have pledged to donate to "The Children of Anthony Gonsalves fund." All of this fund will go directly to Nicholas (15) and Carly (5).
Thanks for the 10 pages of emails sent to the funeral home website, from as close as Edgartown to as far away as Alaska. They all were very touching and reminded us of how well known Tuffy was for his great smile and the twinkle in his eye. Reading them also helped me to remember the good times Tuffy had with his family and friends.
Anthony (Tuffy) Gonsalves's passing has left a hole in so many hearts. His family misses him very much. Please keep all of us, and Tuffy, in your prayers. Thank you, to all of you, from the bottom of my heart for everything you have done.
Margaret M. Oliveira
Edgartown
Send a postcard
To the Editor:
I am a fifth-grade student studying the United States. To find out as much as we can, my class and I are trying to collect as many postcards from around the country as we can.
If you would like to help us with our project, please send a postcard to Joey c/o Mr. Neevel, Brinckerhoff Elementary School, 16 Wedgwood Rd., Fishkill, NY 12524.
Joey Giusto
Fishkill, New York
Give
To the Editor:
I am writing to encourage more people to donate blood on Tuesday, January 27, at the PA Club. Donating blood takes about an hour of your time, the little prick in the arm does not hurt much at all, and your efforts could save a life.
Where is the question here? Why don't more people donate? I really don't understand it. It actually kind of makes me mad. If you are physically able, just do it.
Young people ought to be eager to be of age to donate. Employers should make the time it takes an employee to donate as "on the clock" time, or even give a half day off. Giving blood is a good and selfless gesture. People who do should be proud to donate; those who can, but don't, should start. In our current economic circumstances, this is something we can do without hitting our pockets - and it will have a stronger impact.
Many Island residents are proud of our community, and for good reasons. However, fewer than 100 pints are gathered at most blood drives here, on an Island of more than16,000 residents. I don't know the percentage of people who do donate, state or nationwide. But, I do know it's low, and that is not right. Let's show the rest of Massachusetts we really are a good, strong, and positive, close-knit community.
Don't be afraid of a little prick; you will feel good about yourself, and probably help a stranger. That's pretty cool, I think.
Bill Jacob
Edgartown
