Press-Republican

Local News

Related Photos

  • More than 150 people gathered at Trinity Park in Plattsburgh to protest government spending and taxes. Rachel Moore

    ppr-TeaParty1

Discussion

PLEASE NOTE: There is a 150 word maximum for comments. All comments greater than 150 words in length will be deleted in their entirety.

ALSO NOTE: Derisive name-calling of an individual or group will result in the entire comment being deleted. This includes the terms "stupid" and "idiot" and similar references.

Welcome to our new online comments feature. Before you can join the discussion, you must first register with Disqus and verify your email address.

Once you do, your comments will post after they have been reviewed by a moderator.

We welcome your thoughts and your opinions, including unpopular ones. We ask only that you keep the conversation civil and clean.

Not all comments are deemed printable. Some are disqualified, at the newspaper’s discretion, for a number of reasons. Here are some typical practices to avoid in trying to get your comment printed:

There is a 150 word maximum for comments. All comments greater than 150 words in length will be deleted in their entirety.

Don’t state as a fact something that is unsubstantiated or that our editors wouldn't know to be true.

Don’t presume someone’s guilt in a case when it hasn't been established by a court.

Don’t assail or impugn an identifiable individual or group. If you have that kind of criticism, sign your name and submit it as a Letter to the Editor. (There is some leeway on this in connection with public officials, but it is not unconditional.)

Don’t use profanity. This includes the term “tea bagger.”

Don’t be incendiary or tasteless. Those qualities are subjective, of course, and our editors will be the arbiters.

Do not identify yourself in the main content area of the article content form. Only by enforcing this rule can the moderators prevent unscrupulous commenters from falsely identifying themselves as someone they are not.

Don't type in all caps. It is considered the Internet equivalent of shouting.

In sports articles, do not criticize officiating.

Remember, moderators are not allowed to edit any article comments. If an article comment fails any of the above criteria, the entire comment will be deleted.

We monitor comments Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Approval of comments outside these times may be delayed.
comments powered by Disqus
July 5, 2009

Crowd voices opposition to government spending

Protesters voice opposition to government spending

By ANDREA VanVALKENBURG

PLATTSBURGH —Thomas Jefferson once said all tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent.

To let their voices be heard, more than 150 people united Saturday morning in opposition to government spending and taxation.

"This is an important issue to all of us," said Jonathan Nelson, who co-organized the second local Tea Party protest at Trinity Park in Plattsburgh.

Mayor Donald Kasprzak said the nation's $11.5 trillion deficit "grows every day at our expense."

He recalled the personal sacrifices made by the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence to help free the nation from British tyranny and that their sacred actions and founding intentions are often forgotten in the shuffle of politics.

Kasprzak said change can only be brought by the voters, whom he urged to get involved and remember the current state and federal dysfunction when it comes time for the 2010 elections.

"How do we change that? It's a start today," he told the audience as members nodded and clapped in agreement.

"I think it's time we take a stand for what's right for all of us no matter the party."

Rouses Point businessman Mark Barie said, "Your simple presence here today sends a message "¦ a message that has been forgotten "¦

"That we hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

"Our liberties, our lives and our pursuit of happiness are threatened and in serious trouble."

He said the public must wage a political battle and "say no" to increased taxes and unnecessary spending.

Barie said legislators need to listen to the taxpayers and "ignore lobbyists."

"This type of spending has to stop. We will no longer tolerate business as usual," he said as dozens of American flags drifted in the breeze and the crowd cheered in support.

His son, Oliver Barie, who helped co-organize the event to coincide with similar protests across the nation, said, "We will no longer just sit by and watch as the government taxes anything that moves.

"We cannot and will not remain silent."

Peru resident Fred Hoffman said voters need to scrutinize all political candidates.

"If you want to get involved it has to be grass roots.

"You can't just listen to what they're telling you. You have to get involved."

E-mail Andrea VanValkenburg at: avanvalkenburg@pressrepublican.com

Text Only | Photo Reprints
New Today
  • Attempted-murder trial set

    The case against Robert J. McCann, who is charged with trying to kill his former girlfriend at a secluded Westville site, begins Tuesday in Franklin County Court.

    Posted: 3 hours
Local News

Recent Article Comments
Albany Round-up

Photo of the Day
Strange News
Videos: Editor Picks
Obama Scraps Birth Control Mandate US Airmen's Killer Sentenced to Life in Germany Navy Names Ship for Gabrielle Giffords Raw Video: Deadly Blasts in Syria Romney Slams President Obama at CPAC Gingrich: Pres. Obama 'waging War on Religion' 5 Killed in Wrong-way Crash on I-10 in La. Uzbek Man Pleads Guilty in Plot to Kill Obama Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal $25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart