Press-Republican

Opinion

March 14, 2010

Letters to the Editor: March 15, 2010

Boycott encouraged
TO THE EDITOR: Upstate New York has kicked into what one might call a "survivor" mode. TV's "Survivor" has gained popularity for the excitement of voting off the villain or cheering for the underdog.

I recently had an opportunity to teach a class where some "castoffs" from Pfizer were in attendance. As I stood and talked about customer satisfaction, the quality of the organization I worked for, service excellence and how individuals make a difference in and for an organization, I realized that those castoffs had been dealt a blow that would take more than words to overcome. They had lived their values, been loyal organizational supporters, liked their jobs, had friendships that would last a lifetime, but were sitting and I'm sure wondering if my words were true or smoke and mirrors. It took only to look into faces to see how big the closure was to each of them.

Americans have always been supporters of boycotting, refusing to buy or avoiding organizations, products, or people who do not support the values we all hold dear. I suggest that, when we see our doctors, that we ask them to not prescribe Pfizer products or medications, that we visit the Pfizer Web site and find out what over-the-counter products are produced by this uncaring company and refuse to buy Pfizer products. Will we impact the bottom line of Pfizer? Overall, not in the least, but it will impact my conscience as I support the people, the community, as well as the values that Pfizer needs to understand, caring, compassion, and community spirit. Is the plant closure personal? It sure is. My bottom line: don't buy Pfizer.

Catherine LaRock-McMahon

Essex

Political rebuttal
TO THE EDITOR: On March 11 the Press Republican published my campaign news release on frivolous lawsuits. In her rebuttal, my opponent suggested that I did not understand how the Legislature or the "Balance of Powers" works.

Under our State Constitution (the one my opponent seeks to rewrite through her "People's Convention",) the role of the Attorney General is not covered by one of the three powers articles. It is covered in Article V. In Section 3 of that Article, the Legislature is given authority to curb the powers of the Attorney General and other officers as it deems appropriate. I pointed this out to the Press Republican. They chose not to print it.

Adding to the now oft heard mantra "read the bill before you sign it" might I suggest to my opponent that she read the State Constitution before rewriting it. This example accentuates why 68 percent of the North Country opposes her "People's Convention" legislation.

David Kimmel

Cadyville

Peekskill, Plattsburgh
TO THE EDITOR: Just an FYI, this is how Peekskill is spelled. I know because I grew up there till I was 18 and moved to the North Country. I've now lived in Plattsburgh for 13 years. Had to laugh about the SNL skit, out of all the cities to pick, I've spent the majority of my life in them!

Vanessa Lewis-Rodriguez

Plattsburgh

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Recent Columns
  • Gags for military chaplains, round two

    Chaplains work in a church-state minefield that requires them to answer to the government, as well as to God.

    Updated Feb 13, 2012 1 Photo
  • 'Food From the Farm' event taking shape

    Even in the dead of winter, plenty of local food can be found and even celebrated with upcoming event, Laurie Davis writes.

    Updated Feb 13, 2012 1 Photo
  • Internet holds potential dangers for the naive

    A person less savvy could easily give up their bank account numbers to a scam artist "¦ and totally miss out on that sweetheart deal from a gentleman in the Congo, Steve Ouellette writes.

    Updated Feb 12, 2012 1 Photo
  • Technology going to the dogs

    Columnist Stewart Denenberg analyzes the impact technology has had in court cases dealing with the Fourth Amendment.

    Updated Feb 12, 2012 1 Photo
  • Vision2Action deserving of support

    Important community projects require great effort and careful planning to better the future for us all, according to columnist Colin Read.

    Updated Feb 12, 2012 1 Photo