6 - www.the-burgh.com
December 31, 2011
Sticks and Stones may break your bones, but words... S student lounge talking ticks and stones about their weekend may break my Do we care that we are plans mention a get tobones but words hurting, at times, society’s gether someone is havwill never hurt me. In fact, words hurt peomost vulnerable individuals? ing. One member of the group rolls her eyes and ple on a daily basis, says, “That’s so gay.” sometimes in horrific They laugh and decide ways according to news they would never attend. reports of suicides across the country instiMeanwhile, a lone teen, known to be gay, gated by verbal harassment. sits on the couch in tears. My New Year resolution is to better obThe teens may not have been attacking serve my language. someone who is gay purposefully, but their Language is powerful, and as a weapon language literally equated what they did — intentional or unintentional — it is capanot like or found weird about the get toble of extensive damage, though at times gether to being gay. The term, while it has the more subtle even casual ways some other definitions, is most commonly used members of society toss words around to describe homosexuals. have lasting impact on people. In fact, it is The word gay itself is controversial, but our weakest, smallest in number and most disagreeing with same-sex relationships vulnerable members of society that often doesn’t give one a license to verbally attack come under the constant barrage of hurtful such individuals. In fact, I would implore language. you to recognize the difference between A group of teenagers hanging around the
disagreeing with homosexuality and being cruel toward the group or act you disagree with. In another instance, two male colleagues are sitting down at a bar after work, gossiping about a third man no one wants to speak with at lunch. One man says, “If he didn’t act like such a retard, maybe people would like him.” Sitting nearby was a woman who lost her son to a respiratory condition. The young man was also mentally retarded. Again, the two men use the word “retard” and thus equate an entire group of individuals to what they find distasteful in the individual they are speaking about. Yes, these are extreme scenarios, but they illustrate the casual way in which people toss around language without considering the literal definition of what they are saying and the people impacted by their choice of words. Words are powerful. They can sting.
Are we too lazy to choose other words to describe what is bothering us? Do we care that we are hurting, at times, society’s most Stephen Bartlett vulnerable From the Editor’s Desk individuals? If you use such terms it may not mean you are purposefully cruel. But if the result is the pain of another, do intentions really matter? Throughout the new year, let’s try and be considerate of all people and think before we speak. Stephen Bartlett is editor of the North Countryman and The Burgh. He may be reached at stephen@denpubs.com
Letters to the Editor cartoon at his party’s folly whether it is the debates or “Super Committees!” Gary P. Guido Ticonderoga
Disagrees with letter To the Burgh: After reading the letter from Essex County Republican Committee Chairman Ron Jackson complaining about the cartoon titled “Republican Science,” I couldn’t help but laugh to myself! Mr. Jackson thinks the cartoon was in poor taste and that the publication favors Democrats on the state and national scene! I have news for him, what is in poor taste is the way Republicans have treated the American people by their inaction to care for the needs of the middle class! First we have the Republican controlled Congress failing to vote on our debt limit and appointing a “Super Committee.” This committee was made up of hand picked politicians who stated from the start that they would not under any circumstances change their positions! It was doomed from the start! This was a good example of “Republican Science!” It was due to the “Pledge of Allegiance” given to Grover Norquist by the Republican Party! Never mind the pledge to our flag and to the people of the United States! Mr. Jackson in his letter complained about the state’s 2 percent property tax cap and how it limits the North Country’s ability to pay better salaries to those in high positions! I take this to mean he would like to see higher property taxes on those who live in the North Country while his party refuses to raise taxes on the wealthiest! Having it both ways is another example of “Republican Science” and it gets worse! Calling the cartoon a “cheap shot” attempt at humor was at the very least ludicrous! What was a “cheap shot” was the chiding of the publisher by saying “I know you are a registered Republican” and asking if he would be interested in taking on a supervisor ’s job! As an avid reader of the Times of Ti and other North Country papers, I feel the publisher has been as non-partisan as one could be! There are times when I don’t agree with what I see published but thousands of Americans died so we could have a free press! Mr. Jackson should aim his anger over the
To the Burgh: Miracles…. I don’t think people believe in miracles nowadays. They think miracles are something they heard about in stories of long ago. In our world today, we’re all so busy and the news is mostly negative that we don’t realize the miracles that take place everyday. I think of the infamous picture of Gen. George Washington kneeling by his horse in prayer before he led his troops into battle and I remember praying for the men of Apollo 13. The odds of both of these instances having a positive outcome could only have been miraculous. So many people were involved in these miracles (soldiers or engineers and the people who prayed for them). So I want to tell you of a miracle that happened only two months ago in our very little part of the world that so many of you were a part of... Our son was in a terrible tree accident in Hague. He was 30 feet up a tree and it crushed his abdomen. He had to climb down the tree and his dad rushed him to Moses Ludington emergency room in Ti. The ER staff knew he needed emergency care and contacted Fletcher Allen. They tried to airlift him but the weather was an issue. They were able to get the Lamoille ambulance and, even having to take the ferry, made it to Fletcher Allen in record time. The staff was waiting for their arrival and rushed him into the OR where they stabilized him and kept him alive. After they moved him to the ICU we were told that the first 48 hours could go either way. The doctors were amazed that he was still alive. As the word spread so many of you started praying and asking God to bless him…even people who did not know him personally.
Alexander from page 4 charges. We see the new year of 2012 as one full of opportunity and continued growth for our small company. We anticipate further staff enhancements and growth in our ability to serve the economic health of our region. With the recent announcement of the $103 million award given by the state to the North Country Regional Economic Development Council combined with reopening of the Lake Champlain Bridge, we see our area’s opportunity to regain its economic footing as bright as it has been in recent years. Much work still remains but our goal at Denton Publications will be as supporter, driver and cheerleader. They are roles we’ve worked hard to maintain over the past 64 year but they remain as important today as they were back 1948 when our founder William Denton and his son Bill Denton saw a vision for the area and felt they could help. We hope you’ll join us in welcoming in 2012 and we hope you’ll find the opportunities in it as prosperous and as exciting as we anticipate they will be. Happy New Year from our families to your family. Dan Alexander is publisher and CEO of Denton Publications. Reach him at dan@denpubs.com.
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Blaine
Buddy Boy
laine arrived at the shelter after being abandoned on a dead-end road. He is shy and needs some understanding that his life hasn't been all he hoped for as he settles into a new home. He has tested negative for FeLV/FIV. Buddy Boy is a sweetheart that loves to hang out with people and get attention. He is a very sweet boy that can't wait to get his forever home.
North Country SPCA
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halimar, a gorgeous, tabby, Domestic Shorthair-mix kitty with a personality as lovely and exotic as her name. Shalimar has exquisite markings and piercing green eyes. She is a true socialite who gets along well with everyone. With her charm and social skills, Shalimar would be an ideal addition to a home with other pets. We think Shalimar is an all around terrific cat, and we are sure you will think so too. Why not stop by and meet her today?
Shalimar
Elmore SPCA
St. John Feral Cat Fund (Located in PetSmart Adoption Center) 67 Consumer Square, Plattsburgh 534-0824 Elmore SPCA, 510 Arthur Road, Peru 643-2451
P.S. Dayton is back to work and getting stronger every day.
Adirondack Humane Society
Our Furry Friends Our Furry Friends is a weekly feature brought to you by Denton Publications. For more information about these and other fine pets available for adoption, contact: Adirondack Humane Society 134 Idaho Ave., Plattsburgh, 561-7297
Miracles do happen
So whether you were in the Ti ER, or the ambulance, EMTs, the Fletcher Allen staff or all of those who prayed for him, you not only saw a miracle but you were a part of one. Yes, miracles do happen everyday. So thank you all for being a part of Dayton’s miracle. The family of Dayton Dedrick
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AKOTA is a regal adult male black and white husky. He is very healthy and full of life. He is a wonderfully lovable dog! Lakota is neutered and up to date on his vaccines. NATALYA is a lively two year old Anatolian shepherd/chow mix. Natalya is a fun and lively lady! Natayla is spayed and up to date on her vaccines.
Lakota
Natalya