Dan's Papers -November 6, 2009

The day my son was born was one of the happiest days of my life. At that very moment I realized he would be someone very special. At the age of 18, he made a decision to become a United States Marine. He is now serving in Afghanistan.

I'd ask every American to wear red on Fridays. It's a military thing, until all the troops are home. Whether you agree or disagree with this war, right or wrong, they're all over there fighting for you.

A very proud and loving mom of a U.S. Marine

(Editor's note: Ms. Freiermuth submitted the photo of her son, above, and a poem she wrote about him after seeing him off for another tour of duty. Excerpts of that poem are printed below.)

My son is a hero you just don't know

He left our home a long time ago

As I stood by the door with tears in my eyes

With a hug and a kiss we said our goodbyes

His head turned back and he looked at me

Mom don't cry - you've raised a man, you see

I love you - I'll miss you - I'll be okay

Because of 9/11 there is no other way.

It's my duty, my son said to me

The Marine Corps is where I need to be.

You don't know his name - you don't see his face

He's the silent hero that's keeping you safe

He gave up his freedom - best years of his life

He did it for what he thought was right

He did this for every American to be free

My son is a hero that I don't see

So as you safely sit at home tonight

Give thanks to all who were willing to fight

Not just for those who are fighting this war

But for every soldier who has fought before

Courage and bravery is what they had

To fight for our freedom in is in each

God please give them the strength they need

They are all silent heroes, I do believe.

Silently, and with little warning, nearly one in nine women living on Long Island will become a statistic. It is nearly impossible to reside here and not have your life affected in some way by this insidious disease. Having breast cancer, or knowing someone who does, has become an inherent risk of residing here. Breast cancer knows no boundaries. It does not discriminate. Its pain and misery is abundant, and its wrath shows no signs of relenting. Although October was Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we are already all too familiar with its devastation to unsuspecting women and their families. Confirmation was established nearly a decade ago, that of the 62 counties comprising New York State, both Nassau and Suffolk have nearly the highest breast cancer rates in the state and in the nation. This distinction is frightening and comes as no surprise.

Despite what we are led to believe by officials who have studied this life-threatening problem, we must keep in mind that our environment is far from safe. Environmental concerns have always been an elusive problem on Long Island. We have many; yet, their toxicity on the human body has been seriously underplayed. No one is willing to come forth and state the connection between the environment and our excessive rates of cancer. Although research is still continuing into environmental causes, there is currently a shift in methodology beginning to look at personal lifestyle choices that include smoking and diet to explain why breast cancer rates on Long Island are so high. Most women stricken with this horrible disease believe strongly that the environment, not their personal lifestyle, played a significant role in the development of their disease. Downplaying environmental factors and refocusing on personal lifestyle choices is a dangerously poor substitute to explain Long Island's health concerns. Until we isolate environmental catalysts that are causing human cells to proliferate at an uncontrolled rate, women across the island will continue to become faceless statistics. We need answers. We cannot be hoodwinked into thinking that Long Island women are choosing lifestyles that are significantly different than the rest of the nation. Knowledge is the key to conquering this disease, not excuses.

The many studies do not support any reason why Long Island is a carcinogen. - DR

Your article "EH Town Supervisor Bill McGintee Resigns" in the October 9 issue leaves some big questions, unanswered. If he is "accepting responsibility for his mistakes," how is he allowed to just walk away from the problems that he has caused? Where is the grand jury investigation at this time? In McGintee's resignation letter of October 5, his closing lines are "...and I also want to thank the District Attorney for allowing me to resolve this matter." Nothing is "resolved" in this situation! McGintee quits, and we the taxpayers will pay for his misdeeds.... by an increase in taxes! Please keep us informed as to whether the DA is investigating our ex-supervisor, McGintee.

Roger. Over and out. - DR

The late Republican State Assembly minority leader Perry Duryea would be disappointed but understanding why "NY State Assemblyman Thiele Turns A Corner" (T. J. Clemente - October 16) changed his party allegiance from Republican to Independent. Each year the Senate majority leader and Assembly Speaker give out several hundred million dollars worth of member items (state pork) to their loyal followers, who vote as directed. Republican Senators and Assembly members (who are the minority in their respective chambers) get table scraps. The majority leaders routinely prevent any bills proposed by members of the minority party in their respective chambers from ever coming out of committee for a full vote. Minority members get the short end of the stick when it comes to office budgets, space, staffing and mailings versus those members in the majority.

When will "to the majority goes the spoils" philosophy finally end? Real bipartisan legislative reforms would include minority party members of either chamber being allowed to propose legislation out of committee, permitting a full vote on any proposed legislation along with comparable office budgets, space, staffing and mailings as members of the majority.

When will there be a law passed in Albany requiring all members of the State Legislature holding a second job to report information about income, hours worked and any potential conflicts of interest between employers benefiting from favorable legislation or pork barrel member item spending?