Editor, Times-Union: Do you remember being asked, "Paper or plastic?" as you checked out at a grocery store? It wasn't that long ago that this question was being asked. I'm sure you've noticed, it's not asked anymore, it's all plastic.
When this plastic bag phenomena started, we were inundated with the good reasons why plastic was better. Even though the plastic bags are an oil product, they were supposedly better for the environment, cheaper, took less energy to produce and were more convenient.
Now one can't pass a wood lot without seeing them hanging in trees, on bushes, hanging in fences, on powerlines and blowing across the fields. When they settle to the ground, if they do, they prevent any plant growth in the spot they occupy for at least several years. I guess that's better for the environment than those dastardly paper bags that don't blow hither and yon and aren't made of oil. In addition, if paper bags are left on the ground, they break down and become dirt in less than a year, never preventing plant growth, perhaps adding to it.
I know, I know, paper production is a nasty business, but only wood paper production is nasty. Hemp paper is not toxic to produce and doesn't degrade over time because of its own chemical make up. Hemp paper will degrade quickly if left to the environment and won't stop plant growth or toxify the spot on which it lays. In fact, the U.S. Constitution is written on hemp paper, and has lasted more than 200 years, so given care hemp paper is quite durable also.
Oh well, such is the state of things when left to the "more educated" folks. When did education become a substitute for intelligence and common sense?
Paper or plastic? Jeff Harding, via e-mail Warsaw
Boys, Girls
Editor, Times-Union: This letter is in response to Phyllis Barger's letter titled "Silent Majority. She voiced a lot of opinions and that is what this forum is for.
I found it interesting that she could mention her distaste with an exotic dancer daring to be called so when she is just a "stripper for hire." Curiously enough, she mentions nothing negative in opinion in regards to the male Duke University students involved in this scandal.
Perhaps these young pillars of society wouldn't be in the media had they been playing lacrosse or studying instead of throwing keg parties and hiring strippers. That's their choice but then "boys will be boys" as we all know, right?
Sarah Lowe, via e-mail former Warsaw resident Chelmsford, Mass.
Save The Swans
Editor, Times-Union: I live on Webster Lake and have been plagued by the (expletive) geese for several years. They are a nuisance, to say the least.
One cannot walk barefoot around the lake because of the droppings. Piers are horribly messed up and the thought of setting up a badminton court or croquet is out of the question. Lake lawns are of barnyard consistency.
Finally, we get a little relief! Beautiful white swans are mating and beginning to populate the lake. Swans chase geese and provide a little relief from the mess caused by them. These are beautiful birds, a pleasure to watch, beneficial to property owners and a natural enemy of geese.
However, our pleasure seems short lived. The DNR is issuing permits to shoot the swans because they are not a protected species. Geese are protected and destroy lawns while swans are hunted at will.
Now, some thoughtless person is motoring around the lake with a shotgun, killing masses of them with the blessing of the DNR.
They are shot while feeding or swimming around.
Please call the DNR, 834-4461, and express your outrage at this practice. Matter of fact, call them several times!
Ask them to cease issuing permits to shoot swans.
Then, call your state senators to have swans placed on the protected species list and, at the very least, limit the season.
Ask them to issue a temporary restraining order against killing the swans until laws can be properly formulated.
Robert Meeks 260 463-3198
Ryan Mishler 574 546-5265
Gary Dillon 260 248-4100
Tom Weatherwax 574 753-3060
Let's shut this down before the swans are totally eliminated and if you see the person shooting them, let him know how you feel.
Thanks for your help. Greg Smith, via e-mail North Webster
Immigration
Editor, Times-Union: Mexicans are biting the hand that feeds them and ours too. Some 12 million plus illegal Mexicans cross our border, take our jobs, use our schools, hospitals and welfare system while their government fails to provide for the people in their own country ... all at the legal American taxpayer expense.
Suppose each of these illegals sends home to families in Mexico an average of just $1 per day (12 million.) That's $72 million per week.
Now, if these same illegals use, on average, just one gallon of gas per day (12 million plus gallons per day, 72 million gallons weekly.) Would there be a gas shortage here if they went home?
Schools would not be as crowded as they are today, healthcare costs would be less without this welfare drain, etc., etc., etc.
I have no problem with legal immigrants. Those who enter the U.S. legally are more than welcome.
