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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR - July 26, 2005
Dear friends:
July 20th, 1959 was the day in which the man arrived at the moon for the first time. It was a very important fact that joined in emotion all towns in the world. Due to the fact that dream came true all July 20th the international day for friendship is commemorated around the world. Friend is a word that only has six letters but it represent much more, a wonderful feeling so great and important as "FRIENDSHIP".
Thanks to the Rotary magic, I could spend the months of April and May of the present year in the north extreme of the American continent (Washington State and British Columbia). As a result, I was so lucky to know a lot of friends that I will never forget.
In this special occasion, I would like to express my gratitude for your friendship during the program GSE. I do not really have any words to thank all the people who did an excellent job in order to give us an incredible group studies exchange travel. Our trip through the District 5960 was without any doubt one of the most important experiences in my life. The human warmest that you have offered us during those 30 days of magic cannot be explained.
As all you know, I do not speak English very well, but what you gave me in each moment that we shared together did not need any words. Thanks for opening your hearts and for bringing me your friendship. All of you are in my heart and my hands will always be opened towards you and your towns.
I would like to thank you again, since I consider the opportunity you have offered to me, is a clear sign of friendship among countries. While millions of people die by hunger or illnesses and many others are only worried about creating weapons to dominate those who have differences, the ROTARIANS are worried about generating one of the most important links on the way of the towns development, "THE FRIENDSHIP".
Rotarian friends, We know that Rotary does not need to arrive at the moon to comply its challenge of achieving the WORLD PEACE based on the friendship; Rotary only needs people as you and take for granted that the objective will be reached!
I send you a strong hug from my loved Argentina.
- Esteban Dario Vera
(Editor's Note: Vera and four other Argentineans were in Princeton May 3rd. They made a presentation at the Princeton Rotary Club luncheon with details on their tour as well as their homeland. Vera is an environmental safety engineer in Buenos Aires).
Dear Editor;
I was so surprised to read that there is actual consideration for a possible name change from Princeton to Vermilion Forks.
In her Letter to the Editor Karin Green has advised that this town has been known as PRINCETON for over 107 years!
What would possess people to even consider a name change after this town has been known as "Princeton" for over a Century? I'm a part-time Resident in Princeton where my husband and I own a home.
I like the simple name of the town. It's easy to say and spell. Vermilion Forks? Good luck in getting people outside the town to spell 'Vermilion' right.
After all, the majority of people would spell it Vermillion Forks.
I also believe that it would be an unnecessary hard ship for business's to replace all their business cards, signs, letterhead and so on. Just let it be. It's a great name for a wonderful town.
- Sincerely, Charisma Snyder
Dear Editor;
Like most Canadians, I do not subscribe to the theory that America is hated because that country is "free". We know that terrorism doesn't just happen; that here are underlying reasons for 9/11 and the London bombings that have nothing to do with envy or jealousy.
For those of us who know the causes of terrorism and also for those who are not so sure but are curious, there is a book entitled "Confessions of an Economic Hit-Man" by John Perkins. Several reviews of this book can be found on the internet simply by entering his name or book title. Allow me to quote a few lines from one of the reviews.
"At the bidding of our government and the huge corporatocracy that is our government--like our counterparts in the Mafia, Economic Hitmen provide favours. These take the form of loans to develop infrastructure, electrical generation stations, highways, ports, airports and industrial parks. A condition of such loans is that engineering and construction firms from our country must build all these projects.
In essence, none of this money ever leaves the US; it is simply transferred from banks in Washington to engineering offices in New York, Houston or San Francisco.
Despite the fact that the money is returned almost immediately to these corporate creditors, the recipient country is required to pay it all back, principal plus interest. If a Hitman is completely successful, the loan is so large that the recipient is forced to default on the loan. When this happens, like the Mafia, we demand our pound of flesh. This often includes one or more of the following: Control of their United Nations vote, the installation of military bases, or access to precious resources such as oil or the Panama Canal. Of course, the debtor still owes the money and another country is added to our global empire."
So you already knew all this. Well, John Perkins has much more to say that will likely give you a whole new outlook on terrorism and why the G8 countries are being targeted.
- HP Toews, Princeton
