http://www.newburyportnews.com en-us Copyright CNHI All Rights Reserved. 5 Tue, 24 Nov 2009 03:59:00 +0000 http://www.newburyportnews.com/puopinion/local_story_327232414.html http://www.newburyportnews.com/puopinion/local_story_327232414.html Hard to imagine that the state agency we entrust with managing our shoreline is clueless about the fact that there are lots of recreational boaters off Salisbury Beach. But that appears to be the case with the state's Coastal Zone Management agency, which is taking another look at its plans to potentially allow wind farms immediately off Salisbury's coast after receiving "new data" that indicates there's boating and lobstering going on out there. Tue, 24 Nov 2009 03:58:00 +0000 http://www.newburyportnews.com/puopinion/local_story_327232443.html http://www.newburyportnews.com/puopinion/local_story_327232443.html Voters in Maine took a step backwards when they approved a referendum that stripped LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) couples of the right to marry. Earlier in the year, Gov. John Baldacci had signed a new law guaranteeing marriage equality, but proponents of Question 1 succeeded with a nearly identical disinformation campaign that persuaded voters in California to take away the right to marry from gays and lesbians one year ago. Tue, 24 Nov 2009 03:57:00 +0000 http://www.newburyportnews.com/puopinion/local_story_327232511.html http://www.newburyportnews.com/puopinion/local_story_327232511.html To the editor: We have an opportunity to turn abandoned branch lines of the old Boston and Maine Railroad into enjoyable conservation and recreational areas. Haverhill, Newburyport, Danvers and other Merrimack Valley/North Shore/Southern New Hampshire communities are the key to conserving our future enjoyment of this region of the USA. Tue, 24 Nov 2009 03:56:00 +0000 http://www.newburyportnews.com/puopinion/local_story_327232520.html http://www.newburyportnews.com/puopinion/local_story_327232520.html To the editor: Well into the 21st century now, are we sure we are preparing the thinkers, doers and leaders of tomorrow? If we are concerned about the challenges facing our nation, do we have a plan for making a positive difference? Although the mission of the Newburyport Education Foundation is "generating financial resources to enhance the quality of education in Newburyport Public Schools," what we are really about is being a vehicle for your action. You can make a difference today that will change a child's attitude about learning and mdash; and about the role he or she can play in our world. Tue, 24 Nov 2009 03:55:00 +0000 http://www.newburyportnews.com/puopinion/local_story_327232548.html http://www.newburyportnews.com/puopinion/local_story_327232548.html To the editor: I read where a bridge within my sight was recently named after the editor of the news, Bill Plante. Good and mdash; he deserves the honors. It may be of interest to some of my war record. I joined as a C.B. (construction battalion). I was a fireman first class, an aircraft mechanic on F4U Cosairs and Grumman Hellcats, was certified as an air gunner, served aboard the AD28, a destroyer tender and mdash; better known as the USS Grand Canyon. I earned my ruptured duck, which I proudly wear on my hat. I did sub patrol on both the Atlantic and Pacific. I had flight training but wasn't allowed to fly since I had no college degree. I was often tempted to take one of my planes for a short spin around the base and along the coast. I didn't and mdash; so I'm not in jail. I was lucky and mdash; I enjoyed every minute that I was in the Navy. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 03:59:00 +0000 http://www.newburyportnews.com/puopinion/local_story_326213002.html http://www.newburyportnews.com/puopinion/local_story_326213002.html Much of the discussion regarding the shape of health-care reform has focused on cost (the Congressional Budget Office estimates the price of the Senate version unveiled this week at $848 billion), accessibility, abortion, and those so-called "death panels." Mon, 23 Nov 2009 03:58:00 +0000 http://www.newburyportnews.com/puopinion/local_story_326213032.html http://www.newburyportnews.com/puopinion/local_story_326213032.html Trust me. I have absolutely nothing against digital technology. I use it in one way or another every day. I am typing this on an iMac that my wife gave me. I am not connected to the Internet, but when I need to search the Web, I can use one of my wife's two computers or my associate's computer at the office when he is out in the field. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 03:57:00 +0000 http://www.newburyportnews.com/puopinion/local_story_326213041.html http://www.newburyportnews.com/puopinion/local_story_326213041.html To the editor: Thanks to the energy and talent of many, Newburyport's 19th Annual Wet Paint and not;­ and mdash; Paint the Town Auction on Oct. 17 was an overwhelming success. Hosted by Friends for Peace, proceeds from this event will be used for the City of Newburyport's diversity initiatives, which promote inclusion, tolerance and diversity and end discrimination in our community. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 03:56:00 +0000 http://www.newburyportnews.com/puopinion/local_story_326213110.html http://www.newburyportnews.com/puopinion/local_story_326213110.html To the editor: I would like to take this opportunity to express my family's appreciation to everyone who has been involved in supporting the Junior Clippers Special Olympics program here in Newburyport. As coaches and team coordinators, Marty Leahy, Catherine Batchelder, Kim Spinney, Neal Spinney and Mary Gene Clavin have volunteered their time to create an experience for my son and his teammates that boosts their self-esteem, improves their motor skills and provides an opportunity for new friendships. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 03:55:00 +0000 http://www.newburyportnews.com/puopinion/local_story_326213121.html http://www.newburyportnews.com/puopinion/local_story_326213121.html To the editor: The Friends of the Newburyport Public Library have just concluded the 18th Great Old Book Sale. I am pleased to report that the proceeds total $10,890. Thanks are due to the tireless volunteers, devoted shoppers and generous donors of books for the sale. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 03:54:00 +0000 http://www.newburyportnews.com/puopinion/local_story_326213129.html http://www.newburyportnews.com/puopinion/local_story_326213129.html To the editor: The Amesbury Chamber of Commerce and amp; Industrial Foundation would like to invite all residents to attend the 12th Annual Restaurant Showcase, being held on Dec. 2 at 5:30 p.m. at the Amesbury Playhouse Dinner Theater, 194 Main St. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 03:53:00 +0000 http://www.newburyportnews.com/puopinion/local_story_326213158.html http://www.newburyportnews.com/puopinion/local_story_326213158.html To the editor: The recently passed U.S. House health care reform bill contains a provision for jail time and fines for not having health insurance. A person could face jail time of five years and up to $250,000 fine if convicted of not having health insurance. Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Rep. John Tierney and others must want to bring back debtors prison with this provision. Is anyone for bringing back debtors prisons? I do not think so. How does jailing citizens promote health care? It does not. That is not health care, but a police state. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:44:00 +0000 http://www.newburyportnews.com/puopinion/local_story_324222559.html http://www.newburyportnews.com/puopinion/local_story_324222559.html Barack Obama is back from Asia and his bow to the Japanese, his handshake with the tyrant from Myanmar and his difficult sessions with the Chinese. There sure has been a lot of talk about the president and his submissiveness in Asia. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:43:00 +0000 http://www.newburyportnews.com/puopinion/local_story_324222551.html http://www.newburyportnews.com/puopinion/local_story_324222551.html Ironic, don't you think, that on Veterans Day we held solemn observances of the sacrifices made by U.S. veterans who, for more than 200 years, have defended, among other things, our freedom of thought and speech; and on the next night there was weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth that free speech was being destroyed by censorship because a convicted terrorist bomber was unable to speak at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:42:00 +0000 http://www.newburyportnews.com/puopinion/local_story_324222523.html http://www.newburyportnews.com/puopinion/local_story_324222523.html Big Freddy was folding his morning newspaper as I joined him. "Leaving?'' I asked. "I'll have a refill because there's a lot to talk about,'' he said as he waved to the waitress. "As in?'' I asked. "The state of the economy, the state of the health care tug of war, unemployment and mdash; take your pick, everything's in a state of something, which, speaking of states, our own is running on empty.''