Letters to the Editor
Reality?
Dear Independent,Does anyone else feel the huge popularity of "reality" shows like "Survivor" and "American Idol" signals the fall of mankind? I know, I guess I sound like Chicken Little or at least like someone at home with hyperbole, but after reading with some dismay and not just a little bit of disbelief and horror Sue Pollard's dizzying account of her frantic quest for a spot on "Survivor", I couldn't help but ponder the notion. In a time when people rarely pick up a book, never mind write letters, it's overwhelming to think of someone writing over 100 letters to the producers of an insipid if not completely idiotic television show appealing to our basest instincts. Imagine if 100 letters were written to a Congressman or the President, perhaps, questioning any one of the many flawed policies of this administration. Say, 100 letters written prior to March 2003 questioning our pre-emptive attack on a foreign nation and instigating a war? In my activist days I recall one letter written was the equivalent of 100 phone calls in terms of their considered weight. Think of the power to affect change! Well, I don't have a cable hookup or an antenna so I've never actually watched these shows. What do I know? Maybe they're high art.
I have an idea! What if Sue Pollard and other fans not quite so over-the-top sought adventure and soul-nourishment by joining the Peace Corps or helping homeless people on the streets of Boston or Portland, Maine or by joining a volunteer Fire Department? Of course, these are just the crazed rantings of a woman who prayed for Y2K to happen, part of the Lunatic Fringe who wishes everyone would turn off their TVs, computers, IPods and throw away those ridiculous cell-phones and tune in to real reality, real life happening all around us right now. Hmm...wouldn't that be heavenly? Maybe we'd actually learn how to communicate in the "Communication Age". Maybe that would mean we just had a really bad trip and we're not yet so close to the Fall.
Lisa Stathoplos
Wells
Gregg urges voters to polls on June 13
Dear Independent,The general election is five months away, but campaign season has arrived. As a candidate for the State House in District 150, I will be walking door to door in an effort to introduce to voters. Though daunted by the prospect of approaching people on their own property, I look forward to meeting as many citizens as possible, and to hearing about your political concerns and interests.
I know that I will not find everyone at home, and therefore have established a weekly "office hour" at the York Public Library, when I will be publicly accessible. Meet me by the fireplace between 5 and 6pm any Wednesday afternoon.
Finally, I urge voters to participate in the primary June 13. Though local races are uncontested, Democrats will select a candidate for the U.S. Senate, while Republicans will chose a candidate for governor. Independents can join a party at the polls.
Kinley Gregg
York
Send your letters to the Editor at PO Box 6, York, ME 03909 or via email to editor@yorkindependent.net. Deadline for publication is 12:00 noon on the Monday prior to that week's publication
