Comments for WeShare

Comment on You Get What You Pay For by Kevin Hamilton

Kevin Hamilton — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 19:11:59 +0000

“By a faction, I understand a number of citizens, whether amounting to a majority or a minority of the whole, who are united and actuated by some common impulse of passion, or of interest, adversed to the rights of other citizens, or to the permanent and aggregate interests of the community.

There are two methods of curing the mischiefs of faction: the one, by removing its causes; the other, by controlling its effects.

There are again two methods of removing the causes of faction: the one, by destroying the liberty which is essential to its existence; the other, by giving to every citizen the same opinions, the same passions, and the same interests.

It could never be more truly said than of the first remedy, that it was worse than the disease. Liberty is to faction what air is to fire, an aliment without which it instantly expires. But it could not be less folly to abolish liberty, which is essential to political life, because it nourishes faction, than it would be to wish the annihilation of air, which is essential to animal life, because it imparts to fire its destructive agency.

The second expedient is as impracticable as the first would be unwise. As long as the reason of man continues fallible, and he is at liberty to exercise it, different opinions will be formed. As long as the connection subsists between his reason and his self-love, his opinions and his passions will have a reciprocal influence on each other; and the former will be objects to which the latter will attach themselves. The diversity in the faculties of men, from which the rights of property originate, is not less an insuperable obstacle to a uniformity of interests. The protection of these faculties is the first object of government.”

From James Madison, Federalist No. 10, First published in the Daily Advertiser, New York, November 22, 1787. As discerning today as it was then.

Comment on You Get What You Pay For by Pete Moss

Pete Moss — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 19:02:21 +0000

Amen!!

Comment on Lessons Learned from Football by Ben Atchley

Ben Atchley — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:24:51 +0000

Wes, I think you may have hit on a way to balance the budget. I don’t think coaches get paid millions because the do hard work. They get paid millions because they get people to pay hard earned money to come watch their teams. I think we should start charging for people to come to City Council meetings! We could sell season tickets to people like Bill who are there every meeting and a special fee for “box seats” behind the council. Throw in some concessions and a good halftime show and we would be sold out in no time:)

Comment on Lessons Learned from Football by Betty

Betty — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:50:40 +0000

Love the banner colors!

Comment on Responding to the Mill Closure, Part 2 by Darrell Mishler

Darrell Mishler — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 17:04:39 +0000

Thank you for your encouraging words.
I am proud of the Albany and mid-Valley communities. This same generation you mention has seen many changes to our forestry-agrarian-industrial economy. We thought “the world would end” with the huge modifications to the lumber industry in the past. It did not.
We continue to feel the change with “field burning” issues, etc.
Through it all…in spite of economic challenges…the people of our coummunities have “re-tooled” and “re-trained” to move with the times.
We are so fortunate to have a community-based LBCC at our door-steps! Through the focused, concentrated efforts of us all, I believe we will see a period of reorganization again.
I want to be an encourager, and look for how we can become a more diverse, therefore, stronger community through these changes.
Let’s hold tight, and work together.
Bless us all.

Comment on Flags and Freedom by Margo Coleman

Margo Coleman — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 19:41:51 +0000

I presume you know of two other incidents in Albany that made regional, if not national, news: the possible baby incident at Albany General and the robbery at AJ’s.

Being a veteran myself, the flag issue is important. I, too, display patriotic items because of what it represents.

I continue to enjoy your weekly comments.

Thanks.

Margo

Comment on Equanimity by Chris Workman

Chris Workman — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 21:45:31 +0000

I too agree with you, Wes. The Wilberger family has been a great example to each of us. I really appreciate your words and recognition that we all the the ability within is to control our emotions and not make bad situations worse.

Thanks again for all your posts!

Comment on Equanimity by Bill O'Brien

Bill O'Brien — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 21:39:16 +0000

I agree. The best example I can think of was the Old Amish community of Nickel Mines that embraced the family of the man who stormed a school, took hostages, shot and killed five girls before killing himself.

From Wikipedia: ” A Roberts family spokesman said an Amish neighbor comforted the Roberts family hours after the shooting and extended forgiveness to them.[19] Amish community members visited and comforted Roberts’ widow, parents, and parents-in-law. One Amish man held Roberts’ sobbing father in his arms, reportedly for as long as an hour, to comfort him.[20] The Amish have also set up a charitable fund for the family of the shooter.[21] About 30 members of the Amish community attended Roberts’ funeral,[20] and Marie Roberts, the widow of the killer, was one of the few outsiders invited to the funeral of one of the victims.[22] Marie Roberts wrote an open letter to her Amish neighbors thanking them for their forgiveness, grace, and mercy. She wrote, “Your love for our family has helped to provide the healing we so desperately need. Gifts you’ve given have touched our hearts in a way no words can describe. Your compassion has reached beyond our family, beyond our community, and is changing our world, and for this we sincerely thank you.”

Now that’s how it’s done!!!

Comment on Budget Task Force by Barry Hoffman

Barry Hoffman — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 22:46:16 +0000

Wes,

I would like to provide one more comment about Takena wading pool. I was out of town when the pool closed so I was unable to see what other comments were brought up.

We have a 5 year old and Twin 2 year olds. The Takena wading pool was the only “safe” cool off spot that my wife could take our kids by herself. My wife tried Swanson cool pool but found it crowded, chaotic, and quite frankly dangerous for her to keep track of three kids under 6. I know the staff is higly trained and watchful for the children at the Cool Pool. At Takena this was not a problem.

Next summer my wife will not be able cool off anywhere in Albany that we believe to be “safe” for our three young kids with one parent.

I hope someday in the future a fountain or something can be built somewhere in the city that will provide a safe cooling off spot for parents of little ones. Especially single parents in charge of multiple young children.

One other thing that Takena provided for my wife was a social outlet. Being new to Albany and busy with young ones we’ve found it difficult to find freinds here. Every time my wife went to the wading pool she would meet someone (usually they would have something in common–young kids). We also live in the neighborhood so we met folks who are neighborhs and we hope to see them again. This is an intangible that the Cool Pool doesn’t really provide.

I understand the budget issues, but thought that some personal insight might help you understand why some parents will miss Takena wading pool so much.

Thanks,

Barry