Letters to the Editor for April 20
Same sex marriage issue is complex
Recently we have given much a attention to the issue of same sex marriage.
Of course, the media has dominated this crucial and unpleasant issue.
Many people who support this action claim that lawmakers should permit lesbian and gay marriages. They give many reasons.
Most of them feel that individuals should be able to formalize their relationship with the person of their choice, especially when they are in love with this person. They want to share the same benefits which come with legal marriage, like easier adoptions, decision over life support when one partner is terminally ill, health insurance and, mostly, they want to be respected as human beings.
The people who oppose this idea bring up "the slippery slope" phenomenon; they argue by saying "where do we draw the line or the conclusion."
Our society is very complex and it is very difficult to find a common ground, especially when we deal with moral values which are mostly shaped by our religion and our family.
-- Dario Diorio, Torrington
Thanks to volunteers
As we approach National Volunteer Appreciation Week, the American Lung Association of the Northeast wishes to call attention to the volunteers who give their time and talent to further our mission of saving lives by preventing lung disease and improving lung health.
Our organization could not run as smoothly and effectively as it does without our dedicated volunteers.
Day in and day out, our volunteers give their time and, more importantly, their support to help us reach the millions in our region affected by lung disease and air pollution.
Volunteers wear many different hats.
From board members who dedicate endless hours to our mission, to the more than 700 who spend Father's Day weekend at the Trek Across Maine or at one of our events across the Northeast, and even those who pass out healthy air flyers at the statehouse, our volunteers all play an equally crucial role in the organization.
On behalf of the staff at the American Lung Association of the Northeast, I would like to say thank you to each and every one of our volunteers - for all that you do. To learn more about the various ways to volunteer with the American Lung Association of the Northeast, visit www.LungNE.org.
-- Jeffrey Seyler, president & CEO, American Lung Association of The Northeast, East Hartford
Thanks to LA Consignment
On behalf of Torrington High School and the Senior Student Council, I would like to thank Lucille Kelsey of LA Consignment for your help and dedication to put together the Fashion and Friends Show of the second straight year to benefit our prom for 2013.
I would also like to thank the many people that made the night itself such a success, including: Holly Pond, Kristopher Kelsey, Sue Gagnon, Ashley Kelsey, and Lindsey McCormick. Also to the many, many local businesses that generously donated raffle prizes, it was much appreciated.
A special thanks to those students that willing volunteered to model and make the show fun for everyone. of course, one last thank you to Mr. Nass, Mrs. Sullivan, and the THS administration for supporting the show.
-- Austin Kelson, THS Executive president, Class of 2013
China is hacking into U.S. computers
Based on information from a New York Times article of Feb. 19, 2013, the activities of Chinese Army Unit 61398 Communist China continues to wage cyber warfare against the U.S. by hacking into the computers of U.S. corporations.
An American computer security firm, Mandiant, completed a study of Unit 61398, and determined most of the attacks on U.S. corporations have emanated from this group.
Companies targeted include electric utilities, gas lines and waterworks. The Chinese also attacked the computer security firm RSA, whose systems protect corporate clients and government agencies.
"China steals blueprints, manufacturing processes, strategies and data from our heavy industry companies, satellite and telecommunications corporations and military contractors, including Lockheed Martin, our largest defense contractor," the article states.
The biggest concern is the infiltration of systems that control our power grids and other utilities. Unit 61398 broke into Televent Canada, which provides "software to oil and gas pipeline companies and utilities for remote access to valves, switches and security systems.
Televent Canada services half the oil and gas pipeline companies in North and South America."
We have to wake up and take action to prevent these Chinese attacks on our corporations, government agencies and infrastructure.
Mr. President, please address this problem.
-- Donald A. Moskowitz,
Londonderry, N.H.