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Defending Sarah Shields

To the Editor:
Sarah Shields: Regarding your essay [“Please Dad Tell Me: How Do I Stop Being Complicit?” May, 2002], your thinking is clear and to the point. Keep up the “Good Fight.” Please do not become disheartened during these dark days of hatred and tragedy that maim and/or destroy the human civility of Americans, Palestinians, and Israelis. The long-range, as well as the present-day ramifications of all this is frightening. In my view the situation is destined to worsen before there will be a “change for the better.” So, be of human resolve. You are not alone. There is an underground out there.

Sincerely,
James R. Mathes, Rhinebeck

P.S. The five letters published in the 6/02 Chronogram are representative, yet miss the point. Even Ms. Conroy’s interpretation of what she “saw” is blurred. The others carry such heavy historical baggage that they stagger and fall as they trek, or attempt to trek, along a rational roadway. Too bad, but they are wrong!!

Indian Point Fear Mongering

To the Editor:
I’m replying to your article in the June Chronogram “New Nuke Jitters.”
To start, I find it unfair that you only give one side of the story. At least give both sides of the story so that educated people can make their own decisions. There are two Web sites that will give the pro side of the story. First, www.proindianpoint.org is a Web site run by the employees of Indian Point. Second, www.safesecurevital.com site is produced by Entergy, the owners of the Indian Point Energy Center. Both sites have great information and the ability to ask and answer questions. Then there is always the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) site that gives information about all the nuclear plants in the USA at www.nrc.gov.

Indian Point Unit 2 is operating and improving conditions everyday. The employees and Entergy are dedicated to continued safe, secure, and economical operations.

I’ve seen all the reports about “reporter” Douglas Kennedy flying over Indian Point. What your article is missing is the letter from Phil Boyer of the Aircraft Owners and Pilot Association to the CEO of Fox. The letter, which I have attached at the bottom, states how “reporter Douglas Kennedy misrepresented the facts and misled the audience.” The plane had filed a flight plan and didn’t just buzz over the domes at Indian Point. There was no inquiry necessary.

[Chronogram did not have the space to print this letter. A copy of it can be viewed at www.aopa.org/whatsnew/newsitems/2002/020424letter1.html.]

If United States nuclear power plants are such enticing target, why did they fly over the plant on September 11? They could have gotten another plane; they had four, why not five? Also, diagrams and information on US nuclear power plants were found in caves. At that time, if they had a plan to attack, would they leave behind the drawings? But, if they decided that the plan wasn’t possible, why would they continue to carry the diagrams? I believe that our nuclear plants in the USA aren’t feasible for the goals of the terrorist. They are “hardened” targets.

The emergency response plan for the Indian Point Energy Center is solid. Those who want to shut down Indian Point have been using false information to play on people’s emotions. Fear mongering tactics are wrong! Those fighting the Evacuation Plan are the people who refuse to follow it and who will make it not work. The Evacuation Plan is not just for Indian Point, it’s for emergency events on our railroad tracks, major roadways, industrial sites, and for natural disasters. So stop wasting energy complaining about it and help find a way to make it work. Take responsibility for your own well being.

Elected officials, the media, and members of the general public need to know the facts. New York needs the power that Indian Point provides. Without it, we all may be faced with rolling blackouts and rising energy costs. If Indian Point is shut down, New York will have to build new fossil fuel-burning generation facilities, add new high voltage transmission corridors, and lay new pipelines. Aside from adding to pollution levels in our area, all that construction is going to cost taxpayers and ratepayers a great deal of money. In addition, if we learned anything from 9/11, it is that America needs energy sources that keep us free and independent of foreign providers. Nuclear power is our primary option, since the Hudson Valley Region is not suitable for renewable resources like solar and wind, and try to block the Hudson for hydro. Check out the MSNBC site and look in folder “An Energy Map of America,”
www.msnbc.com/news/eyeonenergy_front.asp.

Lynn Lettmoden, Poughkeepsie, NY
Employee of Indian Point Energy Center