World is watching response to floods

By: centraljersey.com
The floods in Pakistan have been occurring since July, but I have only seen minimal coverage on the issue. I am appalled by the amount of destruction and suffering that civilians are undergoing there, but also by the lack of global response.
When the earthquakes hit Haiti or Hurricane Katrina destroyed New Orleans, people from all walks of life were quick to offer aid. Currently, not many people are even aware of the dire circumstances in Pakistan.
Perhaps it has something to do with the Islamic extremists prevalent in the area, but the Pakistanis themselves are not to blame for the Taliban’s actions. In fact, BBC News quotes the Taliban as declaring the floods as "God’s punishment on the country for accepting secular leaders" and they "urged Pakistanis to boycott foreign aid."
Furthermore, nations and groups that are currently contributing to the Pakistan flood relief are requiring documentation of how the funds are spent.
Roughly 2 million people have been displaced or affected by this disaster, and the country’s population was already weak to begin with due to high malnutrition levels. It doesn’t help that much of the nation’s crops have been destroyed as well.
The Pakistanis’ plight is a global issue and therefore, as global citizens, we all have a duty to help them in their time of need. As the United States of America, we stand for justice, freedom, and equality; therefore, we should display this attitude even when it comes to helping a nation with drastically different beliefs.
At the end of the day, we all feel the same pain and hopelessness. The world – and the Taliban – is watching our response.
Christina Lee Hillsborough
Why not focus on local issues?
To the editor:
Among the topics that the Hillsborough Beacon might have chosen to editorialize about in the Sept. 23 edition_- including front-page news that Hillsborough has received nearly $900,000 from the federal government (i.e., from you and me) to fund education jobs or the upcoming elections for mayor and the township committee – the publisher decided to pontificate on a matter of pressing local concern: Cap and trade.
Perhaps the editorial writer took a look at all our burnt lawns and saw evidence of global warming. But the author apparently has bigger fish to fry (assuming frying does not emit inordinate amounts of greenhouse gas). He or she is concerned about the "bleak outlook" for the global environment and the "impending planetary disaster that awaits us."
Look, if you want to make the case that the environment is worsening due to man-caused climate change ("global warming" is no longer in vogue, don’t you know), then make it. However, it would be helpful and intellectually honest if facts were used to back up dubious assertions.
For instance, the editorial states, without any supporting data, that air quality in New York and New Jersey worsened in the 1990s. At best, I suspect this is a case of cherry-picking facts, because by all reputable accounts, air quality has been steadily and dramatically improving throughout the United States. For example, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency – which supports the notion of "climate disruption" (as the Obama Administration now calls it) – notes in a report released just this year (http://www.epa.gov/airtrends/2010/report/highlights.pdf) that "since 1990, nationwide air quality has improved significantly for the six common air pollutants."
I am not a scientist, but the thing that has bothered me most about the global warming, climate change/disruption debate (aside from the fact that they keep changing the name) is the notion that any credible climatologist (or editorial writer) would be willing to make ironclad, doomsday predictions about "planetary disaster" based on an infinitesimally small data set.
To wit: At best, we have maybe 150-200 years of somewhat reliable data on "global" temperatures, but keep in mind that the planet is estimated to be 4.5 billion years old, give or take a few hundred million years. I am not a mathematician either, but even if we had 1,000 years of pristine data, I’m pretty sure that 1,000/4.5 billion equals an insignificant and statistically meaningless blip – akin to Al Gore’s contribution to world peace.
The Beacon editorial goes on to credit N.J. politicians for supporting Cap and Trade legislation, which, even if passed, would have little if any impact on the global environment – not when China, India, Brazil and other growing economies have no intention of cutting back on carbon or any other emissions.
I would prefer if the editorial writer and especially Messrs. Lautenberg, Menendez, Holt, Pallone, Smith and Lance spent more of their time supporting something that would be much more meaningful to most Hillsborough residents than dodgy scientific theories about the end of days, such as growing our state’s economy or research leading to the development of heat-resistant lawns.
Tom Griffo Flemming Drive
DelCore has demonstrated boldness, decisiveness
To the editor:
As a freeholder, it is indeed a pleasure to work in partnership with a mayor like Frank DelCore on issues critically important to Somerset County.
As a Hillsborough resident, it is indeed comforting to know that our local government benefits daily from the type of leadership Mr. DelCore provides.
Mr. DelCore is intelligent, informed, conscientious and articulate. He sees the big picture, but never loses sight of the details in serving citizens. He is also two things that are critical to governance in times such as these – decisive and bold. Said another way, he’s not afraid to make the difficult decisions.
Hillsborough needs Mr. DelCores’s leadership. I most respectfully request that fellow township residents join me in voting for Mr. DelCore on Election Day.
Jack M. Ciattarelli Hillsborough
Vella’s professionalism extends to all areas
To the editor:
As a township resident and a professional who has worked with Maureen Vella on numerous occasions, I could not be more elated to hear of her decision to run for the Township Committee.
I originally met Ms. Vella through our children, but since then, have not seen her on a personal level much, but more so on a professional level.
Ms. Vella is an attorney in an office separate and apart from where I work. As a paralegal, there have been numerous clients of mine that have come into my office who needed assistance in a field in which we did not practice. While there are many qualified attorneys out there, the first to always come to mind is Ms. Vella. She is highly qualified in all aspects of law and has exhibited an incredible sense about her that we have not seen exhibited in any other. She has the ability to tackle issues in a calming way, yet efficiently and quickly as well.
Ms. Vella takes each issue that is presented to her as though it is the utmost priority, no matter how many other issues she has going on at the time. She makes you feel as though you are the only person and yours are the only issues she is dealing with at that moment. She addresses your problems attentively and immediately, and it is resolved in an expeditious manner that never ceases to amaze us.
Whenever I see Ms. Vella, whether during a crisis through the courts or in her office, she is always calm and soothing. She is a rare individual, and I have always said that I find it amazing how she composes herself and manages to get so much accomplished.
While I know Ms. Vella as a friend, I write this letter as a resident of Hillsborough, a taxpayer and a mom who has a child in our school system. I am confident that she can really make a difference, just as I have seen her do in the past. I would love to see her do this here in our town as well to make Hillsborough an even better place to live.
Lynda Cubelo Bloomingdale Drive