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Oil Is Not Found Everywhere

The United States, by our action in starting a war with Iran, sparked a blockade at the Strait of Hormuz. We followed by starting our own naval blockade and since then oil prices have jumped to $100 per barrel. Many are asking: “Why?” Why did we start this war, but, also, why is the price of oil now so high? Why does the Middle East control the price of oil? The simple answer is that over 50% of the proven reserves for oil in the world are there, and Mid-East oil today accounts for over 25% of total annual world oil production. It would be nice if mother nature had deposited ...

County Not Leading On Chautauqua Lake

We are disappointed, actually appalled, that our County Legislature and Executive did not have the courage to represent its constituents against the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s (NYSDEC) ill-conceived and rushed new wetlands regulations. They took no action as those terribly flawed regulations were imposed on all of us. Fortunately, through no effort of the County, those regulations have now been annulled by a State Supreme Court decision. It was left to two local non-profits, the Chautauqua Lake Property Owners Association (CLPOA) and the Chautauqua ...

Too Many Feel Unwelcome In City

My husband and I and our family moved to Jamestown from Western Michigan in 1992. The Newcomers Club was active then. I went to an informational meeting about the club and asked how long would I be considered a newcomer; how long could I be in the club? I was told, “As long as you want to, because you’ll never be one of them.” It was a rude awakening to realize that I would never fully fit in. I’d never be a true citizen of Jamestown, N.Y. All these years later and it appears Jamestown is just as unwelcoming. The Post-Journal has posted several articles about the homeless ...

Avoiding Cheesy Decisions

Life is a long sequence of decisions, from the simplicity of brewing the morning coffee to the complexity of major milestones. In each moment, we strive to choose the clarity of wisdom over impulsivity. According to the pros, the best way to navigate decisions is through a step-by-step process: identify the problem or goal, gather the facts, and brainstorm your options. Then, you weigh the pros and cons, pick the best option, and implement it! Just remember to take some time for reflection to see if the outcome was what you desired—that’s how you evaluate and learn for the next time; ...

Deceit Flooding Inbox Is Slicker, Slimier

Wow! I’ve been spammed and scammed. And this time they made it hurt … whoever “they” are. I’ll probably never know. I shop online from three clothing companies that I have enjoyed for years. I know my sizes, what will fit, and what won’t. Their return policies are accommodating, and I know they will always do the right thing by me. But a few years ago, I made the mistake of buying a sweater from a Chinese website notorious for selling junk. I learned that you don’t have to be especially gullible to be bamboozled by them. They lure their customers with low prices on ...

Idaho Law Address Sex, Not Gender

BOISE, Idaho — Think of this. If you’re more than, say, 30 years old: ● What do you suppose the reaction would have been—from coaches and fellow pupils—when you were in high school if a boy wanted to play on a girls’ sports team? ● What do you suppose the reaction would have been—from coaches and fellow students—when you were in college if a man wanted to play on a women’s sports team? That’s right. Such an idea would have been not only dismissed out of hand but also rejected with disbelief that anyone would suggest such a thing. Why? Because this isn’t ...