Tonawanda News — Regarding the recent seizure of 50 cats in North Tonawanda, the newspaper called them “feral cats.” As a volunteer who worked with all of these cats a few days after they were seized, I consider them scared — not feral. Out of all the cats, only one hissed at me while cleaning the cage and refilling the food and water dishes. They look very clean and are beautiful cats — some Siamese mixes, some kittens. With the dedicated volunteers at the Niagara SPCA, we will get them socialized and they will become adoptable. The Niagara County SPCA really needs the public’s support now that they are no-kill and reorganized a year ago. Due to the vet expenses with all these incoming animals including the August seizure of the Somerset cats and the pomeranians from Lockport, this SPCA really needs monetary donations as well as litter, dog and cat treats. There are dedicated volunteers who are also having regular fund-raisers too — check out their website for details. 

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Love Canal, Tonawanda Coke. What is the progress on the lawsuit about Durez and National Grinding Wheel? Is the capping of the Buffalo Bolt site any better than Love Canal? Spaulding Fibre? When they clean up the buildings on top of the ground, do they remove what is under them? Love Canal is a lesson for us all.

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As some senators craft an immigration bill hush-hush as the paper said, who do they represent? Do they represent their constituents or the illegal immigrants? Do they know about the $2 billion Medicare emergency loophole? Yes, citizens have sympathy and concern for others, and the farmers especially in California who say they can only get immigrant help. How about veterans who need jobs? What’s going on?

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This is what the country would look like had President Obama lost in 2008. We would still be heavily involved in war in Iraq and Afghanistan. We would also be in wars in Iran, Libya, Syria and North Korea. The Bush tax cuts for the rich would be permanent as well as billions of dollars in additional tax cuts and loopholes for rich corporations. The deficit although increasing, would not be a concern as it is now. Meanwhile, millions of Americans would have their Social Security privatized in the stock market and Medicare would be replaced by a voucher. Additionally, the banks and brokerages would be free to devastate the economy as they did in 2008. And let’s not forget that Sarah Palin would be a heartbeat away from the presidency. 

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The stock market is at its all time high. Unemployment is beginning to fall. The housing market is starting to open up. People are beginning to feel a little bit better about the economy and starting to purchase more products. I blame Obama.