tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925277268651697833.post5001579039904151180..comments2024-03-05T22:41:17.602-05:00Comments on Upstate Earth: Buddhists Promise a Renaissance for Amsterdam, New YorkMichael Cooneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17044319404000125750noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925277268651697833.post-50517633729680500862011-01-11T12:30:42.467-05:002011-01-11T12:30:42.467-05:00HFM BOCES hosts free English Language Classes in A...HFM BOCES hosts free English Language Classes in Amsterdam just down the road from St. Casmir's. (518) 736-4340Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925277268651697833.post-88286673666777264982010-11-23T18:13:37.681-05:002010-11-23T18:13:37.681-05:00Michael, it's as simple as this; If an America...Michael, it's as simple as this; If an American citizen showed up to buy a public school with a suitcase full of cash, he/she would have to show the IRS the paper trail of how said money was obtained. <br /><br />Apparently a foreigner doesn't have to do so. Therefore, foreigners have an unfair advantage towards purchasing United States real estate.<br /><br />This is the tip of the iceberg. Our lawmakers have made it conducive to do business abroad and and has hamstrung the American citizen from competing. <br /><br />Traditionally, when immigrants came to our country, they worked and became citizens. There is no reason for them to do that now with the relaxed laws for illegal aliens and for illegal labor. <br /><br />China isn't for sale but we are. Why fight us when you can buy us? I wouldn't be surprised if foreign banks and investors now hold the titles to over half of America. For example, my mortgage has recently been sold to a bank in India.<br /><br />Good, even handed article though.....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925277268651697833.post-14113994753165792162010-11-23T10:32:07.770-05:002010-11-23T10:32:07.770-05:00While I understand and share the concerns of "...While I understand and share the concerns of "Anonymous," I do disagree with his/her statement that "This shows that foreigners have more rights and freedoms in our own country than American citizens do."<br /><br />The situation in Amsterdam does demonstrate the power of money in one of the many economically devasted cities in our region, but it is not accurate to say that newcomers from other countries have more rights than citizens. Migrant laborers, mostly from Latin American countries, keep many of our farms profitable but are an invisble minority without any political clout, and they are not making the kind of money that will enable them to buy their own farms.<br /><br />Also, in recent years Albany has provided a welcome to hundreds of political, ethnic and relgious refugees from Iraq, Afghanistan, Burma and other countries. The State Department provides a small income for these refugees for only six months, after which they have been finding work and keeping a low profile. The assimilation process is being handled by a very dedicated,largely volunteer non-governmental group, The US Committee or Refugees and Immigrants. (USCRI)They are taught English by an entirely volunteer faculty, who have been trained by Literacy Volunteers.<br /><br />In the wake of decades of population loss caused by de-industrialization, such newcomers are a welcome addition. My largest concern with the WPHO group is that they quite explicitly state that they are not immigrants and have no intention of settling and raising families in the Mohawk Valley. If Master Ziguang says they should leave, they will leave.Michael Cooneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17044319404000125750noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925277268651697833.post-59478841469061951592010-11-23T09:29:39.181-05:002010-11-23T09:29:39.181-05:00I was baptised and married at St. Michael's an...I was baptised and married at St. Michael's and also attended Bacon school in it's inaugural year in 1967. <br /><br />To say that I'm skeptical about the Buddhist's intentions would be quite an understatement. The selling of a public school to a foreign interest that doesn't even pay taxes for a sum that won't even buy a house in some parts of our country is mind boggling to me. <br /><br />I left Amsterdam a little more than a decade ago largely because of hopeless leadership and direction. I have to believe that the Chinese recognized the leadership void and untapped potential of Amsterdam and are laundering suitcases full of cash to eventually obtain a large stake of the city.<br /><br />I do know that if an American citizen showed up with suitcases full of millions of dollars to buy public property there would be an investigation with the assumption that it was drug money. This shows that foreigners have more rights and freedoms in our own country than American citizens do.<br /><br />I hope that I'm wrong because it would be wonderful if Amsterdam could get back on it's feet again, but unfortunately I doubt that I am.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925277268651697833.post-34796691281928655752010-10-31T08:48:38.021-04:002010-10-31T08:48:38.021-04:00Nicely written. I've been following this stor...Nicely written. I've been following this story and had also planned to go to the dedication ceremony, but had a conflict.<br /><br />Thanks.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com