Profiting from loss

It appears to me the University of Maine football team will debase itself for $350,000 to play against Nebraska. All this game is to give Nebraska a victory and Maine $350,000.

Jim Wright

Orono

Sports greed flourishes

The president of the Green Bay Packers ignored the U.S. flag code when the flag at the Packers’ stadium was flown at half-mast following the death of former NFL star Reggie White.

It is all about money. This is another example of the greed and avarice of our nation’s sports teams, and about a president of a national sports team that believes the fans care more about putting on a show than doing what’s right. Is the nation really as united as we thought after 9-11 or is it all a show?

Or is it now politically incorrect to show patriotism, to show honor for our nation, our flag, and the veterans who served to preserve our freedom, our liberty, and our pursuit of happiness?

Chris Mullins

Bangor

Nokomis, SAD 48 can’t afford football

I am not in favor of football at Nokomis. I believe the cost of starting and maintaining it would be more than the school district can afford. If you have football at the high school, you need to recruit from the junior high. That means starting football at the two junior high schools, and that means more money.

We have had trouble getting a budget passed the last two years without figuring in the money needed for football. Do the organizers think that the budget will get passed with an additional $30,000?

If the school board can come up with an additional $30,000 why not give the teachers a raise. Why not offer some tech courses for our students that upon graduation can get a higher paying job. Why not offer a class on practicality that teaches how to create a budget, balance the checkbook, the do’s and don’ts on credit cards, applying for loans or a mortgage.

Teach the aspects of everyday life. A former teacher and adult education director suggested to the board this same type of course, but it was never added to the curriculum. Why not? It makes more sense to offer this type of course than football.

EDUCATION, not sports or music, should be the main focus in SAD 48. I’m not against sports or music, but teaching the three “Rs” is far more important.

Beck Wiers

Palmyra

Profiles in courage and sportsmanship

Last week I went to Bucksport to see a high school wrestling match between Bucksport, Mount Desert Island, John Bapst, and Mattanawcook. What I witnessed was so much more. There were several great matches and even some upsets – and, yes, Bucksport has a terrific team. But, one match in particular shines above the rest.

An MDI wrestler and a wrestler from John Bapst faced off in the 189-pound division. After the first (of three) rounds, the MDI wrestler was ahead, but was having breathing difficulties. So the match was delayed as he went to the corner to use his inhaler.

During the second round of this fiercely contested match, the MDI wrestler gasped for air again and lay on the mat. As he recovered, the weary John Bapst wrestler, in the heat of the battle, wrapped both arms around his opponent and lifted him to his feet. The MDI wrestler acknowledged this kind gesture and then made his way to the corner for additional help.

The match was stopped in the final round as the MDI wrestler could not move. The coaches came to his aid as he lay face down, wheezing loudly; the spectators became quiet. At this point I feared that the health of this young man may be in jeopardy and the match would soon end. After about two minutes (which seemed like an eternity) he staggered to the corner for “more air.” With fifty-three seconds left in the final round, he returned to fight strongly and was in a position to pin his opponent as the match ended. He had won the match!

I believe that the significance of this match may have been missed by many of the fans, wrestlers, coaches: Even in a sport which tends to show more sportsmanship and mutual respect than most others I have witnessed, this is the “best of the best.” For three days I have not been able to decide which wrestler displayed greater courage – the MDI wrestler who won an important match for himself and his team, as he continously gasped for air – or the John Bapst wrestler who fought valiantly yet showed great humanity and sportsmanship as he helped his opponent (who would ultimately beat him) to his feet.

These are the types of stories which local and national media should focus on, and NOT stories such as fistfights among NBA “professionals” or $50 million contract disputes.

If we told more stories like this and recognized athletes such as these young competitors more often, the world would truly be a better place.

Norm Fineman

Bar Harbor

Loan needed to hunt, fish in Pine Tree State

In response to John Holyoke’s Bangor Daily News article (BDN, Jan. 8-9): “State Can’t Fund 18% of DIF&W,” I feel compelled to voice my opinion and to offer a couple of suggestions.

If you have read the article, it basically stated that the state of Maine’s general funding for the DIF&W will be $700,000 per year instead of the hopeful $4 million.

Now the plan is to generate revenue by making increases in the amount of $3 per license, raising boat registrations, and adding a registration fee for canoes, kayaks and sailboats. And get this one, allowing Sunday hunting and eliminating the so-called “Maine Day” on the first Saturday of deer season, which I assume the intent is to generate more out-of-state revenues.

Then it goes on to say that the bottom line is that the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine director George Smith, DIF&W’s commissioner Danny Martin and Gov. Baldacci are all on the same page to find possible solutions. Wouldn’t you think they should be on the same page on a regular basis?

My suggestions are quite simple. The sportsmen, sportswomen and license holders of Maine should refrain from purchasing their licenses and permits for a period of time and then Gov. Baldacci would definitely have to look at doing things differently and come up with a way to fund DIF&W.

Think about it, Mr. Baldacci, no more generated revenue, what’s wrong with this picture? Hello!

I have faithfully purchased a combination hunting and fishing license all of my life. Now it is getting to the point where maybe it is not worth it any longer. One has to take a loan out to pay for all the license and registrations required.

My other suggestion is this: Maybe the DIF&W ought to look at possibly “beefing up” their “entrapment programs” by setting up more mechanical deer and partridges and entice more honest sportsmen to break the laws so they can pay more fines. Obviously the money must go somewhere!

I say stick together people, there is strength in numbers. It works every time. Incidentally, are there any fees associated with “bird watching” yet?

Allan H. Ayotte

Millinocket

Holyoke is off target on coyote derby

I have been a fan of John Holyoke since he has been with BDN and have felt he was serving the sporting community well, but his last column regarding the Downeast Coyote Derby (Jan. 13) missed the mark. He says we are giving the Humane Society of the United States “a chance to take the ethical high ground.” HSUS doesn’t need a chance to do this, they already have all the ammunition they need to attack our sporting heritage, if it wasn’t this then it would be something else.

These “coyote derbies” are not a new concept, hundreds are held all over the country each year. This derby is a chance for hunters to become acquainted with the Washington County Fish and Wildlife Conservation Club. WCF&WCC is a grass-roots organization that was formed to protect and enhance white-tailed deer, improve all wildlife habitat and help educate our youth. Half of the money raised with this contest will go directly to the club, which will go toward habitat improvement.

This derby will also reduce local coyote numbers to benefit our wintering deer and gather a unique group of sportsmen for a friendly contest.

I take offense to him referencing the coyote as a “trash” animal. Eastern coyotes command my respect and I am sure all of the people that will be participating in the derby feel the same. Coyote hunting is not easy and we will be lucky if 20 coyotes are tagged during this contest.

The hunters that will participate are mostly diehard predator hunters and they would have been pursuing coyotes this weekend with or without a derby. No hunter will enter this contest in hopes of receiving a large cash prize. With three categories and maybe 20 teams entering, the prizes will not cover gas and expenses.

It is sad to see a respected outdoor columnist worry about what HSUS or any other animal-rights groups thinks about this hunt. And to actually state that it is bad timing and will give them more ammunition is foolish. When would a good time be? And what sportsman’s activity doesn’t give HSUS ammunition?

We will not bend to outside pressure and I am a proud member of WCF&WCC.

John H. Sewell

Baileyville

Note to readers: The NEWS reserves the right to edit submissions for libel, taste, clarity, and to fit available space. Letters should include a signature, full name, address, and daytime phone number. Letters may be mailed to: P.O. Box 1329, Bangor, ME 04402, or e-mailed: bdnsports@bangordailynews.net