The Coastal Point encourages the exchange of ideas. Letters to the editor must be signed by the author with phone number included for purposes of verification. Please send your letters to P.O. Box 1324, Ocean View, DE 19970.

Darin J. McCann

For the record, Barry Bonds is without a doubt the greatest baseball player I have seen play in my life.

Now, I’m not talking about the Bonds of the past few years with the powerful chest and the swollen head that resembles the Kool-Aid guy. While his homeruns have indeed been both prolific and awe-inspiring, my lasting memories of Bonds are from the 1993 season when he first came to the San Francisco Giants and dominated opponents with his legs, defense, bat and ego. He talked the talk, and he walked the walk — and seemingly always came up with the hit that won the game for the hometown Giants.

I probably watched Bonds play 140 games that season, and was convinced that I’d never seen anybody quite like him. He was Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods ... he was a stud.

To many in the Bay area at that time, Bonds was a hero. He transformed a perennial loser into an instant contender, and he did it with flash and a flair for the dramatic. See, Bonds could be 0-3 with two strikeouts, but you just knew he’d hit a three-run shot in the 8th inning to give the Giants a lead, and then make a spinning throw to second base in the 9th inning to save the day and end the game.

Then he’d quickly push back adoring fans in the parking lot on his way to his sports car and squeal off into the night without ever acknowledging their presence.

I don’t care for Bonds. I stand by my earlier statement that he’s the best I’ve ever seen, but I still grade him out as a jerk — selfish, whiny, paranoid and pompous. But, for some, he’s their hero.

I’ve always told people that I have two heroes in my life — my mom and my dad. I know what they were up against, and I know of the stresses and real-life situations they had to deal with. They amaze me with how they were able to use a collectively firm hand in raising children, while all along keeping our household full of love.

They are heroes.

However, recently I’ve opened my eyes to accepting that there are other heroes out there. Real ones, who do more than hitting a baseball or singing a song or leading a bunch of nutjobs into protesting at the funeral of a Seaford Marine who died in combat, while his family mourned ...

But I digress.

There are real-life heroes out there that should be seen as such. Besides those in law enforcement and fire and emergency rescue, there are teachers who willingly improve the lives of youth, volunteers who contribute time and energy to help out those in need and blindingly-handsome weekly newspaper editors who ... yeah, never mind.

Not to be left out, in my humble opinion, are the men and women serving our nation right now in the armed forces. They contribute to society by doing as they are told, by offering all they have in sacrifice so the rest of us do not and by keeping an eye on the scary people of this world so the rest of us can sleep in our comfortable beds.

And, as it would seem, many of them continue to be heroes even when they are not in uniform.

Sgt. Edward Boniberger, who had served in Iraq, and his girlfriend, Marnie Hall, found a winning lottery ticket outside a convenience store in New York on Monday, according to the Associated Press. The pair tried to find the woman who had signed it, but were unable to, so they turned it over to the police. When the police found the woman, she offered Boniberger a reward, which he turned down — suggesting to the woman that she could make a donation to charity instead.

“There’s people out there who need it a lot more than I do,” he said.

Later that same night, in Atlanta, Marine Thomas Autry (who was discharged from the Marine Corps in 1992, but as any Marine will tell you, there are no former Marines — just Marines) was walking home from work when he was approached by four individuals, one of whom was armed with a shotgun, while another had a pistol, according to the Associated Press.

Autry attempted to flee, but was eventually corned by the group, according to reports. He then pulled out a pocketknife and killed one of his attackers, while wounding another.

The attackers are facing robbery and assault charges and are suspected in other robberies, according to police, meaning Autry’s actions will probably save the life of another.

Pretty heroic stuff, huh? And he didn’t even cuss out an autograph-seeker, Barry.

Beware of pizza purchases

You know those little pizza kits groups sell to raise money for different organizations throughout the area? They’re cool, right? The pizza tastes pretty good, the kids in the house love watching the pizza come to life in front of their eyes and you get that instant warm feeling inside from helping someone out.

It’s a good deal all around.

Well, you might want to be a little more cautious these days. Apparently, a young woman has been going door-to-door “selling” these pizza kits, under the guise of raising funds for Little League. According to Ocean View Police Chief Ken McLaughlin, the woman is asking for money up front, and she has no affiliation with Little League.

McClaughlin also said the police have identified the woman and are working with state police to apprehend her. He added that he didn’t think the woman would be making any further attempts at this game.

However, as sick as it might sound to the average person, it is probably best to practice vigilance right now with door-to-door fundraisers. We all want to believe that everything is on the up-and-up, and we all want to help where we can, but we need to verify these things as much as we can.

McClaughlin suggested people ask for identification from the person raising funds, or a phone number where their credentials can be verified. Though this individual is expected to be stopped shortly, be certain that others will follow with variations of the same scam.

One other important thing for people to know is that there is no shame in being taken by this — or any other — person partaking in fraudulent activity. Whether it be identity theft or a fundraising scam, the police need victims to come forward to both help prosecute offenders and stop them from victimizing others.

McLaughlin encourages anyone with any information or dealings with this person to contact him at the Ocean View Police Department at 539-1111.

The people of this community have a tremendous reputation for giving to others, and there’s no reason that should stop. Let’s just all make sure the money goes where it’s intended.

Businesses chip in to help baseball boosters
Editor:

On behalf of the Indian River Baseball Boosters, we would like to take this opportunity to thank the local business for their generosity towards our 11th annual Penny Party. Without the support of the local merchants our event would not have been successful.

We would like to thank everyone that attended the party for taking time out of their busy schedules to support the team. A good time was had by all.

The money earned from the fundraiser will be used to benefit the Indian River baseball team.

Listed below are the business that so kindly donated: A New Face In Town, Bad Hair Day, Bethany Auto, Bethany Cycle, Body Double, Cottage Cafe, Dagsboro Paint, Fenwick Floaters, Fenwick Hardware, Fisher’s Popcorn, G&E Hardware, Good Earth Market, Grotto’s, Hocker’s Superthift, Hair Designs By Iris, Ken’s Bayside, Ligthouse Landing, Millsboro Wawa, Michael Mccarthy Stones Inc., Mike’s Carpet, Miller’s Creek Antiques, Ocean View Deli, Pam Webb, Paulette Brochet, Payless Furniture, Potter Place, Rt. 26 Antiques, Sea Needles, Seashell City, Selbyvllle Pet And Garden, Teresa Shockley, The Spinning Wheel.

Thanks again.

Mike Casale, President
IR Baseball Boosters

AARP charity golf tournament a big hit
Editor:

On May 18, 2006 the South Coastal Chapter DE AARP hosted a charity golf tournament.

Our chapter would like to thank all golfers, sponsors, and individual donors that made our golf tournament a success. Our goal this year was to raise funds for Delaware Hospice.

Many thanks to Bethany Grotto Pizza and Bethany Bay Golf Club for all their help and support. We couldn’t have done it without them.

We had many generous sponsors we wish to thank and acknowledge. They are The UPS Store, #4681, Treasure Island Fashions, Millsboro Bowling Lanes, Connors Liquors, Kim Hook Remax, Jim’s Hide-a-way, Dave’s Custom Silk Screening, Delaware National Bank, Country Side Cafe, Hileman Limousine Service, Hileman Dry Wall, Vickie York Realtor, Shirley Price Realtor, Ocean View Family Restaurant, Heavenly Hound, Denise Beam State Farm and Sen. George Bunting.

Individual donors include Tommie Anderson, Lew Beaver, Georgie Calabrese, Marge Calabrese, Bob Chin, Dottie Rieck, Lee Shoff and Rose Snider.

Many thanks for your generosity.

Tom Reis, Chapter President
South Coastal Chapter DE AARP

What’s next, people marrying pets?
Editor:

It’s with urgency that I write to my fellow Americans to show our senators where the majority of constituents stand on the “Marriage Protection Amendment” issue, which is expected to vote in early June.

For centuries now, in every civilized culture, marriage as the union of one man and one woman has been the building block of society. But it may be not true in America for long... unless Congress approves the Marriage Protection Amendment.

Amendment opponents have asked, “How does one couple’s gay marriage threaten anyone’s heterosexual marriage?” This question missed the point: The goal of gay activists isn’t the individual relationship of any two people; it is the revision of national policy to say that gender, especially in child-rearing, is inconsequential.

Without the MPA, there’s nothing to prevent activist judges… like those on the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, which legalized gay marriage a few years ago, from creating not only gay marriage, but legalizing polygamy and even marriage between people and their pets.

Think of the MPA as a shield between our traditional values and radical judges’ intent on forcing their politically correct agenda on our nation. Without that shield, it’s only a matter of time until marriage loses all meaning. Social science data indicate children will suffer the most when that happens.

Efforts to pass such an amendment stalled in Congress two years ago, but we have another chance before senators vote in early June to convince them to do the right thing this time around. Let us unite as one voice to help our senators see beyond the liberal spin and demand they vote the will of their constituents.

Lidia Smith
Dagsboro

AARP Trivial Pursuit a success
Editor:

On May 16, the South Coastal Chapter of the AARP held a Trivial Pursuit game during the chapter’s monthly meeting. Questions covered trivia from the ’40s, ’50s and ’60s. Over 150 people attended. The event was a tremendous success. Due to the generosity of local businesses, the chapter was able to award prizes to the first, second and third winning tables. We would like to express our gratitude to our sponsors: Bethany Blues, Big Fish Grill, Blockbuster, Cool Bean, Grottos Pizza, Happy Harry’s, McCabe’s, Royal Zephyr, Super Giant.

If you are a member of AARP or are over 50, please consider joining our chapter. You will benefit from a wide range of activities including informative monthly programs September through June, trips, an active bowling league, a chorus and many community service projects.

Test your skill and try answering one of our Trivial Pursuit questions:

“The Rat Pack, active between the mid 1950s and the mid 1960s consisted mostly of male entertainers including Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. The group did have at least one female member. Name the female entertainer considered “One of the Boys.”

Check the end of this letter for the answer.

(Trivial Pursuit answer: Shirley MacLaine)

John Rubinsohn, Larry Christman
Committee Members

South Bethany official thankful for support
Editor:

To South Bethany voters: I appreciate your continuing support at our May 27 election. Thank you very much.

Councilwoman Marge Gassinger
South Bethany

Reader reacts to past letter in Point
Editor:

I am responding to Mr. Cleary’s letter published under “Reader: President needs to take drastic steps” in the May 19 Coastal Point.

Mr. Cleary’s frivolous speech is a lame attempt to impose a leftist lean to President Bush’s presidency. I do have to admit that the Presidents poll numbers are low; however, Mr. Cleary’s suggested speech would be catastrophic to the administration. But here is a suggestion for a speech that would surely improve his poll numbers:

“My fellow Americans I am aware that many of you partisans of the left would like to see me make radical changes in administration personnel. A few in my own party would agree. However, it is not going to happen.

“Many of those same partisans are detractors of our actions in Iraq even though they were originally supporters of it. Unfortunately they have reversed their position for purely political reasons. Their amnesia on this is shameful!

“They have continued a barrage of accusations insinuating that we lied to them and to you concerning Iraq. This is an unadulterated fabrication made up for the same political reasons.

“Would we do it the same way if we could do it over? Of course not! Contrary to popular leftist thinking we are not stupid. We have enemies in this world and we have taken the bold action necessary to show our resolve. We will continue with it to an honorable conclusion.

“Our actions in both Afghanistan and Iraq were retaliatory. Period! Unlike the previous administration I care little about a legacy and more about performing my duty as your President and Commander in Chief. I will continue my efforts to do just that.

“Many are concerned about a rift with some of our old and long term allies. I am one of those. But I am more concerned with the short memories of those so called allies and the insulting way some have recently treated us. We have rescued some of them in two World Wars but cannot rely on them for support when we are attacked.

“I will expend little energy in an attempt to repair this rift but we as Americans will undoubtedly respond to their next plea for help.

“I will now address a number of domestic issues.

“First is the economy. Contrary to what the media says it is robust thanks to my tax cuts which have in fact raised more tax income since they were passed. Income that will reduce our national debt which is a concern to all of us except congress.

“Second is the price of gasoline. It has reached record levels for a number of reasons. Some of those reasons are: gasoline production has been reduced by last season’s hurricanes, we have not built a new refinery in almost 25 years and many of us refuse to abandon our very large gas guzzling automobiles. The price of a barrel of oil has also gone up and we expect it to go higher because of China and India’s growing demand.

“Can we help ourselves with this dilemma? Yes we can! We could voluntarily conserve whenever possible. But I do not see that happening. What can we do? We can, hopefully, build new refineries, expand the use of ethanol and increase experimentation on alternate sources of energy.

“Unfortunately, we knew that dependence on oil would cause problems for decades and through many administrations. We will now have to address the problem and we will.

“Third is the New Orleans situation. We all agree it was more than a natural disaster and there are many to blame for those governmental failures. I will and have accepted my share of the burden. But let’s be honest for a change and place most of the blame where it belongs and that’s in Louisiana.

“Also, we have made what I consider some hasty rebuilding promises after the hurricane. I will revisit those promises because it is foolish to rebuild in areas that are below sea level and in a notorious hurricane lane.

“Fourth is corruption. I will not tolerate corruption in my administration. I believe that all corrupt public servants should be punished to the full extent of the law and I will give my support to any and all investigations of such corruption. However, corruption in government is not new. I am telling you that because you would never know it from listening to the leftist media.

“I leave it to history to judge my legacy. Hopefully sometime in the future we will have a less biased media where reporting is based on facts and not the media’s agenda.

“In closing I invite you to purchase a newspaper and watch the TV news tomorrow to see what a perverted, twisted and distorted commentary will be presented on my comments this evening.

Good night and God bless America.”

Thomas M. Keeley III
Ocean View