I have to comment to a letter I read which was recently submitted my Mr. Moody, from Weedsport. It seems that you actually discuss two things here. Why lay blame on Barack Obama for what does or doesn't occur in the state prison system?

Now, I'm only 34 years old. All I know from “draft dodging” is what I've learned in school or have heard from elders. Do you realize the time we are in? It's 2009 now and many people that run for public office didn't have to realize draft or war. OK, so perhaps Obama may have been young enough to serve in Vietnam. Let's look at who was drafted. They took from home. They took those that were poor, uneducated, and from small towns. I'm sorry to say but Barack Obama was neither now was he?

Serving in war should never be part of any job description. Though it supports America to have some of that military experience, the horrors or war should never be considered part of that, now or ever. I'm sorry for anything you may have experienced in your life but let's look at the real issue you wrote about, the tax dollars in prisons!

I have friends and family that work in the prison system. I support what they have to do on a daily basis. They are not the problem. The problem is the outer politics. I don't think anyone agrees that we should pay for some luxuries that some (only some) of the state prisons have. It's not like each and every inmate has opportunity and HBO. OK, sure, some do.

I do not support vicious crimes or criminals. I do not agree that a rapist or murderer deserves a gym, TV, and whatever else he or she may have. So, for that point, I agree with you. However, the little people like you and I cannot change that.

I recommend we get the attention of the state Senate, Assembly or Gov. Paterson. I recommend that it be asked that state dollars for these hard criminals be cut and better spent on education and luxuries for hard working New Yorkers. Every New Yorker with some education has at least 10 ways for the state budget to improve and I would think, being a New Yorker, each is worth a listen.

So, with that being said, let us look at the real issue, which is not Barack Obama dodging something to become President to support inmates who could (but never will) be the same.

The issue is (as always) politics. Why does a murderer have cake, steak and Pay Per View when I can't even get the NFL Network?

To be clear, I'm not attacking the comment or letter by Mr. Moody, I try to understand his point and think he just needs to look at the bigger picture with the blame and why?

Eric Hodson Sr.

Auburn