tootboy
Try not to look too far ahead, but keep your eyes on the future.
Newsday Letter's to the Editor Tues Mar. 3 2004
Number of Letters from the Left: 5
Number of Letters from the Right: 2
Left Letters:
1)..."Hurray for Ralph Nader. It is so good to hear a presidential candidate say that he wants to "retire the supremely selected president" ["Nader joins presidential race," Newsday.com, Feb. 23]. Would that we would ever hear a Democratic candidate say anything so truthful.
No, the Democrats will just go on whining about the spoiler who stole the presidency. No matter that Al Gore ran a sorry campaign, losing his home state, yet managing to win the popular vote anyway, before taking a dive. They won't mention how thousands of African-Americans in Florida were purged illegally from the voter rolls or Gore's failure to demand a recount of the whole state.
Democrats have ignored the Green Party's advocating instant runoff voting, which lets voters rank the order of candidates and, if their first choice is not among the top contenders, transfers their vote to another choice. The millions who came out to vote for Nader in 2000 could have chosen Gore second. These Green votes would have added up to a tremendous number for Gore. -Ann Eagan
Sunnyside"
A Nadar fan who speaks some truth. The Truth is that it wasn't George Bush who 'stole the election' but Gore who lost the election. He didn't represent the Green party people. He lost his home state (which NEVER EVER happens), he didn't ask to recount the whole state of Florida. He and the Clinton administration pissed off the Cuban-American populations with the Elian Gonzalez situation (and they voted asked Gore or didn't vote at all). Nadar seems like a good man but one with a bad macro vision for the US. The US needs a man like him but not in political office but doing what he has been doing for almost 50 years.
2) ..."Regarding "Station pulls Stern," News, Feb. 26]: Talking about sex isn't vulgar, flying planes into buildings is. Let the government worry about the planes, I can handle the radio dial myself.
Millions of people listen to Howard Stern every day and lead normal lives, yet I'm pretty sure you can't pick his show up in the caves of Afghanistan - and look what those people did. Perhaps, if they had been listening to Stern and not their leaders, the Twin Towers would still be standing.
I'll celebrate along with every American the day we capture or kill Osama bin Laden. But I will not vote for George W. Bush, because the one thing worse than being attacked by the Taliban is becoming them. It is pointless for our soldiers in Iraq to die defending our freedom if we plan on taking it away ourselves. Leave my radio alone. -Gary Taustine
Manhattan"
This letter fails to mention that the Station the pulled the plug on Howard Stern was not owned by the Federal Gov't. He makes it sound that way. Clear Channel has every right to pull Howard (as long as it doesn't break any legal agreement). It is a private company, though they can't claim they were unaware of his banter and activities on air. Some other stations in those local regions will pick him up. Blaming the presidency for Clear Channel's practices is stupid to say the least. And the Taliban analogies are just ridiculous and propaganda.
The FCC does have major issues that should be talked about but this letter doesn't mention any specifics. Nice selection, NEWSDAY
3)..."The answer to concerns about Social Security is twofold:
1. Eliminate the upper limit for Social Security payments. Have CEOs pay the full amount for Social Security and Medicare on their inflated salaries and stock options.
2. Have all U.S. senators, congresspeople and federal bureaucrats switch to Social Security from their current pension system. This would force them to devise ways to save the Social Security system for the poor and for the elderly, and remove their immunity from their own decisions.-Paul Jankiewicz
Ulster Park
"
This letter has it partially right. The SS system in Congress is better than anyone else. As are the pensions. I mean getting a pension for only 6 years of service...vile vile vile. Taxing CEOs (and the rich I presume) is just another form of taxation. Progressive taxes are so absurd because it has to be tweaked constantly and is subjective to others views.
4)..."As a volunteer AARP tax aide in the IRS-sponsored, Tax Counseling for the Elderly program, I have done tax returns for many senior citizens who have annual income levels (including Social Security) between $6,000 and $16,000 and have been concerned as to how they manage to survive on Long Island.
I was distressed to read, therefore, that Alan Greenspan is recommending that monthly Social Security payments be reduced and that the expiring Bush tax cuts (for the wealthy) be made permanent.
Obviously, this Alan will never be mistaken for Alan-O- Dale, one of Robin Hood's followers. That group believed in taking from the rich and giving to the poor; not the other way around.-Jay Bernstein
Plainview"
Just mentioning that we can afford Soc Sec or Tax Cuts proves that the scares tactics are underway. No one in the administration is saying one or the other. And it's not tax cuts, it's taxes that are not needed to be collected by the Gov't. It's our money not their's. Therefore it is only a decrease in the taxes they grab from us. Golly Gee
5)..."On Sept. 13, 2004, the Assault Weapons Ban will sunset, making it legal for weapons such as the AK-47 and Uzi to be manufactured and sold once again. These are the weapons of choice for gangs and drive-by shootings. An automatic weapon is created for military defense, not hunting, nor sport.
On Mother's Day, May 9, hundreds of thousands of mothers and others will march on Washington once again, to halt the assault on our families, our civil rights and our gun laws. Long Island members will join with others from all over the country on the steps of the U.S. Capitol, in a commitment to ensuring that our children can live in an environment free from the fear of gun violence.
We cannot let the end of the Assault Weapons Ban slip through the cracks. This is not an issue of Democrats or Republicans. It is not about politics. This is about the safety of our communities and our children.-Alexandra Gordon
Editor's Note: The writer is Long Island march captain of the Million Mom March.Port Jefferson Station"
Gun control...hmmm, I'm against assaulted and automatic rifles because I don't know what legal use they can be used for. I mean defense of the home and hunting have better choices in arms than automatic weapons, I would think. That being said, this letter says that criminals, gangs, etc will buy these guns if they are legal. Well, Ms. Gordon, how did these gangs acquire automatic weapons if they have been banned all these years? They use them don't they. Maybe it's because they are thugs and criminals and not care if it's legal or not, they will acquire these guns! The ban only stops law-abiding citizens from owning them. The gang members would still be too young (most of them anyway) to be buying these guns even if they were legal. These people don't care about bans. And HOW does civil rights get reduced if the ban is gone. It would be reduced if laws were more restictive not less. Silly argument even if I kind of agree with the ban (silly me).
Right Letters:
1) ..."When I heard that the Republicans decided to have their convention in New York this summer I knew exactly what would happen - and I was right.
John Edwards began his campaign in New York by saying, "The Republican Party is using 9/11 by having their convention in New York." Yet I seem to remember that Mayor Michael Bloomberg practically begged the Democrats to have their convention here, but they said no; they wanted to go to Edward Kennedy's Boston.
New Yorkers will gladly accept the millions of dollars poured into the city while slapping the Republicans in the face. Hotels, restaurants, shopping, movies, plays, landmarks, taxis and all forms of transportation will all benefit, but New Yorkers won't show one ounce of gratitude. When Moveon.org starts picketing the convention, I wonder how many New Yorkers will side with them. I predict everyone.
Wake up. President George W. Bush knows that New York will never elect him, but still he comes here.-Mary Gillen
Valley Stream"
Guaranteed that the media will only notice the protesters in NY against the Republicans and not the protesters in Boston. I've heard that the protesters in Boston have been given a very small square or triangle far from the actual convention. The Democrats should have been in NY but Kennedy and Kerry somehow talked the Dems into it.
2)..."Regarding "Greenspan backs cut" [News, Feb. 26]: If the millions who are working here illegally were to pay taxes as legal citizens do, would the Social Security system be in such peril? Moreover, if the ones who hire people illegally were to bear the responsibility all legal employers share, would that help?
Perhaps turning a blind eye to the economic drain caused by illegal employers and employees isn't working out after all.-John Higgins
Oakdale"
We'll throw this one on the side of the right because it calls for more gov't responsibility and less focus on victimization. Let's face it, a large, large % of legal citizens and workers do not pay the money actually owed. I'm not talking about people who work or do work off the books and such. I'm talking about people who don't file at all for years and years. They gamble they'll never get caught. That's where the money is!
Number of Letters from the Right: 2
Left Letters:
1)..."Hurray for Ralph Nader. It is so good to hear a presidential candidate say that he wants to "retire the supremely selected president" ["Nader joins presidential race," Newsday.com, Feb. 23]. Would that we would ever hear a Democratic candidate say anything so truthful.
No, the Democrats will just go on whining about the spoiler who stole the presidency. No matter that Al Gore ran a sorry campaign, losing his home state, yet managing to win the popular vote anyway, before taking a dive. They won't mention how thousands of African-Americans in Florida were purged illegally from the voter rolls or Gore's failure to demand a recount of the whole state.
Democrats have ignored the Green Party's advocating instant runoff voting, which lets voters rank the order of candidates and, if their first choice is not among the top contenders, transfers their vote to another choice. The millions who came out to vote for Nader in 2000 could have chosen Gore second. These Green votes would have added up to a tremendous number for Gore. -Ann Eagan
Sunnyside"
A Nadar fan who speaks some truth. The Truth is that it wasn't George Bush who 'stole the election' but Gore who lost the election. He didn't represent the Green party people. He lost his home state (which NEVER EVER happens), he didn't ask to recount the whole state of Florida. He and the Clinton administration pissed off the Cuban-American populations with the Elian Gonzalez situation (and they voted asked Gore or didn't vote at all). Nadar seems like a good man but one with a bad macro vision for the US. The US needs a man like him but not in political office but doing what he has been doing for almost 50 years.
2) ..."Regarding "Station pulls Stern," News, Feb. 26]: Talking about sex isn't vulgar, flying planes into buildings is. Let the government worry about the planes, I can handle the radio dial myself.
Millions of people listen to Howard Stern every day and lead normal lives, yet I'm pretty sure you can't pick his show up in the caves of Afghanistan - and look what those people did. Perhaps, if they had been listening to Stern and not their leaders, the Twin Towers would still be standing.
I'll celebrate along with every American the day we capture or kill Osama bin Laden. But I will not vote for George W. Bush, because the one thing worse than being attacked by the Taliban is becoming them. It is pointless for our soldiers in Iraq to die defending our freedom if we plan on taking it away ourselves. Leave my radio alone. -Gary Taustine
Manhattan"
This letter fails to mention that the Station the pulled the plug on Howard Stern was not owned by the Federal Gov't. He makes it sound that way. Clear Channel has every right to pull Howard (as long as it doesn't break any legal agreement). It is a private company, though they can't claim they were unaware of his banter and activities on air. Some other stations in those local regions will pick him up. Blaming the presidency for Clear Channel's practices is stupid to say the least. And the Taliban analogies are just ridiculous and propaganda.
The FCC does have major issues that should be talked about but this letter doesn't mention any specifics. Nice selection, NEWSDAY
3)..."The answer to concerns about Social Security is twofold:
1. Eliminate the upper limit for Social Security payments. Have CEOs pay the full amount for Social Security and Medicare on their inflated salaries and stock options.
2. Have all U.S. senators, congresspeople and federal bureaucrats switch to Social Security from their current pension system. This would force them to devise ways to save the Social Security system for the poor and for the elderly, and remove their immunity from their own decisions.-Paul Jankiewicz
Ulster Park
"
This letter has it partially right. The SS system in Congress is better than anyone else. As are the pensions. I mean getting a pension for only 6 years of service...vile vile vile. Taxing CEOs (and the rich I presume) is just another form of taxation. Progressive taxes are so absurd because it has to be tweaked constantly and is subjective to others views.
4)..."As a volunteer AARP tax aide in the IRS-sponsored, Tax Counseling for the Elderly program, I have done tax returns for many senior citizens who have annual income levels (including Social Security) between $6,000 and $16,000 and have been concerned as to how they manage to survive on Long Island.
I was distressed to read, therefore, that Alan Greenspan is recommending that monthly Social Security payments be reduced and that the expiring Bush tax cuts (for the wealthy) be made permanent.
Obviously, this Alan will never be mistaken for Alan-O- Dale, one of Robin Hood's followers. That group believed in taking from the rich and giving to the poor; not the other way around.-Jay Bernstein
Plainview"
Just mentioning that we can afford Soc Sec or Tax Cuts proves that the scares tactics are underway. No one in the administration is saying one or the other. And it's not tax cuts, it's taxes that are not needed to be collected by the Gov't. It's our money not their's. Therefore it is only a decrease in the taxes they grab from us. Golly Gee
5)..."On Sept. 13, 2004, the Assault Weapons Ban will sunset, making it legal for weapons such as the AK-47 and Uzi to be manufactured and sold once again. These are the weapons of choice for gangs and drive-by shootings. An automatic weapon is created for military defense, not hunting, nor sport.
On Mother's Day, May 9, hundreds of thousands of mothers and others will march on Washington once again, to halt the assault on our families, our civil rights and our gun laws. Long Island members will join with others from all over the country on the steps of the U.S. Capitol, in a commitment to ensuring that our children can live in an environment free from the fear of gun violence.
We cannot let the end of the Assault Weapons Ban slip through the cracks. This is not an issue of Democrats or Republicans. It is not about politics. This is about the safety of our communities and our children.-Alexandra Gordon
Editor's Note: The writer is Long Island march captain of the Million Mom March.Port Jefferson Station"
Gun control...hmmm, I'm against assaulted and automatic rifles because I don't know what legal use they can be used for. I mean defense of the home and hunting have better choices in arms than automatic weapons, I would think. That being said, this letter says that criminals, gangs, etc will buy these guns if they are legal. Well, Ms. Gordon, how did these gangs acquire automatic weapons if they have been banned all these years? They use them don't they. Maybe it's because they are thugs and criminals and not care if it's legal or not, they will acquire these guns! The ban only stops law-abiding citizens from owning them. The gang members would still be too young (most of them anyway) to be buying these guns even if they were legal. These people don't care about bans. And HOW does civil rights get reduced if the ban is gone. It would be reduced if laws were more restictive not less. Silly argument even if I kind of agree with the ban (silly me).
Right Letters:
1) ..."When I heard that the Republicans decided to have their convention in New York this summer I knew exactly what would happen - and I was right.
John Edwards began his campaign in New York by saying, "The Republican Party is using 9/11 by having their convention in New York." Yet I seem to remember that Mayor Michael Bloomberg practically begged the Democrats to have their convention here, but they said no; they wanted to go to Edward Kennedy's Boston.
New Yorkers will gladly accept the millions of dollars poured into the city while slapping the Republicans in the face. Hotels, restaurants, shopping, movies, plays, landmarks, taxis and all forms of transportation will all benefit, but New Yorkers won't show one ounce of gratitude. When Moveon.org starts picketing the convention, I wonder how many New Yorkers will side with them. I predict everyone.
Wake up. President George W. Bush knows that New York will never elect him, but still he comes here.-Mary Gillen
Valley Stream"
Guaranteed that the media will only notice the protesters in NY against the Republicans and not the protesters in Boston. I've heard that the protesters in Boston have been given a very small square or triangle far from the actual convention. The Democrats should have been in NY but Kennedy and Kerry somehow talked the Dems into it.
2)..."Regarding "Greenspan backs cut" [News, Feb. 26]: If the millions who are working here illegally were to pay taxes as legal citizens do, would the Social Security system be in such peril? Moreover, if the ones who hire people illegally were to bear the responsibility all legal employers share, would that help?
Perhaps turning a blind eye to the economic drain caused by illegal employers and employees isn't working out after all.-John Higgins
Oakdale"
We'll throw this one on the side of the right because it calls for more gov't responsibility and less focus on victimization. Let's face it, a large, large % of legal citizens and workers do not pay the money actually owed. I'm not talking about people who work or do work off the books and such. I'm talking about people who don't file at all for years and years. They gamble they'll never get caught. That's where the money is!
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