QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, October 19, 2017 Page 10
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Letters continued from previous page system, hiring 10,000 more immigration officers and building the quixotic wall along the southern border. Trump administration officials said the president would insist on their passage in exchange for supporting legislation that would extend the DACA program. The specific list includes limiting familybased green cards to spouses, the minor children of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents and creating a point-based system; boosting fees at border crossings; making it easier to deport gang members and unaccompanied children; and overhauling the asylum system. It also includes, among other proposals, new measures to crack down on “sanctuary cities,” which don’t share information with federal immigration authorities — like New York City. The ability of federal, state and local authorities to detain illegal immigrants would be fully enshrined in law. Visitors who come legally but overstay their visas would now face a misdemeanor penalty. These are inhumane proposals that make these innocent lives unwilling pawns in the vicious game of politics. Mr. President, you can, and must do, better! Albert Baldeo Ozone Park
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Dumb Trump in PR Dear Editor: In connection with the Charlottesville, Va. demonstrations, President Donald Trump had difficulty condemning protesters voicing Nazi and anti-Semitic chants. It now appears that when it comes to Latinos, Trump has no difficulty in making it clear he is anti-Latino. Puerto Ricans are American citizens entitled to be treated just like all other Americans. For Trump to claim three weeks after a killer hurricane ravaged Puerto Rico that he is losing patience with its people, and that some of the blame for the continuing deplorable situation there lies with its residents, is outrageous. It is compounded by the way, while speaking before an audience of Puerto Ricans who require food, clean water, medical help and electric power, Trump tossed them rolls of paper. If that had occurred during a celebrity game, the tosser would have been told, “You’re fired.” It becomes clearer each day that Secretary of State Rex Tillerson’s view that Trump is a “moron” is right on the mark. Benjamin M. Haber Flushing
U.S. facts over myths Dear Editor: Positive aspects are evident in the uproar against ill-reputed statues, Hollywood icons and other powerful figures. In our pluralistic society, previously silent players are now confidently expressing opposing viewpoints based on historical facts and other relevant information that cause us to question not only the validity of the myths but also the character of the idols concerned. Seeking the truth and facts before assessing a subject is what distinguishes an educated society from one that has been indoctri-
nated. It is refreshing to see that many in this nation are still concerned with historical truth and see exemplary character as a positive value, a trait that should not be ignored. Models of barbarism, treason, sexual predation and other depraved behavior should be vulnerable to criticism and rejection. As the facts pertaining to these characters spread, they or their statues might still stand, but their reputations won’t. We are a relatively young nation, and the criticisms of our mythical past or anachronistic behavior might indicate the growth in political and economic power of those formerly powerless, whose voices of protest, challenge and truth will cause not only some discomfort, but will also enlighten us to our shortfalls; yet, if we can hold onto the principles that bind us rather than cling to the falsehoods of the past, our nation will thrive and its cultural maturation will be spurred. Glenn Hayes Kew Gardens
Help our Kurd allies Dear Editor: A historic event recently took place in the Middle East. Iraqi Kurds have voted to declare their independence. Most Americans know very little about proud democratWrite a these Letter! ic folks. They have always admiredthan America. Letters should be no longer 400 During War President words World and may be I,edited. TheyWoodrow may be Wilson called on Kurds to help defeat Ottoemailed to letters@qchron.com. Please man Turksyour whophone were allies of Imperial Gerinclude number, which will many. Wilson assured them that after the war not be published. he would help them create Kurdistan. That never happened! In our current struggle to defeat ISIS, the Kurds have played a vital role. It is my view that Kurds are in the same position displaced Jews were after World War II. Under the leadership of President Harry Truman, the U.N. General Assembly voted statehood for Israel. The Trump presidency should now do the same for the Kurds. A Kurdistan nation would join Israel as America’s two best friends in the Middle East. Anthony G. Pilla Forest Hills
‘Rape-rape’ or just rape? Dear Editor: (An open letter to the ultra liberal feminist Whoopi Goldberg) After Roman Polanski pleaded guilty to a charge of statutory rape of a 13-year-old child, as a guest on The View you said what Polanski did you know wasn’t rape-rape. To quote you,”I know it wasn’t rape-rape. It was something else but I don’t believe it was rape-rape.” I’m sure you have many suggestions for the numerous accusations of rape and sexual harassment leveled against Harvey Weinstein. What say you? Bill Viggiano Williston Park, LI
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OPINION
ConCon 2017 is too risky and costly to vote yes on Since there is no by Joseph P. Addabbo Jr. Do you think it’s OK to spend roughly set agenda for the $50 million of the taxpayer’s money and c o nve n t io n , t h e not be guaranteed a positive result for the entire Constitution is open for amendpeople? ment by the I don’t. That is one of the reasons why I will delegates. They would also not vote for a constitutional convention decide whether this November. Every 20 years, by law, New York vot- each change proers must consider the important question posed would be a of whether a convention should be con- single amendment, or placed in one overvened to rewrite or otherwise amend the riding proposal for consideration. In 1967, the proposals, which were state Constitution. On Nov. 7, as we vote to elect govern- bundled in one document, were rejected ment officials, we will also have the by the voters. Most estimate the cost of a convention opportunity to weigh in on the so-called at over $50 million, but it could be more. “ConCon” ballot proposition. While I understand that some believe Delegates would be paid $79,500 each, the time is right for a convention and see plus expenses and travel. State legislators elected to the convenit as a means of curing government dysfunction, I simply do not believe a con- tion could collect this sum in addition to vention is an efficient solution to achiev- their existing salaries. In the end, New York’s taxpayers ing these goals. I share much of the public’s frustration would be hit with the bill. With no time limit on how long a conabout limited government action on antivention may run, the cost corruption laws, election becomes even harder to reform and many other pinpoint. vital policy concerns. 1967, the convention But I am also extremely n the end, New ranInfrom April 4 to Sept. hesitant about haphazard26 and not a single constily spending millions of York’s taxpayers tutional change was ultidollars on a convention mately approved by the t h a t m i g h t n o t e ve n would be hit voting public. address these issues. with the bill. In the five conventions To start, the delegate held over the last 150 selection process is deeply years, New York voters flawed. Of the 204 convention delegates, 189 have overwhelmingly rejected proposed will be elected from the state’s 63 state changes to the Constitution four out of Senate districts; therefore, many of these five times. While many of us are deeply condelegates could likely be elected officials. The other 15 delegates would be cerned about government corruption, it elected at-large and, therefore, could also is worth noting that the Legislature, with be politically connected, and almost cer- my support, passed a constitutional tainly fail to offer the “people’s conven- amendment that will also be on this November’s ballot, to strip public offition” that proponents are touting. In 1967, the last time a convention was cials of their pensions if they commit held, 91 percent of the delegates were crimes directly related to their public duties. politicians or union officials. Thus, the voting public this NovemA convention could attract deep-pocketed special interests from both inside ber, along with its state legislature, is and outside New York that would spend actually changing the state’s Constitumillions of dollars to sway voters to sup- tion, without spending millions of dollars port their positions when potential con- on a convention. In the end, I believe a constitutional stitutional changes are placed before the convention is a costly deal for New public for final consideration. Proposed amendments could affect Yorkers. It will be very expensive, be subject to pensions, the environment, the education of our children, human rights and many questionable outside inf luences, could seek to erode important constitutional other vital issues. The voters could reject the proposed protections, and — when all is said and amendments after the convention, but done — may accomplish nothing at all. Q Joseph P. Addabbo Jr. is a Democratic that would be after actually wasting approximately $50 million on a conven- New York State Senator for the 15th District in southwestern and central Queens. tion that produced no results.
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