Copyright 2008 The New York Sun Wed, 23 Jul 2008 14:58:55 -0400 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Letters to the Editor :: Stories from The New York Sun http://www.nysun.com/letters istoll@nysun.com (Ira Stoll) webmaster@nysun.com en-us http://www.nysun.com/opinion/how-payroll-of-paterson-dwarfs-all/82447/ Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST Your recent story on employee salaries within the Executive Chamber attempts to contrast compensation within the governor's offices of several states, including New York [New York, "How Payroll of Paterson Dwarfs All," July 14, 2008]. But it fails to offer any context for these comparisons. New York is a diverse and complex state with a very high cost of living. It places unique demands on policymakers in the areas of homeland security, financial services regulation, health care, education, and... http://www.nysun.com/opinion/dont-blame-rangel-for-his-rent/82373/ Tue, 22 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST A recent article in The New York Sun, "Don't Blame Rangel for His Rent," presents rent regulation as an abuse-ridden system rather than what it actually is: a very effective solution to New York's debilitating housing shortage [Oped, July 14, 2008]. Rent regulation was created because the government realized that the housing shortage in New York, if left unaddressed, would causes rents to skyrocket and make tenants extremely vulnerable to landlord abuses. It provides important protections to... http://www.nysun.com/opinion/opera-in-translation/82181/ Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST 'Opera, in Translation' John McWhorter's column on supertitles at opera houses minimizes the wonderful benefits of titles accompanying operas [Oped, "Opera, in Translation," July 10, 2008]. Titles allow for increased comprehension as the opera evolves, helping one make sense out of what otherwise would be tedious stretches and adding to one's appreciation of the plot. In the first act of Puccini's "Madame Butterfly," there is an eruption on stage that traditionally has not been recognized for... http://www.nysun.com/editorials/hardly-a-depression/82093/ Thu, 17 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST 'Hardly a Depression' The biggest difference between the Great Depression and the current financial crisis is that this crisis hasn't ended yet [Oped, "Hardly a Depression," July 3, 2008]. Yes, the modern news press and broadcast press hypes every crisis, but even Peter can see a real wolf. Amity Shlaes is cited by Mr. Stossel, contrasting our current economic plight with the 1930s, " ... in the depression America confronted deflation ... today we are in an inflation. If this period is like... http://www.nysun.com/opinion/report-details-troubles-in-chinatown/81905/ Tue, 15 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST It is astounding that your article by Catherine Bilkey, "Report Details Troubles in Chinatown," only cites the Asian American Federation's Howard Shih and Chinatown Partnership LDC's Wellington Chen — both of whom blamed the business/economic model for Chinatown's economy not improving at the same rate as the rest of the New York economy [New York, "Report Details Troubles in Chinatown," July 2, 2008]. Yet neither one mentioned the loss of the Municipal Garage at Police Headquarters with its... http://www.nysun.com/opinion/if-you-build-it-they-wont-come/81805/ Mon, 14 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST The article by Cal Thomas defending the building of the border fence was right on target [Oped, "If You Build It, They Won't Come," June 26, 2008]. He points out the nonsensical reasons for opposing the fence — such as that it inhibits the mating of wildcats — and the false analogism such as the June 30th Time magazine article implying it is similar to the Berlin Wall, whose purpose was to keep people in. I also stress the absolute necessity of learning not only English, but American history... http://www.nysun.com/opinion/a-grand-jury-unlocked/81692/ Fri, 11 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST 'A Grand Jury Unlocked' The most important lesson to be learned from the post-World War I and post-World War II Red Scares, the Japanese internment, and our current War on Terror, is that no matter how formidable an enemy may perceived to be, as your editorial put it so eloquently: "This does not mean that we have to abandon our system of civil liberties, presumption of innocence, and common decency" [Editorial, "A Grand Jury Unlocked," July 1, 2008]. Over the years, more and more people all... http://www.nysun.com/opinion/a-grand-jury-unlocked/81579/ Thu, 10 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST 'A Grand Jury Unlocked' Your editorial about the suit to release transcripts relating to the indictment of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg cites Klaus Fuchs and Ted Hall as scientists who gave the Soviets "much more accurate information" than the Rosenbergs, but doesn't mention an even more significant agent whose name has only just come to light — George Koval [Editorial, "A Grand Jury Unlocked," July 1, 2008]. On November 12, 2007, the New York Times ran a front-page article reporting that... http://www.nysun.com/opinion/more-uninsured-are-among-ranks-of-the-employed/81484/ Wed, 9 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST To cure a problem, first diagnose it accurately. The article "More Uninsured Are Among Ranks of the Employed" says the United Hospital Fund is reporting an increase in uninsured New Yorkers [July 7, 2008]. Here are surprising facts from the UHF report that disclose who is uninsured and why employers are not to blame. 1. Nearly 40% of New Yorkers counted as "uninsured" actually have health security. They are eligible for existing government programs such as Medicaid and have failed to sign up... http://www.nysun.com/opinion/whither-thou-goest/81422/ Tue, 8 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST Hillel Halkin displays a superficial understanding of the conversion controversy in Israel based on a superficial understanding of the Book of Ruth [Oped, "Whither Thou Goest ...," June 10, 2008]. In fact, Ruth did have a formal conversion in the rabbinical court headed by Boaz even before she had any thoughts of marrying him. Ruth's conversion was extremely controversial, so much so that King David's enemies dogged him about his lineage throughout his monarchy. More important, the title quote... http://www.nysun.com/opinion/lift-the-glass/81329/ Mon, 7 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST Congratulations on your excellent editorial commemorating the end of alcohol prohibition [Oped, "Lift the Glass," June 25, 2008]. As you said, we now have a much healthier relationship with alcohol. Perfect, no, but certainly healthier. This is a lesson Americans seem to have forgotten. The fact that New Yorkers paid little attention to the Eighteenth Amendment was a benefit to the city. There were more speakeasies in the city during prohibition than licensed saloons before it. Ask your friends... http://www.nysun.com/editorials/the-tax-caps-problem/81181/ Thu, 3 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST 'The Tax Cap's Problem' Sarah May Stern faults Governor Paterson for single-mindedly advocating a cap on school property taxes instead of taking an omnibus approach that would include the cost-cutting reforms recommended by the Suozzi Commission on Property Tax Relief [Oped, "The Tax Cap's Problem," June 30, 2008]. Ms. Stern, who just stepped down as the school board president in a Westchester County district that will spend more than $24,000 per pupil next year, overlooks a key objective of... http://www.nysun.com/opinion/mixed-use-facility-planned-for-brooklyn-cultural/81138/ Wed, 2 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST We are thrilled about opportunities for the Brooklyn Academy of Music and other Brooklyn-based cultural organizations created by the City and Two Trees Management, and we share Councilmember Letitia James's concerns about creating affordable rental spaces for schools and local arts groups [New York, "Mixed-use Facility Planned for Brooklyn Cultural District," June 16]. The previously announced planned BAM facility on Ashland Place has been slated to provide substantial opportunities for... http://www.nysun.com/opinion/schumer-is-criticized-by-prague-poles-romanians/81036/ Tue, 1 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST Senator Schumer should be commended for admitting to our failed policy viz-a-viz the former Soviet Union [New York, "Schumer Is Criticized By Prague, Poles, Romanians," June 6, 2008.] It was difficult, considering how much President Clinton, along with other American policies, had to do with that failure. As we spoke reconciliation, we, with our NATO allies in Europe, were only busy isolating Russia. Now we have a huge problem, and Mr. Schumer is clearly searching for a way out. DEBORAH FREEMAN... http://www.nysun.com/opinion/klein-sharpton-ally-on-achievement-gap/80931/ Mon, 30 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EST In an article in The New York Sun entitled, "Klein, Sharpton Ally on Achievement Gap," Chancellor Joel Klein and the Reverend Al Sharpton bemoan the unacceptable gap between high school graduation rates of black and Hispanic students and white students [New York, "Klein, Sharpton Ally on Achievement Gap," June 11, 2008]. Their venture, the Education Equality Project, proposes actions to improve the educational outcomes for minority students in this nation. We applaud the motives of the... http://www.nysun.com/opinion/stalking-horse-on-the-loose/80851/ Fri, 27 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EST Jacob Gershman's column is perfect press for Sheldon Silver: it promotes a ridiculous conspiracy theory about Luke Henry's candidacy while ignoring Mr. Silver's disregard for his constituents and his failure of leadership [Oped, "Stalking Horse on the Loose?" June 16, 2008]. While the bulk of the column is devoted to rumor and baseless speculation, the article also is unclear about Mr. Henry's background. Luke Henry decided to run for office well before learning of Paul Newell's candidacy, not... http://www.nysun.com/editorials/after-nines-gun-ruling-nys-gun-laws-may-be-next/80755/ Thu, 26 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EST 'After Nine's Gun Ruling, N.Y.'s Gun Laws May Be Next' "Mr. Feinblatt said that the licensing fee didn't raise an issue. 'Nobody who pays the fee likes to pay the fee, but there isn't a constitutional right not to have a fee,' he said" [New York, "After Nine's Gun Ruling, N.Y.'s Gun Laws May Be Next," June 19, 2008]. Mr. Feinblatt needs to work on his research skills. The Supreme Court has already ruled on fees imposed prior to exercise of a constitutional right. That's why they struck poll... http://www.nysun.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/80656/ Wed, 25 Jun 2008 07:25:59 EST 'Fight Erupts Over Bill on Gifts to Doctors' In regards to "Fight Erupts Over Bill on Gifts to Doctors," as a registered nurse who practiced in health care and clinical research for several years, I oppose this "effort," also [New York, June 18, 2008]. I have never observed any of the doctors I have worked with prescribe or favor any drugduetolunchesprovided by drug representatives. The working lunches hosted by the drug representatives gave our professional staff an opportunity to learn about... http://www.nysun.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/80574/ Tue, 24 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EST 'The Nussbaum Doctrine,' 'Inflation and Justice' Regarding "The Nussbaum Doctrine" and "Inflation and Justice" [Editorials, June 11, 2008, and June 18, 2008]. When Hamilton wrote the Coinage Act of 1792, he defined the dollar as 371.25 grains of silver. That was the average silver weight of the Spanish milled Dollar, the dollar referred to in the Constitution. If he had not done so, people who had contracted in dollars would have been cheated. Hamilton merely wrote into law what was already a... http://www.nysun.com/editorials/letters-to-the-editor/80467/ Mon, 23 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EST 'Schumer Is Criticized By Prague, Poles, Romanians' Senator Schumer should be commended for admitting to our failed policy viz-a-viz the former Soviet Union [New York, "Schumer Is Criticized By Prague, Poles, Romanians," June 6, 2008.] It was difficult, considering how much President Clinton, along with other American policies, had to do with that failure. As we spoke reconciliation, we, with our European NATO allies, were only busy isolating Russia. Now we have a huge problem, and Mr. Schumer... http://www.nysun.com/editorials/bush-to-bow-to-the-nine-on-terrorism-detainees/80426/ Fri, 20 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EST The front page of The New York Sun noted that Justice Scalia, in his dissent to extending Habeas Corpus to Guantanamo prisoners, cited a report that more than 30 men released from Guantanamo have become terrorists or soldiers (National, "Bush To Bow to the Nine on Terrorism Detainees," June 13, 2008). Does Justice Scalia ask: "If a person is held (and perhaps tortured) in a foreign prison for years, is deprived of basic legal rights, and is cut off from seeing any of his family, should we... http://www.nysun.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/80216/ Wed, 18 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EST 'The Wrong Defendants' In regard to your editorial about Judge Lehner's recent decision on judicial pay in New York, this seems another step along the path of judicial actions that threaten representative government and the freedom of citizens from unlimited governmental power [Editorial, "The Wrong Defendants," June 12, 2008]. In a mere 40 years, we've moved from activist judges exercising royal or imperial powers to overturn actions taken by citizens, the legislature or the executive branch... http://www.nysun.com/editorials/letters-to-the-editor-june-17-2008/80145/ Tue, 17 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EST 'The Nussbaum Doctrine' My friends at the Sun have done it again: Your recent editorial on the judicial pay litigation misrepresents the basis of our suit and misapprehends the public's opinion of it [Editorial, "The Nussbaum Doctrine," June 11, 2008]. I'm flattered by the title of the editorial, but if you're going to call something the "Nussbaum Doctrine," please get it right. Clever as I am, I don't argue that the Constitution requires what the Framers rejected, which was the indexing of... http://www.nysun.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/80062/ Mon, 16 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EST 'Socialized Racing' Your editorial criticizing the New York Racing Association is on the mark. Governors Pataki, Spitzer, and Paterson have made a deal that smells like a dead mackerel on a hot summer day ["Socialized Racing," June 9, 2008]. They are giving a 25-year exclusive franchise to the NYRA, an organization that is presently in bankruptcy because of its poor financial management of its existing exclusive racing franchise and which has such a history of fraud and corruption that a... http://www.nysun.com/opinion/railways-when-artists-look-down-the-track/79980/ Fri, 13 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EST 'Railways: When Artists Look Down the Track' The page one story on art relating to railways brought irresistibly to mind one of the most unusual, beautiful, and moving books about railroads, the sadly out-of-print "Stations," by Michael Flanagan [Arts & Letters, "Railways: When Artists Look Down the Track," June 9, 2008]. Mr. Flanagan, a highly gifted artist, also wrote the text of the book — evoking the mystique of trains and train stations and love and art and loss and a few other things... http://www.nysun.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/79881/ Thu, 12 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EST 'America's European Lesson' It is not true that the only things accomplished by Silvio Berlusconi were "a hair transplant and a face lift" [Oped, "America's European Lesson," May 14, 2008]. Mr. Berlusconi likes to joke, but he did a lot for Italy, risking his fortune and even his safety, and would have done much more had he not been hampered by a myriad of small Communist, anti-American parties inciting millions of more or less violent activists to take to the streets. In 2006 the Italian... http://www.nysun.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/79756/ Wed, 11 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EST 'Researchers Split on Educational Effects of Property Tax Cap' In response to some of the questions raised in your article, "Researchers Split on Educational Effects of Property Tax Cap," there are some basic facts about property taxes and education funding in New York that need to be remembered [New York, June 5, 2008]. New York's property tax growth is unsustainable. Our property taxes are 79% above the national average. We need only look to our neighbor, Massachusetts, for a successful model... http://www.nysun.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/79679/ Tue, 10 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EST 'A Medal for McGinnis' 'Long Island Hero' Thank you for your editorial about the extraordinary service of Ross McGinnis, a 19-year-old Army private from Knox, Pa. ["A Medal for McGinnis," June 3, 2008]. I was deeply moved by his heroism in making that instant decision that saved the lives of his four fellow soldiers but meant losing his own life. A U.S. Navy SEAL, Lieutenant Michael Murphy, from Patchogue, N.Y., was also editorialized in The New York Sun for his outstanding bravery in getting... http://www.nysun.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/79562/ Mon, 9 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EST 'Scalia Decries Drift of Court Over Religion' Regarding "Scalia Decries Drift of Court Over Religion," over the past 100 years, the Supreme Court has been slowly but painfully attempting to establish a clear standard to determine whether an action of government violates the Establishment Clause [National, "Scalia Decries Drift of Court Over Religion," June 2, 2008]. Despite pronunciations of both extremes that have found their way into cases such as the quote Mr. Scalia praises from Zorach v... http://www.nysun.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/79486/ Fri, 6 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EST 'Scalia Decries Drift of Court on Religion' Your article discusses a recent address by Justice Scalia [National, "Scalia Decries Drift of Court on Religion," June 2, 2008]. No less an authority than George Washington would have agreed completely with Justice Scalia's point that "the Constitution should not be read to 'banish the Almighty from the public forum.'" Washington, who was president when the First Amendment was ratified, said in his farewell address, "Of all the dispositions and habits... http://www.nysun.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/79393/ Thu, 5 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EST 'Gas Price Help May Be on the Way' Dan Dorfman's column on crude oil states "speculative trading fueled by low margin requirements, where buyers can acquire a barrel of oil (now around $132.40) for about $6 or $7, or at a leveraged ratio of roughly 20 to 1, has been the major driver of the skyrocketing price" [Op-Ed, "Gas Price Help May Be on the Way," May 28, 2008]. Just two weeks ago, the Office of the Chief Economist provided Congress with an extensive study of the effect of commodities... http://www.nysun.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/79249/ Wed, 4 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EST 'Showing the Flag' Lapel flags do not pin down one's patriotism [Oped, "Showing the Flag," May 29, 2008]. In the days, weeks, and months after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the country was awash in red, white, and blue. While few Americans wore lapel pins prior to the tragic day, it became almost mandatory afterwards. However, patriotic fervor subsided somewhat in the ensuing months and with it the abundance of flags and lapel pins. Those who can't comprehend that one isn't... http://www.nysun.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/79170/ Tue, 3 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EST 'The NOPEC 'Fix" In the Canadian Globe and Mail's Report on Business, May 9th, Neil Reynolds had an article titled "The Big Myth About Big Oil." In it he points out the three largest producers of oil are Saudi Arabia, at 10.66 million barrels per year, Russia at 9.67 million, and America at 8.49 million. Canada, at 3.36 million, is seventh in world production. Exxon doesn't even make the list of the top ten world producers — it is a sovereign state company. Instead of bashing Exxon, who... http://www.nysun.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/79086/ Mon, 2 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EST 'The Amazon Tax' Your editorial excoriating New York State's top elected officials for imposing the "Amazon Tax" on books incorrectly suggests that this tax is "new" [Editorial, "The Amazon Tax," May 22, 2008]. Although the tax policy merits are debatable, New York State has imposed a tax on most book sales, whether at the local corner book store or over the Internet, for quite some time. Until this year, however, the corner book store, and every other brick-and-mortar store in New York State... http://www.nysun.com/editorials/letters-to-the-editor/78954/ Fri, 30 May 2008 00:00:00 EST '... And Shmuel Katz' In your beautiful editorial about Shmuel Katz, you mentioned that he "helped found Americans for a Safe Israel" ["Editorial, "... And Shmuel Katz," May 12, 2008]. I served as executive director of that organization for 10 years and was always aware of the profound love and respect for Katz that permeated the feelings of all those associated with AFSI, especially its co-founders, Herbert Zweibon, Rael Jean Isaac, and Erich Isaac. In the author's note to the 2002 edition of... http://www.nysun.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/78858/ Thu, 29 May 2008 00:00:00 EST 'A Ban on Nuclear Warships Dampens Spirit of Fleet Week' Ironically, the ban on nuclear powered warships docking in New York City ignores a little-known fact [New York, "A Ban on Nuclear Warships Dampens Spirit of Fleet Week," May 22, 2008]. Until the 1990s, the U.S. Navy maintained an active nuclear weapons depot near Ft. Monmouth, N.J., known as Naval Weapons Station Earle. To tender the fleet, the Navy maintained a large pier in Leonardo, N.J. near Atlantic Highlands, extending deep into... http://www.nysun.com/editorials/letters-to-the-editor/78709/ Wed, 28 May 2008 00:00:00 EST 'Paterson Pays a Stabilized Rate of Rent' Singling out Governor Paterson as a beneficiary of rent stabilization, as the Sun did in its recent front page story, was a cheap shot [New York, "Paterson Pays a Stabilized Rate of Rent," May 16, 2008]. If the implication is that his personal situation would affect his position on proposed changes to the stabilization law that are now pending before the legislature, I don't buy it. More important, I think the press should cut the governor some slack... http://www.nysun.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/78676/ Tue, 27 May 2008 00:00:00 EST 'Answering Kaye' I write about The New York Sun's editorial on Judge Kaye's lawsuit over judicial salaries and the responding letter of Judge Kaye's lawyer, my former colleague at the Association of the Bar, Bernard Nussbaum, [Editorial, "Answering Kaye," May 13, 2008; Letters, May 19, 2008]. Mr. Nussbaum may well be right that the legislature's "power to increase judicial salaries" implies a "duty" to "maintain their adequacy." But he seems to forget that the power to decide whether... http://www.nysun.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor-may-23-2008/77396/ Fri, 23 May 2008 00:00:00 EST 'Frankenstein Science' Daniel Johnson, in his response to the new English law permitting the creation of hybrid animal-human embryos, bemoans the possibility, nay the arrival, of a civilized country tampering with the dignity and sanctity of human life [Oped, "Frankenstein Science," May 22, 2008]. The history of science and religion, it seems to me, is one in which so many new scientific findings are opposed by the defenders of some status quo. True, the advances and solutions which science... http://www.nysun.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/76860/ Thu, 22 May 2008 00:00:00 EST 'How To Reform the Council' City Council members De Blasio, Brewer, and Palma propose to reform the City Council's budget practices by, among other things, mandating that "all organizations that received significant ... City Council funding would undergo a rigorous audit to ensure that funds are being spent according to their designated purpose" [Oped, "How To Reform the Council," May 7, 2008]. The criteria for what constitutes sufficiently significant funding to trigger the audit requirement... http://www.nysun.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/76818/ Wed, 21 May 2008 00:00:00 EST 'Iran's Shifting Strategy' Nibras Kazimi's column, "Iran's Shifting Strategy," is one of the most insightful readings of the Middle Eastern landscape to appear anywhere in a very long time [Oped, "Iran's Shifting Strategy," May 12, 2008]. Its analysis is as subtle and shrewd as the ways of the region. The linkage Mr. Kazimi makes between Iraq's success and Lebanon's troubles is nothing short of brilliant. Mr. Kazimi is to be commended for cutting through so much of what has been said about... http://www.nysun.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/76719/ Tue, 20 May 2008 00:00:00 EST 'Heather Wilson's War' In yesterday's editorial, The New York Sun takes the Club for Growth PAC to task for its support of Rep. Steve Pearce over Heather Wilson in New Mexico's Republican Senate primary [Editorial, "Heather Wilson's War," May 19, 2008]. While The New York Sun prefers to focus on Ms. Wilson's foreign policy credentials, that is no excuse for trying to make Ms. Wilson look more conservative than she actually is. On economic issues, Ms. Wilson is consistently one of the most... http://www.nysun.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/76643/ Mon, 19 May 2008 00:00:00 EST 'Answering Kaye' The New York Sun's editorial on Judge Kaye's lawsuit over judicial salaries seriously distorts history as well as the state of judges' pay in New York today [Editorial, "Answering Kaye," May 13, 2008]. As for history, our nation's Founders weren't just concerned that monarchs or executives would threaten the independence of judges; they were concerned that legislatures would do so as well. In fact, the debates of the federal Constitutional Convention reflect that the delegates... http://www.nysun.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor-2008-05-16/76576/ Fri, 16 May 2008 00:00:00 EST 'London Mayor Asks City Hall Staff To Stay, Picks Aides' An article in the May 7, 2008 issue states that London, "the largest city in western Europe, has a $22 billion annual budget and 7.5 million residents" [Foreign, "London Mayor Asks City Hall Staff To Stay, Picks Aides," May 7, 2008]. Why does New York City, with a population approximately 7% larger, have a budget of more than $50 billion, more than twice as large as that of London? Of course, this is a rhetorical question. Mona Brafman... http://www.nysun.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor-2008-05-15/76446/ Thu, 15 May 2008 00:00:00 EST 'The Stimulus Impact May Be Short-Lived' Columnist Liz Peek rightly states that rebate checks might be the silver bullet to pull us out of the economic downturn, but only for the next two quarters [Business, "The Stimulus Impact May Be Short-Lived," May 6, 2008]. She goes on to ask the logical, if often unexplored, follow-up question: What next? Even before the credit crisis, economists at the New School's Schwartz Center for Economic Policy Analysis released data that makes clear the long-term... http://www.nysun.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor-2008-05-14/76373/ Wed, 14 May 2008 00:00:00 EST 'Gag on 2nd Amendment Is City's Aim in Guns Suit' Wow, so Mayor Bloomberg doesn't want the Second Amendment to be brought up during the Second Amendment gun trials in federal court in New York regarding out-of-state dealers selling federally licensed firearms [New York, "Gag on 2nd Amendment Is City's Aim in Guns Suit," May 9, 2008]. Kind of reminds me of John Peter Zenger who was not to bring up the truth during his trial for libel in New York. Some things never change. DONALD SCHWARZ... http://www.nysun.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor-2008-05-13/76292/ Tue, 13 May 2008 00:00:00 EST 'Governor Commends Disobedience Methods' The Sean Bell verdict protesters carefully planned and carried out their demonstrations that were, by their own admission, specifically intended to shut New York City down [New York, "Governor Commends Disobedience Methods," May 9, 2008]. These protests are similar to those that took place in Times Square at the start of the Iraq War. Both involved widespread interruption of city life and commerce. They were not targeted in any reasonable way toward the... http://www.nysun.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor-2008-05-12/76215/ Mon, 12 May 2008 00:00:00 EST 'A Fresh Take on the Fight Against "Parkerization"' In respect of Peter Hellman's review of the new tome by Alice Feiring, how tiresome it is to learn of yet another wine book hyped on the premise of Robert Parker's fallibility and the shop-worn clich้ of his love for "unnaturally rich, alcoholic wines" [Food&Drink, "A Fresh Take on the Fight Against 'Parkerization,'" May 7, 2008]. Whether or not one shares Mr. Parker's tastes, to say his impact on wine-making has been "catastrophic" is just... http://www.nysun.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor-2008-05-08/76051/ Thu, 8 May 2008 00:00:00 EST "Judge Sues for a Raise" "Overpaid Judges" Members of the bar were appalled by the suggestion of merit pay for judges based upon holdings in cases, in two recent Sun editorials ["Judge Sues for a Raise," April 11, 2008, and "Overpaid Judges," May 2, 2008]. One of the oldest, most established principles in American law is the doctrine of judicial independence. That is, judges ought to decide cases free from the interference of politics and public opinion, and without worry of incurring sanctions... http://www.nysun.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor-2008-05-07/76018/ Wed, 7 May 2008 00:00:00 EST 'It's Mayor Vs. Teachers Round II' 'Comptroller To Probe City's Class-Size Reduction Effort' It was with great interest that I read the lead article concerning Mayor Bloomberg's desire to have the ability to remove teachers from the city payroll who remain in the system, but without an actual job, for 12 months [New York, "It's Mayor Vs. Teachers, Round II," April 29, 2008]. Apparently the number of teachers is in the 600 range, at a cost of about $81 million. On page 3 of the very same paper...