Letters to the Editor

This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.

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NY Sun
NEW YORK SUN CONTRIBUTOR

GOP Set to Celebrate ‘Nation of Courage’


Looking at the large photograph of protesters on the front page of The New York Sun, I was reminded of a recent conversation between my wife and a family member [“GOP, in Face of Protests, Set to Celebrate ‘Nation of Courage,'” August 30, 2004].


We had just returned from a two-week vacation to Prague and then to Israel.


The question to my wife was, given the obvious “misdeeds” of our president, wasn’t she somewhat embarrassed to be traveling as an American?


My wife, who, unlike me, is not a great Bush supporter, was astonished by the question. Nothing was further from her mind.


Like many Americans, I spent too much time the last several weeks watching the Olympics.


I witnessed the obvious pride of American athletes who had worked so hard for so long to represent America and win medals for themselves and for all of us.


Now I have no idea of the political leanings of any of these athletes, although I doubt that many of them would agree with the statement: “America is overall a negative force in the world.”


Perhaps we can draw a distinction between the athletes and the protesters: The winners vs. the whiners. Or perhaps we should revise John F. Kennedy’s famous dictum: “Ask not how your country can make you proud. Ask how you can make your country proud.”


FREDERICK CASDEN
Teaneck, N.J.



St. Mark’s Protests


Eric Wolff’s report concerning St. Mark’s Church in the Bowery is both opportune and revealing [“Village House of Worship Is Hotbed of Anti-Bush Protests,” New York, August 24, 2004].


I remember well what went on there before World War II.


The rector, Norman Guthrie, was reprimanded by the Episcopal bishop of New York, William Manning, who refused to officiate at the profaned altar.


St. Mark’s was one of three prominent Protestant-Episcopal churches in the area.


The others were Grace at Broadway and 10th Street, where Dr. W. Russell Bowie, a dear friend, was rector, and the Church of the Ascension, at Fifth Avenue and 10th Street.


St. Mark’s continued to be a focus of thinly veiled if not overt subversive activities under the succeeding pastors, Allen, Torres, and Morales, who welcomed a weird assortment of division and derision.


This desecrated historic landmark would be more accurately classified today as a “Hate America Center.”


JEROME L. STARR
Manhattan
Mr. Starr is a professor emeritus Of the humanities faculty at the School of Visual Arts.



Patterson’s Olympic Gold


Another shinning star appeared at the Olympic games in Athens, Greece, in the person of Carly Patterson [“Patterson Wins All-Around Gymnastics Gold,” Eddie Pells, Athens 2004, August 20, 2004].


Her routine on the balance beam helped her win the all-around and she is being compared to Mary Lou Retton, who won the gold for that event 20 years ago, but Miss Patterson is her own person with a totally different personality.


As we watched her tumbling, zipping, and spinning around the room, she was poetry in motion. Yet, though, she won because of her skill and tenacious effort, it was not easy for her.


When she competed in Anaheim, Calif., last year, she had fractured bones and a torn ligament that required surgery, yet she still won the silver medal.


Miss Patterson has proven she has the mettle that champions are made of. She has lifted the hopes and dreams of all of us who struggle to be the best we can be.


She is a role model to her peers and an example to both young and old. It’s good that we have such a champion, considering all that America is faced with today.


FREDERICK R. BEDELL JR.
Little Neck, N.Y.



The Worst Legislature?


I was not surprised to learn that the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University Law School has found that our state Legislature is the worst in the country [“Is New York’s Legislature the Worst?” Henry Stern, Opinion, August 20, 2004].


The reason is obvious. There is no accountability in Albany.


Our legislators know that no matter what they do, whether voting on bills without debate, failing to hold public hearings on legislation, or leaving work early and having their votes recorded, they will still be re-elected.


Being a state legislator has become a civil service sinecure.


However, there is a way for New Yorkers to get a more responsive and responsible state Legislature.


Simply do as I do. In November, vote against the incumbent.


MARTIN H. LEVINSON
Forest Hills, N.Y.



Please address letters intended for publication to the Editor of The New York Sun. Letters may be sent by e-mail to editor@nysun.com, facsimile to 212-608-7348, or post to 105 Chambers Street, New York City 10007. Please include a return address and daytime telephone number. Letters may be edited.

NY Sun
NEW YORK SUN CONTRIBUTOR

This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.


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