Gotham’s Catholic Schools

Alicia Colon provided Catholics with a much-needed reminder that the Church relies on support from parishioners in order to fund its schools, hospitals, and a myriad of other social services [“Save City’s Catholic Schools,” New York, November 24, 2004].

The Archdiocese of New York is facing the possibility of school and church closings due to budgetary problems.

Perhaps, prompted by voices of reason such as Ms. Colon’s, more people will forgo pumping angry fists in the air and, instead, ask themselves what they can do to help.

KIERA M. MCCAFFREY
Policy Analyst
Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights
Manhattan

Our New Secretary of State

Yes, Condoleezza Rice is the embodiment of everything that is good about America [“Mrs. Rice’s Gift on Thanksgiving,” John P. Avlon, Opinion, November 23, 2004].

I’m a 50-year-old who grew up in a segregated Southern world. My life quest has been driven by the urge for enlightenment and self-improvement. Ms Rice is an affirmation that others share that journey.

Thank you for condemning the hate and ignorance that drove Bobby Frank Cherry. George W. Bush’s personnel decisions are a loud condemnation of that hate.

On a final note, my new daughter, named Hope, was born on November 17. I’ll remember Denise McNair when I celebrate Hope’s birthday.

DAVID JOHNSON
Manhattan

Battle Over U.N.’s Site

As a quarter-century resident of Turtle Bay and a devoted proponent of the United Nations in the days when it had no friends in the world, I was delighted to read on November 22, 2004, that at least one New York City newspaper isn’t fooled by U.N. propaganda that’s been passed on as truth ever since Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim headed the organization [“Battle Brews in Legislature Over U.N.’s Site,” William F. Hammond Jr., Page One].

(A) The U.N. will never leave NYC because no other country would have it, and the delegates want to live it up a little. Sort of like the old song, “How can you get them back on the farm after they’ve seen Paree?”

(B) The U.N.’s location was basically a real-estate scheme coordinated by the state, the late William Zeckendorf, and Rockefeller interests. Thanks to the United Nations Development Corporation, it has continued to be more interested in buying buildings and land than in serving the NYC community in which it is situated.

(C) In all his years in the New York State Senate, Roy Goodman, who lives in Arizona, has never answered questions about the purported economic benefits that the U.N. and its consulates have brought to the city.

As for revenue for the neighborhood – the delegates and staff never eat in our fine restaurants because they enjoy great tax-free food and drink in their in-house facilities.

Because many of them also live in either tax-free or subsidized housing, the city doesn’t get much of that money, either. The economic benefits we gain are few and grossly overstated.

(D) The U.N. has never told the community about its hiring practices which, under its own rules, must provide jobs for American citizens in a proportional system based on population and assessment.

How many NYC residents are employed in even the most menial jobs versus the numbers of employees from other countries?

(E) Let’s not say anything about the current politics of the U.N., which fails on every count in its humanitarian political mandate to be fair and honest in peace-keeping.

I probably missed a few points – such as the arrogance of U.N. delegates; the fact that residents of foreign countries take to our streets and block buses and emergency vehicles whenever something happens in their home countries, and they do so in front of their consulates, most of which are located in Turtle Bay and Murray Hill.

Please, someone should answer one simple question: Who needs the U.N. here?

Twenty years ago, the U.N. park was a green oasis for area workers and residents to walk in and eat lunch in – but no longer. I remember watching Fourth of July celebrations from there.

Now, in the name of security, the only ones who can use it on those occasions are representatives and staff from nations that house the real terrorists and spit on America.

PERRY LUNTZ
Manhattan

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