‘Virtually Zero’

Re: “Virtually Zero,” Editorial, March 1, 2005. Perhaps one solution to the ongoing failure of United Nations diplomats to pay the estimated $20 million in parking fines would be to have the city publish the names of each delegation with outstanding tickets along with the exact amounts owed. We might all then be able to judge the extent to which the U.N. is a good neighbor.

It’s not that I expect bad publicity alone to convince these deadbeats to pay. After all, long experience has taught us all that it is well nigh impossible to shame the U.N. Rather, as a taxpayer who doesn’t get the same forbearance from the city, I’d just like to know how many of our oh-so-pious European allies or oil-rich Arab sultanates continue to refuse to pay their parking fines.

MATTHEW P. HARRINGTON
Manhattan

‘U.N. Opinions Misunderstood’

In her letter to the editor, New York City Council Member Eva Moskowitz states that she appreciates “the concerns of my colleagues about the U.N. and the egregious behavior of several member nations,” but nevertheless regards the United Nations as “a 50-year-old international policy-making body that I am proud to have in my district … that makes a $2.5 billion contribution to our city’s economy” [“U.N. Opinions Misunderstood, Letters, January 10, 2005]. She feels that “turning this land-use discussion into a foreign policy debate is overshadowing the important concerns of East Siders.”

What is Ms. Moskowitz proud of? The U.N.’s corrupt and brazen theft of billions of dollars meant to feed the hungry? Its chronic inability to move against genocidal regimes? Its coddling of Hezbollah? Its ceaseless denigration of the state of Israel? Its continual sabotage of American policies, aims, and values?

To which “important concerns of East Siders” is she referring to? Our security? Will the presence of the U.N. deter or delay a fresh terrorist attack on New York City for one second? Or is Ms. Moskowitz referring to our concern for fiscal health? The U.N. is a drain on New York City finances, services, and its security apparatus. It sits on valuable land that could be developed to generate tens of billions of dollars and many local jobs for our residents.

The U.N. must not be allowed to expand or renovate unless it restores its integrity and trustworthy leadership, and until it is ready to move effectively to preserve human rights, to foster cooperation between nations, and to appropriately intervene on the side of world peace.

ROBERT N. TAUB, M.D.
Manhattan

‘Save the Plaza’

Re: “Save the Plaza,” Peter Ward, Opinion, February 28, 2005. If Mr. Ward is really concerned about saving the Plaza because of its intrinsic value as a beautiful and glorious landmark, that is fine. But he should spare us the malarkey about the terrible damage that the shrinkage in the size of the hotel industry is doing to the tourism industry.

Applying his reasoning to New England in the 1960s, it should now be a wasteland, as it lost its entire textile industry, first to the South and to Asia. The last time I was up there I found a burgeoning high-tech sector. And perhaps more importantly, I did not see thousands of young men working in textile mills. They are, of course, spread throughout America working in better jobs that we have a comparative advantage in.

The reality in New York City is that the hotel industry is partly in decline because businessmen find it more efficient to do their business here out of condos rather than hotel rooms. The other factor is an influx of skilled professionals that will help expand industries that also employ medium, and modest-skill workers. Workers released by the hotel industry can find jobs in these expanding industries as well as in the new condos. Unfortunately this is how free-market capitalism creates the highest standards of living in the world – no pain, no gain. In Cuba there is never any unemployment.

DAVID M. O’NEILL
Adjunct professor of economics
Hunter College
Manhattan

‘Hunter S. Thompson, R.I.P.’

Very much enjoyed the Hunter S. Thompson obituary [“Hunter S. Thompson, R.I.P.,” John P. Avlon, Opinion, February 22, 2005]. My first semester freshman year in college in the ’70s was a brief experience in the gonzo lifestyle; happily, I am still around to remember it. One important correction: The saying was, and is, “When the going gets tough, the weird turn pro.” In this correct form, it can be seen as a point of pride – we may seem weird to you, but when it counts, we’re pretty good.

MICHAEL W. MCDERMITT
Newark, N.J.

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