’30 Years After Vietnam’

It has now been 30 years since the fall of Saigon and the Vietnam War became history [“30 Years After Vietnam,” Editorial, April 28, 2005].Those of us who lived back then remember that period as a most turbulent time for our nation. I had served during the Vietnam era when it was in its final stages in the United States Navy with the Six Fleet, but those I had known from my home town of Queens Village were not so lucky and were killed in the war.

It was a time that did try men’s souls, many of our finest died for the belief that our mission was to sustain and plant the seeds of democracy and to keep communism from engulfing the globe with its form of totalitarianism. Yet there were those who believed we were fighting an unjust war and did not need to be there, which made us a nation divided.

The end result was that 58,000 of our men died along with 3 million Vietnamese. That in itself was a great tragedy and loss of life. The war is over and we have moved on, yet, unfortunately, to another conflict: Iraq, where brave men and women are dying, a conflict I hope does not turn into another Vietnam.

I remember, though, all those boys I played ball with in my youth who had such hopes for the future and are not with us today. Let me say this, I still miss you guys and hope America still remembers the noble sacrifice you gave to this nation.

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

‘Weld Considering Run’

According to The New York Sun, William Weld is contemplating running for governor or senator [“Report: Weld Considering Run for N.Y. Governor or Senate Next Year,” Marc Humbert, New York, April 25, 2005].

His arrogance, incompetence, and cruelty caused immeasurable suffering to the Amirault family, when he could have squashed the trumped-up child abuse charges by the attorney general, Scott Harshbarger. Thanks to Dorothy Rabinowitz and the Wall Street Journal under Robert Bartley, who would not let up until finally the daughter and son were freed, but the mother died in prison.

ROBERT P. HELD
Manhattan

‘Plaza Is Saved’

Re: “‘Plaza Is Saved’ – at What Cost to the City?” Alicia Colon, New York, April 26, 2005. One might apply Oscar Wilde’s description of a cynic, “one who knows the cost of everything, but the value of nothing,” to Alicia Colon’s views. Indeed, businesses should not come into this city, tear away a beautiful group of public rooms which should have been land marked in the first place, and then install some condominiums and boutiques without protests.

MARK FLESSCHER
Brooklyn

‘Spitzer Sues’

Last week, New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer took an important step in the battle against spyware by filing suit against Intermix Media Inc. [“Spitzer Sues Alleged Maker of Spyware,” Michael Gormley, Business, April 29, 2005]. Spyware programs arrive on the computers of innocent users and collect information about them, potentially putting their personal information at risk.

This lawsuit sends a message to purveyors of spyware that law enforcement officials are taking this issue seriously and are working to provide relief to New Yorkers. In addition, consumers can play a key role in the battle against spyware. Fortunately, the technology industry continues to provide consumers with new and improved tools, like spyware removal programs and improved firewalls. Computer users should also look closely at what they are downloading and should tighten their browser’s privacy settings to prevent spyware installations.

Consumers and businesses, with the help of aggressive law enforcement, can ultimately do a lot to take back control of their computers.

JIM PRENDERGAST
Executive Director
Americans for Technology Leadership
Washington, D.C.

Founding Fathers’ Muskets

Re: “Schumer Calls a Conservative ‘Un-American,’ ” Luiza Ch. Savage, Page 1,April 18, 2005. Senator Schumer attacked the Family Research Council’s views on judges and religion by invoking “the Founding Fathers [who] put down their plows and took up muskets to combat views like [those of the FRC].” Senator Schumer will no doubt be comforted to know that despite his best efforts over the past two decades, the American people retain the right to bear arms, including the very muskets he blustered about. Perhaps someone at The New York Sun should tuck this gem of a quote away for the next piece of anti-Second Amendment legislation that the senator co-sponsors.

ED FRIEDMAN
Manhattan

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