‘The Paradox Continues’

The New York Sun article on Senator Schumer and Mayor Bloomberg speaking out against European anti-Semitism, might have been subtitled: “The Paradox Continues” [“Schumer, Bloomberg Warn N.Y. Gathering That Anti-Semitism Is Rampant in Europe,” Jacob Gershman, Page 1, May 9, 2005].

Specifically, while it is commendable to speak out against anti-Semitism, wherever it occurs, the mayor of New York knows the right thing to do concerning the anti-Semitism of Lenora Fulani right in his own backyard. It is to decline her party’s nomination for mayor. The words of Ms. Fulani are the same kind of words that have been used to justify persecution and murder of the Jews for many years.

As a Republican State Committeeman from New York County, I urge the mayor to run only as a Republican or perhaps seek the line of another party as well: but stay independent of the Independence Party.

EVAN EDWARDS
Republican State Committeeman
69th Assembly District
Upper West Side
Manhattan

‘AWOL at Columbia’

Re: “AWOL at Columbia,” Editorial, May 9, 2005. I had a unique opportunity to watch the debate as it unfolded at Columbia. I am not a Columbia alumnus but was doing some research and attending some open lectures at the university. However I am a retired U.S. Army Lt. Colonel and a conservative Democrat whose family has deep roots in the Democratic Party. I have seen controversies at colleges and universities before but I have to admit, controversy at Columbia must be a sanctioned sport.

During the debate on the Reserve Officers Training Corps I had the opportunity to talk with many students, both pro and con, some faculty, and even attended an open hearing on the ROTC debate. What I was hearing was just bewildering and I soon found out that President Bollinger’s definition of the word diversity truly had a double meaning. He voted no to ROTC. I also do not understand how such an esteemed and educated faculty and administrative staff can sit in judgment of a ROTC program without even making contact with any of the ROTC commands to get their input on what ROTC means as a institution and what it means to ROTC to become part of the Columbia University community and the community at large. Unless there is a hidden agenda.

The two main reasons for denying ROTC to the campus were a) The “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy and, b) The U.S. military foreign policy. The latter is actually the core issue at heart once you see though the DADT smokescreen. It can be summed up by the leader of the anti-ROTC movement, Professor Lewis Cole, who was quoted in the Columbia Spectator, May 9, 2005 as stating “I don’t think the University is the right place for the recruiting and giving credit to training how to be a warrior of the state.” He voted no.

Provost Alan Brinkley is also quoted in the Spectator as stating, “We are weighing two social goods – one social good is presumably strengthening the military by our presence in it … The other social good is defending our own principles.” Nice words Mr. Brinkley, nice indeed. Can you please repeat those words to those who are fighting in two combat theaters today defending your principles no matter what their sexual gender and political preferences are?

GERRY BLACKWOOD
Manhattan

‘Compromise on Social Security’

Re: “Bush Aide Says President Is Open To Compromise on Social Security,” Luiza Ch. Savage, National, May 2, 2005. If the Republicans really want to succeed in supporting Social Security, they need to abandon the foreign notion of private accounts and return to Republican roots, namely:

1. Stop outsourcing by eliminating the corporate income tax on products made in the USA. This would build the American economic base, to support good benefits for our retirees.

2. Stop insourcing foreign labor, by reducing immigration levels to fewer than 300,000 a year; the same number that leave the country, and tripling enforcement. This will raise wage levels and promote equality for all Americans.

3. Stop taxing Social Security benefits, to encourage seniors to work and pay taxes to support the system.

4. Stop supporting illegal aliens who steal our Social Security numbers. Require that all contributions by illegal aliens under stolen Social Security numbers be credited to the account of the rightful Social Security account holder.

ED PRICE
Manhattan

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