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.

The New York Sun

‘The New Italy’


Giuliano Ferrara should not be surprised that the American media failed to cover the recent Italian fiaccolata (torchlight parade) in support of Israel’s right to exist [“The New Italy,” Opinion, November 10, 2005].


Actually, unless the news is pejorative, embarrassing, or virulently stereotypical, very little about Italy can be found in the press on this side of the Atlantic.


Though it is the most Eurocentric of Western democracies, il bel paese remains a staunch American ally and a pivotal international peacekeeper. In 1997, Italy restored order and the rule of law to an Albania on the brink of chaos. Today, the governments of Iraq and Afghanistan have explicitly asked the Italians to remain in force in order to avoid anarchy.


Though subjected to stiff recessionary pressures, Italy boasts a considerably lower unemployment rate than either France or Germany – and a more innovative entrepreneurial class.


Though Silvio Berlusconi has been depicted as the embodiment of “nepotism, corruption and dishonesty,” it is Jacques Chirac whose myopic immigration policies and domestic malefactions have plunged France into economic dis repair and civil unrest.


Though Italian regionalisms have been a source of endless derision, can anything compare with the widening economic gulf between the Ossies and Wessies of Germany? And what of Spain’s autonomous region of Catalonia? Or the violent Basque separatist movement, Euskadi ta Askatasuna, or ETA?


Italy’s Roman Empire was the world’s first superpower. And Virgil explained the reason why: “Such shall be the power of Roman stock, allied to the valor of Italy” (Sit Romana potens Itala virtute propago). Indeed, Alma Mater Italia has long been the land John Milton called “the seat of civilization and the happy domicile of every species of erudition.”


If Mr. Ferrara and his colleagues in the Italian establishment want to edify the American public, they must proactively commit to a full-scale educational effort that links Italy’s storied legacy to the ongoing course of human events. For it is no accident that the Pax Romana, capitalism, the scientific method, and atomic energy all occurred on Italy’s watch.


ROSARIO A. IACONIS
Mineola, N.Y.
Mr. Iaconis is president of the Italic Institute of America (www.italic.org).


‘Bloomberg Beyond Ideology’


“Bloomberg Beyond Ideology” missed the profound impact Governor Pataki had on the New York State Conservative Party [John P. Avlon, Opinion, November 1, 2005].


This group was founded in 1962 to provide a philosophical conservative alternative to the liberal Republican Party then dominated by the governor, Nelson Rockefeller, a United States senator, Jacob Javits, and the New York State attorney general, Louis Lefkowitz.


Building upon Barry Goldwater’s 1964 defeat, they reached their peak in 1970 when they elected James L. Buckley United States senator with just Conservative Party endorsement. They continued to play a critical role in electing Alfonse D’Amato United States senator along with Ronald Reagan president in 1980 and 1984. With the election of George Pataki as governor 1994, they morphed into a subsidiary of the Republican Party.


Political patronage became more important than philosophical principles. Numerous Conservative Party leaders, activists, and family members shared in Mr. Pataki’s victory. They became beholden to the governor by accepting various jobs in state government agencies. Others went to work for the Republican State Assembly and state senators who received Conservative Party cross-endorsements.


They are now part of the permanent Albany establishment, which their ancestors fought decades earlier. Not biting the hand that feeds them, they endorsed the governor for another term in 2002.


Their 1960s leadership would have endorsed Rochester businessman Thomas Golisano, who was much closer to their limited government, free enterprise positions of old. The Liberal Party following the same path of patronage over ideology became irrelevant, lost ballot status, and was replaced by the Working Family Party.


When Democrats regain control of the governor’s office and State Senate, real conservatives holding the philosophical principles of Barry Goldwater, William F. Buckley Jr., and Ronald Reagan will form a new political party, replacing the Conservative Political Patronage Party.


LAWRENCE PENNER
Great Neck, N.Y.


The New York Sun

© 2024 The New York Sun Company, LLC. All rights reserved.

Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. The material on this site is protected by copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used.

The New York Sun

Sign in or  Create a free account

or
By continuing you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use