Good riddance, 2009
Dear editor,
Goodbye and good riddance, 2009! You have been a year filled with unsettling news from the American people. During your tenure, our country has taken a sharp curve towards the left with alarming speed. Unpopular health care reform, Cap and Trade, Cash for Clunkers, the government takeover of the financial and automotive industries, the introduction of midnight legislation, Chicago pressure tactics and the czars with Socialist and Communist leanings, made their debut. Our national debt became a disgrace. President Obama traveled the world apologizing for his great country, bowing low before other heads of state and watching his popularity plummet here at home.
During 2009, politicians no longer listened to the voices of their constituents. Party loyalty and increased partisanship in Washington became more important. President Obama’s golden rhetoric, which held the nation spellbound during the Presidential campaign, seemed like a lot of hot air and Pinochio facts as the year wore to an end.
In December, our President addressed the nation without vigor or conviction in the matter of the Christmas Day aborted airplane bombing. Where was that red, white and blue, proud to be an American attitude? Why did he call this terrorist an “isolated extremist” who “allegedly” did the deed? All Americans understand what happened at Ft. Hood and on that plane above Detroit on Christmas morning. Understanding the facts only highlighted the Pinochio aspect of the presidential speech pattern.
For 2010, I wish my President good luck and God’s blessings. I hope he realizes American is not ripe for socialist reform, world distribution of American wealth, the Health Care bill, higher taxes, the Cap and Trade bill and this nation’s continued swing to the left.
However, America is, and always has been, ready to defend itself against fanatical Muslim extremists who would gladly give up their lives to see Americans die. We hope our president will change the rules of engagement that tie the hands of our brave soldiers and put them in harm’s way in Afghanistan; that he will respond with strength and patriotic vigor to all enemies who dare to think of attacking our homeland. And that he will have the wisdom to keep this nation safe during 2010. God bless America!
Patricia O’Hanlon
Not only Catholics
Dear editor,
In his letter, Alwin H. Warfel writes, “It is disturbing that [the Catholic Church] attempts to regulate the rights of all women through legislation that is based on their specific religious doctrines, thusly affecting the rights even of those who are not of their faith.”
First, you don’t have to be Catholic or even religious to oppose legalized abortion. The Atheist and Agnostic Pro-life League (www.godlessprolifers.org) makes secular arguments against abortion.
Second, abortion was actually illegal in most states until 1973, and the Catholic Church played no role in having made abortion illegal. (Additionally, if you read the original text of the Hippocratic Oath, which was written four centuries before the Catholic Church came into existence, it reads, “I will neither give a deadly drug to anybody if asked for it, nor will I make a suggestion to this effect. Similarly I will not give to a woman an abortive remedy. In purity and holiness I will guard my life and my art.”)
Third, in 1962, Archbishop Joseph Rummel of New Orleans excommunicated the segregationist Leander Perez, a local elected official and one of the most powerful Democratic Party bosses in Louisiana. At the time, liberals applauded Rummel and hailed him for his courage. By contrast, Perez’s defenders accused the Archbishop of violating the separation of church and state, personal conscience, and democracy. Sounds familiar?
Dimitri Cavalli
Thanks for the coverage
Dear editor,
Thank you, Bronx Times Reporter, for your coverage of our annual Christmas concert at St. Benedict’s Church on December 12 and our first Pasta Pot Luck supper. Special thanks to Amanda and Robert for providing the coverage. A wonderful night of beautiful music, delicious food, laughter, and spirited banter was held by all 260 parishioners and guests who attended.
I want to take a moment to thank all the people who made the night a success. Thank you to our pastor, Father Smith, for making the night possible. Thanks especially to Sister Anne Kelly, Isabelle Welsh, and Joanne Corsillo who worked tirelessly on the setup and decorations in Father Albert Hall. Special thanks to our dear friend Susan at Balloon Time for providing the balloons and decorations. Thank you to all of the guests who brought trays of pasta, breads, salads, desserts, etc. Many thanks to Lucia Mariani at Lucca’s Resturaunt for so many trays of mouthwatering food. We are so indebted to all of you.
However, the night belonged to our fabulous adult and children’s choir under the direction of Anne Myers, and our excellent organists, John Lettieri and John Stufano. Their angelic voices shook the building that night. Our adult choir is always fantastic and our children’s choir has never been better! Thank you to all of you ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls for all of your hard work and dedication. Thank you also to the respective parents of our children’s choir for their constant support. You all make us proud!
Finally, last but not least, thank you to the woman that made it all work, our music and choir director, Anne Myers. This amazing lady has been working 10-12 hour days for the past month putting the concert, the Pot Luck supper, and the Christmas services together. Our parish loves and appreciates you, Anne, and thanks for over 25 years of beautiful music. We pray for many more!
Vinny Scarmozzino
Jobs lost forever
Dear editor,
“Cabrera ponders Kingsbridgse Armory’s Future” (December 24) was the political equivalent of leaving coal in your Christmas stocking. This holiday season NYC Council Speaker Christine Quinn and her 47 fellow council members played the Grinch to hundreds of thousands of constituents in the Bronx and all five boroughs still out of work. They blocked a $300 million dollar shopping mall development project proposed by The Related Cos to be built at the underutilized Bronx Kingsbridge Armory. This project could have provided 1,000 construction jobs and another 1,200 permanent jobs by mall tenants. How disappointing.
Larry Penner
Great Neck
Closing of Schuylerville Music a big loss
Dear editor,
The closing of Schuylerville Music on New Year’s Eve is a big loss for the neighborhood. Joe Cuscianna’s store was the only game in town not just for musicians, students and customers, but for those who wanted to expand their musical knowledge and education.
Having known Joe and most of the teachers there for about the last 30 years, they became extended family to me and many others. What a great hangout it was, and now it’s gone. It’s going to be tough passing where the store used to be and see it vacant or occupied by a new business. I think the best way to describe why Joe closed after 40 years is changing times.
Happy New Year to Joe and all those who contributed at Schuylerville Music. You will all be missed.
Ken Reynolds
