BRONX TIMES REPORTER, J BTR AN. 7-13, 2022 13
letters & comments
To the Editor,
Once again, misinformation
designed to support ultra
conservative talking points
is the primary focus of the
far right columnist. Readers
should consider the positions
of the ideologue for what they
are, a collection of reactionary
biases supported by distortions,
dubious sources and
fallacious reasoning.
For example, this week the
author falsely implies that
progressives favor open borders.
Misrepresenting an opponents’
position so that it is
easier to attack is known as
the “straw man fallacy” and
the columnist consistently
uses this sleazy technique to
support his moth eaten and
dangerous ideas, which include
the continued use of fossil
fuels and the denigration of
any effort to save the planet by
forcefully addressing climate
change.
The far right extremist
also repeated the conservative
fabrication that immigrants
bring disease when they enter
the U.S. According to Dr. Paul
Siegel, the director of the Center
of Humanitarian Health,
“There is no evidence to show
that migrants are spreading
disease.” He continues to debunk
the author’s contention
stating, “That is a false argument
that is used to keep migrants
out.”
Who is in a better position
to decide this question, feckless
Frank or a famed healthcare
professional?
The allegation that immigrants
are responsible for
increased criminal activity,
another conservative shibboleth,
is demonstrably false.
The Cato Institute, no friend of
progressive thought, has studied
this question and reports
that in Texas the highest rate
of criminal activity is actually
perpetrated by native born
Americans, not immigrants,
whether legal or illegal.
The conservative frontman
continues his allegiance
to the conservative gospel by
applauding the absurd idea
that parents have a right to
Cars lined up to pass into the U.S. from Tijuana. Photo courtesy Getty Images
control the curricula of public
schools. Some parents do not
believe in evolution, does this
mean that modern science
cannot be taught? What if
other parents believe that the
earth is fl at? The purpose of
education is to foster critical
thinking, not to reinforce the
beliefs of the students’ household.
If students cannot distinguish
between reality and fantasy,
how can our democracy
survive, how will they make
informed decisions in their
life and in the voting booth?
All voices, whether progressive
or conservative, have
a right to be heard in our great
country, but adherence to
blind ideology is a danger that
should not be foisted on the
readers of the Bronx Times
and Bronx Times Reporter.
Pasqual Pelosi
To the Editor,
Re: Pascual Pelosi’s recent
letter critical of Frank Vernuccio’s
latest column.
The columnist may not be
as far off the reservation on
education as Mr. Pelosi feels
he is. The other day I quoted
a famous line out of Shakespeare
to my 20-year-old son,
and he didn’t recognize it.
When I queried him further,
there was hardly any Shakespeare
in the curriculum.
One of the greatest writers in
the last millennium.
When my father was active
in the Parents’ Association
in the 1970s, he objected
to one teacher chewing gum
in class when students were
not allowed to chew gum, and
he objected to a male teacher
with long, hippie-length hair.
He was met with scorn and
ridicule.
There’s a growing movement
against students taking
tests. How else is academic
progress and performance
supposed to be measured?
There are organizations that
are dedicated to lowering
class size. I agree that class
size is important; it should
not be a top priority in our
education system. I grew up
with class sizes of 35 and 40
students.
A long time ago, a pastor
at a local church would say,
“I don’t want to hear what the
teacher is not doing for you,
I don’t want to hear what the
school is not doing for you, I
want to hear what you’re doing
for you.” I don’t claim to
be an expert on education, but
perhaps a more conservative
philosophy toward education
could be considered.
As far as the columnist’s
statement about teachers being
instructed by the unions
to brainwash students with
leftist agendas, I don’t necessarily
believe in a massive
conspiracy as the one he implies,
and no source is quoted.
But if you go to the United
Federation of Teachers (UFT)
and type in the search box
“endorsements,” you will
see a list of the candidates
endorsed by the UFT. I will
leave it to the reader to draw
his/her conclusion.
I agree with Mr. Pelosi’s
past statements that sources
other than small, independent,
hard right-wing organizations
should be quoted
in the columnist’s columns.
It is also quite obvious that
the conservative author is
not terribly high on Mr. Pelosi’s
list of people he wanted
Santa Claus to be good to; Mr.
Pelosi is of course entitled to
his opinion. But I do urge Mr.
Pelosi to not confuse the message
with the messenger.
Nat Weiner
To the Editor,
Please add congratulations
to my fellow 2021 Letters
to the Editor writers to the
“2021 Year In Review.” Surveys
reveal that “letters” are
one of the most widely read
and popular sections of any
newspaper.
Most newspapers will print
letters submitted by any writer
regardless of where they live
so long as the topic is relevant
to readers. It helps to have a
snappy introduction, good
hook, be timely, precise and
have an interesting or different
viewpoint to increase your
odds of being published. Many
papers welcome letters commenting
on their own editorials,
articles or previously published
letters to the editor.
I continue to be grateful
that you afford both me and my
fellow letter writers the opportunity
to express our views, as
well as differing opinions on
issues of the day.
Please join me along with
your neighbors in continuing
reading the Bronx Times and
Bronx Times Reporter. Patronize
their advertisers; they provide
the revenues necessary
to keep them in business. This
helps pay to provide space for
your favorite or not so favorite
letter writers.
Larry Penner
To the Editor,
Upon his last few days as
NYC mayor, Bill De Blasio
spoke on the opening of the
Bronx’s new and second NYC
Ferry Station in Throggs
Neck at Ferry Point Park. He
reportedly said its location
fulfi lls the meaning of the
park name, noting the word
“ferry.”
As a fellow Democrat and
Bronx resident who grew up
in Throggs Neck and maintains
ties with the community,
I must say that the name
Ferry Point Park has been
around for decades, long before
any thought or any mention
of a Bronx ferry service,
even before its fi rst and initially
only stop Soundview.
As far as I recall, the ferry
stop, except for its location,
bears no relation to the park’s
name or meaning. Perhaps if
he can explain or clarify on
the matter, I for one would appreciate
and welcome it.
Michael S. Wilbekin
LET US HEAR FROM YOU
Letters to the editor are welcome from all readers. They should be addressed
care of this newspaper to Laura Guerriero, Publisher, the Bronx Times Reporter,
3604 E. Tremont Ave., Bronx, NY 10465, or e-mail to bronxtimes@cnglocal.com.
All letters, including those submitted via e-mail, MUST be signed and with a
verifi able address and telephone number included.
Note that the address and telephone number will NOT be published and the
name will be published or withheld upon request.
No unsigned letters can be accepted for publication. The editor reserves the
right to edit all submissions.
“There’s a growing movement
against students taking tests. How
else is academic progress and
performance supposed to be measured,”
asks Nat Weiner. Photo Getty
Bill de Blasio at a Dec. 28, 2021,
press conference launching the
NYC Ferry landing in Throggs Neck.
Photo Andrew Dapolite
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