26 The QUeeNS CoUrier • JANUARY 3, 2013 for brEakiNg NEwS viSiT www.queenscourier.com editorial DO SOMETHING IDENTIFY Though the city’s murder rate was at a record low and the number THIS We ended 2012 with a bang – or rather, a thud. of shootings is the lowest it’s been in 18 years, the tragedies of the PLACE past few days weigh heavy on our hearts – and we urge our politi- cians to do something in response. First and foremost, it seems, more needs to be done to help the mentally ill. Case in point: Sunando Sen, 46, was killed on Thursday, December 27 when he was shoved in front of an oncoming No. 7 train at the 40th Street/Lowery Street station in Sunnyside. Police arrested and charged Erika Menendez, 31, of Rego Park, with murder as a hate crime after the suspect allegedly told inves- tigators she pushed Sen because of her scorn for Muslims and Hindus. Menendez, who was seen at the station muttering to herself before shoving Sen, is reportedly undergoing psychiatric evaluation to determine if she is mentally stable, and authorities are reportedly investigating whether she is bipolar. Reports claim that the woman, with at least eight prior arrests, had been violent before – and even had an order of protection To find out the answer to last week’s “identify this place” taken out against her. please visit www.QueensCourier.com Her history begs the question: why didn’t she get help? And despite her numerous arrests, jail was not the answer. letters Those who knew her said that she spent time in rehab and in hospitals, and was on medication. Remembering a colleague visit all states and to discuss all issues includ-would encourage presidential candidates toBut Menendez should have been under the continuous care of a doctor, her medications monitored, so that her illness – and her Earlier this month, New York City lost one ing regional issues in all parts of our country. violent tendencies – could be kept in check. of its most respected and effective schools No longer would we have the eight or nine Perhaps a psychological evaluation should be part of the rou- chancellors when Frank Macchiarola passed so called battleground states that the candidates tine when booking criminals, and instead of locking up those away. His service as chancellor coincided with were vying for in the presidential race in 2012 and that are mentally ill, perhaps we should seek treatment for those the period of my husband Leonard’s service as in previous races. No longer would candidate who need it. chair of the Assembly Education Committee. and media attention just be focused on those And for those who can’t afford it, we need to make access to Macchiarola’s academic credentials were swing states with the rest of the country written mental health care low cost or free. impeccable – his law degree and Ph.D. were off and ignored. It should also boost voter par- Another issue that we urge our politicians to do something about from Columbia University and he was a mem- ticipation in all states, because now, with direct is pedestrian safety. ber of the Thomas Jefferson Club, a powerful election, every vote would truly count! In the past week alone, there have been at least five fatalities in Brooklyn political organization. As a result, Henry Euler which people were hit by cars, including an 11-year-old boy killed he understood how to get results. by a dump truck. He combined intellect with street smarts, Gun control hypocrisy Some drivers fled the scenes of the accidents, others stayed, but imposing rigorous standards, stopping auto- Since the shooting at Sandy Hook the fact remains, whatever it is – countdown clocks on street corners, matic social promotion and restoring respect in Elementary School in Connecticut, there has more vigilant traffic enforcement – something needs to be done, and the classroom. He was a friendly, warm person been a plethora of comments from readers soon. who somehow remembered that my son was about the crime, gun ownership and the attending P.S. 193 and always asked for him. National Rifle Association (NRA). The inci- Shortly after I was elected, there was a dent is sad beyond comprehension, but the THE QUEENS vacancy for chancellor and I saw Frank at NRA is not to blame. an event. I, along with many others, tried We will probably never know why Adam to convince him to return as chancellor. He Lanza shot 26 people. Reports that he suffered declined and it was the city’s loss. from mental and emotional problems perhaps put Toby Ann Stavisky much of the blame on his mother, not the NRA. Publisher & editor Victoria SchnepS-YuniS State Senator, 16th District It was she who sent him to target practice. editor-in-Chief tonia n. cimino Make every vote count Growing up in the 1950s and early 1960s,Schnep. SahuaSoJublisher-PoC VP, eVents, Web & soCial Media amY amato-Sanchez Now that the presidential race has been decid- daytime Saturday television was The Flintstones, assistant to Publisher graziella zerilli particular contest is conducted in our country. other Looney Tunes characters. Viewed asSobinred, we should re-examine the way that thisHeckle and Jeckle, Little Lulu, Bugs Bunny andingh SneYairmalnWtorCditoreiredyPortCa assistant art direCtor Stephen reina The Electoral College system that we use is clear- politically incorrect by liberals, these programs artists ron torina, Jennifer Decio, cherYl gallagher ly out of date and not equitable to all Americans. were taken off the air and replaced with super- staff rePorters billY renniSon, meliSSa chan, alexa altman terence cullen, criStabelle tumola, maggie haYeS This system may have been appropriate in our heroes, fighting men and women, action figures. Contributing rePorters cliff KaSDen, Samantha Sohmer, elizabeth aloni nation’s early days, but now, and for the future, it is They contained the diversity the left loves, along Web editor billY renniSon an unfair system and should be changed. with laser guns, rifles, dynamite and weapons editorial Cartoonist bill KreSSe California is our largest state, population wise, galore. Movies and videos with violence and direCtor, business deVeloPM ent Jan Digeronimo senior aCCount exeCutiVe louiSe caValiere with approximately 38 million people and 55 weapons have been the norm for decades. Why Classified Manager celeSte alamin electoral votes. That means that there are about would parents today not object to them, as they Controller maria Valencia 690,000 people per elector in that state. In were raised with these themselves? No, Little President & Ceo Victoria SchnepS-YuniS Lulu is not the solution, but she sure was lessWyoming, our least populated state, there areSchnep. SahuaSoJresident PeCiV Schneps Communications, 38-15 Bell Blvd., Bayside, NY 11361 about 580,000 people and 3 electoral votes. That violent than Iron Man and The Hulk. 718-224-5863 • Fax 718-224-5441 means that there are about 193,000 people per Those who are intent on wreaking destruction website: www.queenscourier.com elector. The other 48 states and Washington, D.C. will do so by any means, if not by guns, then by e-mail:[email protected] have varying numbers of residents per electoral dynamite or fire. Do we outlaw matches? [email protected] vote in between the two extremes for California control will be applied selectively and solveAs with anything else in this country, gunand Wyoming. What this means is that this [email protected] All letters sent to THE QUEENS COURIER should be brief and are subject to condensing. Writers should include a full is not balanced and the votes of people living in nothing. Those who are screaming the loud-Entire Contents Copyright 2012 by The Queens Courier address and home and office telephone numbers, where available, as well as affiliation, indicating special interest. lower populated states carry more weight than est for gun control and assailing the NRA are Anonymous letters are not printed. Name withheld on request. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR, AS WELL AS OP-ED PIECES IN NO WAY REFLECT THE PAPER’S POSITION. those residents in larger populated states. mainly liberals and those on the political left. No such ad or any part thereof may be reproduced without prior permission of THE QUEENS COURIER. The publishers The best way to get around this problem, Looking to disarm Americans, they them-will not be responsible for any error in advertising beyond the cost of the space occupied by the error. Errors must be reported to THE QUEENS COURIER within five days of publication. Ad position cannot be guaranteed unless paid in my opinion, is to have direct election for selves will continue to own and carry guns. assumes all liability for the content of and all replies. The advertiser agrees to hold THE QUEENS COURIER and its president. This way, all Americans would be Why is it justified for them to have guns for prior to publication. Schneps Communications assumes no liability for the content or reply to any ads. The advertiser employees harmless from all cost, expenses, liabilities, and damages resulting from or caused by the publication or treated equally in the election process and it protection but not middle class citizens? recording placed by the advertiser or any reply to any such advertisement. Edward Riecks
QC01032013
To see the actual publication please follow the link above