QNE_p026

QC04032014

26 The QUEE NS Courier • APRIL 3, 2014 for breaking news visit www.queenscourier.com editorial letters Changes to Obamacare outside the law Obamacare, aka the Affordable Care Act, was passed by Congress without a single Republican vote and our Constitutional rule of law acknowledges and accepts it as the law of the land. However, since its passage, many provisions of the law have been changed, tweaked, omitted, adjusted, fine-tuned, adapted and delayed over 30 times without congressional approval. Many Democrats seeking re-election will now be able to deny having voted for Obamacare in its present form, since the law and provisions have been changed so many times that the original law and its intent no longer exist. Congress is the only government entity that has the power to write or change laws. We are told the justification for changes instituted by unauthorized individuals is an unselfish motive and that it will benefit the masses. William T. Gossett, a lawyer and entrepreneur, observed, “The rule of law can be wiped out in one misguided, however wellintentioned, generation.” The foundation of our freedoms is the rule of law. No man can violate the rule of law and usurp the power of Congress by edict or proclamation. Once again, I quote author Ayn Rand: “Civilization is the process of setting man free from men.” Ed Konecnik Flushing Paper or plastic? Try canvas… The people who seem unable to handle a tax on paper and plastic bags need help. The solution is using fabric/canvas bags. Is it such a burden to bring your bag(s) with you to the store? Really? Would you rather promote deforestation? Would you rather destroy the environment? Aren’t there enough plastic bags floating around the streets? Robert LaRosa Whitestone …or not The City Council is ready to vote on a 10 cent fee to consumers who don’t use their own bags at checkout counters. The idea is to get the consumers to bring in their own reusable bags. Mayor de Blasio is on board with this legislation because he is going for zero waste. Now this will include grocery stores, bodegas, retail and drug stores. Now I’m all for recycling but I’m not for taxing the poor who can little afford another expense when they go shopping. I think an ad campaign about recycling is a smarter way to get people to do the right thing for our environment. Frederick R. Bedell Jr. Glen Oaks Vick dogged by cruelty While Michael Vick is a talented football player, he also has been cruel to animals. There was no reason at all for him to be involved in the illegal activities involving dog fighting, which resulted in the death and injury of these innocent animals. It is an absolute abomination that this man has now been signed by the Jets for the upcoming football season. Fans should boycott the games and neither should they watch them on television. How can Mr. Vick live with himself after what he did to those poor animals? What kind of a person is he? Certainly not one with compassion for animals! John Amato Fresh Meadows IDENTIFY THIS PLACE Go to www.queenscourier.com and search “Identify This Place” to find out where this is FAILING THE KIDS This week’s front page, a scoop by reporter Liam La Guerre, tells a heartbreaking tale of children who will have to do without graduation festivities because money disappeared from the accounts of the PTA at P.S. 117 in Briarwood. We don’t know yet whether it was mismanagement or theft – and we intend to find out – but in either case, it shows a real failing by parents and administrators to police themselves and to look out for their kids. EVEN WORSE As sad as the situation is at P.S. 117, it pales in comparison to the tragedy involving Avonte Oquendo. The office of the Special Commissioner for Investigation found that Avonte’s mom had notified the school that her autistic child was prone to running off. That was the latest bombshell in what has become a series of embarrassments for the school and for the Department of Education. We know that the overwhelming majority of teachers take their work and their students’ safety seriously and that no one intended Avonte any harm. But that excuses nothing. Schools and educators have a special responsibility to protect those who need it most, whether the danger comes from themselves or from outside forces. And failing that responsibility is a grievous shortcoming that will weigh on everyone involved: the teacher, the principal, the school community and, of course, Avonte’s family. WELCOME SPRING Although the season changed weeks ago, we are finally seeing Spring-like temperatures. Two brushes with snow seem to be the final insults of a brutal winter. It wasn’t the snowiest winter ever and it wasn’t the coldest, but it was plenty messy and uncomfortable. Sure, it’s going to rain a bit and yes, there may be some dips in the temperature, but it’s a great feeling to put the slush and snow behind us. Get outside, everyone, and enjoy the beauty as our borough blooms – and make sure to visit great attractions like LIC Flea & Food and our Everything Kids Expo at the Long Island City YMCA. THE QUEENS Victoria Schneps-Yunis Joshua A. Schneps Bob Brennan William J. Gorta Amy Amato-Sanchez Nirmal Singh Graziella Zerilli Stephen Reina Ron Torina, Jennifer Decio, Cheryl Gallagher Melisa Chan, Liam La Guerre, Cristabelle Tumola Angy Altamirano Cliff Kasden, Samantha Sohmer, Elizabeth Aloni Cristabelle Tumola Maria Romero Louise Cavaliere Celeste Alamin Maria Valencia Daphne Fortunate Victoria Schneps-Yunis Joshua A. Schneps Publisher & E ditor Co-Publisher Associate Publisher Editor-In-Chief VP, Events, Web & Social Media Art Director Assistant to Publisher Assistant Art Director Artists Staff Reporters Contributing Reporters Web Editor Events Manager Senior Acc ount Executive Classified Manager Controller Office Manager President & CEO Vice President Schneps Communications, 38-15 Bell Blvd., Bayside, NY 11361 718-224-5863 •  Fax 718-224-5441 website: www.queenscourier.com e-mail:editorial@queenscourier.com ads@queenscourier.com queenscourier@queenscourier.com Entire Contents Copyright 2014 by The Queens Courier All letters sent to THE QUEENS COURIER should be brief and are subject to condensing. Writers should include a full address and home and office telephone numbers, where available, as well as affiliation, indicating special interest. 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. No such ad or any part thereof may be reproduced without prior permission of THE QUEENS COURIER. The publishers 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 prior to publication. Schneps Communications assumes no liability for the content or reply to any ads. The advertiser assumes all liability for the content of and all replies. The advertiser agrees to hold The Quens Courier and its employees harmless from all cost, expenses, liabilities, and damages resulting from or caused by the publication or recording placed by the advertiser or any reply to any such advertisement. VISIT QueensCourier.com FOR MORE STORIES


QC04032014
To see the actual publication please follow the link above