28 The QUEE NS Courier • april 25, 2013 for breaking news visit www.queenscourier.com editorial letters Just desserts It seems as though justice is being served. Dzhokar Tsarnaev, the 19-year-old suspect in the Boston Marathon bombing, has been charged with using a weapon of mass destruction against persons and property within the U.S. resulting in death. “The charges bring a successful end to a tragic week for the city of Boston and for our country,” said Attorney General Eric Holder. Tsarnaev was also charged with malicious destruction of property by means of an explosive device resulting in death. His capture was preceded by a dramatic shootout with police that killed his older brother and alleged accomplice in the bombing, 26-yearold Tamerlan Tsarnaev, and a manhunt that shut down the Boston area. As for the hero who “saw something and said something,” David Henneberry, he’s getting what he deserves too. His 22-foot-long boat, where Dzhokar hid out, is no longer seaworthy after being riddled with bullets from the firefight. But big-hearted people from around the world have donated more than $7,000 and counting online to websites dedicated to getting Henneberry a new boat. We encourage you to help Henneberry as well as the victims and their families. Just be wary of scams and websites whose collections will not go to the people of Boston. All about the numbers To the senators who voted against the gun law amendment seeking tighter background checks, remember the following numbers: 2014, 2016, 26 and 12. In either 2014 or 2016, you’ll have to court voters when seeking re-election. Twenty-six and 12 are casualty numbers from mass shootings in Newtown, Connecticut and Aurora, Colorado. As you campaign, you will have to explain to your supporters why you voted nay. Forty six senators voted against routine background checks online and at gun shows. Senators like Rand Paul, who threatened to filibuster the debate and stop any sort of measure. The morning of the bill vote, he accused the president of using Sandy Hook parents as props to push for tighter gun laws. Those parents are not props. Some of them are not even parents anymore. It’s fair to argue this bill would have tightened or threatened the Second Amendment. Amendments are constantly, and hopefully always will be, debated. But it is completely unfair to live under the protection of the Bill of Rights that millions have died protecting and not return the favor by following its message and protecting others living in fear - like the 26 or 12 people who will never hug their parents again. Victoria Schneps-Yunis Joshua A. Schneps Bob Brennan Tonia N. Cimino Amy Amato-Sanchez Nirmal Singh Graziella Zerilli Stephen Reina Ron Torina, Jennifer Decio, Cheryl Gallagher Melisa Chan, Terence Cullen, Cristabelle Tumola Maggie Hayes, Angy Altamirano Cliff Kasden, Samantha Sohmer, Elizabeth Aloni Cristabelle Tumola Bill Krese Jan DiGeronimo 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 Editorial Cartoonist Director, Business Developm ent 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:[email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Entire Contents Copyright 2013 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. 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Boston is not alone As the city of Boston and the nation continue to cope with the aftermath of the horrific bombing that took three lives and injured countless others,some critically, it is important for all of us to be supportive of Bostonians. We are all Americans and are all in this together. The terrorists want to be able to cause disruptions in our daily lives, that is their trademark. But as has been said before, we cannot and must not allow these terrorists to destroy our way of life. We have to go on doing what we do each and every day, but we must also be alert and vigilant. That will send them a message - you cannot defeat us, and will not defeat us. Our thoughts and prayers are with those who died, those who were injured and their families and friends. God Bless America and its people today and always. John Amato Fresh Meadows Not guilty by association As former elected officials from Queens County, we have had the opportunity to work very closely with Republican Party Chair Phil Ragusa. We have known Phil for over 30 years and in our experience, he is one of the most honest, diligent, decent and forthright people we have had the pleasure to be associated with in our many years in public service. Phil has led this Queens County organization for the last seven years and has been an exceptional leader. We admire how he has shown great vision in growing the Queens Republican Party, recruiting a new group of active and dedicated members to lead our party into the future, and attracting talented and qualified candidates to run for office. It is always shocking when someone in the political arena betrays the public trust and is accused of corrupt activities. It is even more disturbing when those accused are individuals we’ve known for years. What is even more unfortunate and disappointing is when political opportunists use such circumstances to advance their own narrow agendas and personal aspirations for power. The recent scandal involving two Queens Republicans is allegedly of their own making and now they must face the consequences. No one should be so cynical as to make baseless charges as to the integrity and forthrightness of Phil Ragusa, or to attempt to use this scandal to tarnish his good name and reputation. No one should be accused of guilt by association. We realize that there are some who have been trying to replace Ragusa almost from the minute he was elected chair. We are appalled at their crass attempt to twist these unfortunate events into a tool to use to undermine his authority and to serve their own purposes and long-standing agenda. If these people had more experience, maturity and a basic sense of decency, they might instead use this as an opportunity to bring people together and to rally the Queens Republican Party behind their leader and their fellow Republican candidates instead of heading down a path that can only result in damaging the Republican party and further eroding the public’s trust in their Republican elected officials, party leaders and candidates. We continue to give our full and unqualified support to Phil Ragusa as chairof the Queens Republican Party and stand ready to defend him against these transparent attacks from long-standing and predictable foes. Sincerely, Hon. Serphin R. Maltese Former New York State Senator Former Queens GOP Chairman Hon. Frank Padavan Former New York State Senator Hon. Michael J. Abel Former New York City Councilman Allow priests to marry It is now time for the Catholic Church to stop living in its 1939 Emerald City fantasy world and allow its priests to marry. There is absolutely no logical reason why this should not happen. In other Christian and Judeo denominations, men who are clergy are permitted to marry. Being married does not lessen one’s devotion to their faith. Pope Francis should very seriously consider allowing priests in the Catholic Church to be married. It is time for the Catholic Church to get its buried head out of the sand and come back to the real world. John Amato Fresh Meadows THE QUEENS
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