WWW.QNS.COM RIDGEWOOD TIMES MARCH 16, 2017 13 LETTERS AND COMMENTS FAKE TRUMP CLAIMS SHOULD LEAD TO IMPEACHMENT On March 4, 2017, the president made a baseless public accusation of wiretapping against former President Barack Obama. If the claim were true, which it isn’t, it would be an impeachable scandal of greater magnitude than Watergate and quite possibly a felony. Conversely, the president’s false charge is a scandal of immense magnitude that is also impeachable. The White House quickly recognized this and conspicuously pivoted public attention away from the charge. No president can legally order domestic surveillance in the form of a wiretap on any person. That power rests with the law enforcement arms of our government. From the FBI to the New York Police Department, law enforcement must prove probable cause of criminal activity to a judge in order to wiretap legally. We are a nation of laws. The president, as head of the executive branch, is the steward and executor of the law. A government that follows the rule of law must provide evidence and proof of criminal activity. Our government does not operate based on innuendo where proof and facts don’t matter. This is one of the many diff erences between our form of government and illiberal authoritarian regimes the likes of which the president has praised repeatedly and eff usively. The president’s false charge is an act of offi cial misconduct of a high order. The only constitutional remedy for this wrongdoing is impeachment. Introducing Articles of Impeachment is not an act of political courage when the violation is so blatant and subversive to the Republic. Ethan Felder, Forest Hills DISTURBED THAT STAR PROSECUTOR LOST JOB I find quite disturbing over the fact that Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara has just been fi red as part of the Trump’s administration house cleaning eff orts. He was fi red by Attorney General Jeff Sessions. The order came down by President Donald Trump which I think was a bad decision. Preet Bharara is a prosecutor who went aft er wrongdoers on Wall Street, crooked politicians and evil terrorists that hate America. Bharara is a true crime fighter who worked tirelessly to bring down wrongdoers who thought they were above the law. His tenacious efforts brought justice for the American people. These evildoers engaged in nefarious and egregious acts against the American people. Preet Bharara saw this and was not afraid to stand of these powerful people, whether they be Republicans or Democrats. I applaud a great U.S. prosecutor in the person of Preet Bharara who did what had to be done so that justice could triumph. I hope and pray that he achieves great success for what he intends to do next. I think maybe he should run for public offi ce. I believe he would bring to that offi ce honesty, loyalty and faithfulness to American ideas and the American people. Frederick R. Bedell Jr., Glen Oaks Village TIME FOR CITY TO DUMP SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS The body fat index of a star athlete is low, but the index of useless mass on the administrative body of the Department of Education is beyond the bounds of morbid obesity. There is a surplus of clipboard-carrying personnel that is ludicrously disproportionate to their productivity. The system would run much more smoothly and fairly if three-quarters of them were sacked. Culling the herd of administrators would raise test scores and morale. It would qualify for public service sainthood. Ron Isaac, Fresh Meadows OP-ED More work to do for an equal NY BY COUNCILMAN RORY LANCMAN Every March, during Women’s History Month, we honor the incredible contributions that women have made to our country. We see every day how trailblazing women shaped our society: millions of women are excelling in the workforce, taking on leadership positions in commerce and government, attending colleges and universities, and much more. But as we refl ect on the progress our country has made, it is clear we still have many challenges in front of us before we achieve true gender equity. As the father of two daughters, this is an issue that is deeply personal for me. I want my daughters — and every woman for that matter — to live in a world where gender is not a barrier to opportunity, and where they are treated fairly and with respect. Equal rights for all people depends on having a criminal justice system that is fair for all people. But in New York City, the reality facing us is this: we have lots of work to do in order to address the specifi c challenges women face in the criminal justice system. As the Chair of the Committee on Courts and Legal Services, I am committed to tackling these challenges head on to fi nd solutions that work. That starts by ensuring that victims of domestic violence have the resources they need to move forward with their lives. More than 18,000 women in NYC last year were victims of intimate partner violence, a fi gure that continues to rise almost every year. In fact, domestic violence last year became the top reason why New Yorkers entered a homeless shelter, as too many women and their children struggle to fi nd permanent, aff ordable housing aft er leaving abusive situations. It is also important to recognize that women who enter the criminal justice system have vastly diff erent needs than men do. More than half of women in state prisons (57 percent) and local prisons (55 percent) nationwide reported physical or mental abuse in the past, a rate that is far higher than men. In 2005, nearly three-quarters of women in state prison had a mental health problem, compared with just over half of incarcerated men. Therefore, we must work to enhance programs and services that are needed for women to both reshape their lives and avoid further entanglement in the criminal justice system. Moreover, it is vital to be proactive in addressing problems women face. I am proud to have secured a $750,000 grant to ensure that victims of human traffi cking facing criminal prosecution are provided the services they need. And last year I introduced legislation that would make it a misdemeanor off ense in NYC to leak intimate pictures of people without their consent. History tells us the pathway to lasting progress is not always easy, and is oft en fi lled with stops and starts. But I believe that we can make real, lasting progress in our criminal justice system if we embrace the goal at hand: true equality for all people. A LOOK BACK This 1935 photo from the Ridgewood Times archives off ers a unique view of Glendale from the middle of the Long Island Rail Road’s Montauk branch. The photographer shot this image looking east at the recently completed overpass above Cooper Avenue. Send us your historic pictures of Queens by email to editorial@ qns.com, or mailed printed pictures to A Look Back, c/o The Queens Courier, 38-15 Bell Blvd., Bayside, NY 11361. All mailed pictures will be carefully returned to you.
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