WWW.QNS.COM RIDGEWOOD TIMES APRIL 26, 2018 13
LETTERS AND COMMENTS OP-ED
FIGHTING THE
RISE OF HATE IN
AMERICA
As we approached the 75th anniversary
of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising,
we noted with alarm the rising tide of
racism, anti-immigrant rhetoric and
actions, and anti-Semitism worldwide.
This terrible growth of exclusionary
and bigoted policies, actions and
attitudes is contextualized by Donald
Trump and his like-minded leaders
in Russia, Poland and Hungary. It is
further fueled by movements and
leaders from the National Front
in France, similar movements
throughout Europe, the so-called
alt-right in the U.S., and lower-level
anti-Semitic leaders such as Louis
Farrakhan.
This growth of hate can and must
be defeated. The starting point is the
understanding that racism, anti-immigrant
prejudices and anti-Semitism
are all fruits of the same poisonous
tree. Across-the-board unity of opposition
to all is the only path to defeating
each. Within the Jewish community,
this means that any capitulation to
or support of overt rhetoric, dog
whistling or policies that promote hate,
either by Trump or any other leader
or organization propagating bigotry,
discrimination or related forms of
fascism, regardless of the issue and rationale,
is a contribution to the growth
of anti-Semitism.
In the progressive movement, this
means that anti-Semitism needs to be
opposed and denounced just as strongly
as racism and anti-immigrant acts.
We are dismayed and disappointed
that some of our allies are not sufficiently
forthright in denouncing
anti-Semitism. Such hesitancy will
only serve to weaken the overall movement.
Unity against all hateful acts and
statements is the only path to progress.
This is the path that The Workmen’s
Circle will continue to pursue.
Within the Jewish community, in order
to successfully defeat this growth
of anti-Semitism, our responsibility
is to both denounce all forms of hate
recognizing the inseparable links that
unite all hate speech and purveyors
of hate; and not to accommodate in
any way those that directly promote
or give comfort to those who promote
hate, regardless of what other issues
they might be considered like-minded
in regards.
For our friends and allies in the
broad progressive movement there
needs to be a vigilant commitment to
denounce and fi ght anti-Semitism and
to see that opposition to anti-Semitism
as a vital and necessary part of the
overall fi ght for justice and equality.
Peter Pepper, President, and Ann
Toback, Executive Director, The
Workmen’s Circle
REMEMBERING
BARBARA BUSH
Former fi rst lady Barbara Bush has
just passed away at age 92 and leaves
many of us quite saddened. She was
the wife of President George H.W.
Bush and mother of President George
W. Bush. But she was more than that
in her lifetime, for she cared about the
many in need of compassion.
Barbara Bush tried to get others to
volunteer at homeless shelters and
head start projects and promoted AIDS
awareness. As fi rst lady, she promoted
reading by starting the Barbara Bush
Foundation for Literacy. And fi nally
she was an advocate for the American
family as well as many more accomplishments,
for that she will be dearly
missed.
America mourns a truly great lady
whom we will never forget.
Frederick R. Bedell Jr.,
Glen Oaks Village
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The future of Queens transportation
Some Queens residents will be looking
for $97 million toward the $231 million
Phase 2 Woodhaven Boulevard
Select Bus Service. These dollars may
be necessary if NYC DOT is unable to
secure $97 million in Federal Transit
Administration New Starts funding.
Many neighborhoods are looking
for introduction of either Select Bus
Service; Bus Rapid Transit; Limited
Stop Bus to Subway or Express Bus
Service to Manhattan. There is still the
need to bring many of the 78 Queens
subway and 21 LIRR stations back to
a state of good repair. Don’t forget the
need for additional subway and LIRR
stations to become fully compliant
with the Americans for Disability Act
(ADA) by construction of elevators.
Where do Queens state Senators and
Assembly members think Albany will
fi nd the cash for all these projects? The
Federal Transit Administration and City
Hall may be possible funding sources for
some of these projects. Clearly New York
state and the MTA will have to contribute
some signifi cant funding.
Let us see how many members of
the Queens Congressional, Albany
and NYC Council delegations will be
successful in authorizing and appropriating
This undated, early 20th-century
photo shows the Covert
family farm house that
once stood at the corner of
Halle Avenue (55th Drive) at
Betts Avenue (57th Place)
in Maspeth. The home was
demolished long ago to make
way for industrial development.
The site is currently
used for such purposes to
this day. Send us your
historic photos of Queens
by email to editorial@qns.
com (subject: A Look Back)
or mail printed pictures to
A Look Back, ℅ Schneps
Communications, 38-15 Bell
Blvd., Bayside, NY 11361.
All mailed pictures will be
carefully returned to you.
BY LARRY PENNER
When it comes to public
transportation, there
are numerous transportation
projects and proposals that
could benefi t Queens residents.
They all are competing against
each other for city, state and federal
funding. Each may be supported
by different advocates including
the Metropolitan Transportation
Authority, Port Authority of New
York and New Jersey, New York
State Department of Transportation,
New York City Department of Transportation,
New York City Economic
Development Corporation, various
city, state and federal Queens elected
offi cials, constituents and transit
advocates. There is no consensus
among this divergent group on any
order of priority for funding.
State lawmakers recently announced
the inclusion of $50 million
within the new $168 billion state
budget for outer-borough transportation
— but that is a drop in the bucket
to what is really needed. Divide $50
million between four outer boroughs,
and Queens ends up with $12 million.
That is enough money to purchase six
new subway cars or 12 buses.
When it comes to all the other 99
percent of public transportation needs,
Queens commuters were left empty
handed with no real firm financial
commitments. Elected officials continue
to fail in providing any specific information
on how they will come up with
funding to implement any of the following
transportation projects supported
by riders and transit advocacy groups.
A LOOK BACK
Photo via Ridgewood Times archives/Courtesy of the Greater Ridgewood Historical Society
additional funding which
could be added by amendment to the
existing MTA $32 billion 2015 - 2019
Five Year Capital Plan.
Talk is cheap, but actions speak
volumes.
Larry Penner is a transportation
historian and advocate who previously
worked 31 years for the U.S. Department
of Transportation Federal Transit
Administration Region 2 NY Offi ce.