BEN CARSON News & Opinion help put an end to the murder of innocent babies. This is especially true of those who are personally inclined to save and protect life. Perhaps an illustration is in order: Two armies are engaged in a war. Let's call the good army that is trying to defend an entire society the red army and the bad army that is trying to invade and pillage society the blue army. The blue army occupies a superior strategic position and is composed of slightly more troops, putting the red army at a distinct disadvantage. Some in the red army feel that they are right and, therefore, should simply march directly into battle with the blue army because right always wins. Fortunately, some members of the red army are wise and have a better plan. They send a battalion of troops to the base of the mountain occupied by the blue army to distract them while the vast majority of red troops approach the mountain from the backside. They descend upon the blue army by surprise, completely vanquishing them and winning the war. The decoy red battalion may have sustained some casualties, but in the long run, the war was won, and the entire society was saved. I hope this illustration is useful in helping some to understand that achieving a critical mass of conservatives and RINOs (Republicans in Name Only, as some call them) in office will ensure that we can get non-activist Supreme Court and federal judges in place who respect the U.S. Constitution. It is essential to achieve a critical mass of individuals in the U.S. House and Senate who can join with a president in upholding the Constitution. These representatives must believe in personal responsibility and creating a business-friendly environment, understand the balance between abundant fossil-fuel development and environmental safety, and yearn to elevate the government-dependent 47 percent rather than make them more dependent. They also must be totally pro-life and believe that the rule of law can undo a host of damaging regulations and restore the value system that made this nation great. In the long run, with the help of God, we will be in a position to save millions of babies who otherwise would be slaughtered. With this kind of responsible empowerment, energizing a sluggish economy, bringing stability to a leaderless planet and facilitating innovation will not be that difficult. To sit helplessly by and pray for deliverance when the tools to achieve victory are in our hands is not useful. God helps those who help themselves. Conservatives and those who share their values are the last bastion TIMES, THURSDAY, JUNE 5, 2014 • 4 COPYRIGHT 2013 RIDGEWOOD TIMES PRINTING & PUBLISHING CO., INC. Since 1908 Published Every Thursday By RIDGEWOOD TIMES PRINTING & PUBLISHING COMPANY, INC. General Publication Office: P.O. 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Classified Manager TIMES NEWSWEEKLY Is Listed With The Standard Rate & Data And Is A Member Of The New York Press Association Reaching The Queens Homes Of Ridgewood, Glendale, Liberty Park, Maspeth, Middle Village, So. Elmhurst, Woodside, Sunnyside, Astoria, Long Island City, Ozone Park, South Ozone Park, Howard Beach, Richmond Hill, Rego Park, Forest Hills, Woodhaven, Elmhurst, And Kew Gardens. Reaching The Brooklyn Homes Of Ridgewood, Bushwick, Cypress Hills, East Williamsburg And Williamsburg. COMPOSITION RESPONSIBILITY: Accuracy in receiving ads over the telephone cannot be guaranteed. This newspaper is responsible for only one incorrect insertion and only for that portion of the ad in which the error appears. It is the responsibility of the advertiser to make sure copy does not contravene the Consumer Protection Law or any other requirement. Conservatives Won’t Win By Refusing To Compromise More discussion on the topic of pragmatism and politics is critical. If conservatives decide to take their marbles and go home rather than fight to the bitter end because they feel their principles have been compromised, they will needlessly subject future generations to untold misery. Voting for someone who agrees with you 90 percent of the time is far superior to voting for someone who disagrees with you 100 percent of the time. This is exactly what will happen if people refuse to exercise their civic duty and boycott elections because they feel betrayed. Personally, I am not supportive of abortion at all, but I can support people who feel differently if, in the gigantic scheme of things, they can -SEE CARSON ON PG. 28- EDITORIAL Every American scandal has its fall guy, the scapegoat who takes the blame and either resigns in disgrace or is forced out of office. Once that fall guy provides the pound of flesh, usually Americans feel satisfied with the result and move on to other things. Last Friday, May 30, retired Gen. Eric Shinseki stepped down as Veterans Affairs secretary over the scandal surrounding the Veterans Administration’s (VA) backlog of patients awaiting treatment at VA hospitals across the U.S. The gravest example comes from the VA hospital in Phoenix, which allegedly altered its waiting list and stalled medical care to hundreds of veterans. According to a report, some patients waited an average of 115 days—five days shy of three full months—for their first primary care appointment with a VA doctor. This practice is not only unethical and illegal, but it’s lifethreatening. It would be bad enough if it happened to any civilian; it’s doubly appalling that it affects thousands of men and women who put their lives on the line in defense of this country. Long ago, this nation made a commitment to the all-volunteer Armed Forces that it would provide soldiers with the medical care they need and deserve. These soldiers gave their best years to the government, and the government is morally obligated to give these soldiers the best medical care possible. Drumbeats about this national shame grew louder in recent weeks, and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle began calling for Shinseki to take responsibility and leave office. Surprisingly, one prominent lawmaker—House Speaker John Boehner—sounded a somewhat cautious note on the calls for Shinseki’s head. “The question I ask myself: Is him resigning going to get us to the bottom of the problem? Is it going to help us find out what’s really going on? The answer I keep getting is no,” he stated during a press conference last Thursday, May 29, a day before Shinseki resigned. Later, Boehner called for President Obama “to step up” and be accountable and responsible for the VA crisis. This is true, but it must be understood that any conciliatory action made by the president short of instituting real solutions to this disgraceful fiasco is an empty gesture. The solutions are multi-pronged, and require the full attention and support of both the White House and Capitol Hill. First, the VA should be investigated, top to bottom, by the Department of Justice. Those who cooked the books should be fired and, if necessary, prosecuted. Second, and most importantly, the government should make all investments necessary to upgrade the VA medical system and eliminate any waiting lists. Hire more doctors, build new hospitals, upgrade technology. Until such an expansion is complete, veterans should be provided with financial assistance so they can seek the medical care they need and deserve elsewhere. No one should dare whine about how the government should pay for this VA overhaul. Our country gives away billions each year in corporate welfare, foreign aid and entitlements; cut some of that pork and give it to those who earned the best care possible. Everybody likes to say “support our troops.” Now it’s time to mean what we say. Let’s not allow this crisis to persist; let’s fix it now. Queens Beep, CCRB At Board 5 Meet This Wed. Queens Borough President Melinda Katz is scheduled to stop by Community Board 5’s next meeting this Wednesday night, June 11, in Middle Village. As announced by District Manager Gary Giordano, the session will begin at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday at Christ the King Regional High School’s CNL Center, located at 68- 02 Metropolitan Ave. (enter through Door 10, take elevator or stairs to third floor). Katz is scheduled to appear at the start of the Board 5 meeting. She will be followed by a presentation from representatives of the city’s Civilian Complaint Review Board’s Community Outreach Unit. The board will then proceed with its regular agenda, which includes the public forum, reports by Chairperson Vincent Arcuri and District Manager Giordano, a review of demolition notices and liquor license applications, committee reports and the election of Board 5 Executive Committee members. For more information or to register to speak in advance, call Board 5’s Glendale office at 1-718- 366-1834. Letters To The Editor MTA Ad Policy Sends A Mixed Message Dear Editor: When riding the subway (M and B lines) on Friday, May 23, I saw an advertisement to pray. Under it was a disclaimer from the MTA concerning the message, which I have never seen before. I ride the subway five days a week. I have also seen a message from a storage company basically stating you will never score with a lady if she is against abortion. The MTA had no disclaimer on that one. The best part is that the disclaimer message on the prayer advertisement had bigger print than 90 percent of the advertisement. I am very upset by this. What is so wrong with praying? Last Thursday evening, May 29, I saw a vivid advertisement on the M train for breast enhancement which was supposed to be removed, since children ride the trains. It was just put up since I always ride in the second car, and it was the first time I saw it. Inappropriate pictures are okay, but prayer is not? Betty Coccaro Middle Village Editor’s note: In September 2012, the MTA enacted a policy that any “issue advertisement”—that is, anything expressing political, religious or moral views—include a disclaimer noting that the opinions therein “do not imply” endorsement by the MTA. Presently, the disclaimer is not included on other advertisements. * * * Letters from readers are invited and should be sent by regular mail to Times Newsweekly, P.O. Box 860299, Ridgewood, N.Y. 11386- 0299 or by e-mail to info@times newsweekly.com. All letters must be accompanied by the writer’s full name and address, which will be withheld upon request. Anonymous letters will not be considered for publication. All letters are subject to editing. The opinions expressed in each letter are not necessarily those of the Times Newsweekly or its staff.
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