WWW.QNS.COM RIDGEWOOD TIMES OCTOBER 4, 2018 13
FREEDOM FROM
WANT & FREEDOM
FROM FEAR
The news that immigrants who
legally access public benefi ts, such
as food, housing and medical assistance,
could be denied green cards
will make it increasingly diffi cult
for many immigrants to meet their
basic needs, creating greater demand
for support from the nonprofi t sector.
Organizations that focus on immigration
and other social service
and advocacy groups are facing a
double-bind: increased demand for
support by families and communities
facing discrimination and deportation
coupled with changes to the
system that make service-delivery
harder.
The increased workload is due to
multiple factors, including that immigrants
already have a heightened fear
of being viewed as a public charge
when accessing necessary services
such as public assistance, Medicaid
and food stamps, for which they are
eligible. The proposed change only
exacerbates this fear.
This fear is the result of persistent
myths exaggerated in our country’s
current environment, such as immigrants
don’t pay taxes, or don’t work
hard and contribute to our economy,
when it has been proved this is
not true.
Complicating factors have been
revisions to information required by
the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration
Services, amplifying fears of immediate
deportation due to things like
any accidental errors in completing
applications. The current challenges
are formidable: nonprofi ts are doing
the best they can despite a national
climate of bias and discrimination
against immigrants and the groups
that serve them.
We must use our voices to seek
change. This Nov. 6 is one opportunity,
when people can support candidates
who understand the needs
and benefits of our multicultural
society — and not just give lip service
to secure votes.
Even simply starting a conversation
with friends and family — albeit
difficult ones — can springboard
to broader awareness of the issues
surrounding immigration, greater
support for nonprofi ts on the frontlines
of serving immigrants, and,
most importantly, a better life for
immigrants seeking a life in America
free from discrimination and fear.
Katie Leonberger, President and CEO
of Community Resource Exchange
REMEMBER
MERRICK
GARLAND?
Brett Kavanaugh raged on and on
in righteous indignation until Illinois
Senator Dick Durbin asked him, “If you
really want to clear your name, ask the
FBI for a complete investigation.”
That remark stopped Kavanagh
dead in his tracks. He looked like a
deer in the headlights.
Why are Republicans making such
a big deal about withdrawing the nomination
of Brett Kavanagh for Supreme
Court justice? They could just as easily
nominate another Republican.
Does the name Merrick Garland
ring a bell? Yes, the same Merrick Garland
that Obama nominated to replace
Scalia. The same Merrick Garland
Republicans refused to even hold a
hearing on, leaving the seat open for
more than a year!
But now they want a vote on Kavanaugh
immediately.
They want this man shaping the
course of our nation for decades to
come. A drunkard who allegedly took
advantage of teenage girls. A man
who wouldn’t say whether or not Roe
vs. Wade was settled law. A man who
believes a sitting president is basically
immune to prosecution. No wonder
Drumpf chose him.
Robert LaRosa, Whitestone
TOO MORALLY
CORRUPT FOR THE
COURT
Dr. Christine Blasey Ford’s response to
the question about what haunts her most
about her sexual assault wasn’t the attack
itself, but the laughter at her expense.
The answer is chilling because it
exemplifi es a person who lacks a sense
of humanity, which is a despicable
character trait.
The Senate should never forget Dr.
Ford’s response when deciding on
Judge Kavanaugh’s lifetime appointment
to the Supreme Court. The Senate’s
decision should be not based on the
feelings of the judge and his family, but
on how his appointment will aff ect the
fate of this nation and the families who
will reside here for many years to come.
This nation has many qualified
jurists, so the Senate should pass on
confi rming such a contentious and
divisive candidate as Judge Brett
Kavanaugh.
Glenn Hayes, Kew Gardens
O CAPTAIN, OUR
CAPTAIN
Mets hero David Wright made his
farewell to Citi fi eld on Sept. 29. He was
a baseball player that was loved on and
off the fi eld by his team and other teams
as well. Let me also mention his fans
like myself gave him a tribute last night
that I don’t think he will soon forget.
Here was a baseball player that
loved America’s pastime and played
his heart out. He expected much from
himself and wanted his teammates to
do the same. David Wright will truly
be missed and we all wish him the best.
Let me tip my hat as David did on
Saturday Night and say, “Kudos, David,
you’ve done good!”
Frederick R. Bedell Jr.,
Glen Oaks Village
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LETTERS AND COMMENTS
With talk of Glendale getting
its own ZIP code again in
the news, we thought it
would be the perfect time
to break out this photo from
1979. Then-Congresswoman
Geraldine Ferraro is pictured
delivering boxes of ballots to
Postmaster General William
Bolger from residents who
voted for the change of postal
zip code in the Ridgewood/
Glendale area in June 1979.
The area had a Brooklyn
zip, which was changed
to a Queens zip through
the eff orts of Ferraro,
the Glendale Chamber of
Commerce and the Glendale
Kiwanis Club. Send us your
historic photos of Queens
by email to editorial@qns.
com (subject: A Look Back)
or email printed pictures to
A Look Back, ℅ Editorial
Department, 38-15 Bell Blvd.,
Bayside, NY 11361. All mailed
pictures will be carefully
returned to you.
A LOOK BACK
Photo via Ridgewood Times archives