16 DECEMBER 21, 2017 RIDGEWOOD TIMES WWW.QNS.COM
EDITORIAL
THE HOT TOPIC
STORY:
Queens seniors can now get free
transportation to medical appointments
under new program
SUMMARY:
A northeast Queens lawmaker’s
initiative giving seniors free access
to transportation has expanded.
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17,100 people (as of 12/20/17)
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Stopping the alternate reality
“It’s a beautiful thing, the destruction
of words. Of course, the great
wastage is in the verbs and adjectives,
but there are hundreds of nouns
that can be got rid of as well.”
That’s one of the famous lines from
George Orwell’s dystopian novel
“1984” which many found themselves
referencing after the Washington
Post reported that the Centers for
Disease Control (CDC) banned the use
of certain terms in preparing budget
documents.
The CDC director denied that the
agency prohibited the words “vulnerable,”
“entitlement,” “diversity,” “transgender,”
“fetus,” “evidence-based” and
“science-based” from its vocabulary.
These words, of course, represent ideals
that are contradictory to the many
policies and programs put forth by the
current administration.
Despite the CDC director’s denial,
the report led many to believe that this
was yet another sign of an administration
working to create an alternative
reality which advances its causes —
many of which set the country back
whole generations — and protects the
president.
Far more frightening than the
CDC banned words report, however,
are the ongoing public attacks upon
Special Counsel Robert Mueller by
conservatives in Congress and on
news channels. They’re urging the
president to fi re Mueller, the man investigating
possible Russian collusion
in last year’s presidential election, in a
move that would undermine law and
order in our society.
Mueller’s investigation must go on
to the end, whenever that might be
and wherever it leads, unimpeded
by the president or anyone else. We,
the people, must hold government
accountable, and remember always
that we have the fi nal say through our
votes, our petitions, our free speech.
Whether it’s the CDC attempting to
rewrite language or partisans desperate
to protect their leader, we must not
allow those in charge to defi ne truth
and reality. They who knowingly misrepresent
the facts and obstruct justice
seek only to take advantage of everyone
while masking their own misdeeds.
Call your local Congress members
and tell them you want the government
to respect facts, respect truth
and respect the rule of law.
Merry
Christmas to all!
In spite of all the challenges and
stress of this year, Queens residents
will gather together on
Monday to celebrate Christmas, a
holiday that promotes “peace on
Earth and goodwill toward men.”
One does not need to be a Christian
to celebrate the holiday, or to
work toward achieving a more
peaceful and caring world. Each of
us can do our part to make Queens
and the world a little better.
What can we do? It’s simple.
Be respectful to each other.
Look out for and help someone
in need. Care for the sick, check
in on the seniors and children,
give time and/or money to charities
that assist those among us
requiring the greatest assistance.
We bid you peace and goodwill
this Christmas.
George Orwell
