Letters to the Editor: 12.10.15

Thanksgiving Dinners

East Hampton

December 1, 2015

Dear Mr. Rattray, 

On Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 26, the East Hampton Presbyterian Church once again made available delicious Thanksgiving dinners for clients of East Hampton Meals on Wheels and their family members or caregivers. In fact, Meals on Wheels received more than 40 dinners for delivery this year!

This service, which has been diligently performed by the church for many years, fills a tremendous need in our community, because the clients who receive these meals are homebound and unable to cook a Thanksgiving meal for themselves.

We heartily thank the faithful ladies, gentlemen, and children who gave enormously of their time and energy to make Thanksgiving Day pleasurable for so many. We are indeed fortunate to live in a community in which so many individuals and groups take such loving care of their neighbors.

Very truly yours, 

FRANK EIPPER

Acting President

Help Home-Bound 

Amagansett

December 7, 2015

To the Editor:

Here it is again. Checking out at Citarella at this holiday time, I am asked if I would like to round my bill up with a contribution to Citymeals. No, I reply. I explain to the checkout person that my husband and I have been delivering Meals on Wheels locally every Monday for eight years. We are well aware of the importance of this service to home-bound local people, not only for food but as a safety net for people living alone. We enjoy their company and they seem to enjoy ours. We also help in small ways like bringing in the mail from roadside mailboxes and returning library books.

The Star has recently had articles about the financial crisis facing our East Hampton Meals on Wheels. Many local people are regular Citarella customers. It’s time for Citarella, and others, to help our home-bound neighbors.  

TODD JACKSON

Great Week for Women?

Springs

December 7, 2015

Dear David:

Last week the secretary of defense, Ashton Carter, announced that all combat roles would officially be open to women.

This announcement closely followed the revelation that one of the two mass shooters in San Bernardino was a woman — a first in our part of the world.

A great week for women’s rights, or what?

REDJEB JORDANIA

Climate Action Plan

East Hampton

December 7, 2015

Dear David,

Thank you for your Dec. 3 editorial “Raise Your Voice on Global Warming.” Raising an awareness of global warming, even in our own vulnerable coastal community, is a mighty challenge. National leadership struggles against a well-financed campaign denying the science of climate change while the scenario of a warming planet plays out. As you suggest, the public must become more engaged in the political process of choosing national leaders who respect the worldwide consensus on climate change science and are now ready to proceed with an agenda that addresses the planet’s future.

But the clock is ticking. Municipalities cannot wait for this transformation at the national level. Local leadership needs to develop strategies as climate change threatens community infrastructure, community assets, natural resources, and public health. In October, the East Hampton Town Board approved a climate action plan, as prepared by the town’s appointed energy sustainability advisory committee in partnership with the Department of Natural Resources. The climate action plan opens with a preamble: “The Town of East Hampton’s Climate Action Plan is not definitive. Rather it is the start of a process, an educational tool, to engage this coastal community’s awareness of a rising sea level, coastal erosion, a warmer ocean, and more extreme and frequent weather events.” 

The plan is a road map for collective action in striving toward a sustainable and resilient future for East Hampton. The Town of East Hampton climate action plan, as adopted by the town board, is now available on the East Hampton Town website, ehamptonny.gov. There the climate action plan has settled, waiting to participate in raising local awareness of a changing climate, defining what this town can contribute to its own sustainable future.

LINDA B. JAMES

Climate Change

Springs

December 5, 2015

Dear David,

Thank you for “Raise Your Voice on Global Warming” (Dec. 3). As you note, we on Long Island, surrounded by ocean, are more vulnerable than most to rising seas. 

I would add that the very life in the seas is threatened by the burning of fossil fuels. Roughly one-third of CO2 emissions end up in the ocean, where it reacts with seawater and is transformed into carbonic acid, which dissolves the shells of sea creatures like oysters and clams, coral, and, most ominously, phytoplankton, the bottom of the food chain. So as the oceans rise, they will become increasingly barren. That is 20 percent of the earth’s protein at risk, not to mention our fishing industry.

Most distressing were your comments on the climate denial of our representative in Congress, Lee Zeldin, who is our only voice in the national government.

Listening to political debates, one might erroneously conclude that Republicans all reject climate science and proposed solutions to that problem. In fact, recent polling from three Republican polling companies, including Marco Rubio’s pollster, has shown that 72 percent of Republicans support accelerating the development of renewable energy sources. Fifty-six percent of Republicans believe the climate is changing, and only 9 percent attribute that to natural causes vs. being man-made. 

Why the glaring disconnect between Republican voters and their representatives? First, right-wing radio and Internet traffic, stimulated by intentional disinformation from fossil fuel lobbyists, has created a vocal misinformed minority that dominates Republican discourse. Understanding is growing, as more and more Republicans realize they have been misled. This should be a call to action for serious, scientifically informed Republicans to communicate with Mr. Zeldin, and a reminder of the quote, “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.”

Second, Mr. Zeldin is between a rock and a hard place. According to the Center for Responsive Politics, he has enjoyed $52,000 in contributions from the oil and gas industry. His second-largest contributor is listed as Koch Industries. The Koch brothers loudly boast of their nearly billion-dollar PAC. Why so much promotion of that political power? It is an implicit threat to any Republican who comes out on climate change to remember Bob Inglis. Mr. Inglis was a member of Congress, very conservative, 80-percent approval rating in his conservative district, who came out of the closet on climate change. Suddenly he had a well-funded primary opponent, was smeared and defeated. Is our congressman focused on our interests, or held hostage by power from away?

Twelve courageous Republicans in the House, risking their careers, led by Congressman Gibson of New York, have issued a resolution stating that climate change is real, is man-made, and we have an obligation to do something about it. Mr. Zeldin needs to hear that his constituents have his back on climate change. He should co-sponsor the Gibson Resolution, and support our country’s commitments from Paris. The life of the ocean should not be a partisan issue.

DON MATHESON

CFAR Board

All Those Kids

Amagansett

December 4, 2015

Dear David, 

A neighbor, Dick, who owns a near-ocean home in Amagansett, drives a MAC car (middle-age crisis), and has recently swapped out the previous wife, spoke to me:

Dick: What’s with the East Hampton Town Board moving poor people into Amagansett? They’ll have all those kids! My taxes will go up!

Me: The housing authority, which is independent of the town board, will build beautiful buildings to house local work force families.

Dick: Work force?

Me: Police, firefighters, teachers.

Dick: How many kids?

Me: Perhaps four added to each class. They service pre-K to 6.

Dick: That’s all?

Me: Do you know the saying from the Talmud, “Don’t say ‘children,’ say ‘builders’ ”?

Dick: My taxes will go up!

Me: The residents of Springs educate 800 children. We have 120, Wainscott 20.

Dick: I never liked you.

Me: What a loss.

All good things,

DIANA WALKER

Legitimate Questions

Springs

December 7, 2015

Dear Editor,

The Springs Fire District has illegally added an antenna to the cell tower they erected without a proper building permit. The Z.B.A. ruled last week that the building permit was issued in error and rescinded that permit.

We all have to obey the rule of law, and had any one of us been in violation of building and zoning codes of this sort you know we would be held accountable. Who is to hold the fire district accountable? There is an obvious conflict of interest, since the district’s chief commissioner is the husband of the head of the East Hampton Town Building Department, who is also the treasurer of the Springs Fire District.

There are legitimate questions concerning communications here in Springs, and we all want to have maximum support for the wonderful volunteers who serve our community with such selflessness. However, it is imperative that the proper procedures be followed.

MARY and PHILIP SPITZER

Starlight Candlelight

Hello December.

You have been waiting for me. All year.

You wrap me in cold and deepest dark, a mantle of snow perhaps, and a silent, blackest night.

Branches creak, the wind stirs, yet all is lifeless now.

 

Look up! That darkest night reveals sparkling myriads of starlights. A wondrous blaze of pinpoints twinkle beyond grasp and reason. A cast of hope and imagination in the stillness.

Look around! We bustle with secret errands, for family and friends. We gather at firelight and excitedly dream the festive and the sacred. We decorate with little lights and sparkly diadems, now a chorus and resplendent in these darkest days. It is so cold. Do you see the light? Do you hear the call?

Is that a candle in the window? Come! It beckons.

There is charity and hope and warmth within.

 

Thank you December, your job is done.

BRUCE BLUEDORN

Santa in Ice Cave

Patchogue

November 21, 2015

To the Editor:

Starlight and fireflies alight crispness clarity. Santa in ice cave.

FRED GASREL

They Know Much More

Springs

December 3, 2015

To the Editor,

Bravo Captain Rafferty! Gee, I always wondered about the number of those out-of-state plates, primarily from Illinois and many others from the Midwest and several other states from half-way across the country. One would think the drivers with those out-of-state plates are from a different country, in that the drivers don’t know the rules of the road — yielding, tailgating (leaving a car length between), signaling, pulling to side of the road for emergency vehicles and police, making a full and complete stop for a bus with its hazard lights flashing, making a full and complete stop at a stop sign, having functional brake and headlights — just some minor safety driving details that any American citizen would have some knowledge of.

Surprise, those out-of-state people do live here. It’s amazing what they know: how to drain our government and community services, get free medical care, welfare, SNAP cards, not pay their mortgages (five houses on my block in foreclosure), just a few other minor details. So I am sorry to open your eyes, captain, they couldn’t possibly live here, for if they did, I am sure they would know. I stop there, as they know much more than we think. 

Until such time these vehicles get pulled over and have a check run (we could use the revenue), how would they know something related to having a legitimate driver’s license and the laws around what that encompasses? And while you consider that, how about the same for all those vehicles that don’t cover the load of debris in their truck beds?

Yep, it’s just safety and too difficult for our finest to pull these cars over to run a check. It’s easier to not struggle through the language barrier and let them get away with murder, so to speak. Remember Anna Pump. 

But you know, The Star is an English language newspaper, so why bother to write a letter to the editor in this publication? Will anything beneficial come of it?

JULIE BRADLEY

Bombing What Exactly?

Springs

December 1, 2015

Dear David, 

The president has been bombing what exactly? What has he been wasting our bombs on, in the past year? He hasn’t hit a target in a year, while ISIS takes off the heads of Christians, including children. This man is afraid of taking out the oil fields while calling them the J.V. team. 

Oh, let’s wake up, if you seriously think climate change, which incidentally will be nothing but rules and regulations on the American people, it’s nothing but a liberal cause, will really calm down the terrorists. What makes this man think? This past week he has finally hit the oil trucks and fields, where washe the past year?

While ISIS started their run to destroy, while Assad killed half of his population, Obama made statements of “he must go.” What in the name of God did he do to stop him? The president talks about our values, but our values only come into play when Obama can use them to beat up on his domestic critics. Obama’s argument that refugees from war-torn Syria are no different from “all the tourists who pour into the United States every day” is laughable. Before tourists arrive we know who they are. They are screened in advance by the F.B.I., the State Department, and Homeland Security. The refugees from Syria have no documentation, therefore cannot be screened properly, and the magic word is “properly.”

While many are writing about the G.O.P.’s candidates, take a look at the Democratic candidates. You have a pathological liar named Hillary Clinton, who took a week off from campaigning to be coached for her presence before the Benghazi committee; at her first appearance she lost it all, she now needs to learn to appear calm. Big deal, she was under fire for 11 hours. If it was a man it would have been okay? This woman doesn’t know what truth means, her desire to be president of the U.S being her dream since God knows when. Yes, her classified emails are out there now, so what difference does it make? Note “classified,” secret. She lied again and again.

Not too much to say about Bernie Sanders as he just wants to give the world away. Don’t know who is going to pay for it. Free, free, and free for everyone.

In God and country,

BEA DERRICO

The Angry Trio

Sag Harbor

November 30, 2015

Dear David, 

A picture of Hillary Clinton in color with the American flag in the background was on the front page of The New York Times on Nov. 20, titled “Clinton Plan to Defeat ISIS Adds Urgency.”

Beware of the hawkish advocate of war supported by her longstanding voting record. Note her language accelerating the American-led operation to defeat the Islamic State, going well beyond what President Obama has proposed by urging a no-fly zone — sound familiar? — with coalition forces to protect Syrians, more air strikes, and an expanded deployment of special operation troops to assist local ground forces. Anyone in Congress volunteering? All rhetoric, not me. 

“Our goal is not to deter or contain ISIS but to defeat and destroy ISIS.” A plan to intensify and accelerate Obama’s strategy, respond muscularly.

So I’m not misunderstood, I’d love to have a woman as president. Women have always been forerunners of change in the history of our country. Men in power have screwed up for a long time; evidence lies in perpetual war. I just wish Hillary were not a warrior. In power too long.

  By the way, Jeb Bush responded in a similar fashion. Add Donald Trump and you complete the angry trio. But when Hillary gave a 20-minute talk to Wall Street for $200,000, I’m sure she felt a little better. 

Bernie Sanders, bring them all home when possible. It’s the economy, stupid. See the demonstration in every state and locality to see the issues Sanders refers to, meaning you! Not me. Enough is enough of a corrupt government handed over to private sources, corporate powers, and the C.I.A., none of whom was elected by us.

Finally, I believe most citizens of our nation are well aware of our dysfunctional government. Change can only happen from outside the system. 

Listen to Sanders. He’s against war,  only as a last resort. And continues to attract the young and the old. In fact, it’s their generation; we owe them an education. Four percent of the budget is not nearly enough. Sanders recently spoke about this at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., a school with prestige and a friendly liberal audience, the real left. The question appears now to be fear or a solution. Unfortunately, fear serves the crazies well.

In peace, 

LARRY DARCEY

He Can Remember, But 

East Hampton

December 4, 2015

Dear Editor:

My favorite target of abuse these days is Donald (Uncouth) Trump, he of the self-proclaimed “great memory.” Well, not as great as it is selective.

He can remember donating money to all kinds of people with their hands out. He remembers Senator Lindsey Graham’s phone number, Hillary’s coming to his daughter’s wedding, Jeb Bush’s languid approach to the campaign, Kasich’s low poll numbers, Rubio’s age, Mexicans’ propensity to rape, how to build a fence across the border, how to deport millions of undocumented aliens, and other things.

But he doesn’t remember the New York Daily News reporter with the diseased and useless arms whom he mimicked after the reporter interviewed him a dozen times, he doesn’t remember where he saw the video of Muslims celebrating 9/11, he doesn’t remember hiring a fraud-convicted felon he knew for 25 years for his staff, he doesn’t remember referring to Megyn Kelly’s monthly bleeding or Carly Fiorina’s homely face. 

Nor will he remember his enormous loss in the race, when it happens.

RICHARD P. HIGER

Garter on the Cushion

Boston

November 30, 2015

To the Editor, 

Three nostril-breaths in; three nostril-breaths out. 

Per six steps, three push-ups, three sit-ups, one and a half touch toe, deep knee-bend, one and a half squat thrust.

Dear student of barefoot children standing in the front of the house with the baby sitter waiting for the parents

Chums “3 paragraph chapter 6 page 123”

Looking for Gatsby-Dunaway

The lights are still burning bright on Mount Vernon Street from the time of G.W. and the garter on the cushion.

See zoning board minor prophets — apostles

As of yet (unredeemed) baby life insurance

Howard Robert watermelon man/ shadow

Gene Pitney, where did the magic go?

GEORGE RICHERT