Last week, we were treated (or subjected, in one instance) to two presidential events unfolding simultaneously in different places. As the day progressed, I understood that if we see and hear nothing else during the campaign, we will realize, as sentient beings and patriots, that only one man deserves the honor of serving as our president. Only one man is intellectually and temperamentally fit for the job. more

Now that the Ukrainian military aid bill has been passed, we have an opportunity to assess the developing conflict and offer suggestions. more

The looming possibility of natural disasters — such as hurricanes and other severe storms — poses a significant, and ongoing, threat to Long Island, and particularly for those living in more vulnerable coastal communities, like Long Beach and Freeport, which are most susceptible to damage caused by high winds and surging floodwaters. more

New York’s budget-making is a lot like taking one step forward and then one step backward: In the end, we haven’t gone anywhere. more

Rather than admit that what they’ve done isn’t working — as evidenced by the fact that New York state has the highest population loss, the second-highest taxes and the second-worst business climate of any state in the county, according to Forbes magazine — Gov. Kathy Hochul and the New York City politicians who control the State Legislature are doubling down on their bad bets in the new state budget more

For the third straight year, Gov. Kathy Hochul and progressive lawmakers who control Albany are attempting to advance a housing plan that would usurp local zoning laws that were put in place decades ago to protect the health, safety and character of the suburban communities we cherish on Long Island and throughout the state. more

An aphorism often attributed to Mark Twain states that “History doesn’t repeat itself, but it does rhyme.” Readers of a certain age will, as I do, recall the upheavals of the 1960s and early ’70s. Recent events set me musing about the similarities and differences between today’s “student protests” and those of yesteryear. more

One hundred years have now passed since the original Equal Rights Amendment was first introduced on the federal level. On Nov. 5, we New Yorkers will decide whether to modernize our own state Constitution. Currently, that Constitution protects only against racial and religious discrimination. It does not prohibit discrimination against groups that have been historically targeted, including those with disabilities, LGBTQ people, women and immigrants. This measure lands on the ballot after legislation to push it forward passed both houses of the State Legislature in two successive terms. more

So how did we get to this point? This isn’t an exercise in placing blame. It would be impossible to assign blame when the system that allowed this situation to develop has been in place for generations. But to find solutions, we need to understand how we got here. more

The numerous college demonstrations lately have given me a lot of mixed feelings. Having lived through the years when there were other demonstrations, I contrast how those incidents were handled with the present ones. In addition, I can’t help but feel some sadness about how our elected officials are reacting to these events. more