Long Beach Letters

Time for the governor to depart

To the Editor:
Regarding Scott Brinton's column, "Getting out while the getting is good" (Sept. 24-30):
Though it is hurtful to say so, I absolutely agree with Brinton's analysis of Govenor Paterson's dilemma. He has done it to himself. Politics, while not always a clean business, usually does level down to realities. In this case, the governor is being nudged to conclude that he not only cannot win, but that he could drag down other Democrats if he were to run for re-election.

It is a tall order to expect a sitting governor to recognize the cold fact that he is not up to his job. A fine man? Of course. A person of intellect, integrity and compassion? All yes. An effective leader? Unfortunately, not.
Paterson does not have what it takes to grapple with the awful personalities in our state Senate while fighting for our fair share of federal aid from Washington. His low approval ratings attest to the fact that the people are not confident in his capabilities or in his mastery of the job over the 18 months since he was thrust into the limelight.
Paterson should give an impassioned plea for cooperation from all sides while announcing his abdication of the office a year before his term ends. Either that, or make that plea for the best interest of all concerned and announce that he will do his best to complete the term with honor and dignity, but choose not to run for the job in his own right. This would enable a stronger candidate to emerge while relieving himself of extraordinary pressure. He might even grow to be a better governor in the process.
Joshua Weiss
Hewlett Harbor

Randi gets to the heart of it

To the Editor:
Regarding Randi Kreiss’s column “Disrespect trickles down to elementary schools” (Sept. 17-23): When I started to read it, I thought, wow, my thoughts exactly. I thought I was one of very few people left in this country who thinks respect for others is of the utmost importance. Being a single mother of two teenagers, it can become quite an uphill battle to teach my children right from wrong with all the crazy media and everything they see on TV and on the Internet.
I feel so strongly about this topic that I needed to commend Randi for a column well done! It's probably one of the most important articles I've seen in the Herald in recent years. I hope that our fellow citizens will get it, too, and stop being so selfish in this world of "me, me, me."
Christine Ricciardi
Long Beach
Weak on security

To the Editor:
I wonder if the people who voted for America's Neville Chamberlain, President Obama, are still happy with their choice. Entrusting America's security to the Democratic party is tantamount to suicide.
Obama, to appease Russia, recently canceled plans for an Eastern European protective missile shield.
He got nothing in return. Next he went to the United Nations and decried alliances between nations, as if NATO wasn't helping us in the "war on terror." Oops, can't use that term, according to the Obama administration.
He then told the U.N. that he is for the elimination of nuclear weapons worldwide — the very weapons that have kept us free and prevented World War III.
The ever-embarrassing Jimmy Carter chimed in with his racist charge against America and his usual anti-Israeli rant. His former adviser and Obama's current adviser, Zbigniew Brzezinski, actually called for shooting down Israeli planes if they attack Iran. Imagine, a Democrat wanting to protect Iran!
Obama's Boy Scout naiveté has gone from being amusing to being downright dangerous.
Robert Nielsen
Baldwin