EDITED
EDITORIALS 07-09
THE GOOD . . .
Since the darkest days of September 2001, all of our National Parks were closed for security purposes by the National Parks Service (NPS). Slowly each venue was fortified, inspected, secured and reopened to the public.
Not so, the Lady in the Harbor – she remained closed. That decision cost the city millions of dollars in tourist revenues as visitors to Liberty Island dropped by over 40 percent, or roughly 2.24 million people a year.
Newly-minted Interior Secretary Ken Salazar did good and reopened the Statue – crown and all – on July 4. We applaud the years-long efforts of Congressmember Anthony Weiner who led the fight to reopen the crown. We urge you to plan a family trip to Liberty Island as soon as you can and reclaim your national pride – crown and all.
THE BAD
There is no doubt that Michael Jackson was a legendary entertainer. His fans all over the world are mourning his sudden death, buying up his albums, posters and memorabilia. Memorials and tribute concerts in his honor have been planned and preformed worldwide.
We however, do remember that Michael had another side to his celebrity that was dark and disturbing. We wonder if when he sang the words “I’m bad, I’m bad . . . ,” it wasn’t really a subliminal confession – or perhaps a cry for help.
His own admissions – during an interview – of sleeping with young boys at his Neverland Ranch have always disturbed us deeply. We will always think of Jackson as a genius with flaws.
. . . THE UGLY
The situation in Albany is the ugliest display of “What’s in it for me?” politics imaginable. How selfish, self centered, condescending and supercilious can one group of grownups be? We feel sorry for the few state senators who are being swept up in the perfect storm that created this unique scenario..
We applaude the Comptroller and Governor David Paterson for taking the senators’ paychecks away until they do the work they are paid for – meet together as a body and vote on laws. Do not reward them for their ugly behavior.
