Move terror trials
To The Editor:
Re “Downtown divided over hosting 9/11 terror trials” (news article, Nov. 20-26):
I cannot believe that our representatives are not fighting against the decision to have the 9/11 trial in Lower Manhattan. This is a disgrace to all the taxpayers who live Downtown and survived the 1993 terrorist act, and then the 9/11 terrorism. We lived through so many years of nightmares in our streets and continue to live with the hole in the ground on a daily basis. We also live with the courthouses continuing to be centers of attention for all the city, state and federal crimes.
The 9/11 Commission report outlined the fact that our government overlooked the 1993 terrorist act repercussions. The trial in 1994 of the masterminds of the 1993 act were held in Lower Manhattan and the retribution for that trial was to target Lower Manhattan. Nine-eleven was reported to be significant to the terrorists because of the dates of the indictment in 1993. The terrorists waited 8 years for that retribution. This is not about having a police presence in Lower Manhattan during the trial. What about the next decade after the trial is over?
The government will get lax as the years accumulate and once again we will have another terrorist act in Lower Manhattan. Do not put our Lower Manhattan civilian citizens through any more terrorism. This trial belongs on a military base!
I await action.
Lynn Rogoff
To The Editor:
The federal government’s announcement that the trial of 5 detainees from Guantanamo Bay would take place in a Lower Manhattan courthouse appeared in numerous newspapers, including the Downtown Express which gave it the fullest coverage (news article, Nov. 20 – 26, “Downtown divided over hosting 9/11 terror trials”).
But, nearly all the reports mentioned the huge sums required for “enhanced security” that the Federal Government may give New York. One trial figure for the media circus extra costs was $75 million promised by Mr. Holder to Sen. Schumer. That’s a modest beginning.
Since Khalid Shaikh Mohammed has already been tortured at our infamous detention center, demonized by the press, and found guilty by President Obama who predicted a conviction and a death sentence, why waste so much money on a celebrity fiend? Except for the N.Y.P.D. bureaucracy and the manufacturers of state-of-the-art security gear, who will profit from the trial?
As a resident of the Civic Center area living on Park Row, I had the full brunt of the N.Y.P.D. “security” show, which amounted to converting Park Row into Parking Nirvana, torturous noise from the sirens, horns, beepers, car alarms, and new gadgetry on cop cars. Along with the 24-hour infernal sounds, there was an equal dose of toxic air, mayhem from traffic snarls, and disorder brought about by the “security” police. Commissioner Kelly’s reign of terror destroyed many small businesses in Chinatown, wreaked havoc with people’s health, and contributed to a 21st century replay of “Dante’s Inferno,” at a high price.
The public officials who went along with President Obama’s irresponsible decision deserve to be tried in the People’s Court at the next election. Remember not to vote for Schumer, Silver, Nadler, or Michael Bloomberg.
And we would do well to remember the words of James Thurber: “Ill fares the land, to galloping fears a-prey, when gobbledygook accumulates, and words decay.”
Shelly Estrin
Dog mess
To The Editor:
Certain dog-owning Gateway residents are destroying the esplanade. You know who you are. You let your dogs defecate and urinate in the middle of the walkway, with little or no cleanup. The back entrance to Gateway (by Steamer’s Landing) has become a stinking mess.
Not only is it illegal, it’s unhealthy and disgusting. Children play there. Tourists walk there. The Gateway segment of our beautiful park looks like a Third World back alley.
Gateway residents pride themselves on being the first settlers in Battery Park City. Take some pride in your neighborhood. Clean up after your dogs. Have a staff member scrub and hose the esplanade behind the building each day. You and your neighbors will all be a lot happier.
Dr. Gerald A. Hanweck, Jr.
“Canal a little more clear,” (photo caption, posted Nov. 19):
Like I always said, the police could get rid of almost all the illegal vending downtown if they just enforced the law.
Tim
“Hands off this turkey” (photo caption , posted Nov. 19):
Zelda is justly famous. I was thinking of her only last weekend, while attending the annual meeting of the New York State Wildlife Rehabilitation Council. A colleague was talking about rescued turkeys, how they fit right into a normal routine wherever they land, and are surprisingly friendly critters. And there is Zelda, a perfect example of wildlife finding a place in the city.
Don Jenner
