Lesser-evilism is just bad
To The Editor:
Re “No matter who wins…protest the inauguration!” (talking point, by Bill Weinberg, Oct. 27):
Mr. Weinberg is apparently very confused. He says he intends to vote for Hillary Clinton on Nov. 8 and then protest her inauguration if she wins — in effect, protesting against himself. He will do this to express his disdain for her warlike policies, while using his vote to enable those policies. Weinberg has embraced this peculiar “political schizophrenia” in order to keep Trump out of the White House.
Lesser-evilism is as old as two-party politics in America. In the 1960s, Barry Goldwater was the liberals’ boogyman, useful for keeping the Democratic faithful docile. In recent years, that role has been played by Bob Dole, George W. Bush, John McCain and Mitt Romney. Meanwhile, the Democratic leadership keeps moving farther and farther to the right.
True progressives need to vote for Jill Stein. Like all Green Party candidates, she receives no corporate or war machine donations. A vote for Hillary is a vote for war; a vote for Jill is a vote for peace. (Contrary to Mr. Weinberg’s lurid allegation, Stein supports a peaceful settlement in Syria by disarming all parties — not an Assad victory.) And if Stein gets just 5 percent of the total vote, the Greens will receive millions in federal funds and major-party status for 2020.
I will join Weinberg in protesting Clinton if she wins — but, unlike Weinberg, I won’t be protesting against myself.
John David Baldwin
‘More mobile munchies’?
To The Editor:
Re “Bill would double number of food vendor permits” (news article, Nov. 3):
This article tells us: “New Yorkers may be able to enjoy more mobile munchies over the next several years as the City Council considers a package of bills aimed at improving conditions for the city’s many street vendors.”
Is this a news item or a public-relations press release? I couldn’t continue to read this article.
Minerva Durham
Thanks for B.I. report
To The Editor:
Re “Downsized Beth Israel could be done in 4 years” (news article, Oct. 27):
Your article on Beth Israel was excellent. Not having a hospital on the West Side for a number of miles is one of my issues.
Norma Courrier
Negrin has the right angle
To The Editor:
Re “Triangle tricky business” (letter, by Howard Negrin, Nov. 3):
Howard Negrin’s comments on the arrogance of the group proposing this modern street-art attachment to the famous landmarked Brown Building — site of the tragedy of the Triangle Fire of 1911 — highlight the egregious acts committed and the standard transparency protocols omitted by this ad hoc coalition. And this was all done with the assistance of our local politicians and city agencies — and the involvement of our governor, too!
There was no Community Board 2 review of any of these plans. It was a well-kept secret within a society of entitlement proponents. And, it is not acceptable to this neighborhood or the community. Have any of these high-placed educators realized that 21 Washington Place, right across the street from the Brown Building, was the birthplace of esteemed author Henry James? Perhaps they can cut out his name to fly through the air, too?
Mary Johnson
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