2 GOP Hopefuls Reveal ‘Absurdities’ in FCNP
Editor,
I want to thank the FCNP for reporting the absurd comments of two GOP candidates, Keith Fimian, during his debate with the incumbent, Rep. Gerry Connolly, and New York Republican gubernatorial candidate, Carl Paladino. FCNP’s Nicholas Benton records Fimian’s statements that came during the face-to-face debate with incumbent U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly and included the following remarks by Fimian: “anyone who is a friend of unions” is not pro business,… “ global warming is inconclusive.”
2 GOP Hopefuls Reveal ‘Absurdities’ in FCNP
Editor,
I want to thank the FCNP for reporting the absurd comments of two GOP candidates, Keith Fimian, during his debate with the incumbent, Rep. Gerry Connolly, and New York Republican gubernatorial candidate, Carl Paladino. FCNP’s Nicholas Benton records Fimian’s statements that came during the face-to-face debate with incumbent U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly and included the following remarks by Fimian: “anyone who is a friend of unions” is not pro business,… “ global warming is inconclusive.”
In addition, during the Tuesday debate held at GMU, Congressman Connolly noted that he voted against the “don’t ask don’t tell”, military policy towards lesbians and gays, while Fimian said, “the decision should be made by senior brass.” At this point in the debate, Fimian’s support for the policy that has prevented thousands of Americans from fulfilling military service was obvious. It appears that more than one GOP candidate seems to be hung up on the issue of gay and lesbian American rights, which for some reason, has become a campaign favorite among the extreme conservatives issues.
The FCNP article, The Bloody Path of Victory by W. Benson, then reported that GOP governor hopeful Carl Paladino “trashed the LGBT community” saying, “I don’t want children to be brainwashed into thinking that homosexuality is an equally valid and successful option, it isn’t!” citing that Paladino’s situation went from uncomfortable to downright embarrassing,” when it was revealed that the candidates son, William, had once run a gay Buffalo nightclub”.
Just hours after Paladino’s remarks, the NY Daily News reported that Paladino, who spent much time attacking what he calls “the homosexual agenda,” cashed in on gay clubs Cobalt, & Buddies ll. According to the NY Daily News, Paladino’s “son William, ran Cobalt up to 2004, a nightclub dubbed Buffalo’s gay club of the moment & that Carl Paladino cashed fat rent checks from Buffalo gay bars Buddies ll and Cobalt.
Keith Conway
Vienna
Chilean Miners Powerful Example of Solidarity
Editor,
The trapped miners recently rescued in Chile offer a lesson for all of us regarding the immense importance of solidarity and the pursuit of the common good.
Is there a lesson for all of us who are getting ready to go to the polls on Nov. 2? I think so. I would say the lesson is the need for solidarity and concern for the common good. The rescued miners were not forgetful of those left behind, because they were in solidarity with those still trapped. Many of us in America are no longer trapped in poverty; we have made it, so to speak. But how many of us have concern about those left behind, those still trapped at the socioeconomic bottom?
The actions of the miners before rescue – sharing food, and counselling and caring for each other, reminds us of our obligations to be involved in the political process, so that solidarity – the fact that us are of the same human family none of us travel alone in life – and the common good can be advanced. We, the voters, have responsibilities for the direction of public life; and we can begin to meet those responsibilities by voting for candidates who are cognizant of the need for solidarity and committed to promoting the common good.
We need to know the answers to these questions, in order to make good decisions at the polls on Nov. 2.
John Horejsi
Vienna
May Elections Are Referenda on Budgets
Editor,
One thing I haven’t seen mentioned in the move to keep election day in May is that we get to vote right after the City Council finalizes the budget. I think this one simple circumstance overwhelms all the other arguments. City Council tells us how much the school budget will be, and what our tax rate will be, then we tell them whether or not they keep their positions a few weeks later.
Those who show up and vote are those who pay attention, and care. Nobody is “suppressed”; polls are just as near and just as open in May as in November. I’d even like to see a Constitutional amendment making federal elections fall in the week after tax returns are due, rather than having those days nearly as far apart as the calendar will allow.
Dan Fitzgerald
Falls Church
Baffled by Lack of Signal Light Coordination in F.C.
Editor,
In the spirit of conserving energy and moving traffic more efficiently, I am perplexed at the seemingly unjustified timing of traffic lights at various local street intersections. Optimization of the timing of signals would certainly save energy spent by cars waiting for a signal change when no perpendicular traffic is present. A case in point, the intersection of Haycock and Great Falls. Quite often there are 6 or more cars on Great Falls waiting at the red-light with no cars in sight on Haycock. I don’t know who decides and implements the timing, but it merits investigation because of the waste of energy and time.
Andrew Cosgarea, Jr.
Via the internet
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