Daily Archives: July 29, 2017

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

Saturday, July 29, 2017, 3:00 AM

Brooklyn: In response to Voicer Candy Cipriani s request for people to look up from your phone, please, I am in total agreement. Everywhere I look there are people young and old alike casting their glance downward to check their phones.

As I am driving to work early in the morning, there are people crossing the streets, riding their bikes, running to catch a train or bus clutching tightly onto their phones. As hard as it is to believe, I even see joggers looking at their phones as they are running!

All of this is disturbing to witness because these people are so fixated on their devices, they are missing out on the amazing sites and sounds this world has to offer. The most disturbing is to see parents, guardians or nannies crossing the street with a child either walking beside them or pushing a child in a stroller all the while chatting away on their phone while the young child is left to trail next to them in danger sometimes because the adult they are with is more interested in their phone conversation than the safety of the young child they are with. I call these children CPOs Cell Phone Orphans.

Please wake up, parents, guardians and nannies these children are young for a precious short time. Dont you think they deserve your undivided attention? Engage with them while you can and make them feel more important than the caller you are neglecting them for. Margaret D. Mirailh

Far Rockaway: People keep talking about illegal immigration, what about so-called legal immigration? Im talking about all the Russians who arrived in NYC during Rudy Giulianis reign as mayor. The Russians arrived at JFK with Section 8 apartments, SSI, welfare and food stamps already in their hands. Thats what was happening in those compounds President Obama shut down. The Russians in those compounds had access to all social service, Social Security and all other government databases. They were hooking their people up and many resided in Trump Tower. In the meantime, Americans who were eligible and waiting for these benefits were put on long waiting lists. What about that? Sandra Smith

Salem, N.H.: Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski should have the courage to bring criminal extortion charges against President Trump! He has threatened her and Alaska, if she doesnt do what he says. I hope she seriously considers this! Shirley Kerman

North Arlington, N.J.: I think President Trump makes a valid point in citing the increased medical costs transgender people serving in the military bring. Lets say Robert, who is transgender, joins the Army. He then makes it known that he wishes to have a sex change operation. Upon completion of his/her surgery, and rehab, he enlists an attorney who informs the Army that he no longer wishes to serve. The reason being that Roberta never would have joined the Army. The taxpayers are stuck with the bill for the surgery, and a cottage industry is born. Armand Rose

Flushing: What next? Will President Trump dig up the graves of transgender soldiers and sailors who gave up their lives for their country and who are buried in Arlington Cemetery, in order to remove them? Saul Grossman

Seaford, L.I.: The author Ayn Rand has influenced many capitalists over the years. Donald Trump and members of his White House team are firmly in her camp. Rands philosophy of objectivism (individualism) can be summed up as Every man for himself. She promoted a form of free enterprise that leaves behind the poor, middle class, sick and aging. As we inch closer to The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged, by putting ourselves before others, and disregarding the affect our actions have on others, our individual freedoms slowly start to slip away. This is not fiction, but real life. Moral questions abound. Socialism exists in our world because self-centeredness also does. The U.S. is not the first great civilization to travel down this egotistical road and will not be the last. At some point though, they all collapsed into moral poverty. We need to plot a different course. Our current GPS needs a new destination. Bob Bascelli

Brooklyn: I enlisted and served in the Air Force between 1965 and 1969. Those who criticize President Trump for being reluctant to serve in the military should be happy he didnt. Would you be comfortable having a coward covering your back? Anyone who volunteers and vows to serve and protect our country should be honored for their service. Back in the 1960s, and with the airmen I served with, Trump would be considered a Dirt Bag. I hope others who served will also write in to Voicers and tell their stories about how they were proud to wear their uniform and were loyal to their fellow brothers and sisters. Kenneth Ackermann

Kearny, N.J.: What is it with this guy, Trump? He goes before the Boy Scouts, curses (in violation of the Scout Oath to be clean in speech), attacks the media and the last President, and brags about his Electoral College victory and crowd size (get over yourself, dude, they were there for their Jamboree, not you). This man is the antithesis of a role model to the Scouts and the values they represent. Theyd have done just as well if theyd invited O.J. Simpson or R. Kelly to speak to them. John Woodmaska

Suffern, N.Y.: So many times, in tragedies such as the police killing of Justine Damond in Minneapolis, I return to my thinking when I was a police officer. I remember the apprehension, and concern when approaching a suspect in a situation that appeared to be dangerous. The point of this message has been offered before many many times. When a police officer gives a command, just do what the command dictates. If there is cooperation, the level of apprehension and concern diminishes and the issue can be resolved without unnecessary escalation. Just do what the cop says to do. Simple. Bob Gould

Lewes, Del.: The picture of the moving of the Kosciusko Bridge brought back memories. Growing up in the Marble Hill Houses we watched the old Broadway turnstile bridge at 225th St. being floated out and the new lift bridge that was built down at 207th St. floated in. For a 12-year-old, it was quite the sight. Kevin Bell

Manhattan: To Voicer Juanita M. Johnson: As a non-payer of rent going on 24 months, I was amused by your suggestion that the laws ought to be changed to allow for the expedited removal of people like me within 60 days. Have you never heard that justice is the firm and continuous desire to render to everyone that which is his due? Desires take time. You seem to believe the law confers upon couples with children some special advantage over other litigants in eviction matters. As a happy, loyal, repeat respondent in Manhattan Housing Court, I can assure you they do not. You say the judge in your brothers case made a mistake. Bad precedents? Maybe. But outright error? The burden to present the facts in arguments lies solely with plaintiffs and it beggars belief to insist your brother did just that and the judge was somehow misled and made a mistake anyway. I do not know whether justice ultimately triumphed in your case but I do know karma simply owed me one in mine. Aydin Torun

Bellerose: If private companies really want to help straphangers, let them pledge not to discipline their employees for documented transit delays. Why isnt Gov. Cuomo talking about that, instead of flowers and light shows? Robert Berger

Waco, Tex.: The closing of a burrito shop in Portland, Ore. owned by two white women over claims of cultural appropriation in The Portland Mercury newspaper is absurd. I dont have all the facts, but here in Texas, we have Mexican food on every corner. Most of the eateries are owned by Mexican-Americans, but many are owned by whites, so what is their point? Appears to be a typical narrow-minded opinion, or sensationalized journalism. David Rosen

Oak Ridge, N.J.: Are you kidding me? Todd Frazier hits into a triple play and theres barely a mention of it during the postgame; yea it was the Yanks that did it but come on man, how friggin often does it happen? Jim Heimbuch

Go here to read the rest:

Readers sound off on cellphones, Donald Trump and Ayn Rand - New York Daily News

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

Friday, July 28, 2017, 7:00 PM

Manhattan: Attorney Damien Brown, representing Tymel Abrams, who was shot by police officers and arrested on gun charges last Friday night, was quoted as saying that Abrams is adamant that he was unarmed, and that we should look into the actions of the officers involved in the incident (Atty: Client shot by cops wasnt armed, July 23).

Its one thing for a lawyer to plead his clients innocence and quite another to impugn the integrity of police officers without factual basis. Actually, it is an outrage given the overwhelming evidence in this particular case. These brave officers responded to the sound of shots fired and saw Abrams pursuing another man while clearly armed with a handgun. They confronted him and ordered him to stop, and when he turned toward them, with the gun still in his hand, an officer fired, striking Abrams in the thigh. Abrams continued running and tossed the gun to the sidewalk, where it was immediately recovered by police. Much of this incident is captured on video, including the foot pursuit and Abrams discarding his pistol.

Has the reflexive disparagement and resulting distrust of our hardworking police gone so far that members of the public now casually question cops honesty simply because a criminal with a history of gun possession adamantly denies his current charges after being caught in the act?

This is precisely the behavior I spoke about earlier this month at the funeral of Detective Miosotis Familia, who was targeted, ambushed and assassinated by another criminal with clear disdain for our uniformed men and women, and our nations rule of law. This is how cops the very people who choose to step forward to protect our neighborhoods and everyone in them become vilified by the public: when unfounded, outlandish accusations lacking footholds in reality are offhandedly uttered at arraignments and repeated in the next days newspaper.

As I said two weeks ago in the Bronx: Hate has consequences. There is a distinct apathy among some of those we serve regarding the work and role of our dedicated police officers. Adding to a misguided narrative by smearing the honest efforts of societys greatest protectors is both disingenuous and contemptible.

Last Friday, these officers went directly toward the danger and possibly saved a life by interrupting Abrams actions. As far as the attorneys suggestion that someone should look into the actions of the officers, I certainly will, and very likely will commend them for taking another gun, and another dangerous, armed criminal, off the streets of New York City. Police Commissioner James P. ONeill

Brooksville, Fla.: Hillary Clinton ignored and insulted the basket of deplorables, and destroyed thousands of emails. Her shady pay-to-play as secretary of state is the only cause of her losing last Novembers election. She continues to exhibit bad judgment with another poor-me book that does not matter to anyone but her (Hillary Clintons election book titled What Happened, July 27). A cynical view is that she is doing it for the money. Apparently, no public service can go unexploited by her. Everyone knew she wanted it too much anyways. Why? She could not even serve out her secretary of state position. Maybe the joke is on the public either way, but most of us feel better off without her. Michael Connelly

Manhattan: I see squadrons of so-called traffic cops who do nothing but ticket parked cars. I get that it produces revenue, but if New York City cares little for human life as is evident in paltry failure-to-yield summonses and simultaneous green lights and walk signs for pedestrians in the most dangerous places in the city then perhaps they will be inspired to hire and assign more cops to enforce speeding and other traffic laws. Linda Reynolds

Utica, N.Y.: Sen. John McCain risked his fragile health to fly across the country, in order to cast his vote to take health care away from 25 million Americans (John McCain, A Man Of Supreme Honor, Op-Ed, July 25). I ask Richard Cohen: Is that the act of a wholly honorable man? No, it isn't. That would be the act of one of those drizzle of apparatchiks that you see in Washington, one of the coterie of sycophants who have gathered around President Trump. A truly honorable McCain would stand up to Trump and Sen. Mitch McConnell. He would, loudly and proudly, vote to allow those 25 million Americans the same health benefits that enable him to fight his terrible cancer! Time for McCain to act with supreme honor. Jeff Ganeles

Bronx: I remember when the last President Bush looked the nation in the eye during a State of the Union speech and said he supported the Federal Marriage Amendment, and I remember the super-conservative Attorney General John Ashcroft going out of his way to publicize his prosecution of an anti-gay double murder. It was easy to be proud to be an American with examples like them, even if I wasnt always happy. Now President Trump uses Twitter to stab his attorney general and transgender servicemembers his most loyal employees in the back, and pride doesnt come so easily. But I know that I want to see things get better, I know who I and the rest of us are, and I am an American. Jorge Sierra

Manhattan: Trumps senseless persecution of transgender Americans is cowardly and disgusting. His so-called justifications are fabrications and out-and-out lies. Who are these expert advisers? Let them come out of their closet for all to see. Can Trump go any lower than this? Time will tell. Dick Ziegenfuss

Houston: Former transgender Navy SEAL Kristin Beck says that being transgender does not affect military service. But transgender is not acceptable as normal by the majority of American society. There are only two genders. One should not force their beliefs on others, as the liberal agenda attempts to do. Joe Wojcik

Staten Island: The LGBTQ community should pull an Atlas Shrugged on the current administration by going on strike to protest President Trumps latest smack in the face to transgender Americans regarding service in our military. Let every one of us, working in every single type of business across all of the United States, stop working for several days. Perhaps then Mr. Trump will see how important, valuable and even vital LGBTQ people are to the success of the American way of life. Lillian Pennino

Marion, Ky.: Sex is the ultimate driving force of all species and many times it causes violence and death within a species. To argue otherwise is ignorant. Its hard enough to control straight folks within the military. Throw in transgenders. Now thats even more of a problem. Remove transgenders from the military by all means possible. Its just not the place for them. The only purpose it serves for transgenders is they get a free sex change. Bill Frazer

New Rochelle, N.Y.: Arthur Caplan argues that, sometimes, medicine must say no more (After Charlie Gard, learning tough truths, July 25). Medicine cant talk. Medicine cant think. Medicine cant act. People do so. Caplans sleight of hand substituting medicine for people is a good but dirty trick. He knows that it leaves no one responsible and makes the end of treatment easier. Tom McFarland

Manhattan: Football can be fun. Its fun to run and dodge, its fun to throw, catch, tackle and block. Whats not fun is running head-first into a brick wall at 30 mph. Thats the impact equivalent of a helmet hit that occurs over and over, until your brain is permanently damaged. Lets dump all the collision gear that has turned our players into crash-test dummies, and start playing the game again. John Van Couvering

Ridgewood, N.J.: An eye for an eye. Tow their cars, bar armed feds carrying weapons, check them at the door, from all city buildings. New Yorkers governing bodies should cut all special protections from federal buildings, and Trump properties. If feds want someone for immigration, make them get a judicial warrant, not just an ICE detainer. Peter J. Peirano

See more here:

Readers sound off on NYPD smears, Hillary Clinton and transgender service - New York Daily News

The Fountainhead, part 1, chapter 11

The second person to visit Roarks new office is Peter Keating, whos full of praise and congratulations for his old college pal. Roark is just as warm and gracious as youd expect:

He walked in, without warning, one noon, walked straight across the room and sat down on Roarks desk, smiling gaily, spreading his arms wide in a sweeping gesture: Well, Howard! he said. Well, fancy that! Your own office, your own name and everything! Already! Just imagine!

Who told you, Peter?

Oh, one hears things. You wouldnt expect me not to keep track of your career, now would you? You know what Ive always thought of you. And I dont have to tell you that I congratulate you and wish you the very best.

No, you dont have to.

Have you ever heard the word gratitude, Roark? Really, you should try it sometime. It wont hurt, I promise. Here, you can use this as a template: Thank you, Peter, thats a very nice thing for you to say.

As with Hank Rearden and his wife in Atlas Shrugged, when Roark has to talk to someone he doesnt like, he can only communicate in surly, mumbled monosyllables. This applies even when that person is trying to give him a compliment. Its a thoroughly passive-aggressive and, dare I say it, adolescent way of expressing his displeasure.

Keating points out that Roark has taken an awful chance by going into business for himself so early in his career with nothing to fall back on, and Roark shrugs it off:

Have you thought about getting your registration?

Ive applied for it.

Youve got no college degree, you know. Theyll make it difficult for you at the examination.

Probably.

What are you going to do if you dont get the license?

Ill get it.

Rand excels at putting fake obstacles in her heroes path, pseudo-problems they can overcome by sheer force of will. But as we saw last week, when Rand has a chance to script a realistic challenge, she brushes it off.

Most states and countries have strict professional requirements to be licensed as an architect (as well they should; you dont want someone to build a skyscraper that falls down). In almost every jurisdiction, one of those requirements is a degree in architecture which, oops, Roark doesnt have.

In New York States actual requirements, which seem the most relevant, you need a total of 12 credits to be licensed, which are derived from a combination of education and work experience. Completing a professional degree from a school accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board gives you 9, but again, Roark was expelled without getting his. Is it possible for him to get to 12 regardless?

If you dont have a degree, you can get 2 credits for each year of completed coursework at an NAAB-accredited school, up to a maximum of 7. Roark was expelled in 1922, after three years (he was a year behind Peter Keating, and was expelled at the same time Keating graduated), so that would be 6. Then you can get one additional credit for each year of work experience under a certified architect. Presumably, his time with Henry Cameron, Guy Francon and John Erik Snyte would all count towards this.

Problem: Roark worked for Cameron for less than three years. He was expelled in the summer of 1922, moved to New York and began work for Cameron soon thereafter, but Cameron retired in February 1925. Roark was scooped up by Guy Francon at Peter Keatings urging, but only lasted a few months before being fired. Then he was hired by John Erik Snyte, but he only worked there for five months before he met Austen Heller and quit. At most, hed have 3 credits of work experience.

No matter how you slice it, Roark cant get to 12 credits. Under current law, its impossible for him to be licensed to practice as an architect in New York State. And thats without even considering the requirement that an architect be of good moral character. He doesnt exactly have a lot of friends wholl write character references for him.

Rand apparently couldnt think of a way to overcome this problem, so she just handwaves it away. Neither the exam nor the license is ever mentioned again, so were left to wonder how (or whether!) Roark passed.

Keating says he assumes Roark will be joining the Architects Guild of America, slipping in a little self-deprecating humor:

Well, I guess Ill be seeing you now at the A.G.A., if you dont go high hat on me, because youll be a full-fledged member and Im only a junior.

Im not joining the A.G.A.

What do you mean, youre not joining? Youre eligible now.

Possibly.

Youll be invited to join.

Tell them not to bother.

What!

You know, Peter, we had a conversation just like this seven years ago, when you tried to talk me into joining your fraternity at Stanton. Dont start it again.

You wont join the A.G.A. when you have a chance to?

I wont join anything, Peter, at any time.

It appears that Roark is channeling the old Groucho Marx line about not joining any club that would have him as a member.

Its not that he doesnt know what hes doing. When Keating points out that hes making things harder for himself by refusing to join the AGA, Roark just agrees: I am. And when Keating cautions him that hell surely make enemies of other architects if he snubs their invitation, Roark says coolly, Ill make enemies of them anyway.

Its not clear what principle Roark is standing on, if any. Theres a difference between being an uncompromising individualist and being a deliberately standoffish misanthrope. Not wanting to follow current fashions in architecture is one thing, but refusing even to associate with other architects can only be seen as him broadcasting his contempt for the rest of the profession which of course, he is.

This is another example of how Ayn Rand had to go to the exact opposite extreme of any belief system she rejected. She disliked the idea that you could become successful by exploiting personal or professional connections, so she wrote a hero who refuses to form any connections at all. She hated the idea of being forced to join a collective, so her hero refuses to join any group for any reason. Someone who was merely an individualist would just want to do his own thing, but as far as Roark is concerned, its not enough to stand out from the crowd. You also have to make it crystal-clear that you consider everyone else beneath you.

Image credit: Hendrik Dacquin, released under CC BY 2.0 license

Other posts in this series:

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The Fountainhead: Roark the Groucho - Patheos (blog)