New York, New York
Dear Editor: With apologies to John Kander and Fred Ebb, allow me to offer an alternate version of “Theme from New York, New York”:
Start spreading the news
I’m leaving this town,
Don’t want to be a part of it
New York, New York
These vagabond crowds
Are wearing me down,
They choke the very heart of me,
New York, New York
I wanna wake up where the
Garbage is not knee-deep,
And where the Gov. is just,
The mayor is sane.
These big town blues
They’re all here to stay,
I’m gonna make a brand new start of it
Off-off Broadway.
And there’s Ms. Liberty,
I guess she don’t want me
I’ll say adieu to you
New York,
No masks and no vax,
Lawmakers ain’t hacks
And where the Constitution rules,
But not New York
And there’s Ms. Liberty,
She thumbs her nose at me,
Good riddance to New York, New York!
Geraldine Gazzara
Flushing
Responses to Reader’s Forum Letters
Dear Editor: I wish to thank all of the writers of letters concerning my letter which was published in the Nov. 20 issue of The Tablet. All of you made good points and I have just a few comments about your letters.
First, Anne Marie Kostner is clear that abortion is the killing of a baby, which I might add is pre-meditated on the part of all involved. President Joe Biden, Nancy Pelosi, and the past governor of New York State, Andrew Cuomo, have all publicly advocated for pro-abortion laws and the creation of laws to make this action legal. They have also been loud in their support of Planned Parenthood, which, as an organization, is at the forefront of delivering abortions in the United States. I agree with your letter and add that the Bishops should address the concern of these powerful leaders receiving Communion.
Also, I am thankful Francisco Mena’s father is well because of the insurance he was able to acquire through the Affordable Care Act, however, abortion laws aim to destroy life, not to cure sickness.
Tom Klocek was clear in his letter focused on the evil of the laws of the nation and some states that allow euthanasia and abortion: These laws are immoral for clear Catholic reasons, traditions, laws, and teaching. To kill a child in the womb, and an aged sick person, has been anathema for over 2,000 years in our faith.
Peter L. Amato
Bay Ridge
Crime in New York City
Dear Editor: Concerning your interview with the outstanding former NYPD Police Commissioner Kelly (“Former NYPD Chief Ray Kelly Sees City at ‘Very Critical Point’,” Dec. 11) and Mr. Kelly’s comments on people leaving the city, for those of us old enough to remember, we have been through this so many times.
I put my faith in New York on one thing: every language in the world is spoken in New York City, particularly the boroughs of Queens and Brooklyn. That alone is a sign of the city’s resiliency. Yes, it’s good to focus on what has to be done: in particular, crime, homelessness, poverty, and mental health. I don’t think, however, that it’s beyond the reach of 10 million people.
Albert Kenneth DiMeglio
Woodside
Gil Hodges Honored
Dear Editor: It was a beautiful surprise this past week learning of the call to induct Gil Hodges into the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame (“Gil Hodges Finally Achieves Baseball Immortality, Enters Hall of Fame,” Dec. 11)
Finally! But Gil Hodges was more than one of the greatest first baseman of all time, he was indisputably a role model. First, as a husband and father, a man of faith and an American hero combat Marine during the Battle of Okinawa. He was awarded a Bronze Star with a “V” for valor.
I had the honor of meeting Gil a couple of times since he was also a member of the American Legion Post where my dad, William Hallahan, was post commander. Prior to that, I had seen Gil many times at Sunday Mass at Our Lady of Help Christians Parish in Midwood, when the Brooklyn Dodgers played their home games at Ebbets Field. He would stand in the back of the last pew so that he could make a quick exit to Ebbets. They used to say that the left side of the Church was in danger of falling because of all the people (mostly kids) at Mass with Gil.
Finally, a salute to Gil’s 95-year-old widow, Joan — who still lives in the OLHC parish — and her family on Gil being inducted into the Hall of Fame.
God Bless and Semper Fi.
Michael P. Hallahan
Stormville, NY