Letters, April 21: Israel and Carter, parental profanity, state troopers

April 21, 2008

Flags of our candidates

In the interest of fairness, I think every media outlet that has bashed Sen. Barack Obama and questioned his patriotism because he does not happen to wear a lapel pin of the American flag on his jacket every day should explain why they are not going after Sen. Hillary Clinton for not wearing one on her jacket, as well. And while we are at it, they should check Sen. John McCain's coat every single day to make sure his isn't missing, because if it is, it must mean he hates America, right?

Joe Chiplock

Manhattan

Israel should not snub Carter

I am angered at the report that our so-called closest ally in the Middle East, one touted as the only democracy in that troubled part of the world, a nation which basks in our annual generosity and thrives under our military and intelligence support, has not only snubbed one of our former presidents, but has denied his U.S. Secret Service detail normal Israeli-supplied security cooperation ["Israeli brass cold to Carter," News, April 14].

It is unconscionable that President Jimmy Carter, on his recent trip to help broker a peace agreement between Hamas and Israel, has been denied this cooperation. The political snub is one thing, but to compromise the security of one of our former presidents is quite another matter altogether.

Robert Kalin

Miller Place

Parents must set verbal example

The article regarding keeping kids from repeating profanity amazed me ["What did you say?" LI Life, April 6]. Have we all forgotten that children live what they learn? Today parents liberally sprinkle conversation with swear words. Parents flout laws and conventions (by talking on cell phones while driving, for example). They uphold their children clearly in the wrong in their bad, sometimes terrible behavior. Each evening we invite into our homes "reality shows" wherein every societal taboo is broken and people like Donald Trump and Simon Cowell destroy folks in front of an audience. We wonder then why our children go to school the next day and are either bullied or bullies. Didn't they learn this behavior the night before?

Where does instilling a conscience come in? Something tells me in future years we will have a lot more to worry about than global warming.

Jacqueline Beh

West Sayville

Troopers ready for all duties

Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy and Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi have both spoken of the possibility of a gradual pullback of their highway patrol officers on specific expressways if the state does not provide funding for the officers ["LI way or the highway," News, April 2]. County officials have also said if that occurs, state troopers should patrol those roads.

The New York State Troopers Police Benevolent Association has a good working relationship with county patrol officers and believes these officers do a great job of patrolling the roads. The PBA is not in favor of taking patrol areas away from county or other local law enforcement officers. However, if the state orders our troopers to expand their coverage areas to include these particular highways, we will do so in the professional, experienced manner in which our troopers handle all law enforcement duties.

Troopers are often called to high-crime areas or to areas in need during emergencies. Troopers are proud to assist whenever and wherever they are needed, and will continue their readiness for such incidents.

Peter Nunziata

Brentwood

Editor's note: The writer is Troop L delegate with the New York State Troopers Police Benevolent Association.

Newsday welcomes letters of 200 words or fewer. Include name, address, day and night telephone numbers, and relevant political or other interests. Send e-mail to letters@newsday.com, fax to 631-843-2986 or mail to Letters, Newsday, 235 Pinelawn Rd., Melville, NY 11747. Letters will be edited, become property of Newsday and may be republished in any format.