LETTERS: Haiti missionaries, LIE trucks and more

Missionaries were unfairly branded

I am appalled that Newsday would print the hate-inciting column by Mary Sanchez . For years, these missionaries had been planning and working on an orphanage in the Dominican Republic, when the earthquake occurred in neighboring Haiti. No official investigation has been completed and the facts are not yet established.

Despite this, Sanchez spews misinformation and venom regarding the missionaries and their motives, calling their actions "appalling," "closed minded" and "arrogant." She describes them as people who took advantage of a desperate situation, who should be branded as an example to others who would display such hubris.

What hubris? The desire to help others and actually doing something about it? These people tried to give aid to those in need. Yes, in their rush to help, they appear to have used poor judgment.

I agree with Sanchez when she says the missionaries should be branded as an example - an example of giving and self-sacrifice. Sanchez and the rest of us could learn a valuable lesson from them.

Michael J. Cisek

East Islip

LIE's center lane isn't truckers' 'fast' lane

I would like to ask a recent letter writer if he's seen the signs indicating a 55 mile-per-hour speed limit on the Long Island Expressway . By my definition, a "slow driver" is one who is driving slower than the posted speed limit. Why should a driver who is traveling at the speed limit be forced into the right lane, and have to deal with vehicles entering the expressway?

I often see cars tailgated by trucks in the center lane, even when they are traveling faster than the posted speed limit. If I choose to drive 55 or 60 in the center lane while trucks wish to drive at 75 (not uncommon), who is truly at fault? The center lane is not the "fast" lane for trucks; it is the lane for trucks to use to maintain the posted speed limit.

Gordon Lewis

New Hyde Park

Don't allow 'city in the suburbs'

Finally someone is saying "scale it down" . Town officials "don't want a city in the suburbs." I couldn't have said it better. Let's hope they follow through. Charles Wang has been threatening Nassau County for way too long. It's about time someone is willing to stand up to him. I live in Nassau County and pay taxes that are insanely too high because I want to live in the suburbs. Let's maintain the integrity of the suburbs.

Judi Seidel

East Meadow