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                                    E dito rialsTake Action Against Crack t ogetherIt may be a coincidence that Borough President Howard Golden anounced his Brooklyn Task Force Against Crack the same week as the City%u2019s police force and community residents marked National Night Out %u2014 but the two could not have come at a better time. Together. If Golden%u2019s task force %u2014 and the countless other groups formed to rally against this newest drug %u2014 are to be anything more than symbols they must work with the police to identify where the problems exist and to push for greater protection.Crack may be a new drug threat, but it%u2019s not a new story. The shooting galleries of the 60%u2019s were just as odious as the crack factories of the 80%u2019s %u2014 and the only way to close up the shops is with an ever-watchful community coupled with police presense. Placards, speeches and rallies are important for raising the public%u2019s consciousness, but are no substitute for arrests. Relentless complaining to the local police precinct about a drug problem in your neighborhood signifies a problem in that area. The mostvoiciiei ous dim n txjuent complaints arc the ones that get iH.iiu*cd first is the lessor, many communities have learned %u2014 so complain loud and often. The police deserve a pat on the back for the crime they stop and deter, but it is easy to forget that they work for each of us %u2014 and the best way to tackle any problem is together.We wish the Borough President and his Task Force much luck in deterring the spread of crack, and certainly he has gathered a notable group of officials to tackle the problem, but would hope that in between the seminars, the rallies and the speeches, each member and his or her agency or department or organization would stretch to do more. While symbols are important in promoting a cause, crack and all drug problems can only be solved by an active relationship between the communities of our city and the police.The ever-menancing threat of crack has been brought to our attention. Now is the time for action so that next year when we open our parks and city streets for the jubilation of a National Night Out, we will have something worth celebrating. And that won%u2019t be any coincidence.S o u n d Q FF F E E D B A C K F R O M R E A D E R SPledge To DeliverThank you very much for the excellent article you wrote entitled %u201cBoro Post Office Launches Plan to Deliver Better Service%u201d that appeared in this week%u2019s Brooklyn, Inc. section. It was well written and factual with informative and encouraging news for our business community.We are committed to providing the best possible delivery service available and appreciate all the support you have given us. %u2014 Dennis R. Draney, Field Director, Marketing and Communications, United States Postal Service, Brooklyn.Who Are Terrorists?Recently I attended the Park Slope Methodist Church to hear Nicaragua%u2019s President Daniel Ortega. The support and communion of the audience with Ortega and through him the Nicaraguan people was strong and thrilling to me. It was evidence of the recent poll showing 2/3 of this country opposed to intervention.Ortega was in New York to present a resolution to the United Nations for full compliance with the World Court decision outlawing military and financial support for the contras. The resolution called for all countries to refrain from %u201csupporting or promoting military actions against any state of the region.%u201dA U.S. vote for the resolution would have contributed toward the peace of the region. Without U.S. aid to the contras, the war against Nicaragua would collapse. But chief American delegate to the U.N., Vernon Walters, said the measure %u201c would not contribute%u201d to a %u201cpeaceful and just settlement of the situation in Central America.%u201d This must be Orwellian Nu-speak similar to President Reagan%u2019s calling the contras %u201cfreedomfighters.%u201dSince the U.S. violates international law by its actions against Nicaragua and now flouts the World Court decision, this puts the Reagan Administration on the side of international lawlessness.By their actions, ye shall know them. Who are the real terrorists? %u2014 Beatrice Rubin, Chairperson, Peace Site, Brooklyn Ethical Society.Vote To Ban TestsDo your readers kno The Soviet Union has not tested nuclear weapons for one year. President Reagan refused to stop testing. On August 8, the House of Representatives voted 234 to 155 to cut off funds for nuclear testing as long as the Soviet Union does not resume testing and permits on-site verification.Now it%u2019s up to the Senate to take an important step for survival by also voting for a binding test ban bill. Call Senator D%u2019Amato 212 947-7393 and Senator Moynihan 212 661-5150. %u2014 Marion Kroaheim, Chairwoman, Flatbush SANE.Angered At ApathyAs community residents we are angered at the apathy of our community and politicians that nothing has been dime to settle the claims against the City for the water main break. We as individuals will not stand by and let the City get away with this. If the community raised its voice to our local politicians perhaps something would be done. So far, ourlocal political representatives have not done a thing to bring this issue to a head.If you recall, the City clearly admitted its responsibility and assured each homeowner of quick settlement of their claims. As is too typical, the City now disclaims any responsibility and is trying to shift the blame to Brooklyn Union Gas. Haven%u2019t we had enough of buckpassing? Well, we have, and we are bringing an action in Small Claims Court. We recommend that each of you do the same, before October 14, 1986 to put increased pressure on both the City and Brooklyn Union Gas to pay us for our loss. %u2014 Sherri Rosen and Howard Einbinder, Cobble Hill.Stop The EvictionI am sitting here holding a 72 hour eviction notice in my hands, while I write this short open letter to your newspaper. I never expected to be thrown into the grouping of the homeless of the City of New York. I faithfully pay my rent every month. I respect my landlord, and his property.I%u2019m taken off guard. What will my family do? My family consists of my mom who is blind due to glaucoma; myself I am disabled due to polio; and my three sons Christopher, Jason, and Brian-Robert. I%u2019ve been in housing court since January. The judge refuses to give us any more extensions. With the help of elected officials, my family has been offered a wonderful apartment with the City of New York Housing Authority; a building especially for the handicapped. I signed the lease on June 13,1986.But because of construction delays I%u2019ve been unable to move into my new apartment. So now I sit here facing disaster. What will happen to my children, who I%u2019m trying to raise to be productive, useful, loving humanS i g n o f t h e J \\ m e sN Y N E X rp a y b e o n s trik e , but th a t d o e sn %u2019t keep lines from form ing w ith people w h o are \te le p h o n e s . ( P h o e n ix /P e a rs o n P h o to )Puna 34 TH P P H O FN IX A nonet 01 1QRfibeings, in a shelter or place like the Arms Hotel.What will happen to their upbringing as they learn about drugs, robbing, stealing, prostitution, and things of that nature? What will happen as they are thrown into two stuffy, roach-infested rooms to await our new apartment. Not very good things I%u2019m sure. I am afraid. Afraid for them. Nothing can be worse for a family than to be placed in such a helpless situation. Thank you for letting me voice my opinion. I%u2019m presently attending Community Bible Institute, Theological Seminary, studying for my degree in theology. %u2014 Antonietta Hall, 210 Fifth Avenue.Church Is ArrogantI would appreciate your publishing the enclosed letter on Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega%u2019s visit to the liberal religious power centers in the United States.The Sanctuary movement and Ortega%u2019s visit to Coffin%u2019s Riverside Church, the Park Slope United Methodist Church in Brooklyn and other religious power centers are of the same scenario. %u2014 Robert B. Heminover, 47 Sand Street, Garnerville, New Ybrk.Radical religious activists, who support the sanctuary movement and control and dominate the mainline Protestant churches and some Catholic factions, constantly display their arrogance.The Rev. William Sloane Coffin, who held a eulogy in his Riverside Church for Communist Sandy Pollack, that was attended by countless notables of the Communist Party, was among those who invited Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega to visit their churches and power centers. Although Nicaragua is armed and supported by Russia, Cuba, Quaddafi and the Communist world, Coffin said that a %u201csuccessful revolution in Central America would ... cast hopeful rays in our direction,%u201d a sentiment widely held by rulers of the mainline churches.Frenzy erupted among the hero worshippers at the Park Slope Methodist Church in Brooklyn on July 27 as their speaker and honored guest, Daniel Ortega, stood in the doorway. Shouts and cheers, feet stamping, hand clapping and waving started again as Ortega stood in front of the crowded sanctuary.Ortega condemned the Pope%u2019s interference in the internal affairs of Nicaragua. He excused the shutdown of La Prensa newspaper and the recent expulsion of a Catholic bishop and a priest by saying, %u201cWe are at war.%u201d If the U.S. pursued Ortega%u2019s policies during the Vietnam War, many churchmen would have been silenced or driven down the streets naked before the public as was a Catholic priest in Nicaragua. Non-activist religious leaders in Nicaragua are controlled by midnight knocks on the door and terror and Mistdto Indians, by burning down their villages.Ortega and his entourage were welcomed by the singing of the anthem of the Sandinista National liberation Front. The U.S. National Anthem had no honor on this occasion.Revolutionary Christians in Nicaragua received $175,0(50 from the World Council of Churches (WCC), $365,000 from the National Council of Churches (NCC) and $100,000 from United Metnodists in addition to other gifts from Methodists and Presbyterians to fight hunger according to Commentary magazine, July 28,1986. Churchmembers are thrice exploited as they finance the NCC and the WCC through their hierarchies whose irresponsible leaders don%u2019t furnish them withContinued on Rage 33
                                
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