Where Were The Flags?
To The Editor:

Today is Veterans' Day. A day we should remember our present and fallen heroes. But for some reason, when driving up and down blocks in my neighborhood, I didn't find flags flying or banners in any windows. I wonder if we have forgotten that freedom is not free. I wonder: have we forgotten that freedom came with a price?

I'm a Viet Nam vet. I served my country in Viet Nam from 1966-1970. I'm very proud of that service. Every Veterans' Day I remember my fallen friends and heroes and honor them in my own way.

While driving around, I feel that we all take our freedom for granted. I don't give a hoot what your views are about the war in Iraq. The men and women who are over there serving our country, your country, deserve all our respect and support. Today is Veterans' Day and we should not forget our veterans. Hang a flag on a pole or in a window. Don't take your freedom for granted. It cost a lot of lives for you and your families to live in America, the land of the free, the home of the brave. Jerry Basile Astoria Now It's Dems' Turn To The Editor:

It is not that the Democrats won; rather, the Republicans lost. Their abuses, scandals, isolation from Main Street, their paternal demands and their blind Iraq policies cost the GOP the election.

The Democrats now have the obligation and duty to serve the welfare of the nation. They can no longer be snipers taking pot shots at a failed administration. They must decide to lead or suffer the consequences of shirking their responsibilities.

The goal should not be the White House in 2008, rather a stronger more unified America. By seeking this above political aims, the Democrats will secure a hold on power that will last until they assume that power is theirs by right. The Republicans' downfall resulted from failing to serve the people, rather than their own interests.

For those who hope to make the White House home, the election results make clear winning the presidency can and should only be achieved by addressing the issues and threats confronting the U.S. in a bipartisan manner. By listening to opponents and considering diverse opinions, a presidential candidate will earn the respect and trust of the voters. The times demand that anyone who believes they are qualified for the highest office have the courage to speak loudly and clearly, creating a mandate that binds the nation together. Edward Horn Baldwin, New York Toscano Had It Right To The Editor:

Once again, "Did Pataki, GOP Miss Chance To Get Hevesi Out?" (I On Politics by John Toscano, Gazette, November 8) was insightful reporting.

Four years ago, former New York State Republican Assembly Minority Leader John Faso ran a very credible race against Hevesi and almost pulled an upset. Fortunately for Hevesi, the GOP selected as their sacrificial lamb Saratoga County Treasurer Christopher Callaghan.

Clearly, Comptroller Hevesi's campaign handlers had no interest in providing his Republican-Conservative Party opponent Callaghan a free forum to explain his positions on issues of the day. They were all too aware that Comptroller Hevesi's recent scandal would naturally come up for discussion during the debate. This scandal would be amplified once again in media coverage during and following the debate over several days. The net result was continued creative excuses for no debates on the part of [the] Hevesi campaign until the eleventh hour. That was their winning 2006 Rose Garden reelection strategy.

Since he was nominated several months ago at the Republican Party State Convention, everyone knew that Callaghan would never have the millions of dollars needed for weekly television, radio and print media buys. Callaghan did little more than send out E-mails and press releases, along with giving speeches at local civic associations who would have him. This was insufficient for any underdog candidate to remain competitive. He couldn't build up name recognition against an incumbent. The perks of office allowed Hevesi to do this over the past four years. In addition, he also had a 5,500,000 Democratic to 3,200,000 Republican enrollment advantage. Despite Hevesi's scandals, it was always a forgone conclusion that he would be reelected. All he had to do is stay in hiding until Election Day.

Too bad Faso's ego has him running a hopeless campaign for governor. Given all the baggage Hevesi has, Faso could have provided voters with a credible alternative to Hevesi. Faso, unlike Callaghan, would have had name recognition and the funding necessary to actually use the Hevesi scandal to his advantage. Faso could have actually had a real chance building upon his 2002 race for state comptroller when he captured 47 percent of the vote to have tried a second time and been elected state comptroller in 2006 as the only GOP statewide office holder. In the end, Spitzer cleaned his clock as did Hevesi with Callaghan! Sincerely, Larry Penner Great Neck Cheers UFT-NYC Contract To The Editor:

The UFT and Mayor [Michael] Bloomberg have at last acted as partners to meet the educational needs of this city. Their new contract, settled a year ahead of schedule, hit the headlines on the eve of Election Day.

As a parent of kids in the school system, I was especially glad to see that the teachers' union succeeded in protecting time that they spend helping kids learn in the classroom from being sacrificed and siphoned off.

Most teachers I've talked to don't complain about having to spend plenty of unpaid time planning lessons and grading homework and exams. They realize it is part of the job and they love their work. But they also object to being pulled away to do tons of paperwork that has nothing to do with education.

I'm glad that the UFT put kids first as part of their contract negotiations. That tells me that they are partners with kids, parents, and the whole city.

My son is on the gymnastics team of his high school and my daughter is an editor of her school's newspaper, and they are celebrating the new teachers' union contract. Why should they care?

My son's athletic season ends in mid- March, but his coach got no pay for the many hours he worked after early January. To do the job right simply took much more time than the old contract allowed. For the same reason, my daughter's faculty advisor also donated big blocks of her own time. That happens all the time throughout the city.

The old contract wasn't fair to my kids' teachers, but they weren't going to stop their work like a car stops when it runs out of gas. They weren't going to let down my kids' trust.

The new contract will pay for 12 additional sessions for coaches and some extracurricular activities like school newspapers or drama performances. That's good news.

The even greater news for some people is that a union like the United Federation of Teachers is made up of tens of thousands of members who are not only on salary, but also work for a "psychic wage": dedication and personal satisfaction.

When I read that the United Federation of Teachers and Mayor Bloomberg reached a contract settlement a year before the old one would expire, I smelled a rat. I figured someone must have sold out. I was wrong. As an "educational consumer", I think I'll be prouder than ever to send my kids to a New York City public school.

Many people focus on just money. I've been more concerned with teacher quality. With such a big number of teachers on the job, there's bound to be some weak links. I don't want my grandchildren being saddled with them.

I'm a little surprised and very thrilled, that the teachers' union already has what they call a "peer intervention program" for teachers who need help with their effectiveness. The new contract sets up a new intervention program to assist teachers get their act together or else perhaps get out of the classroom.

If the independent specialists, who are not employed by either the union or the Department of Education, can truly be unbiased as they consider issues of teacher competence, it'll go a long way towards putting many people's minds to rest.

I'd like to thank the teachers' union and the mayor for their civilized working relationship.

The benefits of it filter down to every resident of this great city. Ron Isaac

Fresh Meadows

Times Likes Graffiti To The Editor:

Councilman Peter Vallone Jr. should not be surprised by the balanced view of this past Sunday's New York Times article about him titled "The Man Who Hates Graffiti". The article presents Vallone's view and those of the graffiti lawbreakers as if they should have equal weight. Vallone's "push for jail time" for a recent graffiti crime is balanced by pointing out to readers that a "Bucky Turco, who publishes a counterculture magazine and Web site called Animal published Mr. Vallone's home address on his Web site and urged people to demonstrate in front of his house."

Of course, the New York Times would be horrified if graffiti people "demonstrated" in front of, I mean in front of Mr. Vallone's house, but this is not the first time that the paper has demonstrated bad judgment regarding graffiti.

On July 21, 1971, when graffiti was infrequent and unfashionable, a New York Times article about a TAKI 183 encouraged graffiti by describing how popular he was. In the interest of balance, the article also mentioned that graffiti was not illegal at the time and that only ---- ink could not be easily removed." Leonard Lanzone Astoria Editor's Note: The type of ink has been left out to avoid promoting graffiti.

Comments On News To The Editor:

I wish to comment upon several important stories and issues that were raised and featured in the Nov. 8, 2006 issue of the Gazette.

I am dismayed that there will be no affordable housing at the proposed development in Hunters Point. It seems that the working people who do so much for this Astoria community are being neglected in terms of housing. Only wealthier people are being helped and that is wrong. Where is the fairness and equality and justice for all under the law? I do not want Astoria and Long Island City to be one of those wealthy areas and that the middle and working people will be forced out. We do not need homelessness.

I am dismayed that the mural at P.S. 122 was vandalized. All of the talents and hard work that was done to create artistic masterpieces were wasted and vandalism must not be allowed to fester. I am glad that the graffiti bandit was caught. Graffiti is a blight and makes neighborhoods unsavory and unlivable. Good detective work indeed!

I am also glad that the election process was successful. It is not whom we vote for but the very fact that we have a voice and can freely participate in the functioning of our government at all levels. I wish the newly elected officials luck and may all work together to create a better city, state, nation and world. Cynthia Groopman Long Island City