'Surge' Goes Nowhere

To The Editor:
The "surge" is the creation of Senator John McCain and his supporters, who believe Iraq can be salvaged after years of Bush mismanagement. Nationwide few believe placing more U.S. troops in harm's way will result in anything other than increased casualties and devastated neighborhoods. The militias are prepared to take on the U.S. military. Urban warfare guarantees destruction, loss of life and enduring hostility for the U.S. Iraq is a case study on how not to manage an occupation. The present situation is the result of miscalculations, false premises and foolish beliefs predicated upon fantasies of single-minded desires. The White House may have believed that we would be welcomed as liberators, discounting history and the warnings of our Middle East allies. Any hope for success following the fall of Saddam was squandered by our failure to provide security for the average Iraqi while looting destroyed what infrastructure there was.

If sufficient troops were used in the beginning, perhaps the sorry tale of Iraq would have been different. There is no way to go back in time. To do now what should have been done in the past will only compound the errors, relying upon failed policies and ensuring additional attacks on our troops.

Iraq currently is far more complicated than during the reign of Saddam. It is far more dangerous to the citizens of Iraq and the peace and security of the world. The attempts by [President George W.] Bush to change the course of events through the surge will not alter the realities. Increasing our military presence will exacerbate the awful circumstances that take the lives of Iraqis and U.S. troops daily and will damage the military's combat effectiveness.

The facts demand new and untried policies. The Bush Administration seems incapable of closing the book on the past, concluding that to do so would be to acknowledge error. Until ties to the past policies are rejected, we can expect only more of the same at additional cost in lives, funds, national polarization and growing hatred of the U.S.

Edward Horn
Baldwin, New York

Lauds Vallone
To The Editor:

I applaud our Councilmember Peter Vallone Jr. for making such a difference in the lives of the residents of the Astoria area, as well as greatly improving life throughout our city.

Recently, I heard on the news that Councilmember Vallone wants to enact a law in the City Council outlawing pit bulls in our city and I commend him wholeheartedly for this action. Pit bulls are vicious animals, beasts invoking terror and destruction, fatalities and injuries that are serious.

In addition, I applaud Councilmember Vallone for his extreme concern, positive action and caring about the Ditmars- Astoria area and his taking positive prompt action when the vans that contained movie equipment were parked in the area, causing loss of money and business for that area's merchants and business people and precious loss of holiday shopping time for the residents. That area was already victim to the blight of the 2006 summer blackout.

A tireless advocate for all city residents, young, elderly, in between, disabled, and one who has the city in his heart, on his mind and who takes positive action to improve conditions, Councilmember Vallone, in my estimation should be Councilmember of the Year.

Cynthia Groopman
Long Island City

He Supports Edwards

To The Editor:
I support [former U.S. Senator from North Carolina] John Edwards fully. He cares about the poor, and is pushing his sleeves up literally not to stand for a picture op like our president did when [Hurricane] Katrina hit, but John Edwards is building new houses, by hand HIMSELF. That is the kind of man we need in office, that doesnt just talk, or throw money at a situation, but take[s] a literal hands on approach to fixing our problems. As an African American man I am proud to have met Senator Edwards, and he will surely get my vote in 2008 when he is nominated as the Democratic nominee.

William Flood

Astoria Refutes Baldeo

To The Editor
Certain statements by Mr. Albert Baldeo, a recent losing candidate for New York state senate and reprinted by some weekly Queens newspapers are complete falsehoods. We would like to explain. The Italian Charities of America is a 501C-3 organization recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a nonprofit organization. The Italian Charities of America has a long and distinguished history. It was founded in 1936 by a group of civicminded individuals. They were business people, judges, lawyers and pillars of the community. It was founded to promote and foster mutual cooperation and discussion in order to advance social interaction, friendship and goodwill among its members and Americans of Italian descent and all residents of the community. To promote matters of common interest to, and assist in taking care of the needs of all persons of whatever ancestry. To promote the teaching and appreciation of Italian culture, art and language.

We endeavor to assist all in obtaining and enjoying the full benefits and privileges of American citizenship. To sponsor the Italian senior center, which is open to all races and creeds. We sponsor several art and Italian and American cultural events, which are offered to the Queens community and the people of the city of New York free of charge.

The Italian Charities of America awards several scholarships a year to deserving Italian American youth. The young [Mayor] Rudolph Giuliani was a recipient. The Italian Charities of America was founded and still operates under these guidelines. We fear these attacks by Mr. Baldeo, who is unknown to us, which were irresponsibly reprinted by certain weekly newspapers, were and are lies, bigoted and may very well damage our fine reputation. Unfortunately we are familiar with attacks against Italian Americans, just because of their heritage.

As to attacks against one of our officers. Vincent C. Maltese, is a dedicated vice president of the Italian Charities of America. He receives no salary or expenses for holding his position. He is not paid and has never been paid for his more than 17 years of dedicated service. He is a compete volunteer. The Italian Charities of America is administered by a Board of Directors, of which he is one member.

Mr. Vincent Maltese is on the boards of many Italian American organizations including the Italo-American Credit Union, the Italian American Professional Business Association and the Italian Charities of America. A member of many community organizations, such as the First Avenue Boys, the Long Island Dreamboats, Belmonte Mezzagno Benevolent Society, Order Sons of Italy in America, Mario Lanza Lodge, and the International Society of SS. Cosma e Damiano. He is not paid for his services.

He has been a volunteer at [the] Lexington School for the Deaf, at St. Mary's Hospital for Children. He is the president of the Triangle Fire Memorial Society, giving lectures at schools, churches and community gatherings about the terrible tragedy which took the lives of his grandmother and two aunts. He is not paid for his services. He helps support many charities. This retired, decorated law enforcement officer is a communityminded man. Freely giving of himself and his time so others can be helped.

We take pride in Italian Charities of America and in Vincent Maltese and in all our officers and directors and most certainly resent the attacks by Mr. Baldeo and his derogatory characterization of Italian Charities of America as a catering hall and deplore the reprinting of attacks as irresponsible.

We appreciate and encourage donations and grants from public spirited citizens and public officials. They are a public record and enable us to continue to exist and provide the above services to the public.

Rose Sproviero, President
Frank Barretta, Chairman of the Board