Letters to the Editor
LIRR, Spare Our Trees To The Editor:

The Long Island Rail Road is clear cutting the trees along their right of way because the leaves that fall on the tracks apparently cause a problem for their new trains in terms of slippage. The railroad will also be installing security fencing in certain locations. On the Port Washington branch, it is my understanding that the tree removal will go from Flushing out to Port Washington. Already, trees have been destroyed in Broadway, Flushing and Little Neck.

To me, cutting the trees down to prevent leaves from falling on the tracks is like detonating an atomic bomb to kill a few flies. Totally overkill! And who is to say that the wind will not blow leaves from other nearby trees onto the tracks? Will the railroad try to destroy these trees as well? And in order to install security fencing, would not pruning existing trees be adequate? Why the need to destroy so many trees? The railroad should be considering other viable alternatives to address their issues.

Trees are extremely important to our health and well being in our polluted environment. Trees filter our air and provide cooling shade in the summer. They provide food and shelter for birds and small animals and they are aesthetically pleasing to most people. By the railroad tracks, they also provide a sound and visual barrier for adjacent residents.

According to scientists, we are rapidly losing our tree canopy in densely populated areas such as our local communities. To combat the dangerous environmental problems facing our planet, they encourage the planting and preservation of trees.

The Long Island Rail Road seems to be oblivious to these problems. They do not seem to care about the quality of life of residents living along the railroad's right of ways. They did not consult with the community before starting this tree destruction program.

The railroad also appears to be using herbicides to destroy unwanted vegetation along parts of their right of way. This leaves an unsightly mess but the real concern is the impact these poisons have on the health of local residents. The use of herbicides is a bad idea, be it along the railroad right of way or along our roadways or in our yards. Other approaches are available.

The Long Island Rail Road must not ride roughshod over the residents of our communities. We deserve to be consulted when such drastic changes such as the tree destruction [are] proposed, so that our quality of life issues can be addressed and consensus can be reached. The railroad must approach us with respect as their neighbors, not [in] arrogance to do as they please.

If you agree with these sentiments, please let Robert J. Brennan, Director of Government and Community Affairs for the Long Island Rail Road (718-558-7500) know, as well as your elected officials. There are ways to address the concerns of the railroad without eradicating the trees. Henry Euler Bayside

Divided U.S. Faces Perils

To The Editor:

In this season of political jockeying for the presidential nomination, the country is conflicted. Not only is the issue to stay or leave Iraq fueling controversy, but everyday life is creating stress and concerns that receive little discussion by the candidates.

Issues include health care, the sizable national deficit and debt, insecurity, the threat of renewed terrorist attacks, the falling value of the greenback, gang violence and an educational system that leaves many unable to compete in a global marketplace. Immigration reform battles between accepting the reality of 12 million illegals our economy may depend upon is in friction with those who demand deportation and walls fencing out these who seek jobs in America, linked to fear that the nation is going Hispanic.

Bin Laden is alive, broadcasting from the tribal area between Pakistan and Afghanistan, while Taliban attacks kill civilians and coalition forces. Poppy growers protected by warlords ensure cash to our adversaries and crime on our streets. Homegrown terrorism by individuals who have grown up in our democracies and have received the benefits of a free market confuses and enrages us.

With all of this, the greatest threat for the U.S. is the continued polarization of our citizens. There is little pulling us together and much tearing us apart. The divisions that erupted during the Clinton presidency continue to widen. Those who hold contrary policies are viewed as unpatriotic. Adversaries are viewed as enemies. Debate is not tolerated and drives a quest to destroy opposition.

Campaign dirty tricks have become the daily commerce of political discourse. Compromise is viewed as weakness bordering upon treachery. A nation divided cannot long survive the threats from without or the hatreds that separate us. Edward Horn Baldwin, New York