Value Content Over Style
Heed those who see the big picture
By Bette Dewing
Hey, journalists Jeff Greenfield and Mark Barabak, don’t call yourself “old fogies” because you think that televised debate audiences shouldn’t react verbally, and chuck that ageist label. It implies that decorous behavior in an era of loud mouths is somehow regressive. Read more
Dousing the Flame on Apartment Fires
Fire prevention must become a top national concern
By Bette Dewing
“We often need as much to be reminded as to be informed” are among the wisest words ever spoken. Thank you, Dr. Samuel Johnson.
And we must remember Martin Luther King’s dream of a nation where content of character matters, not skin color. Surely that means not valuing “physical attractiveness” over character. Recent research shows that so-called attractive members of Congress are the ones who get the most TV coverage (“Looks Matter as TV Covers Congress,” New York Times, Jan. 6). Once, the women’s movement denounced this general attractiveness bias, and I’m seeking others concerned that the now decades of related research stored in one of my file cabinets do not go to waste. Read more
2012 Resolutions to Keep
Using Facebook and Twitter to better society
By Bette Dewing
Protecting life and health always tops this column’s mission.
The tragic Christmas morning Stamford, Conn., fire that killed three young sisters and their maternal grandparents prompts an overdue focus on fire-related danger. While unsafe disposal of fireplace embers was the fire’s reported cause, had smoke detectors been installed in the mansion that was under renovation, it might not have been deadly. Read more
Stories We Need to Hear
Police valor beyond the call of duty
By Bette Dewing
Because this Christmas/Hanukkah one of New York’s finest decorated police officers, Peter Figoski, has made the ultimate sacrifice in protecting us on the home front, it seems right for the illuminated Park Avenue Memorial trees honoring our war dead to also honor this beloved husband, son and father of four daughters, as well as countless others who gave their lives in the never-ending war against crime.
We need reminding that police officers put their lives on the line whenever they go on duty. And that beyond the call of duty work, most of what they do, never goes public until they are tragically struck down.
Officer Figoski was considered the finest of the fine in his devotion to his work at the 75th Precinct. Indeed, he was eligible and eminently qualified, after 22 years, to work with the Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association, but he preferred to stay on the mean streets of Brooklyn.
“He was always helping the younger cops,” one person said. “[He was] the smartest cop ever, but he never wanted promotions,” another opined. One precinct resident was especially mournful, because Figoski’s two visits with fatherly advice helped turn her troubled teen daughter around.
So many stories told how “Pete” cared for others inside and outside the precinct house. And he was a role model when it came to his devotion to his family. Such stories cry out to be told.
Consider, too, the possible blundering of Brooklyn judges in allowing the person who reportedly pulled the trigger in the botched robbery to still be out on the streets. Consider that violent crime is up in some precincts and that government leaders and wannabes need reminding that their first duty is to protect public safety and those who protect us.
More, not less, police presence is in order, including citizen volunteers with the Auxiliary Police. Citizen presence at Police Community Council meetings helps keep the peace and raise goodwill. Call 311 for more information.
During these festive holidays, infinitely more attention must also be paid to the over-drinking factor in crimes like domestic violence, the most dangerous calls police officers make. How blessed we are to have a city health commissioner so actively concerned with the myriad dangers of alcohol overuse—especially, but not only, at holiday time.
Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley warns that “excessive drinking impairs judgment and coordination, greatly increasing the chance for violence and injury.” One of the department’s subway ads shows a young man with a neck brace being placed in an ambulance and bears the bold print: “Two Drinks Ago This Wasn’t Your Ride.”
The poster’s small caption, “Stop drinking while you are still thinking,” needs enlarging, as does the standard advice about not letting an inebriated friend drive to include tips on helping a repeat offender get into treatment. Intervention must be urgently and widely encouraged—or even prescribed.
Farley’s press release includes appalling statistics of thousands of hospitalizations and fatalities from overdrinking as well as countless crimes committed under the influence. This should be written and spoken about often, and from pulpits and on faith group premises where Alcoholics Anonymous meetings are often held.
Urge public attendance at open City Council meetings to hear before-and-after drinking stories, the kind that occur even without any violence or physical injury. To contact AA, call 212-647-1680.
An anonymous 1980s letter to this paper bears repeating: “I just want you to know that since my punch bowl became non-alcoholic (thanks to AA), my holidays are what they were intended to be.”
Happiness in Your Own Backyard
Small businesses help create community
By Bette Dewing
Always making a list of what we ought to talk about—and then, “Take action!” reminds Ellie Sankey, civic activist. Read more
Thanksgiving for Family Values
By Bette Dewing
Andy Rooney once said, “In some small way, I always hoped my words were doing some little bit of good.” He added that most writers feel that way. And now I can’t find the exact quote, but that might have prompted Rooney’s son Brian to say, “Well, maybe he should have retired some time ago.” Yup, he said that about his dad on a recent episode of CBS’ The Early Show, which I serendipitously happened to catch.
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Legacies of Love
Protesting wrongs against family support systems and the lost of elder parents
By Bette Dewing
More will be said about legendary social critic Andy Rooney, who left us this month, and his memorable words: “In some small way I always hoped my words were doing some little bit of good” in my next column.
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Occupy the World Against Indifference to Violence
Elders and pedestrians need to stand up for their rights
By Bette Dewing
Animal welfare may get more coverage than the human kind, like the wild animals that were recently killed after their owner released them and then killed himself.
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Our Biggest Threat
Making the streets safer for elders
By Bette Dewing
Among the many incomparable words of Martin Luther King Jr. heard last week at the dedication of his Washington, D.C., Memorial, these especially gave me courage for the very uphill journey to make the city senior friendly and safe: “It may not be popular or convenient, but do it because it’s right!” Protesting ageism is not popular, although it undergirds so many “unfriendly”—not to mention unjust and endangering—conditions for older persons.
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Learning When to Repent
Our ageist society rears its ugly head again and again
By Bette Dewing
If my Yom Kippur column had to be bumped from the last issue, I’m glad it enabled more apartment building workers space to be honored, because we tenants often take their services, which are so indispensable to everyday life, for granted.
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