Where is the outrage over breastaurant?

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Where is the outrage over breastaurant?

As president of the Schenectady Chapter of AAUW (American Association of University Women), I can only stare in dismay at the photo of the scantily clad young woman in your “Breastaurant” June 17 article.

Why put such a provocative and inappropriate photo in (what is supposedly) a family newspaper? Why give this questionable establishment such free publicity?

Ask yourself: Would you take your mother there for dinner? Would you want your daughter or young sister to work there? And the town of Niskayuna supervisor doesn’t have the guts to support those constituents who legitimately object? This is the same supervisor who objected to a presentation of end-of-life issues at the Niskayuna Senior Center because it was controversial.

Let me tell you, end-of-life issues are not controversial; they are inevitable. The objectification of women and their breasts is what is controversial. Let’s get our priorities straight here.

Eleanor Aronstein

Schenectady

Trump lacks decorum to be the president

As I watch in disbelief Donald Trump’s ascension to the “throne,” I wonder what has happened to our pride in our country and its leaders.

I understand the lack of confidence in some politicians and annoyance at political correctness. However, I want a president with some dignity and decorum who I can respect and who respects us.

Interestingly, as the Republican establishment starts to rally around Mr. Trump as he wants, it’s the epitome of political correctness.

Do we care about the example set for our children and grandchildren? We might as well discontinue programs on diversity, anti-bullying and “words of the month” such as kindness, compassion, etc. These are not assets of this candidate, as he has exemplified from the national stage.

Perhaps his vice presidential choice will be Kanye West or one of the Kardashians. His cabinet could be made up of reality TV show folks.

And if he loses, we will see a temper tantrum unlike any other, with fingers pointing in all directions.

Ethel Robinson

Schoharie

Our ideological divide impedes our progress

Through the deafening background noise of the 2016 presidential campaign, there is an emotional undercurrent that must be heard loud and clear above all the distraction.

What most people feel, but may not be able to articulate amidst all the sound and fury, are the emotionally charged issues of morality that represent a more powerful and deeper political force behind the din of political clap trap.

While ideas form the basis for people’s perceptions of reality and the mass psychology of the various political movements i.e. democracy, socialism, communism, fascism etc., one rarely asks the question: where do ideas come from? The answer is from the biologically deeper realm of emotion.

While the politicians, pundits and the media feverishly and relentlessly rehash the ideological differences between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton and whether or not they know it, the deeper battle lines are already drawn according to whether they believe in the old absolute morality of the past authoritarian era i.e. “the greatest generation” or in the new politically correct relative morality of the current anti-authoritarian era.

These two moralities represent two entirely different ways of viewing and dealing with the world. They generate the ideological divide that unconsciously pits the political left and right against each other and casts America into two irreconcilable and opposing groups.

This social force from the human depths is the ultimate governor of people’s ideas and behavior. It must be recognized and resolved before social conditions can improve.

George Hughes

Burnt Hills

Gazette loses focus on Spa sidewalk law

I am moved to write and express my complete surprise with The Gazette’s June 9 editorial regarding the ludicrous “sit-lie” ordinance adopted by the Saratoga Springs City Council. I am surprised by the condescending tone of this editorial and the obvious support of the rich oligarchs who call the shots in Saratoga Springs. This is not The Gazette that I have loyally read for my lifetime.

I’ve heard the mantra, “It’s not about what The Gazette was … it’s about what The Gazette is today.” Rubbish. The new leadership of the paper has silenced the once powerful and effective “Voice of The Capital Region.” The Gazette “Voice” was manifested by columnists like Carl Strock, Dan DiNicola, the learned local contributors and a robust editorial message that consistently championed the disadvantaged and fearlessly called out the greed and excesses of the power elite.

Today your earnest columnists and editorial content are low key and pleasant — muffled in order that no one in the local oligarchy be uncomfortable with the paper. Fortunately, the news, features, and sports departments continue to publish the best hard hitting coverage in the district.

I can’t believe The Gazette is so far off the mark on this issue.

I still love The Gazette and will remain a loyal subscriber. I just hope that the paper rediscovers its voice and values its heritage.

Paul F. Murphy

Saratoga

Remember all adults who helped grads

This is the season of high school graduations. For students, they are the result of a 12- to 13-year journey through a series of grades, rooms, schools, courses and teachers. For parents, their companions on the journey, it is a time of fulfilled hopes and expectations. For both, it is the result of hard work and strong support, with the excitement and anxiety about the next step in the young graduates’ lives as they prepare to take the next step.

For all those parents of graduates, here’s an exercise to do some evening before graduation. Sit down with your graduate and, beginning with their first school experience, even pre-school, list by name all the adults that you know who have been a part of their education.

Classroom teachers, special subject teachers (art, music, physical education, librarians, etc.), administrators, remedial- and special education teachers, counselors, social workers, teacher aides, secretarial staff, bus drivers, cafeteria staff, custodial workers, coaches, crossing guards and all that I might have missed. Don’t worry if you can’t remember every name. You might be amazed at all that have contributed in some way to this year’s graduate.

In all our school experiences, there are certain adults who stand out and who made a great impact. Perhaps after listing all the names you can, that special adult will still top the list. But it’s a wonderful thing to know the totality of contributors to graduation evening. A silent thank you that night is all they need. Best wishes on your graduate’s future.

Briggs McAndrews

Sackets Harbor

The writer is the former superintendent of the Niskayuna Central School District.

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