Letters: Vets run, water safety and — you guessed it — Obama

ORIENT

Where were they?

I was very interested in your May 17 article on the vets running from Orient to ground zero. It was a great story.

I live in Orient so my daughter, her husband and myself waited for the Marine runners and cheered them on, but we were the only people out there.

We later followed behind in our car on the way to Greenport, but there was no one out to cheer them on there either. To make it worse, when they ran through Greenport no one knew what it was all about.

There was a Channel 12 crew there so I asked how come this wasn’t covered by their news. They never heard of it.

I love all the tall ships and fun and Orient’s lovely parade to the memorials, but I think Channel 12 should have covered it or at least mentioned it on the news. After all, Memorial Day is all about remembering those who gave their lives for us.

Thank you for your article because that’s the only way I knew about it.

Mary Zeballos

GARDEN CITY

Don’t look at us

In your otherwise interesting recent article regarding attorney Brud Rossmann, you incorrectly state that he is “registered” with the New York State Bar Association and imply that in some way the New York State Bar Association has been lax in not disciplining Mr. Rossmann.

It is a common misconception that the New York State Bar Association is responsible for the admission, registration and discipline of attorneys in New York. In fact, the bar association is a private voluntary association of attorneys and has no authority over attorney admission, registration or discipline. Those are all government functions.

Admission to practice law is controlled by the New York State Board of Bar Examiners and the four Appellate Divisions of the Supreme Court. Registration of attorneys is done through the New York State Office of Court Administration, and discipline of attorneys is done through the court system and the department disciplinary committees of the four Appellate Divisions of the Supreme Court.

A. Thomas Levin
past president, New York State Bar Association

SOUTHOLD

On-target editorial

Your May 25 editorial was on target. We members of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary applaud your editorial about attention to safe boating practices and the importance of boating safety courses.

A safety course specific to canoe and kayak sports will be offered by the Southold Flotilla on the evenings of June 19 and 21 at the Southold Town Recreation Center in Peconic. With the increased interest in the sport, there have also been increased accidents, injuries and deaths. This course is designed to address the safe use and enjoyment of these vessels. To register call 765-5182.

We also offer boating safety classes at the town rec center each winter for ages 10-18 and each spring for adults. Anyone interested in these classes, finding additional information or setting up a boating safety class for six or more may contact me at [email protected] or at 298-8130.

Barbara Christianson
flotilla commander, Southold Flotilla 18-08

PECONIC

He is a disgrace

John Copertino is very accurate when he writes of the president, “He is a disgrace.”

Addressing the United States Air Force Academy’s graduating class President Obama said the United States is now more respected in the world. But he’s leaving a friend in a Pakistani prison, a friend who assured us that the mastermind of 9-11 was who he was and where he was.

Dr. Shakil Afridi was arrested by our so-called friend Pakistan and jailed for 33 years for treason. His trial was kept secret until an article appeared in Newsday.

To harbor the man behind the killing of innocent civilians is an atrocity. To punish the person who helped us by using DNA testing is also an atrocity. And to allow someone to jail a patriot of their country is also an atrocity.

We should be sending an armada to free Dr. Afridi, just as we sent troops to get bin Laden. Who can respect someone who leaves their friend behind to rot in jail?

It’s an another disgrace by President Obama to proclaim we are a respected country. To do so in front of thousands of military personnel who are going to protect our freedom is a show of disrespect for our country.

Joel Reitman