Poland will not tolerate hatred
Manhattan: Re “Polish president sharply condemns weekend nationalist march” (Nov. 13): For the past eight years, a Polish not-for-profit association, Independence March, has organized a march in Warsaw each Nov. 11. It traditionally draws a large and diverse crowd of around 50,000 participants, mainly young people and families with children. The officially declared goal of this annual event is to pay homage to all who contributed to the rebirth of the Polish state after 123 years of captivity, to manifest pride in belonging to the Polish nation, and to promote modern forms of patriotism.
On the critically important issue of apparent displays of racist banners at the march and reported anti-Semitic statements or chants, both the government of Poland and the organizers have unequivocally condemned what seems to have been actions by a fringe minority of protesters. The presence of supporters of the National Radical Camp would fit that definition.
The official position expressed by the president of Poland, Deputy Prime Minister Piotr Glinski and Jaroslaw Kaczynski, the head of the ruling party, very clearly states that the Polish government does not in any way support any expressions of racial or ethnic conceptions of a nation. The official statement by Poland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs squarely condemned cases of anti-Semitic and racist behavior at the march.
The organizers went on the record that “scandalous” behavior that was on display by a minority of march participants would not be tolerated and more attention would be paid next year to eliminate such displays and groups. The Warsaw police chief and the interior minister called for a probe and prosecution, them. Similar statements were released from the Ministry of Justice.
In his public address on Nov. 13, the President of Poland, Andrzej Duda referred to the Sunday incident by saying: “In our country, there is no place nor consent for xenophobia and morbid nationalism. There is no place for anti-Semitism either. Such attitudes mean exclusion from our society. People who behave this way are excluded as their attitude must be described as “unworthy.” In Poland, people are well aware of Nazism — it means hatred and murdering people only because of their origin. We had that lesson learned and had to pay it with our own blood.”
Maciej Golubiewski, Consul General of Poland in New York
License to hide from cops
Staten Island: I see more and more unreadable (unrecognized) vehicle license plates on the road. Every day we hear hit-and-runs over the news and now the latest threat is mass shootings and terrorist related incidents. It is hard for me to understand what the NYPD or other law enforcement agencies are doing to cut down this type of security related lapse. According to my findings, most of the people who cover their license plate do so to hide the identity of their vehicle from law enforcement so they can get away. I spoke to two individuals who cover their plates. One told me he did so to avoid speedingcamera tickets in school zones. The other did it to avoid red-light tickets. Anyway, one thing is sure, this has become trend now.
Lushantha Seneviratne
Fast judge
Beverly Hills, Calif.: Judge Jeanine Pirro was clocked at 119 mph when the police pulled her over for speeding like a lunatic on the highway in upstate New York. She gave an excuse that her mother was ill and she didn’t have much time to get to her mother’s home. Well, LA-DI-DAH. I hope she is fined more than $600 and 15 days in the slammer like most people would get. She is not special in any way, even though she thinks she is. If she was the judge in this case, she would be extremely strict about someone speeding like a maniac just to get to their mother. She would say, “You could have killed someone driving like that. In order for you to learn your lesson your fine will be $600 and 15 days in jail.” Pirro is a cold heartless woman and the only bench she truly belongs on is “Waiting for a Bus.” Margo Kent
Kid gloves
Nashua, N.H.: Twenty years ago, I got stopped in the same road headed back to school in Syracuse doing the same speed as Jeannine Pirro (120 mph). However, I was immediately arrested and booked in Broome County for speeding, felonious operation of a motor vehicle (exceeding the 55 mph limit by two times or more), reckless endangerment and hazardous operation of a motor vehicle. I did not resist or get mouthy. As a matter of fact, I thought I was getting a ticket, but when the trooper approached the vehicle he pulled me out of the driver’s seat and put me immediately on the hood and cuffed me before he even said hello. How is it Pirro only got a speeding ticket?
Robert Sicilia
Double standard
Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.: So Jeanine Pirro claims she was driving for hours and didn’t realize she was doing 119 mph, either she’s a bald-faced liar or incompetent to hold a driver’s license. I’m betting on the former. If someone else did that in Westchester County while she was DA, I’m sure they would be dealing with more than a speeding ticket. Steve Greagor
Deadly encounters
Bronx: To Voicer Maryanne DeJohn: I’m tired of people like you repeating this false right wing idea of “do what the cops say and you have nothing to worry about,” when a certain person named Philandro Castillo was fully compliant with a cop’s requests and the cop still shot him dead in front of his girlfriend and little daughter! Stop making excuses for such obvious criminal behavior where you know full well you wouldn’t tolerate it if it were done to you. Enough with the special privileges; start pushing for equal accountability.
Michael S. Wilbekin
Race and reason
Bronx: I’m sorry, Voicer Nick Polimeni, but all your education still does not make you a black man. So stop trying to speak for my people. You may have experienced a type of racism but you will never experience what the African American people have been through. Your use of the word “Negro” shows your age and ignorance. I don’t care what you were called! And just because you have all those degrees doesn’t make you smart! On the streets, you are dumb. So as I said, speak what you know. Yes, I have heard of the Korean “police action.” I only have prejudice against whites who think they know better than everyone else. And with the education you claim you have, three fingers is all you got? Haha! Andrea Bush
They’re sorry now
Flushing: Al Franken, Louis C.K., Charlie Rose, Mark Halperin, and many others are apologetic. This only after they have been exposed. They are all truly sorry, sorry that they got caught. We hardly ever see a man apologize before being called on the carpet.
Paul Como
Their mess, our bill
Bronx: Are we, the taxpayers, really on the hook for payments that were made to Rep. John Conyers’ victim? Must we pay for him and other flawed politicians who play in the mud, and wipe themselves off with taxpayers’ dough? Let them pay for their own perversions. Maybe they’ll think twice before acting like entitled pigs. P.S. Using taxpayer money to cover up what I perceive to be a crime can’t be legal — or is it? Patricia O’Hanlon
To Russia, with love
Bronx: Russia, Russia, Russia. Please do not condemn the whole country of Russia for a few people at the top. The majority of the Russian people are friendly, kind and nice. I know. I have been to Russia. Mary Caggiano
I think I love you
Rosedale: I will always “Cherish” David Cassidy. He was my first crush. I remember watching “The Partridge Family” every Friday night at 8:30 after “The Brady Bunch” when I was a kid. RIP, David. I will miss you dearly.
Carol Matson
Today’s the day
Bayonne: I have sent the Daily News my opinions many times over the years. When will you print one? Riccardo DePaoli
Dinner and a show on us
GETTY Bronx: Thank you, Daily News contest. My wife and I love the artwork from the Manhattan Art & Antique Center and the fantastic dinner and service from the Paname French Restaurant both on Second Ave. in Manhattan.
Robert Neglia