July 4th, Lefty,
Campaign Mail & Worms

By MICHAEL SCHENKLER

JULY 4th: As we watch the tall ships on television and plan our trip to Flushing transplants Ganga and Gopi’s apartment on the 34th floor overlooking the East River to watch the fireworks, we wonder if George and Tom and company ever imagined what we were going to do with their political statement.

An historical item of appropriate trivia: John Adams at home in Quincy, Massachusetts and Thomas Jefrferson at his beloved Monticello, both died on July 4, 1826, the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Happy Independence Day!

Thanx Ganga and Gopi!

OUT OF LEFT FIELD: Last week a Council hearing was held which called for an investigation and possible legislation to prevent any more alleged acts of discrimination towards a minority group. No, it’s not what you’re thinking. This conference did not focus on discrimination against homosexuals. Or blacks. Or women. No, this discussion centered on unfair treatment towards New York City’s vast left-handed community.

And this writer is a member!

Discrimination towards lefties, you say? That’s ridiculous! But, according to one legislator, the bias does exist. Queens Councilman Morty Povman has done some research on the subject, and has found what might be considered biased treatment towards lefties in our military and in our schools.

And take it from this oppressed southpaw, he’s right.

It started for Morty, when a couple students from Benjamin Cardozo High School in Bayside came to visit his office. These left-handed students claim they must endure a number of handicaps in their learning environment including no computer mouses (or is it mice?), scissors, or even golf clubs or baseball gloves catered to the left-handed. The students explained how the lack of lefty resources in their school has impaired them in one way or another, and got the attention of the veteran Councilman. And they have my attention, too!

Besides apparent discrimination in schools, said Povman, it is also evident in the military where all guns and gas masks are made for the right-handed. And that’s besides the difficulties lefties must fact in every day life, from opening doors to operating machinery.

Povman says, he will do everything he can to prevent lefties from being singled out and discriminated against by the right-handed majority. The councilman, who is not left-handed, claims he is not the only one in favor of legislation to stop such practices.

New York, Povman say, does not even have a left-handed advocacy group like other cities. "To treat someone unfairly because they are different is discrimination," said Povman. "And who’s in favor of that?"

Right on, Morty!

PUBLIC LITERATURE: This is not aimed at any candidate. They all do it.

And this is not a shot at Councilman Walter McCaffrey whose bulk mailing piece just given to us, was paid for (postage and printing) by the NY City Council. It looks an awful lot like an "Oh wow, look what Walter’s done" piece – you know an intro campaign mailer. Now Walter is a fine Councilman and is entitled to a postage and printing budget. However, he is also a declared candidate for public office – Congressman – and he is involved in campaigning and fund-raising for the office.

Walter is clearly not the only one that effectively uses public mail for political ends. We’re sure his opponent, Congressman Joe Crowley does too. It is the norm, not the exception.

We believe that campaign reform must also regulate the use of public funds and staff. However, the guys and gals that make the rules are the guys and gals that benefit from not having any.

We will endeavor to point out those who stretch the unacceptable in regard to using public funs to promote their own political career. Feel free to send us samples of such legal abuses.

Walter’s piece is according to rules, acceptable, and would be done by most. We do not condemn him for using the system.

We would however, applaud the candidate who didn’t do it – if he or she existed.

QUEENS KINGS: Received a number of emails reacting to our piece on the Mets minor league team, the Queens Kings and the marvelous time had by my daughter Allison and me at their new St. John’s stadium.

We were there this past Sunday with cousin Jeff and his 5 yr-old son Sam, to see the Kings fall to the Staten Island Yankees. It was Ball Day and we each received a baseball with the Kings logo. There are lots of giveaways coming up – look elsewhere in the paper for schedule and promo days.

Trust me. It’s the best and most reasonably priced family entertainment in Queens. We had a blast. You will too. Try it.

WORMS: No, it’s’s not politics; it’s gardening. We got a kick out of the press release from the Queens Botanical Garden announcing a "WormWare" Party.

Get this, "Ms. Naomi Dagen Bloom, environmental artist and urban compost propagandist" – that’s what they call he – "has modeled this unique forum of worm compost education after the popular home parties of the 1950’s and 60’s."

Funded by the Dep’t of Sanitation, participants learn how to recycle kitchen scraps into nutrient rich compost and can take home a mini-composter wrapped in decorative cloth and stocked with a small quantity of Red Wriggler worms.

To reserve your spot for the July 11th, Tuesday evening (7-9PM) "WormWare" Party, call 539-5296.

And check it all out online at www.cityworm.com .

Sounds like politics to me!

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Michael Schenkler can be reached at: MSchenkler@queenspress.com