I
was at the center of our coverage, sharing command with Trib Editor Tamara Hartman. Our
office also houses our only television set and therefore we played gatekeeper to the
visuals that are worth thousands of words. We dealt with the changing paper: advertisers
uncertain of their weekly message and an ever-changing and growing news story demanding
more and more space.
As
we reshaped the weekly edition and I rewrote last week’s column, we were cognizant of
our responsibility made oh, so much more awesome due to the terrorist acts of Tuesday and
the fears and hate that are likely to be enflamed as opinions differ and losses become
known.
I
wanted to make sure the Tribune viewed and told the story not as a declaration of hate and
war but as a chapter for humanity — a tragic and sorrowful chapter for humanity but
filled with page after page of heroism and compassion by our neighbors. We wanted to make
sure that out of the rubble piled high, our suffering readers could find some pebbles upon
which they could build for tomorrow. We wanted to offer consolation, we wanted to write
with compassion, we wanted to find in the devasted city, a reason to spread hope and love.
We wanted to guide our news operation to look for life before counting the dead. We wanted
to be part of the journalistic battle for hope and not join the battle for retribution.
The
cries of war and revenge were being written all around us. Emotions other than anger were
calling out deep from within us. We don’t deny the need to deal with terrorism
swiftly, forcefully and decisively. We just would be happier to offer to our readers
coverage of the soul of our City as everywhere around them they dealt with the ugliest of
realities.
We
knew we could find no real meaningful message of peace. My personal encounters with
religion, for the first time saddened me, since it presented an obstacle to me invoking
solutions and comfort involving the Almighty.
Heaven
help us.
God
bless America!
By
the grace of God.
Pray
for humanity.
Phrases,
never a part of my vocabulary, naturally seemed to fit and belong in my words.
Things
were changing and may never be the same.
And
as my small role in the coverage of this larger than life and death story was coming to a
close — at least for its first week — the sorrow and depression seemed to take
hold. I felt sullen and not exhilarated. I was sad not inquisitive. I wasn’t me. But
the world wasn’t the same. And that stark, cold reality was quietly hitting me.
My
daughter is afraid. I understand.
Tamara
wants to foolishly go to downtown Manhattan tonight. I understand.
Mike
wants to vent his anger at Palenstinian leaders. I understand.
Toddy
wants to call for American flags. I understand.
Email
after email expressing hate. I guess I understand.
For
the moment, there are an awful lot of things I understand but an awful lot more that I
don’t.
Why?
What
makes them hate so much?
How
and why are young Palestinian children taught to celebrate such awful destruction of
humanity?
What
type of religious movement can call for or tolerate suicide and killing?
Why
haven’t I cried?
There
is no comfort in understanding.
There
is no comfort in not understanding.
There
is comfort in taking your neighbor’s hand and holding it.
There
is comfort in putting your arm around your neighbor and saying together we shall be okay.
Allison’s room and sentiment
|
There
is comfort in community.
There
is comfort in people.
There
is comfort in love.
There
is comfort in the stories of heroism and compassion of our great City.
There
is comfort in our neighbors.
And as I went to
kiss my 12-year-old daughter good night, I saw that she had boldly written on her marker
board, “God Bless America!”
The
Difference Between
Us And Them
Like
everyone, I’ve been trying to figure out who “they” are and what makes
“them” hate so much. I will continue my search and offer few answers, at this
time, to our readers.
However,
timing has made us address one important difference between us and the hateful, evil
people who participated in last Tuesday’s act of terrorism.
While
last Tuesday will be recorded as one of the darkest days in our nation, next Tuesday
represents the most positive about our system of freedom. The New York Primary Election,
postponed because of last Tuesday’s terrorism, will be held next Tuesday, September
25.
Democrats
and Republicans in New York City will be selecting their candidate for Mayor. Democrats
will be choosing the next Comptroller, Public Advocate and in Queens the likely successors
to the 14 City Council members and the Borough President. At moments like these we are so
aware of the critical import of government and leadership.
At
times like this we should be so keenly aware that the vote is central to democracy —
our way of life. Too often, we take that oh so precious privilege for granted. Too often,
the everyday hustle and bustle prevents us from going to the polls and investing the 10
minutes needed to exercise that special privilege that differentiates us from
“them.”
Yes,
it is clear to this writer that when the full story is told one of the differences that
will be recorded is that the evil that befell our city last Tuesday was cultivated in a
society void of most of the freedoms we hold dear. That type of the vilest evil does not
thrive in a land where people elect their leaders in open and free elections.
Many
of us have been consumed in the tragic events of last week. Many of us spend our free
hours glued to the news, reaching out to help those in need or focused on needs that seem
more significant than the postponed City elections.
All
of that may be true.
However,
your vote is the difference between us and them.
And
your vote can make a difference.
Find
the less then 10 minutes you’ll need — the lines won’t be long. Sadly,
there may not be any. Don’t let the terrorist acts impact on our right to vote or the
outcome of our elections.
Those
of you who intended to vote, go out and cast your vote exactly as you would have last
Tuesday. Those of you who weren’t going to vote, here’s your chance to make a
statement to those who would deny freedom.
Go
vote!
It
affirms freedom — the difference between us and them.
Carol
Gresser For Beep
True
to my own message, I want to repeat a portion of my column which ran in the Tribune before
the originally scheduled Primary Day.
Carol Gresser & Michael Schenkler
|
Now
more than ever, it is clear we need firm, thoughttful and courageous leaders in our
government. I urge you to vote for Carol Gresser for Queens Borough President. As a close
observer of government over the past three decades, I know she is that rare individual
that will stand up and stand out. She has the desire and intellect to make a difference.
She has proven she can take the pressure and take the heat.
As
I said in the original pre-Primary column:
“Former
Board of Education President, Carol Gresser offers Queens an independent, courageous and
committed approach to government. She will be a diligent and creative advocate in
agressively and fairly delivering services to the people of Queens.
I
urge you to vote for her.
More
importantly, I urge you to vote.”
Please
vote Primary Day September 25.
It makes a
difference.
 |
| Not4Publication.com
by Dom Nunziato |
————————————————————
Michael Schenkler can be reached at: MSchenkler@QueensTribune.com
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