Dear Editor:

The horrific Benghazi tragedy on 9/11/12 which resulted in terrorists murdering ambassador Chris Stevens and three staff members will never be forgotten.

It is a disgrace that Fox and GOP friends are making “political hay” from this sad ordeal. It’s obvious that this duo-team is out to manipulate a plot to kill Hillary Clinton’s political future.

Listen to two Fox “falling stars.” Mike Huckabee predicted Obama would not complete his second term. Bill O’Reilly did not mince words: “Right now the only thing on Hillary Clinton’s resume is the murder of our ambassador.” O’Reilly hit a new low for “fair and balanced” FOX news!

Here is what two GOP senators had to offer. Ron Paul (R-Ky.) said, “Clinton should never hold high office again.” It is obvious Sen. Paul’s goal is to eliminate Clinton, who would trounce him for president! Here is a stupid idea from Sen. James Imhoff (R-Okla.): Obama is headed for “I.” Folks, he was even afraid to use the word “impeachment!”

Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), chairman of the House Oversight Committee, invited (select) “whistleblowers” to his ... fishing expedition. If his intention was to bring down Obama and Clinton, he failed. His hearings have become a witch hunt with a tug of war over emails and talking points.

Ambassador Thomas Pickering’s accountability review board studied the question of security. He said those talking points had no relationship with security. Readers please note, Obama requested $128 million in 2011 and $331 million in 2012 in security funds. The GOP House voted only $88 million! It appears to me that the “duo team” plans to use those emails and talking points as ammo for their assault weapon ... aimed at Obama and Clinton.

Dear Editor:

If an investigation of the Benghazi attack should reveal that there were members of the Obama administration, including the president himself, who knew what really happened and did nothing to prevent it from happening, then all of them should be forced to resign from their positions, including the president.

The anger of the American people is building regarding the entire incident. We have every right to know the full facts and truth about this tragic incident, which took the lives of several people. Why can’t our government ever admit that it was not totally honest with the American people?

It is time for accountability regarding the Benghazi attack. President Obama needs to take full responsibility for this major screwup. The Wizard of Oz could do a much better job of running the country.

Dear Editor:

There is much talk both positive and negative relative to the Keystone XL (KXL) Pipeline. It is planned to pump crude tar sand oil from Canada across the U.S to Texas where it would be distilled and sold overseas. I happen to be in accord with the latter since in no way does the XL profit the American people, but rather exclusively the already bloated petroleum industry. For the public, what is left is a 3-foot diameter filth-filled funnel snaking its way south through their land waiting to burst. (see: Mayflower, Ariz. spill and multiply by 10). Those with a positive view have been conned into thinking that this filthy crude will some how help us to become oil independent by fulfilling our needs.

Nevertheless, a pipeline could be a positive thing and truly benefit “we the people.” Imagine if in lieu of the KXL Pipeline, we built an H2O pipeline delivering desalinated water to our decimated states that have suffered through devastating droughts. No more Grapes of Wrath. Building t

hat pipeline would create those jobs that the pro-KXLers claim we would not, lest the KXL is built. Additionally desalinization stations would have to be built creating additional jobs. There are already more than 21,000 world wide. The technology is there. In 1791 Thomas Jefferson did it (in small scale), cruise ships serve thousands, submarines, Saudi Arabia, Australia, even our embarrassing Guantanamo Bay. No more disputes concerning the shrinking Colorado River while lowering, however infinitesimally, the rising ocean. We could convert deserts to gardens a la Israel.

It’s a win-win situation and if we can get lobbyists with enough of the necessary bribing collateral, Congress will love it and make it the law of the land (or sea). One critical measure however must be considered. President Obama must disapprove of the plan or it would undoubtedly be filibustered and blocked. As a proven “people’s President,” I’m certain he would comply.

Famed choreographer and Jamaica native Brice D. Vick has guided the candied heels of Ashanti, Beyonce and Christina Aguilera. But his ambition goes beyond bold-faced names and music videos. Now he’s hoping to put a step in the moves of kids with the founding of Hip-Hop 4 Health Plus, a DVD dance program he hopes will help kids get and stay healthy.

The 29-year-old kicked off HH4H+ with a party and fundraiser on Saturday, May 4 in Fresh Meadows, with over 300 kids in tow and a bevy of dancers and talent to help.

(NewsUSA) - Many of the key provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act -- better known as ObamaCare -- are already coming into effect this year.

(NewsUSA) - More than 5 million Americans live with Alzheimer's disease -- a number that's only going to rise as more adults age into their mid to late 60s. So, making strides to better understand the disease is a must.

Dear Editor:

At a recent press conference, President Obama renewed his 2009 pledge to close the Gitmo military prison in Cuba. His executive order to do that was blocked by the GOP House.

I agree with all the reasons Obama explained to the reporters. These alleged terrorists, serving years in Gitmo, deserve to have a trial — not in a military court but in a federal court. We all agree justice should be served. If found guilty, they should serve their time, like many other guilty terrorists are doing, in a federal prison.

Dear Editor:

There is little doubt that we are being bamboozled by our professional politicians. We continue to have faith in our rulers despite their betrayals, the squandering of the loot they steal, and the unsustainable debt they have created. After each crisis, whether it be a natural disaster, a mass shooter or a terrorist attack, we implore our politicians to increase their intrusions, their wealth confiscations and their police state, with the plea, “Anything to keep us safe.”

How much liberty do we have to sacrifice to facilitate the illusion of safety and prosperity? Everything we possess and do in our daily lives is already regulated, licensed, and taxed by the government because we have been conditioned to believe that the job of the government is to keep us safe. Onc

e the government decides that its role is to keep us safe, whether economically or physically, it can only do so by limiting or taking away our liberties. Everything from our consumption of soft drinks to our contributions to retirement accounts is monitored. President Obama’s 2014 budget would limit tax-preferred retirement savings because “some wealthy individuals are able to accumulate many millions of dollars in these accounts, substantially more than is needed to fund reasonable levels of retirement savings.” It seems unreasonably wealthy retirees are a menace to society.

In 2008 the people of Massachusetts voted 70 percent to 30 percent against repealing the state income tax. I can’t help wondering who would vote against being able to keep more of his own earnings. In an effort to further please their constituents, Gov. Deval Patrick and the Legislature now want to raise taxes even more. H.L. Mencken wrote, “Democracy is the theory that the common people know what they want, and deserve to get it good and hard.”

During one of the first scenes in the film “Koch,” directed by former Wall Street Journal reporter Neil Barsky, an animated debate erupts between City Council members as they consider a proposal to rename the Queensboro Bridge after former Mayor Ed Koch.

While some members praise his achievements in affordable housing and balancing the city budget, others counterpointed that he was out of touch with minorities, unsympathetic and hard-headed.

Dear Editor:

Liberal thinking seems to be on the rise.

A short while ago the Vatican agreed with President Obama concerning the need for gun control. Recently, West Point did an in-depth study on right-wing conservatives and liberals. The Combating Terrorism Center at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point released the study, warning against American “far right” groups including the “anti-federalist” movement and strong limited-government activists. It was also concerned with the ease with which they so flagrantly can obtain weapons.

The analysis was conducted by West Point professor and CTC director of terrorism studies Arie Perliger and entitled “Challengers from the Sidelines: Understanding America’s Violent Far-Right.” It also draws correlation between past mainstream conservatism and what it says is today’s violent “far right.” The study then goes on to laud liberals as forward-thinking while maintaining that conservatives harbor a more archaic mindset.

“While liberal worldviews are future or progressive oriented, conservative perspectives are more past oriented, and in general, are interested in preserving the status quo,” Perliger says. He also characterizes the liberal-democratic system as inclusive and “designed to emphasize civil rights” while far-right ideology inherently “excludes” minorities.

Perliger also identified limited government activists as belonging to one of three categories: “a racist/white supremacy movement, an anti-federalist movement and a fundamentalist movement.”

First, the Vatican aligning with liberal gun control advocates, then, the military-breeding West Point applauding the liberal approach to government. What could be next? Watch out NRA, The good guys are coming for you.

(NAPSI)—It may come as a surprise to some, but the famous face that can encourage people to donate to charity more than any other is that of the First Lady.

(NewsUSA) - Despite the prevalence of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and concussions among athletes and service members, the road to diagnosis and prevention is an unpaved one riddled with obstacles.

Dear Editor:

It is hard to believe that our normally cognizant President Obama would think that appeasing today’s warped incarnation of the Republican Party would have them reciprocate in kind. By caving to their demands that Social Security be on the chopping block he not only angers his base but further encourages the Repubstructionist Party to continue being the Party of “No” since it eventually gets them what they want ... especially if they can, as a bonus, manage to severely damage our country during his time in office.

President Lincoln, where are you now when your Party so sorely needs you?

Bending to public feedback, the Bloomberg administration announced Tuesday it is considering to alter its plan to use federal Hurricane Sandy aid money to fund reconstruction of homes to include reimbursements for work already done.

The city has received $1.77 billion in federal disaster relief aid from the federal government through the Community Development Block Grant program. According to the mayor’s proposal, homeowners who have not yet started repair work may qualify for the grant, as long as it does not duplicate funding a homeowner received from the Federal Emergency Management Service, Small Business Administration or insurance.

Former Rep. Anthony Weiner, the Forest Hills Democrat, may or may not have launched a campaign for mayor this week when he released a plan called “Keys to the City: 64 Ideas to Keep New York the Capital of the Middle Class” — and started a new Twitter account.

Weiner was forced from office a little less than two years ago when it was revealed that he had been sending lewd photos of himself to young women around the country, many via Twitter, and then lied about it for weeks. Until the scandal hit, he was a darling of the Democratic Party for his take-no-prisoners approach to political discourse, advocacy for the needs of his Central and Southwestern Queens district and staunch support of Israel, among other things. He was, for example, a foremost cheerleader of President Obama’s healthcare bill, without which, Weiner said, the economy couldn’t recover from the recession.

Weather appeared to be the largest contributing factor to airport delays on Wednesday as the federal budget sequester resulted in continued staff reductions in air traffic control towers nationwide.

In a statement issued on Tuesday afternoon, the Federal Aviation Administration said roughly 1,500 of its 15,000 air traffic controllers would be furloughed on any given day.

“A pretty shameful day for Washington.” That’s how President Obama described the failure on Wednesday of attempts to tighten gun laws. He is correct.

Who could be against expanding background checks for people trying to buy firearms? Only the leadership of the National Rifle Association and its dependents on Capitol Hill. Poll after poll shows the public wants it to be just as difficult to buy a weapon at a gun show as it is at a store. Yet members of the U.S. Senate, led by Republicans but including Democrats, knocked down even that common-sense, along with others meant to reduce the daily carnage in our streets.

Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-Brooklyn) thought issues like unemployment and foreclosures would dominate his first 100 days in office, if he was to win the 8th Congressional seat.

Then Hurricane Sandy happened, and then a gunman killed 26 people —including 20 children — at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut a month later.

Dear Editor:

President Obama’s proposal to change how Social Security Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) increases are measured is a drive-by shooting of seniors, disabled veterans and everyone else living on a fixed income from Uncle Sam.

He wants to replace the Consumer Price Index with a “chained CPI.” It should be called a “chainsaw” CPI becase it will shred the income of those who can least afford it. The chained CPI is based on the idea of alternative purchases. For example, if meat prices soar, you buy chicken instead. But what if your rent rises, do you move? If your medical costs increase, do you find a new doctor? To lower the deficit, eliminate tax loopholes for 1 percenters, like the carried interest rate enabling private equity pirates and hedge fund hustlers to pay half of what they really owe. Why should we pay for their Park Avenue apartments, Hamptons homes and expensive art collections?

Dear Editor:

All polls show that Americans approve of stronger gun control regulations. Folks, that’s not enough!

The NRA has a strong grip on most Republicans and many Democrats in Congress. It will take 60 votes in the Senate to pass a reform bill (there are 55 Democrats vs. 45 Republicans there). Neither party is in control. However, the tough battle will be in the GOP-majority House.

If we want the poll “approval” to become reality, the following “urgent action” must be taken ... now! All Americans must get off their butts and demand Congress pass a bill so that Obama can sign it into law. This action will require willpower. We must turn up the heat on Congress — letters, emails, phone calls, petitions.

Tell ‘em in the only language they know: Pass a gun reform bill now or we will vote you out of office!

Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-Queens, Manhattan) said she received four phone calls at her office on the Upper East Side on April 2 threatening to kill her if she continued supporting gun control legislation.

The suspect who called her office referenced a bill Maloney sponsored on March 21, the Firearm Risk Protection Act of 2013, which would require all gun owners to secure liability insurance and impose other regulations.

Anthony Weiner, the former U.S. representative who resigned over a 2011 sexting scandal, may be running for mayor this year.

In a New York Times Magazine article that was posted online Wednesday and is set to be published on Sunday, the Democrat and his wife speak on life after the scandal and a possible mayoral run.

(BPT) - Thanks to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) also known as “Obama Care,” an estimated 47 million women are gaining access to all FDA-approved methods of birth control free of charge. This new law provides access to birth control methods that may have been too expensive for many women with private health insurance plans before the ACA provisions took effect last year. The result is that these women will now have more options to choose from as they decide what method works best for them.