I’ll Start A Fire When It Comes To Equal Rights

When I minored in Women’s Studies in college, I thought I was in the right place and that my intellectual appetite would be satisfied after taking numerous courses that proved to be liberating. However, after reading hundreds of books on how women are considered the “weaker sex” and how our sociological history hasn’t benefited us the way we wanted, it seems like we’ve come a long way… but we STILL face too many challenges in society.

LIFT HEAVY MEN – THAT'S WHAT!

I’m all for equal rights and being treated with the same professional respect as men. However, I’m not going to ignore the facts that there are some jobs suited for a man that a woman – no matter what her physical or mental shape may be – is qualified to handle.

I’ve covered lots of fires over the past decade while reporting for the Canarsie Courier. One of the worst fires I witnessed was last February – when FDNY officials had to violently bust windows out of a two-family home on Conklin Avenue to ventilate the building and access all the rooms. Every firefighter carried what look like over a ton of gear and the ferociousness they demonstrated while walking into the blazing building seemed effortless.

I honestly can’t say I’ve ever seen a female fighter respond to the scene of a fire. When I think about what it takes to barrel through possibly heavy, water-logged debris in the midst of a fire and lift a 160 pound person to safety, I DON’T think about a woman carrying out the rescue efforts.

Sometimes, admitting you’re weak is your biggest strength. Therefore, when the FDNY began discussions on testing methods which reportedly keep women from joining the department, my first thought was: Are women physically strong enough to carry out the demands that come with being a firefighter?

Let’s get real! You want to fight for equal rights and have the same opportunities as men but when the Fire Department calls for you to undergo rigorous drills that include raising a ladder up a wall while wearing an oxygen tank, you might rethink your career path.

How many women in the community really want to be firefighters? Some might say the FDNY is using discriminatory means of recruiting employees. When I read in the NY Daily News that Queens Democrat Elizabeth Crowley, chairwoman of the Committee on Fire and Criminal Justice Services said, “It is time we break down any barriers that still exist for women to become New York City firefighters.”

I don’t think they should change the test to accommodate women! Even a woman who fulfills the basic physical requirements of being a firefighter will have to accept their challenges. Could most women – even they’re six feet tall and work out – lift someone twice their weight while carrying apparatus on their backs?

Don’t take this the wrong way ladies, but if you expect to start a family and take maternity leave from the FDNY – you’re NOT proving you’re equal to man, who can remain on the job and report to duty every day as long as he’s physically capable. The Fire Department shouldn’t lower its standards or tests just to give more women a chance, thus increasing overall enrollment.

Furthermore, I think it’s a sign of weakness that women only want to have the doors open to them because a certain career or field or lacks an outstanding female population. Big deal! If men are the ones primarily applying for any job – it’s our responsibility to show just as much interest in that field – whether it’s in construction, electrical work or even home improvement. Any of you ladies out there own your own contracting business where YOU crawl underneath homes and line up ladders along roofs to string wires? I don’t see too many women taking jobs where their physical endurance is put to the test.

Sometimes, women are their own worst enemies when it comes to complaining about their rights – and then when it comes to which jobs they truly wouldn’t apply for because they’re…women! We can’t deny that our physical differences (the fact that we’re more likely to suffer from osteoporosis and the fact that menopause ruins our post-menstrual years in life) often keep us from carrying out everyday tasks.

I wouldn’t want to be put to the test, physically knowing that I can’t meet the challenges put forth by the FDNY – even well into my early 50s when my body starts going through Mother Nature’s next round of changes!

I DO think women should join their local CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) programs. Knowing CPR, disaster preparedness and basic life-saving skills as a first responder are beneficial to all genders – whether you have the physical abilities or not.

There are some physically demanding jobs that women just don’t want and I don’t think they’re cut out for. Feminists, activists and protesters can make all the noise they want about “inequality”…or they can fill out an FDNY application, grab a 70 pound ladder and climb the walls with tons of weights and an oxygen tank on their back. That’ll show them to fire back!

Unpublished as of 12-23-15

I’ll Be Canarsie’s Fortune Teller – Or Realist – For 2015

Last year, I predicted that a slew of incidents would take place in 2014 (“More Of The Same In 2014 – Don’t Say You Weren’t Warned,” December 26, 2013). The influx of car accidents, group homes, more shootings “with no casualties,” and increased beautification projects that go virtually unrecognized were visible in my “fortune telling” crystal ball in 2014. 

It’s interesting when people say Canarsie’s getting worse – but I content that matters are going to stay the same and that residents are going to be even more angry with no real civic outlet.

So what’s more of the “worst” we’re going to see in 2015? Last year the Canarsie Courier covered reoccurring issues that didn’t get resolved. Who can we thank for this? Good question!

 

More Secrets And A Lot Of: “Nothing’s Going On”: What happened down the block from you that all those cops and fire trucks showed up? Why was that house cordoned off for 12 hours – yet once the caution tape was removed, you’d never know something happened? It’s no mystery – well, actually it IS a mystery – why we sometimes have no information on an incident that happened in our community. We’ve gotta “hear it through the grapevine,” our neighbors or hope that someone official knows someone who knows someone who can give us an idea if our safety’s been compromised. As the press, I’m offended when we’re kept in the dark about happenings in our community. How could the press reassure residents that the 50 cars they saw cordoning off your block turned out to be “nothing”?  Even if “nothing” happened, wouldn’t it be great if someone informed us of that fact? Guess some secrets are better left untold…

 Timmmmmmberrrr!!!: Yep, there’s no doubt in my mind that even more trees in the community will be chopped up, sawed down and nothing but a disgusting stump will be left behind. I predict that we’ll get hundreds of phone calls by the end of 2015 about contractors going out on a limb to wipe out rotted and centuries old trees. Let’s get real – is it really REALLY a big deal when the city finally decides to cut a tree down? Fine, the tree was “dangerous” and a hazard to nearby homes…Thanks to former Mayor Mike Bloomberg, MORE trees are being planted every day to make this fine city “greener.” If the Courier is still around in 100 years, we’ll get more calls about those very trees being removed. No offense to all you tree huggers, but Mother Nature’s beauties have to come down some time – and it’s usually not the most shocking news going on out there!...

More Housing Nightmares: In the almost 11 years I’ve been reporting, I’ve never covered so many stories on so many horrible looking apartments in New York City Housing. It’s only within the last year that we’ve gotten an overwhelming amount of calls about leaks, mold, bugs and other conditions you’d think you’d find in an apartment in a Third World country. Doesn’t NYCHA read the headlines – namely ours when they make the feeds? Don’t they care that they’re slowing killing their tenants, who are mostly low-income residents that deserve the same rights as middle class renters?

Dumping: In 2014, it seems like we covered more dumping stories than most years. With people taking their bulk refuse or passersby trashing their crap at Rockaway Parkway near the westbound entrance to the Belt Parkway, dumping is a never ending battle. I predict we’re going to see more overflowing and inappropriate use of trash receptacles along Avenue L, Rockaway Parkway and Flatlands Avenue. Whoever you are – STOP DUMPING ON US! If you live in Canarsie and just don’t have the patients for the Sanitation Department to pick up your trash…TOO BAD! I’ve never seen so many Canarsie streets randomly chosen for dumping. We’re not just talking about weeded areas or people using construction sites their personal landfill. We’re talking about trash on private properties and near city parks where volunteers spend hours trying to tidy up. I think more illegal dumping signs need to be posted for violators and that fines should be raised.

No matter what stories we run over and over, we’re curious what’s gonna irk everyone and NOT change our headlines. Come on, let’s clean up 2015!

To be published in 1-1-15 edition of Canarsie Courier

Come On! Interview ME About A Movie That’s Not A Culture Shock!

  Unless a film strikes me as rare and out of this world – and one that won’t make a statement by seeing it on a simple television – I refuse to go to a movie theater. I don’t even remember the last time I went to see a movie in a theater. There’s too much hype over the whole theater “experience” and the price of sitting in a popcorn and butter-strewn cushioned seat is unacceptable no matter what movie you’re dying to see.

Honestly, even if the movie “The Interview” was regarded the way most politically incorrect films are viewed in America, I still wouldn’t see it! If this is just another American movie that has potential to promote terrorism or a presidential assassination, why is everyone so obsessed with what will happen if it’s released to the masses?

There are a few movies I thoroughly enjoyed. I didn’t go to a theater to see them, but they promoted homegrown terrorism and gives people all sorts of ideas on how to infiltrate our government and potentially wipe out OUR OWN president! The catch? Some of the terrorist-like characters – well most – are AMERICANS!

Ever see 2009’s “The Taking Of Pelham 1 2 3”? I remember feeling anxious while watching this movie, which stars John Travolta and Denzel Washington. We’re ALL scared that our subway system will be hijacked by terrorists – that someone from a Third World country is plotting to destroy our mass transit system. However, here’s a movie that says: “You don’t have to be from Al Qaeda to jeopardize our entire city’s train system.”

Another movie that advertises the ease of accessing high profile buildings is “Man On A Ledge,” released in 2012. This is a typical movie about a high-stakes diamond heist that’s carried out while an ex-con (an American, mind you) threatens to jump from a Manhattan hotel roof. Hey – let’s send a message to thieves and terrorists that they can cause a mass distraction and diversion if they want to carry out a crime in another location in our city!

Sure, “The Interview” is one of the few “controversial” films getting media attention because it’s about Americans who plan to assassinate a dictator – North Korea's Kim Jong Un – a move most critics feel will cause retaliation and threats to our country. I just don’t understand why Sony decided not to release the 112-minute film when we’ve got TONS of other movies where our own citizens play characters who inadvertently give terrorist ideas on how to carry out a crime!

One of my favorite movies is “Contraband,” which stars Mark Wahlberg as a former smuggler who gets back in the treacherous game to save his brother from a drug lord. It’s an edge-of-your-seat film that demonstrates how contraband is ever-so-carefully hidden in large cargo on a barge traveling from one country to another. Is this the kind of movie we should be releasing? Why aren’t we raving over films which clearly teach terrorists that, if they’re clever and fast enough, they could smuggle tons of explosives, money and drugs on any cargo and get away with it!

I know the movies probably exaggerate the scenario – and that Homeland Security would say, “That’s just a movie – it’s not that easy in real life.” Well, “The Interview” is just a movie too! And if it’s JUST a movie, why are we afraid of repercussions or terrorist acts that the Feds swear they’ve been preventing since 9-11??

It also irks me that Americans can produce movies about our own president being assassinated – and no one really hesitated after their release. “Death Of A President,” released in 2006, was noted as “controversial,” as it depicted the fictional assassination of President George W. Bush. Some thought that it could “inspire a real assassination.”

How many films have been released in the past 100 years that could possibly “inspire” any number of horrific incidents? We’re going to start worrying NOW that our First Amendment rights – and our right to be entertained – will be threatened?

So, they ask, how would we like to see a movie produced by another country about our president being killed? If WE can produce movies about our president being killed, isn’t it a tad hypocritical? It’s okay for US to kill our own president in a violent film, but it’s not okay for another nation to do so?

When you watch documentaries about politicians in America who were assassinated, it’s usually seen as an “inside job” that was plotted for months and years – by another American! What’s more, you hear about the CIA and the Feds hiding the administration-involved murder or homicide.

If you ask me, we’re not demonstrating that we’re a country whose colors don’t run. Our movie industry is BASED on the shock value and impact of film directors, writers and producers. Our movies are known to provoke violent thoughts – whether it’s Americans carrying out a crime or preventing terrorist acts that mimic real life incidents. If you want to argue that it's the wrong time of year - Christmas Day – to release this kind of movie - that's another cop out reason to cow down to "threats" that our government is supposed to protect us from.

Go ahead, Sony, cancel the movie and cause an uproar over Seth Rogan’s typical Hollywood performance…I’ll be among the thousands of people yawning and moving on to the next film that they have no interest in seeing.

Want even more in-your-face insight? Check out my blog at http://dtellingitlikeitis.blogspot.com/, where you’ll find past “Telling It Like It Is” columns as well as new and unpublished works. Feedback is welcome!

There’s Nothing Like An Inebriated Santa To Keep Spirits Bright!

 Remember when you were a kid and you left cookies and milk for Santa Claus by the Christmas tree? Okay, that’s not something I ever did, but I always wondered – what if Santa makes a ruckus and wakes everyone up? What if he trips over your stuff? What if he had a little too much eggnog and now he’s fumbling all over the place? There’s gonna be food everywhere!

Keep drinking - but not in one of our bars Santa!

Believing in Santa Claus isn’t just about the spirit of Christmas and the warmth of giving – it’s about believing in someone who represents classiness, respect and generosity. Santa is also the epitome of a child’s ideal Christmas – after sitting on his big red velvet-draped lap and perhaps after yanking his snowy white beard, they put in a request that will hopefully get fulfilled – that’s if they were “nice” and not “naughty.”

Hence, it’s unnatural for children to see Santa Claus inebriated – right? Well, if it were up to the crazies who take part in the ever-so-popular SantaCon, kids everywhere will really know what happens to Jolly Old Saint Nick after he’s been partying all night.

Hey – wait – how is Santa supposed to take care of all his Christmas matters if he’s getting ripped at a sports bar in Bushwick?

SantaCon looks like one of those crazy traditions that gives party animals an excuse to get hammered while dressing up for the holidays. Nothing says “Merry Christmas” like vomit and violence! While I don’t think those who participate in SantaCon should necessarily be banned from bars, I do think bar and restaurant owners have a right to prevent riots and drunken outbursts by posting signs that SantaCon members aren’t welcomed.  

Who’s going to take responsibility if and when things get out of hand? When bar owners have to call the police because someone won’t leave after last call…or when someone passes out and gets violently ill…Should a business owner have to be on guard because they know a herd of party animals is ready to bring the kind of attention that college kids attract during a crazy frat house get together?

I contend that it doesn’t matter what a group of people is wearing – be it Santa suits, Halloween costumes, or their own unique party attire…An unruly crowd is an unruly crowd! In Canarsie and surrounding areas, when you have a crowd that gets out of control and a shooting or stabbing occurs, sometimes the establishment will close or their liquor license doesn’t get renewed because of all the violence that takes place and because of all the complaints received from members of the community.

Maybe bars owners trying escape the reign of Santa’s celebration should have simply closed their business altogether so a legal advisor wouldn’t claim the ban as – what –“celebrationally unconstitutional?” or a “celebration discrimination?”

Not for nuthin,’ but it sounds like too many bad incidents have happened over the years that led to bar owners not wanting thousands of swanky Santa-suit-wearing drunkards on their property. In my opinin, they have every right to turn away drunkards who could cause damage and run amok.

The same way businesses have a “no shirt, no shoes, no business” rule, implemented 356 days of the year, why can’t establishments implemeny a “no drunken Santa” rule?

Perhaps SantaCon celebrants have considered renting a hall just for themselves where they’re not infringing on the safety of the general public. There’s no guarantee that a brawl won’t break out at the catered affair, but at least they’ll only have themselves to answer to!

Santa’s got a lot of people on his list who have been naughty this year – but there are better ways of keeping the North Pole warm and merry than dousing your liver with booze and getting rowdy and wrecked. Happy Sober Santa celebrating!

(For 12-18-14 edition of Canarsie Courier)

NYPD “Puppets” Are Going To Be On Display For A Long Time

Lights, camera, ACTION!

After all of the riots going on all over the country following news that two white police officers won’t be convicted of killing two black men in our country, the public won’t stop asking: how can we improve relations between cops and the community? 

In New York, we’re going to try equipping our cops with small body cameras to capture those special moments when police feel like whipping their guns out to shoot someone who allegedly “poses a clear threat” to their lives. These cameras, which will be placed on police officers working in some of the city’s most crime ridden precincts, will also capture the moments before, during and after an officer makes any “unethical” moves that will be challenged by the public and civil rights leaders.

I have a feeling this is going to be one of those columns where I pose endless rhetorical questions that not too many people can directly answer. However, there are a lot of unanswered questions that will leave protesters unsettled – leading to MORE outrage and MORE arrests by police officers. This is a revolving door society – and whatever police departments across the country decide to do to tame racial tensions between police and civilians, in my opinion, will never work.

How can we ease tensions between civilians and police? How can we improve interactions between cops and residents so that there is less violence and tragedy?

From what I observe in our community, police officers are not trained to truly interact with the community. I don’t count shoving people away from police lines and telling them they’re “interfering with police activity” as interacting. I don’t count “we can’t tell you anything…just back off” as interacting.

After cops graduate from the Academy, what are they taught about enforcing the law while simultaneously developing a rapport with residents? Are they just puppets being controlled by heads of the department to end someone’s life if they see fit? Are we ever going to have police officers THEMSELVES talk to the community? Do we have any NYPD sessions in our community where the very cops who patrol our streets talk to people in an open forum? If there has been, the Canarsie Courier doesn’t know about it. It seems like police officers don’t have to answer to the public, only their “higher ups” and “bigwigs” such as Community Affairs and youth officers can say a few words to the public.

How about the way teenagers view police? Parents, during interviews with the media, claim they’ve “had talks with their children about their chances of being stopped and questioned by a police officer because of factors such as their race.” Are any police officers – and not ones who are retired from the force – going to speak with the public? They’re not supposed to. Why?

What is the NYPD doing – DOING – action-wise to improve their reputation among residents? Fortunately, that question DOES have answer. Last week Mayor de Blasio said the NYPD is going to retrain officers and “improve the dynamic” between police and the community. They’re going to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to teach cops to respond in a less violent manner. So they won’t use the “excessive force” that was demonstrated on Eric Garner.

Aren’t police officers’ reputations already stained?

Aren’t there so many cases where the police department simply can’t save their image – such as the “accidental” shooting at the Pink Houses in East New York which left a 28-year-old unarmed man dead for literally NO reason?

Let’s get real! You can retrain them – re-wire them…re-string them…They’re still going to listen to the puppeteer! Be it good ole Mr. Bratton, de Blasio himself, their captains, deputy inspectors, or the sergeants and lieutenants they work with at their assigned precincts. The cops themselves, who patrol the streets aren’t going to engage in conversation with the public to change their reputation. Right???

It also doesn’t sound like police will want to get to know people in the neighborhoods which they patrol. During many civic meetings I’ve been to, people complain about the horrible “attitude” cops have – and the lack of courteousness received from them in general.  From a civilians’ standpoint, it looks as if police aren’t allowed to be personable with people – they’re not allowed to talk to civilians in a… civil manner!

We’re not asking cops to make friends with everyone they come across. We're not asking them to give up their “I’m tougher and better than you” demeanor – although that would help!

The foundation of a good relationship – of any kind – is communication, and there’s little of that when it comes to police and residents. Yes, their job is to enforce the law and keep order, but the disrespect communities have for police officers is growing and causing more disorder.

I might be offering a petty and simple-minded idea that will never play a role in law enforcement – where officers are friendly to youths and professionally greeted those whom they protect. Let’s see if “reform” really makes police officer New York’s finest!

(Unpublished as of 11-5-14)