Dan's Papers -December 19, 2008

To paraphrase Mark Twain, the reports of our death are highly exaggerated! There has been a rumor circulating in the community that the Retreat is closing its doors. Not true. We have, on the contrary, listed our administrative office building for sale (located on Goodfriend Drive) so as to expand our financial options during these difficult economic times. The Shelter is not for sale, and its operation - and the daily functions of our staff - will not be affected.

We remain totally dedicated and committed to the mission we serve: providing safety, shelter and support for victims of domestic abuse, and breaking the cycle of family violence.

In addition, we are currently interviewing applicants for the position of executive director, and look forward to this person taking the Retreat to even higher levels of service and excellence for the clients we serve. We need your help, and that of your readers. The statistics tell an alarming story:

.. Globally at least one in three women has been beaten, coerced into sex, or otherwise abused during her lifetime.

.. Studies suggest that between 3.3-10 million children witness some form of domestic violence annually.

.. Between September and December 2008, the Retreat's shelter occupancy surged upward by 26%, to full capacity!

.. Recently, the Retreat's counseling, hotline and advocacy services increased by an estimated 36%.

Through your donations and continuing support, the Retreat has been, and will continue to be, the place "where violence ends and hope begins."

Glad to dispel rumors. - DR

With the recent nomination of Tom Daschle to be Health and Human Services Secretary, what's overlooked by most media is that former Democratic Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle was a frequent critic of President George Bush when he attempted to appoint lobbyists or those with strong ties to lobbyists for government positions. In recent years, Daschle has served as a highly paid adviser to health care clients at the law and lobbying firm Alston & Bird. President elect Barack Obama has now nominated Daschle for Secretary of Health and Human Services. Seems like the famous "K" Street lobbyists have just opened shop across the street to influence a Democratic Party-controlled White House and Congress. Political quid pro quo between lobbyists and those in power, be it Republican or Democrat, appears to be alive and well in Washington. So much for the "change" Obama promised us. I guess voters will have to wait four years till the next Presidential election to seek a "refund."

We shall see what we shall see, but first Obama has to fix the economic mess he's inherited. - DR

Thank you for this wonderful article ["Easy Listening," December 12, by Managing Editor Susan Galardi]. So many times I have had a similar conversation with myself about this. Except, I like cigarettes. Job well done! :)

Hope it helps to end that self-talk. - SG

Re: Your article 11/21, "A Murder In......" you commented that [Suffolk County Executive Steve] Levy has not yet repealed the anti-Hispanic laws that his administration has passed..."

In response for millions of legal, hard working, tax paying Americans, we would say that his laws are aimed at any and all illegal aliens in Suffolk County. The fact that the vast majority happens to be Hispanic is not our fault; they are the ones who are in our country illegally. Utilizing our schools, our hospitals, our law enforcement (too many, unfortunately, for imprisonment) and many of our other services at little or no cost to them. Too many are living in overcrowded housing that is unsafe and illegal, and for which they do not pay their fair share of property and school taxes to support their illegal use of our services.

To dodge or confuse hard truths about racial, ethnic issues by reporting them in different descriptive terms like "undocumented immigrant" or "newcomers" versus illegal aliens is in itself a form of bigotry. Try showing the same compassion for hard working American citizens who pay all of their taxes and are being forced to foot the bill for illegal aliens as well. These people are here in this country illegally; they are breaking our laws.