Marcus: Pope Francis does not pontificate
With five simple words, Pope Francis stopped us in our self-regarding, self-important tracks."Who am I to judge?" Francis asked, when queried about gay priests. "If someone is gay and he searches for...
View ArticleFriedman: Industrial strength corruption
Every so often you read a news article so revealing that it triggers this thought: I wonder if we'll look back on that story in five years and say, "We should have seen this coming. That story was the...
View ArticleReform state aid to schools
Six years ago, the courts judged the system for funding public schools in New York City violates the state Constitution; required remedial action is still incomplete. A study by Rutgers University...
View ArticleEditorial: New pope, new attitude
THE ISSUE:Pope Francis strikes a more tolerant tone on gay men in the priesthood.THE STAKES:The world's most watched religious leader can shift the discussion beyond the church. It is a measure of the...
View ArticleLetter: Roe vs. Wade a terrible decision
M. Tracey Brooks, president of Planned Parenthood Advocates of New York, in her letter bemoans our state Senate voting against an opportunity to enshrine Roe vs. Wade into New York law ("N.Y. Senate...
View ArticleLetter: Photo of middle class didn't reflect diversity
I am writing regarding a picture that appeared with a commentary written by President Barack Obama ("Prescription to help the middle class," July 27). I read with interest the agenda that the...
View ArticleLetter: Forget the rich, let's help workers get a fair shake
Anyone who values the dignity of work, job security and company loyalty to its workers would have found Times Union articles on July 17 and 18 very disturbing. To prop up owner and upper-management...
View ArticleLetter: 'Stand Your Ground' law to blame for teen's death
I sympathize with the family of Trayvon Martin. His death was a needless tragedy and they have suffered a great loss. To Mr. Martin's family, the acquittal of George Zimmerman must feel like a...
View ArticleSmith: Challenges at 150 years, as well as hope
It was six years after horses first hit the homestretch at the Saratoga Race Course that the first professional baseball league was created. Professional football was still 29 years away, as was the...
View ArticleNotable quotes
''If someone is gay and he searches for the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge?''— Pope Francis, on gay priests"We laugh, because if we didn't laugh, we would cry, right?"— Gov. Andrew Cuomo,on...
View ArticleEditorial: Clean house, New York
THE ISSUE:The scattered scandals in the state Legislature all reflect a culture of corruption.THE STAKES:Will lawmakers fix it, or do the voters have to do it for them? From sexual harassment in the...
View ArticleHow rich is too rich?
The advice that "you can never be too rich or too thin" attributed to Wallis Warfield Simpson, the late Duchess of Windsor, for whose love King Edward VIII gave up his throne, seems to resonate with...
View ArticleSnowden's asylum delays inevitable
The following is from an editorial in the Los Angeles Times:Russia's decision to grant political asylum to Edward Snowden for a year frustrates the Obama administration's attempt to return the former...
View ArticleCelebrate horse racing with humane treatment
This year marks the 150th anniversary of thoroughbred racing at Saratoga Race Course. Considering the sacrifices the horses have long made, the least horse racing can do is institute some humane...
View ArticleO'Keeffe exhibit at Hyde deserves more exposure
I am writing in response to the coverage given "Modern Nature: Georgia O'Keeffe and Lake George" at The Hyde Collection, Glens Falls ("Lake inspiration," July 28). This stunning exhibition is what is...
View ArticleHistoric Cherry Hill deserves generous funding
The article, "Mansion may be history," July 21, warning of the financial challenges faced by Historic Cherry Hill is alarming. Its supporters have rallied to meet a critical funding deadline, but it...
View ArticleMansion needs financial overseer
I was glad, with reservations, to read that Albany's historic Cherry Hill Mansion has received generous pledges of financial support after the Times Union reported on its need to stave off the...
View ArticleThe mavericks prevail? Oh, to dream
Washington As congressional leaders depart the nation's capital for a much-deserved five-week break, it is with a sense of relief and pride in accomplishment: A grand bargain budget that ends...
View ArticleChildren in poverty also at risk academically
Watervliet schools Superintendent Lori Caplan's commentary "Poverty, not intelligence, impacts school performance," July 25, echoes what we have seen at Catholic Charities for many years.Childhood...
View ArticleDowd: Nail polish, true grit in mayoral bid
A well-dressed man at the West 72nd Street subway entrance stopped to take one of the fliers Christine Quinn was handing out."You don't seem quite as evil as they make you out to be," he said, smiling...
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