The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

Inside Thoughts

A Bernie, Now Hillary Supporter’s Message: To Win, be Bold!

by

“Her campaign is in the tightest of races and there is a real danger of an unstable demagogue assuming the Presidency.”

By Ari Bennett

“Now is not the time to be attacking the Democratic Party.” — Most Democrats

Discourse within the Democratic party doesn’t have to be a love fest. We don’t have to hold hands and avoid difficult discussion. We’re adults. I think the voting age in America is 18? The truth is important, and this election year has shown that many Americans like hearing the truth. For some reason, others like Donald Trump because he instead tells the “truth,” which often simply consists of fear-inducing falsehoods.

To all those who insisted Bernie Sanders was a blind optimist with ideas too big for America (including getting money out of politics, free public college, universal healthcare, and a $15 minimum wage) that would never come to fruition: You’ve been proven wrong. His ideas may not yet have become a reality, but he knows the road toward acceptance is long and requires patience. He is a man capable of compromise. He proved it first by running for President on the Democratic ticket, which he knew, as an Independent, was not a party he fully supported, but was the best way to get his ideas the greatest exposure and widest acceptance. He again compromised by taking a stance to support Hillary Clinton, in order to take down a much greater threat. Bernie compromised by ultimately accepting a Democratic nominee who many would argue is the epitome of what his campaign fought against.

Bernie’s campaign and eventual loss was not for naught. He pushed Hillary to the left on college tuition, and she now supports free public college tuition for all families earning $125,000 or less. I believe she agrees with many more of the policies Bernie fought for, but refuses to explicitly present her positions because she deems it not the politically smart thing to do.

During the primary in New Hampshire Photo by Ari Bennett
During the primary in New Hampshire Photo by Ari Bennett

She remains purposely vague on many issues, pandering to both ends of the spectrum. If polling trends are to be believed, that is not the way to win. Look at Hillary’s choice for VP. While he gave a great acceptance speech, it was a very political decision. This is a man who, like Hillary, is a winner. He is a winner because he is political. He also happens to be white, male, and moderate. In 2005, in a radio ad for governor, he stated, “I’m conservative on issues of personal responsibility. As a former Christian missionary, faith is central to my life. I oppose gay marriage, I support restrictions on abortion — no public funding and parental consent — and I’ve worked to pass a state law banning partial-birth abortion.” This is someone who may present himself well, but by no means has a consistent progressive record.

As we dive into the cyberage, American “backroom politics” has been exposed due to leaks, and people are not happy with what they see. In perhaps any other election year, Hillary may have been the perfect candidate. More than ever, however, Americans want honesty. It’s time Hillary learns this. She needs to stop taking money from big moneyed interests and start taking clear stances on the issues.

Hillary is one of the most qualified presidential nominees in history and her intelligence is unquestionable. I truly believe her morals are in the right place and for the most part she has only the best in mind for Americans, but those morals are skewed by money and a corrupt system, both with which she has became far too comfortable.  But even at the height of my support for Bernie Sanders, I never believed Hillary was malicious; she has always projected a progressive trend. However, she needs to start playing the role of a leader, and stop taking stances only when the timing feels right.  The right time is now.

Honesty and consistency are vital this election. Now is the time for her to look deep within her heart and fully embrace stances on issues that she cares about. Her motives may still be suspect to some, but I’m convinced that each of her goals for America is what is in fact best for America. For those who desire truth and not “truth,” she must stand by the courage of her convictions. She cannot afford to dance around issues like a savvy politician. She must be bold. Her campaign is in the tightest of races and there is a real danger of an unstable demagogue assuming the Presidency. Bernie enchanted me and my peers by bringing something refreshing to politics – honesty and consistency. If Hillary is honest and forthright, and isn’t merely political in her behavior, she can save us from entering what could be the most devastating era in modern American history.

Ari Bennett is a rising Junior at Union College majoring in Math and Studio Art. He also has a passion for politics.

 

 


Like · Reply · 19 hrs

The Frighteningly Real Prospect of a Trump Presidency

by

By Alex Besen

I am a member of the younger generation preparing to vote in my second U.S. presidential election. Watching Brexit play out propelled me from nervously following election coverage to becoming outright terrified that we could conceivably hand control of this country to a man who has run on a platform that scapegoats particular ethnicities as the cause of our current troubles, and preys on public fear of them.

Now, friends and family have told me that I always assume the absolute worst. But is such a thought really that big of a stretch now? After all, America has been pretty ideologically similar to Britain in the post-WWII era. To aggravate matters further: pundits, pollsters, and the media predicted the Brexit vote completely wrong. So the current election polls we’re seeing in the news could be way off the mark too. In fact, I dare say if we voted today, Donald Trump has a real chance to be our next president. And what’s really frightening is that sentiment may not change in the next several months unless people wake up, smell the danger, and choose to exercise their right to vote.

From a young age I learned about the consequences of letting an individual who ostracizes particular groups gain control of a major Western power. Last I checked, the Declaration of Independence says we’re endowed with the rights to “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.” As an American citizen, I feel the presumptive Republican nominee endangers these “Unalienable Rights” for my family and me, and I cannot support him under any circumstances. I was fairly certain that I would vote for Hillary Clinton, even as Bernie Sanders earned the infatuation of all my friends. But I will definitely vote for her to put a stop to Donald Trump.

Photo by Ari Bennett
Photo by Ari Bennett

Now my Sanders-loving peers are very quick to judge me for that mentality. They claim a vote rooted in fear is not democratic, and that I’m only serving to prolong a broken governmental structure. I concede that our two-party system is inherently flawed, but I would like to present two counterarguments to the anger that certain populist candidates are currently harnessing.

First off, it’s foolish for my generation to solely blame our parents and grandparents for our current predicament. After all, we are partially to blame. Our turnout in recent midterm elections is laughable. By not voting, we have repeatedly sent a message that we don’t care who gets elected to offices outside the presidency. Consequently, we forfeit our right to complain. Secondly, you cannot fix a system like the federal government by starting with the presidency and hoping that’s enough to sway everyone in lower offices. That’s the same tired “trickle down” mentality that our generation is supposedly protesting in this election.

Our youthful energy and excitement needs to be redirected toward the people writing the bills: our Congressmen and women, our Senators, and our state legislators. Remember, the whole House of Representatives is up for reelection as is one-third of the Senate. Should you choose not to vote, you resign yourselves to a fate chosen by someone else. Look at the youth outcry in response to the Brexit vote. Don’t you think you’ll have the same regrets if you let Donald Trump get swept into office? I sure know I will.

And to tie this all together, let me simply say this: Republicans will fall in line with Trump if he’s elected, even if they do so begrudgingly. While some have had the backbone to come out and publicly declare opposition to him, the vast majority still have not. These politicians care most about staying in DC. And they cannot do that if they upset their constituents by going against The Donald. Which means if the Republicans keep control of Congress, Trump’s ridiculous-sounding policies stand a legitimate chance of becoming law. That’s where we need to step in.

We’ve moved past the point where logic and reason will work against Trump and his ilk. They are driven by raw emotion. Not to mention, with the criminal amount of media attention Trump received, his so-called message for a long time was the central one reaching the average American. This means our best weapons are our votes, but we have to wield them effectively. So I urge you all to take a look in the mirror and think hard about this election over the coming months. It may not be the easiest decision to make, but a Trump presidency is too steep of a price for us to pay not to.

Alex Besen is a former Chappaqua resident. He graduated in May with a degree in Biomedical Sciences from RIT and currently works for the University of Rochester Medical Center.

NYC Pride: Proud, Loud and Record Crowds

by

Article and Photos By Bobbi M. Bittker

If you have not attended NYC Pride, whatever you think it is, you’re wrong.

My day began on the Metro North with three queer teens and a newly minted 11 year-old festooned in flags, tutus, pride Converse and slogan t-shirts. We hit Fifth Avenue in time to procure a decent spot before the parade began.

Why Pride? The LGBTQ community experiences fears and oppression the hetero-normative community does not. We kiss our partners goodbye in public, think little about exposing our relationship and who we are at job interviews or when renting a home, walk into a business and expect to be served if we have greenbacks on hand and doubt our attire, or who holds our hand in public, will bring violence. But not so for those who need Pride.

Heterosexual, cisgender people are the majority. Never forced into a closet, never criminalized and never attacked for being straight or cisgender, we enjoy full rights and privileges with no effort. The LGBTQ community had to fight every step of the way for those same rights, still lacking many. How lovely to be able to ‘marry on Friday and get fired on Monday’ in more than half of the states due to sexual orientation or gender identity.

Pride is satisfaction with qualities attributed to you. But it is also a group of lions forming a social unit. LGBTQ Pride is typically the former, but this year, it was the latter. After Orlando, the community displayed their fierce persona. Ferocious, but protective. There was no silencing them. There is no stopping them. You will not impede their progress. You will not stop them from dancing.

Soon after 49 queer people of color were killed at Pulse, a traditionally safe space, Pride transformed. How? Naturally, increased security. Fewer attendees due to fear? More people as backlash to hate? Parents of LGBT teens were unsure whether their kids should attend their first Pride this year. A friend asked if I was concerned about safety at Pride, and would we still go?

9/11 happened. We returned to the city. As a Jew, still targeted worldwide, we return to synagogue as fish in a barrel. Hours before the Orlando shooting, I left the Philly Trans Health Conference, where security was already tight because transgender people are at risk. I answered, if we don’t show up, who will? Why should anyone? We must.

Parading by, signs urging us to ‘keep dancing 4 orlando,’ ‘control guns, not love,’ ‘I see the world through rainbow colored glasses. check out my view!’ contrasted with 49 marchers dressed in shrouds, each marked with the name and photo of an Orlando massacre victim. There were moments of unbridled joy coupled with sober reality. A reflection of LGBTQ truth.

Shrouded participants bring uncharacteristic silence to spectators as they pass, each adorned in the name and photo of an Orlando Pulse nightclub victim. It was a poignant, somber moment on a day of celebration.
Shrouded participants bring uncharacteristic silence to spectators as they pass, each adorned in the name and photo of an Orlando Pulse nightclub victim. It was a poignant, somber moment on a day of celebration.

Participants ran the gamut from New York’s Finest and Bravest to Jewish, Quaker and Mormon groups. From ACT UP and Gays Against Guns to Senator Chuck Schumer and Democratic Presidential Candidate, Hillary Clinton. It was campy pop culture fun with the Orange is the New Black, RuPaul’s Drag Race, reality TV star and activist trans teen, Jazz Jennings, a Pride stormtrooper and the NBA float.

Intersectionality was King. Marchers wore ‘black queer trans lives matter’ t-shirts, senior disabled gays rolled by in wheelchairs, and inclusiveness was the key to the city. If you were marginalized elsewhere, NYC Pride took you in.

Drag queens glittered. Politicians smiled. Activists chanted. The crowd cheered for all. There was not a boo, nor a jeer to be heard, regardless of the politician, nation or religion represented. It was a slice of the American ideal. LGBTQ community, Pride is for you, and there is no greater welcome mat than 5th avenue.

Bring your children to Pride. Surrounded by young people, older folks, families, tourists, Pride crosses class, race, ethnic, nationality and, of course, gender lines. Explain that we accept, not tolerate, differences. No one is excluded. These are New York values.

We must strive for equality for all, every day. Pride is a reminder of what we have to work for. Pride is New York City on its best day.

Bobbi M. Bittker is a stay at home mom and attorney, on the Board of the Bedford Community Theatre, a Girl Scout troop leader and a vocal supporter of Israel, gun safety and LGBT, women’s and civil rights.

pride 1pride 2Pride 3

An Open Letter to the Chappaqua Central School District Community

by

Bond 2

For some time now, the Chappaqua Central School District has been on a journey of creating active learning environments for teaching and learning–environments where 21st century students can apply the content they learn to authentic projects, build new knowledge, and work together to design new thinking. We want students to explore their passions and solve relevant, complex problems both individually and collaboratively by using varied approaches, providing accurate feedback to each other, and by setting their own learning goals.

To assist us in achieving our learning goals for students, we are seeking to provide larger, purposefully designed, more flexible learning spaces that serve the needs of all students as they participate in multi-disciplinary projects. Traditional classroom spaces are confining and include less flexibility for teaching and learning.

Recently, the Board of Education passed a resolution calling for a $42.5M capital projects bond referendum on Tuesday, June 14, 2016. This project is considered a “no marginal increase project.” That is, the tax levy will not increase as a result of this bond.

If the bond referendum is approved, the monies would be expended to improve our infrastructure, upgrade our fields, build flexible, research-supported, intentionally-designed learning environments, and improve the Chappaqua Public Library.

Our Children and Our Schools

Buildings and resources have a natural lifespan, and most of our buildings are more than 40 years old. This bond will enable us to address aging infrastructure and bring our buildings in compliance with the governmental codes. There are numerous infrastructure projects that will help preserve the basic integrity of our buildings and create safer school environments through various health and safety upgrades and improvements.

We also will renovate and upgrade present space with:

  • Global learning centers at each elementary school and the high school, which are 21st century libraries with work spaces intentionally designed to address how students learn and collaborate in today’s world.
  • STEAM learning centers at each middle school and the high school (the STEAM center at Greeley is the only new construction). STEAM centers typically include a design studio and labs for fabrication, robotics, and 3D modeling and printing. Students across grade levels will participate in project-based learning and bring ideas from conception through design to production leading to a deeper understanding of academic content.
  • Instructional centers at Horace Greeley High School, which are deliberately designed learning environments that promote the development of critical skills. These new, larger flexible environments contain classroom spaces and common areas that are designed to allow for multi-disciplinary project-based learning across all subjects, from the humanities to the sciences.

Our Community

The Chappaqua Central School District is one of a few districts in New York State that is responsible for the operation and maintenance of a public library. The Chappaqua Public Library site opened in 1978 and not much has changed structurally since. This bond will support the community’s public library and its Master Plan by providing an adult quiet area, expanded children’s area, meeting/study rooms, enclosed teen zone, café, more instructional space, and family bathrooms.

There are 18 fields throughout the District that are used extensively by our schools and our Chappaqua community. This bond will allow us to make upgrades and improvements such as installing sprinklers at Seven Bridges, improving drainage and replacing sod at Greeley’s Field C, installing an environmentally-friendly modern turf field with lights and a walking path at Bell, and installing an environmentally-friendly modern turf field with lights, along with track renovations and the addition of bathrooms, at Greeley’s Competition Field. The modern turf fields will exponentially increase playing and practice time and increase their availability for use by the community.

Voting on this bond referendum will take place on Tuesday, June 14th between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. at Horace Greeley High School. Until then, I invite you to visit the bond referendum webpage we have created at www.ccsd.ws/bond. There you will find much more detailed information including presentations and videos, a list of proposed projects, conceptual drawings, videos of students and teachers discussing the benefits of larger, flexible, learning spaces equipped with advanced technology, a list of resources, answers to frequently asked questions, time lines, and an online form that you can use to submit questions and comments. Please remember to check this page often as new items will be posted as they become available, and please remember to vote on Tuesday, June 14, 2016.

Regards,
Lyn McKay
Superintendent of Chappaqua Schools

Finding a New Spiritual Home at FCC

by

Michelle Best
Michelle Best

By Michelle Best

In the fall of 2010, my husband passed away three weeks after a cancer diagnosis, when the first dose of chemotherapy proved fatal. I found myself a widow, with six- and eight-year-old daughters. Since he was a building superintendent in Manhattan, our home was linked to his job; once he passed, the nuns from our church, which owned the building, gave me only six weeks to vacate our home, eventually serving me with eviction notices on Christmas Eve. My church no longer felt like home, and in my hour of need. Unbelievably, they even asked me to increase my volunteering. I needed comfort. I also needed help and to learn how to receive it. Fortunately, my community outside of what I had thought was my church family, surrounded me and took me into their arms. Manhattan is more neighborly than you might think.

Janet Girardeau, one of the most loving women I knew in my Midtown neighborhood, suggested that my girls and I accompany her to her friend’s “marvelous church” in Chappaqua. Knowing that I was Catholic, she said that I would not even have to attend the service, but that I would “really enjoy the drive and it will do you some good to get out to the country and see the fall foliage and breathe some fresh air.” Smiling, she described a playground for my kids where “they can climb a tree and play out in the fresh air; it’s simply beautiful.”

Needing the spiritual boost, I accepted, and we set out from Times Square towards Chappaqua. Decompressing with each mile, I began to breathe as I took in the trees, golden and red and orange. An hour later we pulled into the giant parking lot of the First Congregational Church. I attended the service and was welcomed without any pressure. It felt familial and warm. Very low key, as though I’d stumbled into a meeting of people who genuinely knew the secret of how to live, and how to be kind. And a miraculous thing happened; my children had a great time at church!

Later, they begged me to return. “Can we please go back to that place? It was fun!” We returned the following week, and afterwards witnessed the most beautiful thing. An elderly parishioner was dying, in his last months or even weeks. At coffee hour after the service, his family and friends, even his hospice nurse, were welcomed. The men of the church, his closest friends, honored him, memorializing his name while he was still alive to hear it.

Getting it “Right”

They stood with a microphone and told stories of their years together, remembering the things he had done for the community, for the building we were in, for the world. A living funeral. These people, this church, was getting it RIGHT! They were honoring his life, right to him. Not waiting until it was too late to tell him about all that he had meant to the congregation.

I had found a new church community at FCC. And its sole mission was to make people feel good by doing good for one another. Even my children could see and feel that simply doing good for and with a group of people is the best medicine for a broken heart. We had found healing, in people, in this beautiful place, with beautiful nature. It became our spiritual home for good.

Years later, this remains our church. We don’t make it up to Chappaqua every week, but when we do we are welcomed and feel like we’re home. People at FCC don’t judge when life interferes with churchgoing; I always feel good when I walk through the doors, whether it’s been a week or a month since my last visit. At FCC everyone shares their thoughts, everyone is involved, and even during “the homily” (as we called it in my Catholic church) we are encouraged to raise questions and discuss our role in making the world a better place.

After a wild night of trick-or-treating and a sleepover, I was willing to let my kids off the hook one Sunday morning. To my surprise, it was not to be. My 12-year old convinced her friend to come with us. “Don’t worry, it’s not like a regular church, it’s actually really fun…the only thing we do is really fun things and then it helps people and you get to play and run around and it’s awesome.” My 14-year old, normally only interested in Snapchat, added that “we get to make backpacks for poor kids who can’t afford school supplies and we put together packed lunch for homeless people, and we had a car wash and stuff, and we get to sell Christmas trees to people, too.” Their friend was excited to join us, and left FCC having had the promised fun.

FCC gets things right: the world can use a spiritual place for good. Everyone, even kids, like to help other people–it just feels good. The more people we have the more good we can do, for ourselves and for one another.

Michelle Best is a writer, director and actor living in Manhattan. 

For more information about the First Congregational Church, please visit: fcc-chappaqua.org