From Don Covington

FW: Voice of the People NY DAILY NEWS NEW YORK, NY April 12, 2007 Only in the Land of Oz (otherwise known as the New York City Council), would you hear about the proposed legislation introduced by Councilwoman Rosie Mendez (D-Manhattan), seeking to ban the Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey circus from performing in the Big Apple. Why go to the real circus anyway? Queens residents can observe the greatest collection of clowns in any legislative body by attending any City Council session. Worthless legislation seems to be a daily affair. Now they want to deprive thousands of children and adults from Queens and other boroughs of the entertainment provided by the circus. If Councilwoman Mendez is concerned about animal abuse, she and her colleagues could adopt one of the numerous stray cats and dogs looking for a good home. Shouldn't worrying about people going hungry, with insufficient education, no job, medical insurance or a place to live be a higher priority? What about getting the $55 billion-plus long term city debt under control? With silly legislation like this, no wonder a majority of New Yorkers voted for "None of the Above" by staying home on Election Day in 2005. Thank goodness term limits will force most City Council members to seek employment elsewhere in 2009. Why not move the City Council meetings to the Ringling Brothers Circus? Clowns from both the circus and Council can both perform under the same Big Tent. Citizens could then see two shows for the price of one admission ticket. Larry Penner