Common Sense: A world view

My wife and I were in Europe when the State Department and Homeland Security issued their warnings concerning possible terrorist threats overseas. And although the warnings seemed to place emphasis on the Middle East, being anywhere out of the country when such a warning is issued can be a bit unsettling. So although we had a wonderful vacation, I was happy when we landed back in United States.

So many Americans travel abroad during the summer. Running often into fellow New Yorkers as well as Americans from all over the country is more the norm than not when in Europe. And, for that matter, it seems like most of Europe is traveling at the same time with many different nationalities coming together on holiday.

Interestingly, although America is the world’s oldest democracy in terms of history, it is but an infant when compared to many European countries. We visited churches that took longer to complete than America has existed. And we visited a site that was older then Stonehenge by several thousand years.

Europe, of course, is comprised of nations that can often be described as culturally monolithic and for the most part with a less defined concept of freedoms as we know them to be in the United States.

The Euro, which for a number of years has been the centerpiece of the European currency system, is generally criticized wherever you go. It seems to have made prices more expensive in many countries, doing damage to their economy and to some degree tourism.

It also runs against hundreds of years of nationalism. You often wonder if it will survive in the future. The problem for European nations is that, despite its drawbacks, the Euro generally makes Europe as an economic community stronger.

In any event, visiting Europe is a great way of understanding the special nature and value of being an American. As they say it’s a great place to visit, but I would not want to live there.

* * *

State Senator Golden (whom I serve as chief of staff) and Assemblymember Malliotakis have introduced the legislation I mentioned in an earlier column that will effectively battle illicit day spas and other businesses operating sex parlors. The bill should easily pass the Republican controlled State Senate.

Unfortunately, Assemblymember Malliotakis will have a more difficult time in the Democratically-controlled Assembly, which only a few months ago failed to pass legislation that would have addressed human trafficking which is a major component in the sex industry. We should all try to help Nicole out by urging our local assemblymembers to support their efforts.

In the meantime, if you see a business that you believe is operating in an illicit manner, call District Attorney Charles Hynes’s office at 718-250-2000, Senator Golden at 718-238-6044 or Assemblymember Malliotakis at 718-987-0197 to report it.

* * *

The mayor’s race is really heating up for both the Democratic and Republican parties. With that happening, it is easy to forget that there is a Democratic primary for district attorney in Brooklyn. Long-term District Attorney Charles Hynes faces challenges from an opponent who only seem to be on the attack, rarely offering better solutions, just criticism.

I make no bones about it. As chairperson of the Brooklyn Conservative Party, I was pleased that we chose Charles Hynes for re-election. It’s the third time we have nominated him and for us it makes perfect sense.

The Conservative Party prides itself on being tough on crime. Hynes has been a no-nonsense prosecutor, highly respected around the state and for that matter, the nation.

Brooklyn is a difficult place to be a prosecutor. Brooklyn juries more than most must be worked hard to get a conviction. Yet, Hynes has a high conviction rate and an excellent team supporting him. That’s what I want in a prosecutor.