For What it’s Worth: Warren Hecht

This column will be my final one before Election Day. I feel as though this moment is like Neilah on Yom Kippur, l’havdil—my last chance to be convincing. Now, I’m making a final attempt to persuade those who plan to vote for Curtis Sliwa, or who are thinking of sitting out this election, to go out and vote for Andrew Cuomo.

In preparation for the High Holy Days, Sephardim began saying Selichos at the start of Elul, and Ashkenazim began on Saturday night, September 13. The Queens Jewish Link published its September 18 edition with the front page wishing “Shanah Tovah.” Throughout the paper were greetings from elected officials—Jewish and non-Jewish, religious and not—as well as from private entities, some just a few words and others more detailed.

It is time to get back to writing after two weeks off. There is so much to discuss that it was hard to decide what to address. I was going to focus on the Hamas-Israel deal in detail; however, that would require an article of its own. Instead, there is an issue that has a greater impact on New York City and needs to be addressed.

Last week was the 24th anniversary of the terrorist attack on the United States on September 11, 2001. Every year on 9/11, the names of those who died that day are read. What tends to get lost with the passage of time is how the events of that day affected the psyche of the country. It put to rest the idea of “fortress America.” Another aspect that is often overlooked is the response of then-President George W. Bush. In light of the assassination of Charlie Kirk on September 10, Bush’s response merits examination.

Since Trump returned as president, he has been able to bully various sectors of society to bend to his will. Examples include law firms, universities, and media outlets. Sometimes the media outlets pay a “settlement” in response to a frivolous lawsuit brought by Trump because they fear the consequences. Trump wanted Stephen Colbert off the air, and Paramount—seeking approval for its acquisition by Skydance—acquiesced to Trump’s request by not renewing Colbert’s contract.

Trump says that he has goals which most Americans agree with, such as reducing crime, curbing illegal immigration, and addressing drug use. However, there are those who doubt that Trump truly cares about these issues and believe he is using them as an excuse to increase his power. Assuming that Trump genuinely wants to tackle these problems, the issue is that he seems to believe the end justifies the means.