Opinion Exchange

Here’s a look at opinion content published today, Sept. 24:

Jim Russell: Editorial
Westchester County Republican leaders were correct, we write, in deciding to withdraw their endorsement of Jim Russell, a perennial candidate from Hawthorne who is running against Rep. Nita Lowey of Harrison. It was reported earlier this week that Russell had penned a 2001 essay that embraced anti-Semitism and eugenics. We write:

… A week after GOP voters nominated gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino, who has admitted distributing a bevy of racist jokes and pornographic images via e-mail to friends and associates, Westchester GOP Chairman Doug Colety told staff writer Leah Rae that the party had had enough — of Russell. “We’re going to pull the plug on him immediately,” said Colety.


Voters are left to ponder why one extreme and offensive candidate has been abandoned while another leads the GOP ticket.

Michelle Obama at Stone Barns: Editorial
We comment on First Lady Michelle Obama’s visit to Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture today. We write:

We don’t know who has more reason to be pleased at first lady Michelle Obama’s visit to the Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture today. The visit means the Stone Barns will see its mission of sustainable farming thrust onto the worldwide stage by Obama, whose entourage will include the spouses of global leaders. On the other hand, the first lady will have the good fortune to eat lunch at the award-winning restaurant Blue Hill at Stone Barns, the high temple of farm-to-table dining. …

Patrick Farm: Commentary
Jeffrey L. Genser of Suffern comments on the proposed development on 206 acres known as Patrick Farm in Ramapo.