Opinion Exchange

Here’s a look at opinion content published in The Journal News on Saturday, Jan. 15, Sunday, Jan. 16 and today, Monday, Jan. 17:

Saturday, Jan. 15
Gun control: Commentary
Roger Lowenstein, a Bloomberg News columnist, reflects on the deadly shootings in Tucson and argues that a ban on semi-automatic weapons is hardly extreme. He writes:

… The surest way to prevent such acts of terror is to halt the distribution of semi-automatic weapons in the first place. In any sane country, semi-automatic weapons — those that can be shot rapidly with repeated pulls of the trigger, without stopping to reload each time — would be banned, period. …

Sunday, Jan. 16
Health reform and the GOP: Editorial
We comment on House Republicans’ plans to take up a repeal of the 2010 health-reform legislation this week. For a host of reasons, we count our blessings that the vote will most likely be just for show as the Senate is unlikely to take up a repeal We write:

… The unfortunately titled proposal, Repealing the Job-Killing Health Care Law, is likely to pass easily in the House, fulfilling a campaign promise by Republican candidates, including freshman Rep. Nan Hayworth of the 19th District, to dismantle the health-care reforms. The reforms are projected to add some 32 million Americans to the health-care rolls by the middle of the decade, as well as add important consumer protections to those already with insurance. The Democratic-controlled Senate, however, isn’t likely to consider the measure. President Obama, of course, opposes repeal as well. So the House action is mostly for show — which is a good thing for New York. …

Yonkers and Joan Gronowski: Reisman
Phil Reisman assesses the political situation in Yonkers through news that Joan Gronowski, a Democratic City Council member who represents the city’s 3rd District, will not seek another term in office.

Pensions: Commentary
David Kasman of White Plains replies to a Jan. 9 commentary from Steven Bavaria of Chestnut Ridge on the subject of public-employee pensions.

Monday, Jan. 18
Earmarks: Commentary
Cortes E. DeRussy, a Bronxville Republican who mounted a write-in challenge to Rep Nita Lowey, D-Harrison, in the fall general election, argues in favor of earmark reform in a community view.