What Say You, Mr. Gentile?
By Andrew Roman
Posted On January 20, 2006
I was among several people who visited the offices of New York City Councilman Vincent Gentile in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, on December 20th, asking him to publicly repudiate the contemptible comments made by Democratic Party Chairman Howard Dean two weeks earlier, who asserted during a radio interview that the war was not winnable. While many Democrats have mustered the courage to condemn Dean's regrettable claims, Councilman Gentile is not among them - despite the fact that his district in Brooklyn is home to the only active military installation in the city of New York (Fort Hamilton) as well as the VA Hospital on Poly Place.
Mr. Gentile continues to be a model of arrogance. No statements have been issued and no responses to our initial inquiries have been proffered, despite assurances from his Chief of Staff to the contrary. His people skills have proven to be astounding, at best. If indeed silence is golden, Mr. Gentile is well on his way to making a killing in that commodity.
While it is clear this is an issue that should transcend politics, one can reasonably conclude that Gentile is bound by some sort of injudicious party allegiance (or influence) that keeps him from doing what's right. And one can't help but wonder whether Councilman Gentile is even aware he's privileged enough to represent more military personnel in his Brooklyn district than many United States Congressional representatives do. The Councilman has been afforded one opportunity after another to comment, and yet he's opted to keep his fingers on the "mute" button.
Whether he is shoving the apple in his own mouth or there are greater, more influential forces at work, there can be no question that his credibility erodes with each passing day. And it's clear, exceptionally so, that he needs to open his mouth for something other than a fundraiser or a photo-op at a local eatery.
Howard Dean's comments late last year were shameful, unpatriotic and also wrong. The United States military are the greatest and most efficient fighting force the world has ever known. What must Mr. Dean think of the brave Americans who have volunteered to lay their lives on the line for this nation to spew such nonsense?
Through his blaring silence, Mr. Gentile is complying with Howlin' Howie's garbage. The very least Mr. Gentile can do is stand up for the brave men and women who serve their nation honorably - including many in his own district - by denouncing the ramblings of a man better known for his straight-jacket tightening screams than his sound critical analyses.
Let us now see, the second time around, how long it will take to incite a response from the Gentile camp, deep in the heart of flag-waving, patriotic Bay Ridge, if at all?
New York wants to know: "What say you, Mr. Gentile?"
Andrew Roman lives in Brooklyn, New York.
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