For the past several weeks, politicians, members of the media, and community activists have made Raymond Kelly, New York City's Police Commissioner, the target of scathing criticism over the NYPD's intelligence and surveillance operations that have principally focused on publicly accessed information relating to Muslims and Muslim communities. He's been accused of racial profiling and infringing on the privacy rights of the general public, and in a strange way, he has been made out to be some sort of monster for doing his job.
Based on all reports, like it or not, Kelly is operating within the law and doing so for good reason. No one knows the ramifications of failed intelligence--or not enough intelligence--better than the men and women of the NYPD. They do not have to be reminded that New York City continues to be a primary target for members of Al-Qaeda and radical Islamic extremists.
The FBI, CIA and Department of Homeland Security are working around the clock to protect our country and our borders. But let's not forget, New York City is in a league of its own. Ray Kelly may get some help from the federal government, but at the end of the day, the safety and security of New York City is his responsibility. The buck stops with him. If, God forbid, things go bad, those same critics today would be calling for his head. This is wrong...dead wrong!
Let Ray Kelly do his job and protect the people of New York. For those who have difficulty letting him do so, take a walk down Memory Lane dating back to September 11, 2001. Reflect on every close call that we've had since, every thwarted attack on our city. Intelligence and surveillance often saves day. Unless or until Ray Kelly does something outside the law, let him do his job to protect the people of New York.
We will all be a lot better off for it.
Bernard B. Kerik
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Thursday, February 16, 2012
JEFFREY ZASLOW - REST IN PEACE
Jeffrey Zaslow was a columnist for The Wall Street Journal, and a New York Times best selling author. He co-wrote The Last Lecture with Randy Pausch who later died of cancer, and most recently wrote The Magic Room, A Story About the Love We Wish for our Daughters.
On February 10, at 53, his life ended in a tragic car accident, leaving behind his wife Sherry, and three daughters, Jordan, Alex, and Eden.
In reading the books he has written, you come to realize that he was a brilliant man and a wonderful story teller, but more than anything, a loving and caring husband and father.
In The Magic Room which was dedicated to Jordan, Alex, and Eden, he talks about his love for them, and as someone who loves his children as I do, I could relate to every word. He wrote, "My three daughters are now ages twenty-one, nineteen, and fifteen, and I know they will need love in their lives - from me, my wife, each other, and someday I hope, from their husbands and children."
Every parent can learn from this book, especially two of life's most important lessons: Never take life for granted, and always remember to say to your children, "I love you." Jeffrey Zaslow knew and understood this, and in leaving our world for another, he left behind The Magic Room, not only for us to share, but as an eternal reminder to his daughters of the unconditional love he had for each of them. All children should be so lucky.
May he rest in peace, and my God Bless the family he left behind.
-BERNARD B. KERIK
On February 10, at 53, his life ended in a tragic car accident, leaving behind his wife Sherry, and three daughters, Jordan, Alex, and Eden.
In reading the books he has written, you come to realize that he was a brilliant man and a wonderful story teller, but more than anything, a loving and caring husband and father.
In The Magic Room which was dedicated to Jordan, Alex, and Eden, he talks about his love for them, and as someone who loves his children as I do, I could relate to every word. He wrote, "My three daughters are now ages twenty-one, nineteen, and fifteen, and I know they will need love in their lives - from me, my wife, each other, and someday I hope, from their husbands and children."
Every parent can learn from this book, especially two of life's most important lessons: Never take life for granted, and always remember to say to your children, "I love you." Jeffrey Zaslow knew and understood this, and in leaving our world for another, he left behind The Magic Room, not only for us to share, but as an eternal reminder to his daughters of the unconditional love he had for each of them. All children should be so lucky.
May he rest in peace, and my God Bless the family he left behind.
-BERNARD B. KERIK
Friday, January 20, 2012
RICHARD SHEIRER - Rest In Peace
On the morning of September 11, 2001, while the entire nation watched the horrific events unfold in New York City, Richie Sheirer, the Director of the Mayor's Office of Emergency Management, was on the scene within minutes, assisting in the rescue and evacuation of the Twin Towers. In the days, weeks and months after, he was a pillar of strength for many. For me, he was there whenever I needed him, always with the answer and always with a smile. He was a big man with a bigger heart, and for anyone who knew him, you knew that he gave our city and our country his all.
Today, we lost a piece of our country's history, and we lost a good, sweet and gentle man. He was one of a kind, and he was one of the best. He was a hero, in every sense of the word, and he was a good friend.
My thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time. He will be truly missed.
May he rest in peace, and may God Bless his family always.
-BERNARD B. KERIK
Today, we lost a piece of our country's history, and we lost a good, sweet and gentle man. He was one of a kind, and he was one of the best. He was a hero, in every sense of the word, and he was a good friend.
My thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time. He will be truly missed.
May he rest in peace, and may God Bless his family always.
-BERNARD B. KERIK
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