Blog: Fred’s Gripes

Fred’s Gripes

My name is Frederick R. Bedell Jr. and I have written opinions that have appeared in the Queens Courier as well as most local and regional newspapers for many years now. The name of my blog is “Fred’s Gripes.” I hope to touch on many topics and situations that affect many of us in Queens and tick some of us off, including myself.You may or may not agree with me but feel free to send your comments; I would really appreciate your input. So, until I hear from you, be well and be good to one another.

Pedro Espada found guilty
Fred's Gripes Frederick Bedell Jr. 5/17/2012 at 10:58AM

Pedro Espada , Bronx Democrat and former State Senate Majority leader was found guilty of stealing. Here is a man that when elected to office had an opportunity to help those in the most need and to serve the community he was elected to serve faithfully. He failed. He didn’t steal from the rich and give to the [...]

Is unemployment really going down?
Fred's Gripes Frederick Bedell Jr. 5/07/2012 at 10:34AM

The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ monthly job report has announced the new figures on unemployment. Unemployment has officially dropped from 8.2% to 8.1%. Well I guess that looks good for the Obama administration who is thinking they doing a good job in regard to the economy. I think not. Let’s do a little reality check based on the [...]

My most unforgettable character
Fred's Gripes Frederick Bedell Jr. 4/27/2012 at 10:36AM

I have just lost a good friend, mentor, and a brother knight, who has just passed away . I owed a lot to William P. Fitzgerald of Little Neck [Queens] who has meant a lot to many diiferent people in many walks of life as well. Now I’m Grand Knight of St. Anastasia Knights of Columbus [...]

Dick Clark RIP
Fred's Gripes Frederick Bedell Jr. 4/19/2012 at 10:20AM

I am sadden as many are as we read or heard the news of the passing of Dick Clark, who was called America’s oldest teenager. My prayers go to his family at this time. He was larger than life and brought Rock and Roll into our homes for many years. I remember living in Queens [...]

Be a Mentor
Fred's Gripes Frederick Bedell Jr. 4/10/2012 at 10:15AM

I remember being a teenager in the 60′s and attending many youth dances in Queens. It was a time of good fun and got to see and hear some good neighborhood bands. Now quite a few was held at Catholic churches throughout Queens. I remember attending dances at Incarnation, St. Joachim & Ann, Our Lady [...]

Justice for Trayvon Martin
Fred's Gripes Frederick Bedell Jr. 3/26/2012 at 7:17AM

President Obama has spoken up on the Florida shooting of Trayvon Martin. Where as he said,” Trayvon’s parents are right to expect that all of us as Americans are going to take this with the seriousness it deserves.”  The shooting of unarmed Trayvon should not of happen. A nation is outraged and rightly so when a [...]

To smoke or not to smoke
Fred's Gripes Frederick Bedell Jr. 3/19/2012 at 7:24AM

To smoke or not to smoke that is the question being asked by the CDC. The Centers for Disease Control is embarking on a $54 dollars campaign aganist smoking. There will be billboards and in print, radio and TV showing the results of smoking in a graphic manner.They will show people with heart surgery, a tracheotomy, lost [...]

Gas prices going up again !
Fred's Gripes Frederick Bedell Jr. 3/05/2012 at 9:09AM

As a consumer and one who depends on driving to get to work I am appalled how myself and others are being ripped off at the pump. Now I am not an expert about the reasons for the spike at the pumps but I feel the reasons are most troubling. There is the threats coming [...]

Praise for NYPD’s Survellance
Fred's Gripes Frederick Bedell Jr. 2/27/2012 at 9:56AM

Commissioner Ray Kelly has done what is necessary to keep all of us safe. That includes Christians, Jews, Muslims and all religious, racial and ethnic groups. Terrorism knows no bounds and its only objective is to kill as many people as possible. Therefore, in my opinion, potential Islamist extremists are a threat to all of us. [...]

Government attack on religious liberty
Fred's Gripes Frederick Bedell Jr. 2/10/2012 at 11:26AM

On January 20, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services [HHS] reaffirmed a rule that virtually all private health care plans must cover sterilization, abortion and contraception. Under the ruling all Catholic church ministries which include schools, colleges, hospitals, nursing homes and Catholic Charities must comply or be fined. In my view this ruling [...]