To legislation recently signed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo prohibiting telemarketing calls that deliver prerecorded messages.
"Unwanted telemarketing calls are intrusive and irritating," said Governor Cuomo. "This legislation is designed to ensure that New Yorkers who choose not to receive these promotional messages are not forced to deal with these harassing phone calls."
In addition, the legislation gives the Department of State the authority to ban companies that violate telemarketing laws from doing business in New York state.
Unwanted phone calls are an annoyance, but even more so when, after saying "Hello? Hello?" repeatedly, you are greeted only with a prerecorded message.
The law augments legislation already in place, such as the state's Do-Not-Call registry, giving the state one more tool to keep these obnoxious calls at bay.
To the British, for putting on a jolly good show at the 2012 Summer Olympics.
The past two Summer Olympic Games, in Athens and Beijing, drew substantial criticism for myriad concerns, including pollution, human rights abuses, insufficient infrastructure and delays.
While Britain faced some initial criticism _ including a notable jab from presidential hopeful Mitt Romney _ the Brits pulled it off, delivering a memorable and distinctive spectacle that was uniquely British.
We applaud the Brits for a job well done.
Jeers
To the unknown person or people who vandalized a historic cemetery in Margaretville.
State police are investigating damage done to 12 19th-century headstones in the Margaretville Cemetery, which happened in early August.
Historical Society of Middletown President Diane Galusha called the desecration "a cruel blow," coming as it did after a great deal of work on the society's part to raise awareness of the historic nature of the graves, and to share headstone inscriptions on the society's website.
While all vandalism is reprehensible, some makes less sense than others. A few beer bottles or some trash is one thing. But in this case, it would appear as though someone took the initiative to cut the chains securing the cemetery gate so they could knock over several historic gravestones.
It's unfathomable what would induce someone to do something like this. What could possibly be gained by this act? Could someone be yearning so badly for some sort of thrill or excitement in their life that this sort of destruction seemed like it would be a fun way to spend an evening?
While we fear that the damage done in Margaretville can never truly be repaired, we do hope that there is sufficient support for whatever can be done to preserve the history contained on the stones.
And we wish the police godspeed in bringing the perpetrator or perpetrators to justice.
Anyone with information is asked to call troopers at (845) 586-2681 or the village office at (845) 586-4418.
