Author, Doctor, Speaker, Joseph Bentivegna

Doctor Bentivegna is an ophthalmologist living in Connecticut. He has written numerous op-ed pieces for The Hartford Courant and The New York Times regarding health care, tort reform, and the political situation in Haiti.

If Columbus Must Go, So Should Yale

        With increased racial tensions spreading across the country, statues of those associated with slavery - Robert E. Lee and other Confederate generals - have been either removed or vandalized. Here in the Northeast, statues of Columbus are suffering the same fate. In Boston, a statue of Columbus was beheaded while in Middletown and New London, Connecticut, his statue was removed. The city of Columbus, Ohio is considering changing its name. Yet the slave merchant who financed Yale University, Elihu Yale, remains unscathed. Why? Because he is the namesake of one of America’s most prestigious and liberal universities.                   Elihu Yale in the center with slave in a dog collar       Columbus has been under assault for years. He was once termed the “discoverer” of America, until Native Americans accurately noted that their descendants were here first. But he was an intrepid explorer who had the courage to sail into oblivion in the hope of reaching India by another route. Instead he … [Read more...]

Coronavirus Mutates to Protect Rioters

        America is confused. Just a few weeks ago, we were being told by our betters to social distance and wear masks for our own protection from the coronavirus. But when the riots began after a police officer murdered George Floyd, our betters no longer enforced rules on social distancing, as rioters were standing less than six feet apart while hurling bricks and Molotov cocktails through store windows.       Being a Republican and not from the party that understands “science” and “data,” I decided to investigate this issue further. Fortunately for me, my medical school roommate interned at Johns Hopkins with Dr. Sidney Ribostone, who went on to receive the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 2012 and is advising our political leaders on how fight this virus. Thus, I was able to set up a Zoom interview with Dr. Ribostone at his Duke University office.       Dr. Ribostone and I exchanged pleasantries and as a liberal Democrat, he was surprised a … [Read more...]

If Blacks Really Want to Rebel – Vote Republican

        American cities are inflamed once again. The tinder being the murder of a black man, George Floyd, at the hands of a thuggish white police officer in Minneapolis who handcuffed him and choked him to death by placing a foot on his neck while three other police officers blandly observed. Floyd was accused of the heinous crime of passing a counterfeit $20 bill.       But another recent racial incident has received less attention. A gentleman, Christian Cooper, was bird watching in Central Park when he became annoyed by a white woman, Amy Cooper (no relation), whose unleashed dog was interfering with his hobby. When he suggested she leash her dog as per Central Park policy, she called the police.       Perhaps Ms. Cooper was aware of the well-known violent tendencies of bird watchers, but it is also possible she called the police because Mr. Cooper is black. In fact she said so during the call. A video recorded by Mr. Cooper showed she was not wearing a MAGA cap at the time and further … [Read more...]