Gold-von Simson is too quick to judge the character and integrity of Ronan Tynan. This is the equivalent of finding a person guilty after skipping the evidence phase.

Everyone was surprised it took just one person to cancel Tynan's singing appearance. What if someone overheard Derek Jeter making a "rude" comment and called Randy Levine about it? Would Jeter get benched? The Yankees did not even call Tynan to get his side of the story until they told him that his appearance was cancelled.

Tynan's comment referred to a meeting three weeks back when he and a real estate agent were talking about two Jewish ladies who were very particular and they may have a problem dealing with his singing practice, which could be scary. Gold-von Simson was not there at the time.

Even after Tynan explained why he made that comment, it would seem the professor wanted to "teach him a lesson."

I recommend that you do a follow-up article which includes Tynan's version of the event and that we should not act too hastily and that all the facts must be taken into account before making any rash decisions.

Thank you.

Gold-von Simpson had a brief encounter with Dr. Tynan and has the audacity to assume she knows this man! Then is compelled to announce to the world that he is an anti-Semite, a hypocrite and that she is still "horrified" by his comments...interesting...seems to many that this woman is more "horrified" about her 15 minutes of fame not going 16 minutes than she is about what telling only half of a story can do to someone’s spirit, let alone, ones career and passion.
For the past 7 years I've had the privilege of being one of Dr. Tynan's best friends and unlike Dr. Gold-von Simpson and her 20 second chat with Dr. Tynan, I've had many years to learn, understand and to appreciate exactly what type of a person Dr. Tynan is. Ronan is a very sensitive, caring and generous human being; a person that once quoted (WB) Yeats by saying "the best of us lack all conviction whilst the worst are full of passionate intensity" and when asked what he believe Yeats meant by that he responded so matter of fact that "the world has bad people in it and that doesn't mean you have to be an Osama bin Laden or a murderer to be noticed, there is evil around every corner, it’s easy to agree with stereotypes and prejudice, and some will, but it's the truly best of humans to respect one another and truly lack"all conviction" when it comes to each other; don't let history dictate or present itself in the present; make your own judgments and you'll live a brighter and more appreciated life".
Ronan lives that life, a life that is honest and fair, he has never asked of anything from anyone. As for the Yankees, Ronan has never been paid a penny to sing at Yankees Stadium NOR does he want to be; "being able to sing and be recognized by the best sports franchise and ultimately the fans is more than enough payment, not everything in life has a monetary price tag".
I'll close with this...for anyone that wants to attack Dr. Tynan before listening to his side of the story is not only doing him an injustice, but they're doing themselves one as well; because in the end, being born with leg deformities (and ultimate double amputation at 21) Ronan has lived a life full of ridicule, prejudice and stereotype, but he's faced each an every challenge head on with truth and perseverance; Ronan went on to win 18 gold medals in the Para-Olympics, set 9 world records, receive his Doctorate from Trinity, deliver 15 babies and in an attempt to warm the hearts of their loved ones, he sang at the 54 funerals for the hero's of the FDNY that died in 9-11 let alone the millions of Americans in the wake of that horrific day with his...bottom line I'm tired of having to defend my friend, if you have a question to ask...ASK HER...I'll be the first: Dr. Gold von Simpson, WOULD YOU HAVE BEEN SO QUICK TO CALL THE MEDIA IF IT WAS AVERAGE JOE KELLY? CARMINE SANTUCCI? MOHAMMED SINGH? Don’t even bother…I think we already know that answer...by the way...your 15 minutes is up.

Jeff Sullivan
Manhattan, NY

Dear Dr. Gold-von-SImson, How I wish you would call the Yankees & clear this whole incident up. I respect you postion & don't believe you would deliberately cause anyone harm.I am so disgusted at the NY press & the Yankee organization for the way they have treated this man.I know you were not familar with Ronan but I think if you had spent some time with him , you would have come to the conclusion that his remark was taken out of contex & that he would not slur anyone.In the statement you overheard, he was not talking about the ladies being Jewish but that they were so particular about apt. hunting.Be cause he is a double amputee, he is even more sensitive about other's feelings.The faults Ronan has is that he is too nice, a bit naive, & not accustomed to our vicious press.He is an orthopedic M.D.who attended classes in a wheelchair for 8 months.This is a man of integrity & grit.If you read his autobiography, HALFWAY HOME, you would understand what courage & resolve he has.He does countless concerts for charity & is a great motivational speaker.His whole statement was taken out of contex & still he apoligized immediately.Now he is being trashed & labeled an anti-semite.The incident has become ugly. On Facebook, they are saying terrible things about such a decent man.How hurt & betrayed he must feel.He loves America & has already applied for citizenship.He has been given a magnificent voice & is so loved by his fans.He loves the Yankees and I pray you could find it in your heart to call the Yankees & ask if he could be given another chance. Thank you, Mary Gould

My Wife is a former Jew who converted to Catholicism.I have Jewish family members and have been to Temple a few times.I'm saying this to show I'm not anti-semetic.After reading this article my thought was,so much for free speech.