We stand with Israel; we should stand against
Brooklyn: What occurred on Oct. 7 was terrible, but it in no way justifies what is happening now in Gaza. It is very disappointing that none of New York’s political leaders, whether local, state or federal, have condemned what is occurring there now. Innocents are being indiscriminately killed and people are starving. There is no justification for this.
Condemnation of Israel’s policies has been widespread, including at the UN and the International Court of Justice. Worldwide protests and condemnations have been vocal and ongoing. Yet our political leaders stay silent.
There was a moving op-ed about this in the Daily News written by Audrey Sasson (“For New York, Israel-Palestine is a local issue,” Feb. 21). And for those who are quick to say that condemning Israel is antisemitic: It is not! People need to speak up. There needs to be a ceasefire. There needs to be total prisoner exchange on both sides. There needs to be a two-state solution to stop the spiraling violence year after year. The bombing and killing must stop!
Questions need to be asked. Here are a few: Why do we continue to send munitions to Israel to be used to bomb innocents? Why does New York State fund nonprofits that support Israeli settlements on Palestinian land? There is much more to be asked and to be said, including on repression and censorship of campus protests and so much more. The subject is delicate, fraught with extreme differences of opinion, but one has to have the courage to speak one’s mind. And that includes our politicians. George Nader
Mischievous mascot
Cortlandt Manor, N.Y.: Is it really a good idea in our current environment of out-of-control crime and shoplifting for McDonald’s to bring back the Hamburglar, who steals hamburgers with impunity? We understand it’s a marketing ploy for the Golden Arches but it’s not exactly setting a good example for our youngsters. Michael P. Devine
Arbitrary and capricious
Syosset, L.I.: How transparently duplicitous can people really be? The Supreme Court is now being accused of trying to engineer a Donald Trump election by taking a case relating to presidential immunity, which is of obviously vital constitutional importance. When Trump objected to the alleged bias of a judge of Mexican descent, none other than then-Vice President Joe Biden called that “a dangerous attack on a vital pillar of democracy, the independent judiciary.” Here, the baseless attack is on the Supreme Court itself. Sheesh — I guess everything is OK to say when it’s pro-left, and nothing’s OK to say when it’s pro-right. I keep forgetting. Sorry. Drew Oringer
The sane choice
Fort Worth, Texas: I’m voting for President Biden in November because I want a president who is kind, not cruel; who’ll protect women’s reproductive rights instead of forcing a 10-year-old rape victim to give birth; who’ll slow global warming, not escalate it; who’s honest, not a pathological liar; who respects women instead of sexually abusing them; who’ll protect the environment instead of killing endangered animals; and who’ll ban AR-15 assault rifles instead of allowing gun violence to become the leading cause of death in children. But as an 81-year-old woman, the main reason I’m voting for Biden is because I’d really like to continue to live out my days in a democracy instead of a dictatorship run by a lying, cheating, NATO-hating, Putin-loving egomaniac. Sharon Austry
Can’t can for that
North Massapequa, L.I.: I am a more-than-20-year donor to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, among others. When I heard the report of the firing of a 90-year-old 60-year volunteer because of pronouns, I almost fell over. My first instinct was to call them and inform them to not look for my donations anymore. Many people I know are just as upset. I am in a cooling-off period as to whether I will donate again, but I am leaning toward no. These charities should wise up and do charity, and not get involved with stuff that will affect their core mission. Steven Malichek
Both gone
Hallandale Beach, Fla.: I was afraid of this. I had a feeling Stacy Wakefield might not last long after her husband Tim Wakefield passed. My most heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to Tim and Stacy’s family and friends. We can take comfort in the fact that they are together once again. Stacy Wakefield, RIP. Paul Bacon
Danger on the rails
Delray Beach, Fla.: Riding the A train for many years when I lived in Ozone Park always taught me to be vigilant on the train. I do remember a police officer walking through the car, making sure the train was safe. The other day, an MTA conductor was slashed in the neck at the Rockaway Ave. station. This is another tragedy on the train, but remember, NYC residents: You voted for this and now you have to deal with the crime-ridden filth on the subways today. It is getting worse every day. Remember on Election Day the next time it comes around. Manny Agostini
Just a theory
Bronx: Re “Why teach critical race theory” (op-ed, Feb. 25): CRT is not history. It is a theory that pits races against each other, dividing us between whites as the oppressors and Blacks are the oppressed. Teaching race hatred, which is disgraceful in 2024, is not a benefit — it’s a means to place blame and abdicate responsibility, a proven road to failure. Meanwhile, our students can’t read and are academically behind most other developed countries. There are Black people who disagree with CRT who don’t want the onus of negative, derogatory labels applied to them. Our students are not an experiment for every and all social agenda programs, which is exactly what they’ve become. This is still the land of opportunity; if Joni Schwartz-Chaney thinks it’s not, instead of joining the excuse-makers, she would be more useful by retiring and making room for the millions eager to take her place. Eric Cavaballo Callvado
Well, duh
Millburn, N.J.: Thursday’s paper has a column by Mike Lupica saying there’s pressure on Aaron Boone for the Yankees to win the World Series this year, and he might lose his job if they don’t (“Boone in the line of fire if these Yankees don’t deliver big-time in October,” Feb. 29). How remarkably insightful. Only someone who has spent a lifetime closely studying baseball could figure that out. Ed Marks
Faceplant face
Central Islip, L.I.: I never got a really good look at Taylor Swift’s temp boyfriend until the Super Bowl. What an ugly mug! Swift must be desperate. Thomas Sarc
Pay for prevention
Brunswick, Maine: The surplus of dogs and cats in New York has only one solution, and the city and hopefully the ASPCA as well need to allocate resources to subsidize spay/neuter surgeries. Twenty years ago, the problem was very bad, but people came together to ensure that there were mobile vans going to the worst problem areas to spay/neuter cats and dogs and do “spay blitzes” that neutered very large numbers of companion animals on weekends. The numbers went down. We need to redouble our efforts now to recreate those conditions. It costs — in dollars as well as suffering — far, far less to spay/neuter and prevent litters than it does to do nothing proactive and then have to try to clean up the mess. Esther Mechler
Mission failure
Manhattan: NYC Animal “Care” Centers are failing miserably to save the animals in their care. ACC kills thousands of animals each year while falsely blaming the public. Despite intake numbers far below pre-pandemic levels, killing has risen sharply. Despite its claims, ACC routinely kills healthy, adoptable animals. Queens and Bronx shelters remain unfinished. Hours at the other three are inadequate, phone calls are not returned and adoption vans and events are virtually nonexistent. Despite its 34-year, billion-dollar contract with NYC, ACC cries poverty. Despite its wealth, ASPCA’s funds for animals in “hopeless” situations are not given to the doomed ACC animals a few blocks away. Many cities with even higher intake rates than NYC have successfully instituted the programs of the “No Kill Equation,” but ACC’s failed vision and leadership continue the immoral killing of our city’s animals. Deborah Tanzer
