Love seeing the rat free? Go vegan
Manhattan: Those of us who see life on Planet Earth as sacred and as one connected whole delighted in seeing the story of the rescue of the rat trapped in a sewer hole cover (“What rats, yes rats, deserve,” Op-Ed, March 2). It was a lovely story that’s definitely worthy of reporting. As the mother of a now-grown son, who in his youth, adopted about 10 rats and got to know how friendly, intelligent and adorable they are, I am glad to see others are seeing that rats, like most animals, simply have been given a bad reputation. It’s us humans who’ve taken over their wonderful wild spaces and consigned them to dirty sewers and subways. As the article so wisely points out, rats are routinely experimented on in the millions, with no concern for the pain and horrors they suffer.
If all who read this could take as a cue, that human nature is naturally empathic; that this empathy is squashed when our parents put a dead animal part on our plates and we are told it’s okay or milk meant for a baby calf in our glasses or eggs stolen from momma hens. When we nurture our empathic, compassionate nature, become vegan, eating from the abundance of the plant universe, that’s when our social conscience will be lifted and not a rat, cat, fish, pig, cow, sheep, goat or momma hen will have to suffer again. Bravo and thank you to Kathy Guillermo and her excellent column, as well as to the Daily News for publishing it. Nancy Kogel
Rats are people too
Gardiner, Mont.: I loved the piece by Kathy Guillermo in response to the German sewer rat rescue gone viral. It was fabulously written and, as an animal welfare activist, I loved that you published it. Thanks again. Sarah Stewart
Ditto
Pennsauken, N.J.: So much gratitude for covering the story of the rat rescue! They are the best pets in the world — affectionate, intelligent and kind to each other. Their lifestyle can teach humans so much! Marjorie L. Shoemaker
Bratton’s farebeaters lesson
Yonkers: Let me take you back to 1990: Bill Bratton is appointed the chief of the Transit Police, and as the story goes, a young Lieutenant Jack Maple (father of CompStat) brashly tells him he can reduce crime in the subways by 20% in a year. “How?” asks Bratton. The criminals don’t pay to enter the system — so if you keep them from entering, then they can’t commit a crime. Bratton/Maple begin their “transit sweeps,” where they target stations with high numbers of turnstile jumpers. They are arresting “evaders” in large numbers, many of whom have active warrants or are being sought as suspects in past crimes. The crime numbers drop precipitously in the transit system and this launches both of their careers in the NYPD — justifiably so. The point back then is just as true now. If the bad guys are not in fear of arrest/prosecution, then they will brazenly jump the turnstile (as we are witnessing) and for sure criminal and intimidating and rowdy conduct will return to the subways. As will the next Bernie Goetz. Thomas J Mullen
Liars and bigger liars
North Brunswick, N.J.: Voicer Louise Perrotta appears to acknowledge Michael Cohen as a liar while somehow signifying that Donald Trump is not? As a self-confessed liar, Cohen was mentored by Trump and at the least, gave testimony as well as some evidence to the investigating committee as to Trump’s illegal and fraudulent actions. Trump, on the other hand, has been found to blatantly lie almost daily and has managed to get away with his lies and related behaviors with the help of the previous GOP House and Senate. That he continues to deny the government access to his tax returns is an indication of what he fears will be found. Yes, Cohen lied and will pay for those lies. He lied to protect Trump and accumulate wealth. Other than meanness, greed and bias, what’s Trump’s excuse? Julie Hinds
Stop his madness
Garwood, N.J.: All weekend and again Monday, all media is showing snippets of our President’s two-hour rant at CPAC. Enough! I’m starting not to care that this man is racist, sexist, anti-LGBTQ, anti-women’s rights, a grifter, and overall an old despicable human being. I just can’t listen to that voice anymore. If we don’t vote him out in 2020, my head will explode. I’m sure there are many others too. Can we all organize and demand from Twitter that they cancel his account or we are are going elsewhere i.e., Instagram. John Deichmeister
Poor board
Wantagh, L.I.: As a retired MTA NYCT bus operator I’ve said for years the MTA board is made up of people who never waited for a train or bus in their lives. That board should be made up of workers who work it worked in subways/buses and commuters who actually use the system. Especially NYCT workers, we know what needs to be done and management doesn’t listen. Peter Brasile
Money where her mouth was
Manhattan: After reading “Talking cost me” (March 3), all I could do was shake my head. How did a city or any employee making close to $69,000 request rental assistance? We have people living on the streets. Others are barely able to pay rent and put a decent meal on the table. Hey, Ivet, thank your lucky stars you have a job, let alone you’re making more than most New Yorkers. Michael Wishner
It’s not up to Amazon
Forest Hills: Amazon should remember the great song lyric: “If I can make it there, I’ll make it make it anywhere. It’s up to you, New York! New York!” Guess they’re just not good enough. Elaine Wohl
No happy returns
Forest Hills: Voicer Arthur Horn must be in a much higher tax bracket than the average American. For the first time ever, I am not receiving a refund from NYS and furthermore, I have to pay $134 back! My son’s refund was cut by 80% this year. So much for Trump’s middle-class tax cut! Libby Gurgis
Dusting bad behavior
Little Egg Harbor, N.J.: Voicer Emilie Ng’s letter brought back memories. Like her Asian parents, my dad had a feather duster. I don’t think he ever dusted anything except our backsides. Back then no one reported this to the authorities. I guess it all worked out alright, since all four of us went to college and on to successful professional careers. Thomas Lee
Down with AOC
Bronx: AOC’s overheated unrealistic, pie-in-the-sky rhetoric will only give the GOP traction and help reelect Trump (“Rookie’s warning to Dems,” March 2). She should tone it down until she has some real experience, then we can see how she’s doing. Sandi Lusk
AOC’s low-caliber values
Flemington, N.J.: I’m confused. If Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez blasted the “centrist concession” that authorities be alerted if an “undocumented immigrant tries to buy a gun,” what exactly is her position on gun control? Mary Ellen Momberger
