Reflexive whataboutism is no defense of Trump
Lakewood, N.J.: Whenever we attempt to have a conversation with our Republican friends regarding the latest act of stupidity by the orange clown, their stock answer is, “What about (Biden, Obama, Clinton, Hillary, etc.)?” They won’t admit they made a mistake by voting for the flimflam man, so they rely on deflection.
Barack Obama passed health care reform, rescued our economy from the GOP’s failures and orchestrated the demise of Osama Bin Laden. Frump sells sneakers, Bibles and red hats, all made in China. He appointed an incompetent worm-brain to be in charge of Health and Human Services who doesn’t believe in vaccines, and fired the competent head of the CDC who dared to challenge his stupidity. Joe Biden ended the pandemic and grew our economy. He signed the PACT Act into law, helping countless veterans. He championed affordable housing and the Tax Fairness Act. The draft-dodger thinks our servicemen and women are losers and he gives tax breaks to his rich friends. Bill Clinton balanced the budget and added 6 million new jobs, raised education standards, increased school choice and doubled education and training investments. The MAGA child and his administration unilaterally withheld K-12 education funds without congressional approval, fights with colleges and increased the U.S. deficit by billions. Hillary Clinton gave a remarkable speech in China, “Women’s rights are human rights.” Number 47 is a sex offender and convicted felon. He disrespects women, especially the millions of women who are much smarter than him.
It’s a given that Biden, Obama and both Clintons were not perfect. However, they did their utmost for the American people. All Dictator Donald cares about is himself. Frank Mongiello
Patronage appointee
Whitestone: As dangerous as our anti-vax Health and Human Services Secretary RFK Jr. is to all Americans, especially young children, he’s an interesting case for a psychiatric detective. He speculated that he was born to be an addict. He has admitted to being a heroin addict for 14 years and was a serial sex addict. He’s obsessed with wild conspiracy theories, especially anti-vax theories, even saying without medical evidence that he can look at the faces of youths and see they’re not well. Replacing scientific experts with unqualified, incompetent people and ending global vaccination programs could result in millions of deaths worldwide. Why did President Trump select him for his cabinet, especially to head HHS? Clearly, Trump wanted to get the votes RFK Jr. would bring, and the position was his reward. However, it’s also probably related to Trump’s revenge strategy where he deliberately picks utterly unqualified people who support him and anger his political opponents. Michael J. Gorman
He knows what he’s doing
North Bergen, N.J.: Trump may be crazy, but he’s clearly not stupid. If disarming the FBI and CIA makes it more difficult to identify and combat criminals and terrorists, then that’s what he wants. If eliminating the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau makes it harder to protect consumers from fraud and reducing the number of air traffic controllers makes flying less safe, that’s what he wants. By removing experienced Pentagon officials and replacing them with officers loyal to him, Trump sets the stage for the unconstitutional use of the military for domestic crowd control. Imagine if the crowds protesting the pain, suffering and chaos become so large that Trump will be inspired to suspend the Constitution and initiate martial law. He could then insist that until he can restore law and order, he must continue as president for a third term. It’s time to recognize the method to his madness. Irving A. Gelb
He’s earned it
Mamaroneck, N.Y.: I am hereby nominating Donald J. Trump for the Nobel War Prize. Paul Matthews
Right to exploit
Bronx: Re “All Americans need the right to work” (op-ed, Sept. 1): It would be nice if Mark Mix explained how an employee of Amazon can stand up to Jeff Bezos if there is no union to protect said employees against all the gimmicks used by corporate America to stick it to its workforce. Right to work laws are not pro-worker, they are pro-corporation, pure and simple. It gives corporations a take-it-or-leave-it attitude toward their workforce. Virgilio Carballo
Chummy with communists
Brooklyn: Once again, Trump shows off his willful ignorance. He attacks Zohran Mamdani as being a “communist,” which he is not. Yet, Trump venerates the likes of Vladimir Putin, Viktor Orban, Xi Jinping and Kim Jong Un, who are all actual communists. Herman Kolender
Not so easy
Kew Gardens: Some politicians are shamefully trying to scare NYC voters by stating that there will be a mass exodus of those at the top if any tax increase or additional business expense is imposed on them. Well, if some at the top choose to go, they can’t take with them NYC’s infrastructure and business advantages, such as its major seaport, transportation and airport systems, Wall Street, top-notch sports, hospitality, entertainment venues, its status and prestige as a major international city, and its abundant opportunities in a culturally diverse population of 9 million. If some at the top choose to go, they will be replaced quickly by others who understand the opportunities and advantages of doing business in NYC. Those who flee to other locales might not fit in culturally or have the political influence they once had in NYC. Glenn Hayes
How much more?
Bayside: Andrew Cuomo’s record as governor shows that he would be a very bad mayor. He caused many deaths by requiring nursing homes to admit patients who had COVID in its contagious stage, thereby spreading it to other patients. Now that the federal government is limiting the accessibility of the vaccine and a new outbreak may occur, if Cuomo becomes mayor, will he again require nursing homes to admit patients who have COVID in its contagious stage and spread it to other patients? Also, 11 women reported him for sexually harassing them. If Cuomo becomes mayor, how many women will he sexually harass, and how much will his legal fees, settlements and the judgments against him cost taxpayers? Fortunately, New Yorkers can prevent these and similar situations by voting against him. Joan Bratkowsky
Pick one
Chester, N.J.: To Voicer Dave Kalin: Originally, you referred to crime statistics as “figures lie and liars figure.” I responded that murders and shootings are kinda hard to fudge, and the figures back me up. Now you say you never questioned the crime statistics (but contradicted yourself by repeating the nonsense about “figures lie and liars figure”). You then went into a long diatribe about past politicians who you believed made the public feel safer, and how more recent politicians are failing, so people don’t “feel” safe now. I never argued that people don’t feel safe. The perception that crime is rising when it is declining is part of the problem. I don’t think there are magic solutions (but police presence, for example, makes people feel safer). You need to make up your mind what your argument is: crime is worse than the figures, or people’s perception is worse than the crime. David J. Melvin
Pleasant place
Brooklyn: I recommend going for walks in Marine Park. It is a beautiful park and a great place to walk or sit and relax. It has a nice track to walk on and it is a great place to spend time with family and friends. It is easily accessible by taking the Nostrand Ave. bus to Ave. S. Shlomo Klein
Better banter
New Hyde Park, L.I.: Kudos to the tennis announcing team for the U.S. Open. The former players and other members of the team are insightful and entertaining. For example, John McEnroe’s occasional self-effacing remarks about his prior conduct as a player show a far more engaging feature of his personality than when he was facing Björn Borg and Jimmy Connors more than 40 years ago. Additionally, the announcers do not over-announce. They don’t interject comments while a point is in progress. Announcers for other sports could learn a lot from their style. John Macklin
