The elderly suffer the changes time has brought
Tuckerton, N.J.: I lived in New York City when all were able to rent a decent apartment in a new building for $150 a month. Now what they call reasonable is more than $1,000 for a studio.
Back then, if you were a criminal, you were put in jail and served the amount of time you were given. Now, it is dangerous to get old in the city if you are a kind person who has always helped those in need. That is the reason that criminal Jamel McGriff, who was let out before serving his sentence after being a repeat offender was able to kill a taxpaying elderly couple (“Sex offender now a murder suspect,” Sept. 10). The mistake that cost them their lives was an act of kindness to a miserable, heartless criminal who was let out to victimize those who contribute to society.
Our system is broken, and the bleeding hearts who have created the release of repeat offenders being able to victimize good people are to thank. Thank you, ACLU, for the rampant crime, where criminals drive a car into a store that some old guy has given his heart and soul working to build up, and it is gone in minutes.
Rikers Island is too good a place for those causing so much anguish and destruction to those who have worked and slaved all their lives for the American dream to become a nightmare by such people as these. Rose S. Wilson
Lead by example
Astoria: To Voicer Alana Wilson: The difference between Zohran Mamdani’s living status and that of Mayors Adams and Ed Koch is that neither Adams nor Koch whined about income inequality and rents as much as Mamdani does. That’s why he’s a hypocrite. Elevating that hypocrisy is that yes, he does live in a rent-stabilized apartment in Astoria, but his salary is now around $150,000 of taxpayer dollars. Shouldn’t he put his money where his big mouth is and give that apartment up to a deserving less-privileged family? Lead by example. If he’s elected mayor, they’ll be his constituents, after all. Bradley Morris
Phased out
Bronx: I was sitting at the breakfast table reading the comics on Sunday when I came across “The Argyle Sweater.” The comic shows an ancient history teacher showing what he called ancient forms of communication, and he showed his class a sign that said “garage sale.” Unfortunately, they couldn’t read it because it was written in cursive. When did our children stop learning how to write in cursive? I think it’s a shame that our children are not being taught this skill. It is so important. As a child, I couldn’t wait to go to school to learn how to write in cursive because I thought it was a skill that only adults had, and I wanted to be an adult. Susan Burgos
Rein it all in
Fresh Meadows: I believe we would have a far-improved society if there were a few more checks and balances on the NRA, in addition to moderation of the mass media’s hysterical tone. This newest tragedy with Charlie Kirk is a 60-40% blame situation. Let us all pray long and hard. Lesley Lewis Paulos
Due recognition
Henderson, Nev.: In a perfect world, the following two well-deserving individuals would be recipients of the following honors and awards: Kirk would be declared a saint by the Catholic Church, President Trump would win the Nobel Peace Prize and Kirk would receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, posthumously, from the president of the United States. David Tulanian
Reserved for better
Brooklyn: In the aftermath of the Kirk assassination, right-wingers have demanded firings of anyone deemed insufficiently sorry about his death. Kirk was a thoroughly awful person — racist, sexist and fascist, for starters, but he falsely presented himself as someone open to serious debate on issues. However, this was far from the truth. Rather, he devoted much of his time to doxxing professors, making their lives miserable by constant harassment and threats. He wanted to limit discussion, not promote it. Now his followers seek to destroy the careers of those who are not sad about his demise. This is what happens when empathy is demanded by terrible people. Understand: Empathy is only for those who deserve it. What’s next, flags at half-mast for future white racists? The fake outrage and sheer gall of Kirk’s supporters is truly ridiculous. Instead of receiving empathy, they should be taken to task. Nick Smith
He made his legacy
Madisonville, Pa.: I can’t believe that people are being reprimanded and/or fired for speaking the truth about Kirk. He was a bigoted racist and sexist who spewed homophobia. The fact that he is now dead doesn’t magically erase his body of work. I don’t believe anyone’s life should end as his did, but I will not mourn the death of such a person. He spread hate and divided people. He attacked people who lived lives he didn’t approve of. No, I will not mourn the passing of someone like him. Tom Mielczarek
One among many
Manhattan: A 31-year-old misogynistic, racist, evil college dropout who sought to impose his religious fantasy way of life on others became a homicide statistic. He held no office and was not the only person killed by gun violence that day. Why the media and public officials exploited this one particular killing is beyond my comprehension. Daniel Jean Lipsman
Derived from the right
Manhattan: Why isn’t there more reporting that Kirk’s killer may have come from the far right, part of the so-called “Groyper Army” led by Nick Fuentes? They believe Kirk was not white supremacist, racist or nationalistic enough. The memes engraved on the bullet casings, while superficially anti-fascist, are gamer references designed to divert blame and confuse. “Bella Ciao,” for example, is the theme music for the major quest in the game Far Cry 6. Wouldn’t real anti-fascists be part of the huge nonviolent movement that millions of people are joining? Kneejerk blaming of Democrats is the natural reaction of Trump and his acolytes, but like so many remarks he blurts out, it betrays ignorance of the facts. The vast majority of today’s political violence, from the attack on Paul Pelosi to the assassinations of Minnesota state legislators and the Jan. 6 attempted coup, were fomented by pro-Trumpers. Laurie Aron
Lost me there
Scarsdale, N.Y.: Voicer Michael Schnackenberg gave a lucid discussion of different people’s reactions to the abhorrent shooting of Kirk. However, when referring to Trump as “Fat Hitler,” this particular reader was unable to continue digesting the remainder of the argument. Stephen Robinson
Stepping into the fray
Ottawa, Ontario: Besides political assassinations, particularly in the U.S., killings have become a daily event. Some of the killers come prepared to kill, get killed or shoot themselves, and the entire world will be talking. And being a politician has become dangerous at any level, yet many are brave enough to stand up and put themselves and their families at risk, and we voters need to respect them. I appreciate them at all levels and thank them for standing up. Anant Nagpur
Why do we do it?
Manhattan: While reporters, commentators, pundits and provocateurs guess at the individual Utah killer’s motive, the rest of us are lulled into overlooking the more impactful motives behind our own behavior. For instance, what keeps half of us, year after year, supporting the legality of widely and easily available military attack weapons? What keeps fossil fuel executives, shareholders and investment bankers pouring billions of dollars into immediately profitable infrastructure that will ultimately wipe out the human race? And the rest of us embracing our gas-burning vehicles in rank complicity with them? And half of us bolstering the designs of a president bent on annihilating all the steps taken by the EPA, founded by Democrats and Republicans in the 1970s, to protect the air, water and organisms that sustain our lives? What keeps the rest of us so distracted and silent in the face of all this? Thomas A. Caffrey
