Those playing this ‘gotcha’ game might get got
Malverne, L.I.: I’ve been reading about the various opinions on the Epstein files every day. I must say that some of the conspiracy theories being expressed by many Voicers from both sides of the aisle are quite comical. This political hot potato has been used by both parties to try to garner favor from constituents. I predict the truth to be less grandiose and more immaterial.
The investigation spanned two different administrations, and it seems no one else was prosecuted. I believe that many of the names involved can’t be legally and specifically linked to any crimes. Their association with Jeffrey Epstein is more of a scarlet letter than an accusation of guilt, hence the reluctance of both administrations to release the names of people in the file.
I will say this: I believe unequivocally that if President Trump were remotely involved in anything untowardly, the Democrats would have leaked it during Joe Biden’s administration, considering the lengths they went to to stop him from running, so I’m not sure Trump haters will find their smoking gun. On the other hand, now that the names and details will be made public, I’m not sure wisdom prevailed for the Democrats like Chuck Schumer either because most of the names already made public are prominent Democrats and elite A-listers who are typically Democrats. Their zeal to “get” Trump might just backfire — not in the sense of anyone being prosecuted, but more by embarrassment due to their involvement with this loathsome person. The concern here is that the Justice Department is careful to ensure that the real victims of this creep are not re-victimized by this political theater. Dave Kalin
What’s the problem?
Madisonville, Pa.: I have a question for Trump: Why are you so incensed by several members of Congress reminding our military members that they can disobey illegal orders? Were you planning on issuing some? Tom Mielczarek
Expert non-evidence
Port Jefferson, L.I.: In 2020, 51 former intelligence officials declared that the Hunter Biden laptop story bore the earmarks of Russian disinformation. They offered no evidence, only their old titles. The press obliged, the story was smothered, and the laptop later turned out to be real. During the pandemic, public-health experts promised 15 days to slow the spread. That became months, then years of closed schools, ruined businesses and moving goalposts. When asked for clear metrics or exit plans, most hid behind policy preferences as being “the science.” Now six Democratic former military officers release a dramatic video reminding troops they must refuse illegal orders. When asked to name a single illegal order issued by the Trump administration, Sen. Elissa Slotkin replied, “To my knowledge, I am not aware of things that are illegal.” The pattern is identical: wave credentials, sound maximum alarm, provide zero specifics. When pressed, admit there’s nothing concrete to point to. Todd L. Pittinsky
Lives without value
Woods Cross, Utah: Here is what monarchy in America looks like, folks. King Donald cracks down on the little guys smuggling drugs across the Caribbean by blowing up their boats. But then our new king pardons a high-level Honduran politician who took millions in bribes to overlook drug smugglers. Law enforcement says those smugglers “paved a cocaine superhighway to the United States.” Here’s the deal: Kings believe bribes are just gifts from one wealthy party to another. If royals or aristocrats are enabling drug smuggling, it’s all good. If others do it, it’s OK to blow their bodies to bits. In America, our new king rules based on his personal say-so rather than law. His Majesty says, “Former President Juan Orlando Hernandez, according to many people that I greatly respect… has been treated very harshly and unfairly.” Kimball Shinkoskey
Clear case of crazy
Paramus, N.J.: What additional proof is needed to invoke the 25th Amendment? The Orange Felon has repeatedly shown the world that he is mentally unstable and not up for the job. Tom Greff
Gravitational pol
Manhattan: Donald Chump caught another butt-kissing politician, Zohran Mamdani. How does he do it? Unbelievable. Raymond McEaddy
Yes, he’s good
Manhattan: Memo to Voicer JoAnn Lee Frank: Trump does indeed have a genuine gift. It is called “the long con.” H.D. Kayne
Double outta trouble
Little Neck: To Voicer Phil Antico: The presidents have pardoned two turkeys for several years. One is an alternate. John P. Quinn
Personal enrichment
Darien, Conn.: Our first lady has gotten even wealthier by forming Muse Films, a Hollywood goldmine, and all of it directed to herself rather than donating any of it elsewhere. Dan Singer
Shining together
Bayonne: Every December, the city glows with three kinds of light: Christmas trees in apartment windows, Chanukah menorahs shining through frosty glass, and the seven bright candles of Kwanzaa. These holidays come from different histories, but they share a common, universal message that the New York metropolitan area never seems to run out of: hope, resilience and community. Each tradition lights a flame against the darkness and brings families together to share food, stories and a sense of belonging. And in a metropolis as diverse as ours, those lights don’t compete — they make the streets brighter for everyone. In this season of light, maybe the real miracle is that no matter where you come from, your candles still help illuminate the same city sidewalk. Now that’s a holiday spirit we can all get behind. John Di Genio
Expand eligibility
Huntington, L.I.: Voicer Adán Soltren claims that fixing the CityFHEPS program will do more to support buildings than another round of rent hikes. CityFHEPS is a small program that only a very few are eligible for. The city should scrap CityFHEPS and implement a Section 8-type program that every rent-stabilized unit is eligible for. The cost of such a program would reveal how much it costs property owners to subsidize their tenants. Tom Saracco
Foul treatment
Tuckahoe, NY.: How pathetic that the Daily News tried to mine pseudo-clever wordplay points at the expense of a poor, frightened little chicken left alone on a train (“Loose chicken fouls train,” Nov. 21). This animal was abandoned. Did you think she signed a lease? Chickens are intelligent animals who prefer being clean, and clean themselves with dust baths and preening. Mama chickens love their babies and talk to their chicks while still in the egg, and the babies peep back. But their natural life is robbed from them, and sadly, their babies are taken from them immediately after birth. Then 300 million male chicks who won’t lay eggs are slaughtered by either being ground up alive or gassed in hatcheries. Instead of mocking them, have a little decency and compassion for helpless, silent victims who can’t defend themselves. You’d make a mess yourself if you were trapped in a box. Kiley Blackman
Final curtain
Hallandale Beach, Fla.: Tom Stoppard was a legendary British playwright. He won an Oscar for the screenplay of 1998’s “Shakespeare in Love.” His witty reimagining of Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” landed him his very first Tony Award for Best Play. He went on to win the prestigious category a record-breaking five times, including for “Travesties” (1976), “The Real Thing” (1984), “The Coast of Utopia” (2007), and most recently for “Leopoldstadt” (2023). His irreplaceable writing chops made their way from London to Hollywood through his screenplays that were adapted onto the big screen. Movie buffs know his work from Otto Preminger’s “The Human Factor” (1979), Steven Spielberg’s “Empire of the Sun” (1987), Robert Benton’s “Billy Bathgate” (1991), and Justin Chadwick’s “Tulip Fever” (2017). We will remember Stoppard as a legendary playwright, always and forever. Paul Bacon
Sacrilegious satire
Suffern, N.Y.: Scott Hilburn’s Nov. 23 “Argyle Sweater” comic strip depicting the burning of St. Joan of Arc begs a few questions — namely, what is funny about the burning of a woman? What is funny about the burning of a martyr? What is funny about the burning of a Catholic saint? How easily bigots hide behind their art. Has Catholicism now become a dartboard for anyone to achieve a cheap laugh? Don Bruce
