No matter what the mayor does, the law remains
Philadelphia: Kenneth L. Marcus’ Dec. 5 op-ed (“Denying religious freedom at Park East Synagogue“) spelling out a federal law that applies to synagogues and other religious institutions was encouraging. Too bad he did not specify what the Department of Justice should now do about the protest at Park East Synagogue.
I’m not an attorney, but it strikes me that the DOJ can and should be investigating this incident, as anti-Israel protesters mobbed the entrance of the Upper East Side synagogue and terrified Jews entering the building. Marcus is very helpful in informing us of the 1994 Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act, which was amended in 2000 “to explicitly include those trying to exercise their right to religious freedom at worship sites. It’s a law to protect individuals while they carry out the freedoms that their constitution protects,” he adds.
Marcus presses New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani to “uphold” the law. Isn’t it the federal government’s place to enforce a federal law? I would think that both the DOJ and the mayor are responsible for prosecuting respective violations of federal and local laws that apply.
By all means, Mamdani should arrest those who violate the law, but who knows what the mayor will do once he takes office? The FACE Act appears to authorize the DOJ to prosecute alleged offenders. If Mamdani refuses to enforce the law, the DOJ can serve as a backstop to ensure that justice is done. Bruce S. Ticker
Any way out?
Bronx: I am not a lawyer, but surely there are some really smart ones out there who can find a precedent for impeaching a mayor-elect who is about to destroy the city he was elected to lead. The writing is on the wall, and Mamdani must be stopped before his radical, dangerous policies can be implemented. This man is a prime example of what’s known as the “deep state.” New Yorkers have made some really bad choices in the past — Bill de Blasio, for one — but this guy Mamdani is the scariest I’ve seen in my lifetime. Send him and his radical wife to Uganda and let them cause havoc there. Let’s make NYC great again. Marion Friedman
Distinctive history
Manhattan: When I read studies that combine American Descendants of Slavery, aka Black Americans, with immigrant groups of color, be they African, Asian, Caribbean or Hispanic/Latino, I wonder why we aren’t the same. ADOS’ specific and unique history in our country is not the same as groups who chose to immigrate here. Refusing to disaggregate makes statistics, polls and information about progress and equality of ADOS/Black Americans dubious at best and does a disservice to ADOS and our country. Heyward Johnson
Tacky trophy
Brooklyn: So, I see where FIFA has awarded its inaugural peace prize to President Trump. The statue consists of a soccer ball held up by some hands. Since FIFA is devoted to soccer, shouldn’t the ball be held up by feet? Do the Democrats get a free kick now? Ira Cure
All in league
Manhattan: Re “When presidents gain power” (Dec. 7): The ones (mainly) responsible for Trump’s repeated abuses of power are U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett — all of whom should be impeached for granting this convicted felon and shameless grifter (who, upon leaving the White House, should be locked up) immunity for “official acts”! Julio C. Núñez
Unchecked power
Staten Island: I said before that the Supreme Court should be disbanded. The court is now thinking of giving more power to this dictator. How to stop him? Is it possible that the powers that be that can stop him do not want to? Each day, the litany of complaints against him grows. I do not hear any individuals propose any type of plan to stop him. To hear the grousing each day becomes vexing. We need to have other world leaders respect us again. Jeffrey Van Pelt
Skewed decisions
Jamaica: The United States Supreme Court, with its six conservatives, is not for we the people. They are not following the Constitution or the law. With each appeal, they are making up rules as they go along. Truly sad! Charlene Black
Powered down
Queens Village: Are you kidding me, King Donald? You have the gall to constantly keep referring to Joe Biden as “Sleepy Joe.” How many times have we caught you nodding out? This is even during cabinet meetings where your cast of sycophants are spending hours praising Your Highness, the “Sultan of Sleep.” Rip Van Winkle has got nothing on you, Dozin’ Donnie! Lawrence Krasner
Orders of magnitude
Brooklyn: I had to chuckle after reading Voicer S. Smalls claim that Trump has done greater things than any Democrat has done in the past 100 years. I’d like to suggest some Democrats who’ve done greater things: Franklin Delano Roosevelt created the New Deal, Social Security, the FDIC, Tennessee Valley Authority, Civilian Conservation Corps and the Wagner Act. After leading the U.S. out of the Great Depression, he guided it into the war effort after Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor. Democrat Harry S. Truman ended the war by ordering the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and instituted the Marshall Plan to rebuild Europe. More recently, there’s JFK’s 1964 Civil Rights Act, creation of the Peace Corps, Nuclear Test Ban treaty, Equal Pay Act, the Apollo space program, and navigation of the Cuban Missile Crisis. Further, there’s Obama’s Affordable Care Act, which Trump’s GOP has been trying to kill since its inception. Herman Kolender
Polished spin
Bellerose Village: I just watched a clip of Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent at the New York Times Deal Book Summit lying about how Trump’s tariffs were going to help American trade. Obviously, he’s being coached on how to not look like such a stiff. He sat there with his legs crossed, spewing stuff he knows isn’t true. Peter O’Connor
Goofy goons
Ashburn, Va.: Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s recruitment efforts to expand the ICE force are meeting with mixed success. Evidently, many of the recruits aren’t qualified to carry out her legally dubious orders to raid Home Depots, schools and restaurants, places where she apparently believes murderers, rapists and drug dealers are hiding. It’s reported that some of the recruits can’t speak or read English, learn the rules for making arrests or pass drastically reduced minimum physical standards. More concerning, others have criminal records, gang membership or drug use problems, and can’t get through the training successfully. Those who can’t pass the training requirements should maybe be worried. When Noem’s dog couldn’t pass her training, she shot it. Mike Barrett
Relevant to remember
Hartsdale, N.Y.: Disappointed that your paper doesn’t acknowledge JFK’s death and Dec. 7, the day that should live in infamy that made the country come together to fight fascism, which is rearing its head today. Lucille Farrugia
Gut punch
Brooklyn: In my opinion, “The Argyle Sweater” is rarely funny. It is often insulting and/or distasteful. Saturday’s comic was insensitive and hurtful for those who want a child and can’t conceive. “Surrogates R Us” is not humorous. “No cervix” is the equivalent of a jab to the stomach for women who suffer this condition, as well as those who have had a hysterectomy. Just tasteless and ignorant. Susan Cassano
Atrocious adornment
Yorktown Heights, N.Y.: In a recent “MUTTS” comic strip, Shtinky Puddin the kitten is alarmed by what seems to be a fur coat. At fur farms, animals are forced to reproduce and are often vulnerable to harsh weather. They’re intensively confined and denied everything that’s natural to them. Killing methods include gassing, clubbing and vaginal and anal electrocution. Due to improper stunning, sometimes animals get skinned while still conscious. These animals are just like the dogs and cats we love, and many fur products contain the fur of dogs and cats who were brutalized in other countries. All of this is done so that people can make fashion or status statements and corporations can make money. The fur industry epitomizes what rational people say they oppose — causing senseless suffering to animals. James Scotto
