Protests are the correct response to oppression
Orange, Conn.: Our country is on the brink of revolution, the result of the murder of an innocent woman by ICE goons in Minneapolis and the crackdown on protests there, as well as the continuing disintegration of our basic democratic principles fostered by our current dysfunctional administration.
Refrains of Neil Young’s song reflecting the Kent State shootings of “Four dead in Ohio” resonate as the current administration deteriorates the country into chaos and dictatorship, mirroring Hitler’s Germany, Il Duce’s Italy, the current status of Vladimir Putin’s Russia and Xi Jinping’s China, as well as the juntas of Latin America.
We’re on track to go from a democratic society to one of oppression and suppression, the result of decisions by President Trump and his gang of clowns and fools. The dangerous activities of ICE and the ill-advised presence of our National Guard in our cities directed by Trump, Kristi Noem, Stephen Miller, bulldog Tom Homan and other misguided governmental sycophants are leading our country to the brink of civilian revolt. The recent senseless death of an innocent woman by ICE goons could be the last straw. Our citizens can’t allow the current administration to continue in this direction.
The Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection encouraged by Trump was just the beginning of our downward spiral and continues toward the destruction of our basic freedoms. We as a country can’t be afraid to legitimately criticize government malpractice. Losing our rights of free speech and legitimate protest is not acceptable. Repressive policies will eventually create uprising against the oppressors. This can not prevail in a free society. Fred Portoff
Stained date
San Francisco: There’s a certain irony in the fact that Jan. 6 was not only the anniversary of Trump’s insurrection targeting the U.S. Capitol in 2021, but also the anniversary of the start of ABC’s Saturday morning children’s educational series “Schoolhouse Rock!” in 1973. While for my generation, Jan. 6 marks the date when we started watching animated short films like “I’m Just a Bill” that taught us how the Constitution works, for those of my children’s generation it will forever be remembered for an iconic lesson in how the Constitution is not supposed to work. Stephen A. Silver
Protest-worthy
Pearl River, N.Y.: To the anarchists and loudmouths in this country, drop what you are doing and head to Iran. All of you who support illegal immigrants and people being persecuted by governments, act now. Get on a plane and fly to Iran and the Iranian people who need your support and protesting skills. Help them fight against a truly oppressive government and free them. My best guess is that not one of you will take up my suggestion because you are only tough when you know you can get away with your anarchy. True cowards! Robert Brennan
Overlooked oppression
Jackson Heights: I don’t know if you’re aware, but thousands of Iranians are currently being slaughtered by their government. These brave people have been risking their lives daily to protest this barbaric regime for more than two weeks now. You’d think that would merit at least a paragraph in your paper. Christy Acevedo
Solar surge
Chester, N.J.: With energy bills skyrocketing (mostly due to AI data center demand combined with the misguided blocking of wind projects on our coast), we need to work around the barriers. While Trump has effectively delayed, if not banned, the construction of wind projects, he probably has no effective way to stop solar power. Every home or business can opt to install solar panels and reduce their energy needs and costs, especially if states like N.Y. and N.J. provide incentives. The installations will create jobs (roof updates, panel purchases and installations, electrical interfaces) and there will be multiple side benefits. Houses or businesses with solar power can also opt for batteries to provide backup power, or reduce demand during peak periods (which utilities can reward with lower rates). Lower electricity demand lowers utility costs for everyone. The best part is it will be much harder for our fossil-fuel loving president to interfere. David J. Melvin
Ideology, not ethnicity
Brooklyn: David Moore (“A mayor for everyone, except New York’s Jews?” op-ed, Jan. 11) speaks of discrimination against Jews, but what he really means is purported discrimination against Zionists. It’s important to make this distinction since Moore is adamant in his attempts to conflate. He believes that Zionists should be as worthy of receiving the same protections as Latinos, African-Americans and other oppressed groups. Moore’s rhetoric is ridiculous when one considers Israel’s despicable record. Indeed, Katie Halper, a Jewish journalist, has carefully documented the myriad atrocities gleefully perpetrated by Zionists. So, Mayor Mamdani was right to rescind Eric Adams’ executive orders regarding BDS. Those who commit cruelty, as well as their apologists, should not be given protected status. Moore supports Zionists, a group that has consistently trampled the rights of other people. Nick Smith
Unhallowed grounds
Manhattan: Few kids were less popular than those who ran home to tell mommy that “Joey called me a bad name.” That’s what David Moore sounds like. Mamdani is correct in rejecting the IHRA definition of antisemitism. It has no legal standing, and it’s discriminatory to assign Jews a protection greater than all other legally protected categories are afforded. Even if 45 “tukhes leker” countries have adopted the definition, 157 recognize Palestine as a sovereign nation. Underlying the IHRA definition is at least one truth: Many countries should be condemned for doing the same things as Israel. But in the most relevant comparison — Israel v. Palestine, both of which have engaged in violence — during its 78 years of existence, the former has slaughtered about 100 times as many civilians as the latter. If Moore wants Jews to be more highly regarded, he might begin by apologizing for Israel’s recent conduct. Michele P. Brown
Aesthetically off
Scarsdale, N.Y.: On Tuesday night, I had the opportunity to see former WFAN sports radio talk show host Sal Licata on SNY TV. After seeing him, my advice to Sal is if anyone ever says you’re a good dresser, spit in their face! Harvey Wielstein
Keep it off the field
Staten Island: Re “Trans ban in court” (Jan. 14): There are two genders. If you’re born with a penis, you are male. If born with a vagina, you are female. You can identify and/or present yourself any way you choose. I’m all in for self-acceptance, preservation and recognition of your needs, wants and desires. I’m straight, but when I need a bathroom, I’ll always choose the one with an available “seat” for me. I’m not in there to do anything but do my business, wash up and leave. I usually get looks upon exiting the facility (when using the men’s room). I just walk past the looks and I’m happily “relieved” that my mission was accomplished. Your sex life and love life is yours. Practice with consent. Have whatever surgery or modifications to your body at your comfort level. But partaking in certain activities is where things go awry. Myra Goodman
Altered biology
Briarwood: Voicer L. Tuthill has issues with trans athletes based on the assumption that those born male retain all their prior physical strength and prowess after transitioning. There is no evidence of this. In fact, the opposite is true. The same for those born female who gain tremendous strength after transitioning. It’s really hard to say that after transitioning, athletes are equal in strength to other athletes against whom they compete because there’s not enough research on the subject, and each individual is different. But what’s clear is that transitioning affects a person in a multitude of ways, including in terms of their muscle mass and strength. Renée Silverstein
Cast him out
Glen Ridge, N.J.: To that piece of dirt who felt harassed because of the outrage directed at him for his heinous act of torturing a cat to death, which caused him to flee his home because of the wrath of animal lovers, you shouldn’t be living among society. Lock him up and throw away the key. Clean up the garbage we have to live with. Francine Ferrara
