Bring NYC’s ‘Hometown Paper’ back to its roots
Manhattan: In December, I wrote an op-ed (“Local news is retreating, hurting NYC democracy,” Dec. 7) underscoring the importance of strong, independent local journalism and the urgent need to reverse the decline of local news coverage in New York City.
Against that backdrop, it’s deeply disturbing to see the Daily News continue to retreat from its commitment to New York journalism — most recently by discarding its historic, instantly recognizable font in favor of a generic, undistinguished look. It’s another visible marker of a paper steadily abandoning its identity, its readers and its responsibility to this city.
I’ve been around New York politics long enough to remember a Daily News that was aggressive, unapologetic and impossible to ignore. It was once the largest-circulation newspaper in America, powered by a newsroom of hundreds and animated by a clear sense of purpose: to hold the powerful accountable and to speak, loudly and unmistakably, for New Yorkers. While there are still hard-working, committed reporters doing incredible work, that institution has been systematically hollowed out. As it shrinks, the damage is borne not just by the paper, but by our city and our democracy.
At a time when disinformation is rampant and local accountability journalism is disappearing, The News must step up and lead again. New York doesn’t need another bland, stripped-down media product. It needs a Daily News willing to invest in reporting talent, and willing to act like New York’s hometown paper again. Richard Fife
Dig it?
Sunnyside: Hey Mayor Photo-op, there are fire hydrants to be cleared, like the one next to a day care on 46th St. in Sunnyside. Perhaps you can utilize your shovel since 311 hasn’t fixed this. Brian Augello
Climate confusion
Staten Island: To Voicer Joseph Napoleone: There’s a huge difference between global warming and local climate conditions. The extreme cold you are experiencing in Richmond Hill is an example of local climate. Even as you’re shivering in Queens, the overall temperature of the Earth is rising, causing droughts, floods, wildfires and negative effects on human health and food security. Before you facetiously write about your urine freezing, maybe you should acquaint yourself with the science of global warming. Eileen Zanelli
Sent out
Garwood, N.J.: The following isn’t earth-shaking, but it sticks in my craw. Earlier this week, I answered my door to find two female senior citizens. I wondered what brought them out in the morning Arctic cold with the wind whipping about. They were Jehovah’s Witnesses, going door to door to share the word. I complimented them on their dedication and invited them in for a minute to get warm, asking why they were doing mission work when spring arrives next month. They assured me the weather didn’t bother them, then continued to the next house. I would like to have a few words with the good reverend from this part of Union County who sent these seniors out on the snowy streets when it was so cold that dogs were stuck to fire hydrants all over town. Mike Gordeuk
Drawn detour
Easton, Pa.: I’m in shock — a Bramhall cartoon in Thursday’s paper that isn’t about President Trump. Who says Bramhall isn’t fair and balanced!? Barbara Cusano
More & better
Charlotte, N.C.: To Voicer Tom Ascher: I was intrigued by your letter and just spent considerable time exploring Barack Obama’s extremely high deportation numbers (making the Republican claim that Democrats want illegal immigration to boost their votes another lie). Perhaps Trump should research it also, since Obama clearly did a better job. First, the bulk of Obama’s deportations took place at the border, not in the interior of the country. Second, Obama didn’t send scores of ICE and CBP agents storming into cities to scoop up non-citizens for deportation (with some citizens caught up in the mix), terrorizing everyone and leading to violence in the streets. Third, Obama instituted the DACA program because he recognized that children brought into the country by their illegal parents and who grew up here didn’t deserve to be rounded up and sent back to a country they barely or don’t remember. Barbara Haynes
Cite your source
Woodstock, N.Y.: To Voicer Tom Ascher: Please provide proof that Obama’s ICE killed more immigrants than Trump’s — other than some moron on Fox News or Newsmax. Suzanne Hayes-Kelly
Allowed but imprudent
Bronx: To Voicer Clyde Kerlew: The notion that Alex Pretti was justified in carrying his licensed and permitted firearm to a confrontation with immigration agents, where he had previously exhibited aggressive and violent behavior, is ignorant and nonsensical. Anyone who has been properly trained to carry a gun knows that you don’t bring it to a confrontation or volatile situation. In fact, Minnesota law mandates that all individuals, armed or unarmed, have a duty to retreat from confrontation or threat. There’s no question that Pretti appeared to be in a non-threatening, defensive position when half a dozen agents were on top of him. It remains to be seen if their actions were justified, but once his gun was discovered, it changed the equation, which unfortunately resulted in his death. Just because something is legal doesn’t mean it’s the right thing to do. Charles T. Compton
State wrongs more serious
Staten Island: To Voicer David DiBello: You objected to Bruce Springsteen’s song about Minnesota. As a religious leader, I’ve often been criticized in the same way: “Why are there protests for immigrant rights when the victims of immigrant crime and abuse of ICE officers aren’t also recognized?” People of good will and faith pray for all victims, whether the crimes were committed by immigrants or citizens. That is a customary practice — unfortunately, all too often. All life is precious and must be honored; families need to be loved and consoled. However, ICE offenses are large-scale. They must be properly investigated in court, the way the U.S. was designed by its founders. Until all people are treated equally, protest and sing we will. Regina D. Cassidy
Drugs distraction
Park Ridge, N.J.: There was a drug bust in Nassau County this week, 700 pounds of cocaine worth $20 million. It’s a good thing that we were proactive and blew up all those boats that may have been carrying illegal drugs, killing all those people on the boats who may have been drug runners. We’re not sure if any or all the boats carried drugs or if the people killed were drug runners, and no one seemed to care. The fact that the boats may have had drugs was enough to justify those actions. And while the government is hot about drugs and drug runners in Venezuela, the two men arrested in the Nassau County bust were from Florida and originally from Puerto Rico. Steve Ostlund
