Get distracting drones away from the Olympics
New Hyde Park, L.I.: I joyfully watch winter athletes speeding along on their sleds, skis and snowboards for about two weeks every four years. It appears that during the last few, broadcasters figured out that they can get a few slightly better angles using camera drones to follow the athletes.
Now, rather than hearing the natural sounds of skis and snowboards slicing the ice, a luge or bobsled rumbling through the track, or a ski-jumper and aerialist flying through the air to the “oohs” and “ahhs” of the crowd and announcers, these outdoor spectacles are blighted by an annoying buzz that resembles a plague of locusts. The significance of quality sound to sporting events has been lost on NBC, but it’s just as important as a clear screen in terms of the immersive experience.
Drones create a vulgar sound. They can spoil the experience of those at their local park who have to hear them for too long. They surely annoy the visually impaired who tune in to the Olympics to listen out of national interest, and it’s a sound that will make a select number — namely, those who’ve been fighting for freedom in Ukraine, where drones have been put to their most serious use — think of approaching death.
Their ubiquitous presence should be taken out of broadcast coverage of the Olympics. The camera angles were sufficient without them. Sean Roman Strockyj
Eyeless in Gaza
Brooklyn: Voicer Tal Barzilai evokes all of the bizarre charm of the old cartoon character Mr. Magoo. Both he and Magoo turn their myopic eyes to reality while stubbornly refusing to admit there is a problem. Tal ignores the BBC and Al Jazeera’s reportage concerning the IDF’s slaughter of Gazans trying to get food to keep from starving. I suppose in his mind that doesn’t constitute genocide, nor do the continued attacks by Zionist settlers on Palestinian lands amount to transgressions. Sadly, Israel will eventually not be as lucky as Magoo, who always manages to walk away from his blunders unscathed. Nick Smith
Peace con
Saratoga Springs, N.Y.: President Voldemort may have created the Board of Peace, but the U.S. doesn’t belong to it. The president can propose treaties and alliances, but only with the approval of two-thirds of the Senate. No government funds should be spent on this boondoggle. Even if an organization successfully rebuilds the infrastructure of Gaza, how will Palestinians pay rent? There won’t be any economic system for them to enjoy a good life. Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff are real estate developers. I doubt they plan to make it rent-free. The wealthy will wind up with beachfront condos and the native Palestinians will be allocated to cheaply built slums far from the coastline. After all, the elite will need somebody willing to clean their homes and serve them drinks. And so the president’s dream of Trump Gaza will come to fruition. Michael Stella
Playing games
Brooklyn: Watching President Trump’s recent escapades in Venezuela and his future plans for neighboring countries reminds me of the game Monopoly. A roll of the dice could land you on a valuable property in which you could build hotels. Thanks to the Supreme Court and Congress, he has a “get out of jail free card.” The world is a game to him, but his actions have real consequences. To all the people who voted for him: Reminds me of another board game. Are you now “Sorry!”? Ben Bretner
His story is bunk
Ridgefield, Conn.: The National Park Service removed an exhibit about nine people enslaved by George Washington from Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia in response to an executive order from Trump aimed at “restoring truth and sanity to American history” (“Suit: Don tries to nix history,” Feb. 18). The order instructed the Interior Department to ensure that the nation’s museums, parks and landmarks don’t display anything that “inappropriately disparage Americans past or living.” Trump installed new, personalized plaques (penned by himself, according to a White House spokesperson) under portraits in the White House, describing Barack Obama as “one of the most divisive political figures in American History” and calling the Affordable Care Act “ineffective.” Joe Biden’s plaque under the autopen photo calls him “the worst President in American History.” Shouldn’t Trump obey his own orders? Or does he follow the old saying “Do as I say, not as I do”? Michael Pickering
Anything but conservative
Little Ferry, N.J.: S.E. Cupp’s column “Will Trump’s moves ever awaken conservatives?” (Feb. 4) was outstanding, especially the first paragraph. Too many in the media see conservatism as a dirty word. People in MAGA say they are conservative (whatever that means), and of course the media goes along with that. And for once, the media is right to hate MAGA. But is MAGA conservative? Well, what’s a conservative? Isn’t a conservative somebody who values tradition and protecting the status quo? Is that Trump and his people? I think not! I think we can call Trump and his people radicals, maybe fascist, but not conservative. Gary Schwartz
Unbounded Don
Whitestone: Since when do we have a president who believes he can do anything he wants and not have to account to anyone? How sad is this, America? Wake up. Sally DeFelice
Ducking on Epstein pal
Howard Beach: Why didn’t Republicans show up to question Les Wexner about his involvement with Jeffrey Epstein (“Mogul pal: Ep was a ‘world class con man,’ ” Feb. 19)? What a slap in the face to the victims of Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. Wexner is the billionaire largely responsible for bankrolling Epstein and his life as a pedophile. Not questioning Wexner showed that these Republicans are collaborators in protecting the rich and powerful. Barbara Berg
Icing the public
Binghamton, N.Y.: When someone asks Kristi Noem “What kind of job do you think ICE is doing in Minneapolis?” will her response be “Pretti Good!”? M.J. Manlini
Out of control
Staten Island: I have always been proud of my government, but now I’m not since they lost their common sense. Andy LaBarca
Closing a sound factory
Manhattan: In the 1980s and ’90s, the Jamaica Colosseum Mall was a huge area for hip hop culture and fashion. I used to buy beef patties, hats and mixtapes of Nas, 50 Cent, Rakim and Wu-Tang Clan there. LL Cool J and Wu-Tang Clan did their iconic music videos there. Jan. 31 was the last day vendors sold items at the mall. It’s very sad! Gentrification in NYC’s urban areas is outta control. I’ve lived in Harlem since 1996. I remember when Mart 125 on 125th St. closed. It hasn’t opened since, and gentrification continues in Harlem. Thanks for the memories, Jamaica Colosseum. Sean Felder
Cruel anachronism
Salisbury, N.C.: I’m writing to ask that you pressure the City Council and those in charge to ban horse-drawn carriages. Any use of horses and other animals is abuse. How many horses must die in the streets before this cruel practice is banned? Jeff McInnis
