They claim to fight for a God they do not know
Port Orange, Fla.: Interesting how we have three countries, America, Israel and Iran, led by people, Donald Trump, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Ayatollah Khamenei who don’t know a rat’s behind about their Creator. Look at what develops when these hypocrites assume power and influence. Trump’s six Supreme Court justices were raised Catholic, so they voted to stop a woman’s right to choose while giving Donald his right to dictate — as he bombed Iran and orchestrates a police state. I wonder what Jesus would say about that, if any of those devout Christian nationalists took the time to read his Sermon on the Mount.
Being 12.5% Jewish, this writer takes issue with what Israel has been doing to “serve God.” The sons, daughters and grandchildren of the ashes of the German Holocaust just won’t connect the dots as they commit outright genocide on Gaza. How dare they hide behind antisemitism while they have interlopers from Brooklyn and Europe terrify from their settlement sanctuaries that once were Palestinian olive and lemon groves and homes. Imagine if Mexico decided it didn’t like how we treat its citizens and began missile attacks on Texas.
Iran’s Shiite autocracy closes the door on protest, and as with Israel, it’s a one-religion state. Is their Shiite Allah the same divine being as the Sunni one? The same as the Jewish or Christian one?
Sadly, religious zealousness is but a façade for the ability to control. It has always been the super-rich who pull the strings of their puppets to keep the serfs in line. Trump, Bibi and the supreme leader have to dance to that music or they wouldn’t be around for long. P.A. Farruggio
Impulse statecraft
Jersey City: So, the president who tore up the treaty limiting Iran’s ability to enrich uranium because the Obama administration negotiated it told us that his accredited professional intelligence services — which told him Iran did not have an active nuclear weapons program — were “wrong.” The same president who gave Iran enough warning of his attack (“I’m going to decide within two weeks”) that they could move any enriched uranium they had still couldn’t be bothered to follow the law about consulting Congress before committing an act of war, as every other president has. This same president, in the face of photographs and international intelligence that his attacks — which invited terrorist retaliation on his citizens around the world — did not destroy Iran’s nuclear potential or any enriched uranium they may have had, still claims a “massive success” and that he’s “pushing for peace.” Does anyone in their right mind believe him? John Esche
They pay their way
West Orange, N.J.: To Voicer Mike Ferner: Regarding another libel against Israel that American taxpayers are footing the bill to pay for Israel’s health care, no we don’t. Israelis pay, depending on their income, 50-60% or more of their income in taxes to the Israeli government, which in turn covers medical care and social programs. It’s called socialized medicine, like what they have all over Western Europe and most developed countries except for here, unfortunately. Before you hop on the bash-Israel bandwagon, maybe you could get your facts straight. Miriam Sheff
Swung left
Rockaway Point: Democrats, what are you doing to this city? Zohran Mamdani is a pro-Palestinian, radical extremist who wants to “globalize the intifada,” according to reports. Haven’t you done enough to ruin this city? Regina Mangan
Sunk profit
Massapequa Park, L.I.: If I remember correctly, there were rent freezes in the early 1970s that caused landlords to walk away from their apartment buildings because they couldn’t afford the maintenance and upkeep of the buildings. Déjà vu? Thomas Facchiano
Establishment’s revenge
Kearny, N.J.: Congrats, New Yorkers. You denied the corrupt, arrogant shark Andrew Cuomo what he thought would be an easy layup and voted to move into the future with a brighter, more humane vision for your city. But dangers lay ahead. With the rotten pipsqueak Mayor Adams running as an independent spoiler, your general election might resemble the 1992 presidential election, with the Democrat edging out the Republican by only a few points and winning with less than 50% of the vote. It gets even worse if Cuomo’s massive ego convinces him to join Adams in the race as an independent despite having been rejected in the primary. Under that scenario, we might see the Republican, Curtis Sliwa, win with as little as a third of the vote, the Democratic majority split between the party’s nominee and the two sore losers cum spoilers. John Woodmaska
Socialism’s spread
Howard Beach: Do you know what a socialist is? For every person who did not vote in the primary, you should be ashamed of yourself. Do you know what will happen in NYC if a socialist becomes mayor? The New Yorkers who support our city will leave. Then taxes will be increased to support those who do not work, who feel they don’t have to because they are socialist. If you love your country and you’re living in New York, you better vote because your life will depend on it. If you think New York can’t get any worse, sit back and don’t vote — and don’t complain when you can’t believe how much worse it becomes. You caused it by allowing socialism to tell you what to do and how to live! Nick Di Pasquale
Think outside the box
Astoria: Albert Einstein said, “We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.” The narrative of the “they” is toxic and justifies and sanctions brutality happening in too many places in America and throughout the world. “They” boxes us in. Boxes have sides, creating a philosophical tug of war among us. “We” is inclusive, like a circle — no sides! Our planet is a sphere, a circle, and we are all temporary residents of this planet, wherever we live and whatever our station in life. These times ask us to forge new paths and insist on leaders who actually lead instead of using power to tear us apart. The old ways of thinking have frayed and are harming the fabric of our existence! Karen N. Pearlman
Public sensitivity
Manhattan: As a New York City taxpayer, I’m concerned about the $45 million increase in public arts funding. While I support cultural programs, this large boost — increasing the Department of Cultural Affairs budget to more than $200 million — deserves closer scrutiny. Many city-funded events now feature strong ideological themes or emotionally charged content, often without age advisories or content warnings. Unlike Broadway, where viewers know what they’re walking into, these programs are funded with public dollars and presented as universally beneficial. I say this as someone who values the arts deeply. Two of my sons performed on Broadway. But public funding should come with public responsibility. Taxpayer-supported art should be transparent, inclusive and respectful of the full spectrum of New Yorkers’ beliefs, not used to advance narrow agendas under the label of “mental health.” Tammie Cumming
Comics relief
Jamaica: To Voicers Anthony Vasser and Bobby Nelson: I had to chuckle and shake my head in agreement to Dagwood’s approach to reading the newspaper. And I agree with you both on your approach to reading the news. Sometimes, I have to take a total break and just go straight to the comics, including skipping the sports section if my local team lost the night before. All in all, gentlemen, do what works for you. In such times of so much turmoil in politics, the economy, the climate and environmental and social issues, let us give a big thank you to the cartoonists and humorists who give us that break to help us maintain our sanity. Carol Grant
Switch hitters
Bronx: The Mets are not a fun team to watch. They are lucky if they come in third. They can’t hit, swinging at too many first pitches. They make too many mental mistakes. I hope they make some good trades. Ralph Canzone Sr.
