Our countries are betraying their stated values
Chester, N.J.: While not mirror-image articles, it is interesting to see the op-eds of Natalie Sanandaji and Albert Fox Cahn alongside each other (“Feeling unsafe as a Jew in New York City” and “Mamdani: No to Israel and yes to Jews,” July 1).
Some key thoughts? Sanandaji has PTSD from being an Oct. 7 survivor. While no place in the world is perfectly safe, a Jew in NYC is probably as safe as any other American anywhere outside the U.S.; it will vary by location and situation. Sanandaji has fears of speaking Hebrew on the phone in public? Imagine somebody with olive complexion speaking Spanish in public and seeing somebody in dark clothes and a mask.
And Cahn gets part of it right: I will not stop supporting the right of Israel to exist, but I only see one future for Israel, and it involves a two-state solution. It is far off in the future, but just as I have hopes for a post-Donald Trump America, I have hopes for a post-Bibi Netanyahu Israel. Both current administrations are an embarrassment to what their countries once stood for (democracy, with the lower case “d”). This is not majority-rule democracy (which can quickly become mob rule), but constitutional democracy (and sadly, Israel lacks a constitution partially because being a Jewish state would be hard to write into a constitution).
Tikkun olam (literally, “repairing the world”) was once how I viewed both the U.S. and Israel, and I would like to see that once again. David J. Melvin
Tacit support
Pleasantville, N.Y.: Zohran Mamdani’s website proudly displays the names and photos of 40 mostly former and current public officials who endorse his candidacy for mayor of New York City. These include Bernie Sanders, Brad Lander, Jerry Nadler and Robert Reich. Unless I hear otherwise from these high-profile Jews, I will assume that they are OK with Mamdani’s repeated tacit endorsement of “globalize the intifada.” Howard Zane
Discriminatory platform
Fall River, Mass.: Mamdani’s election-platform pledge to shift the property tax burden in New York City to “richer and whiter neighborhoods” doesn’t seem to go far enough. While he’s at it, why not single out well-to-do Jews, especially those who didn’t vote for him and who support Israel? It might not qualify as a complete fix for correcting property tax disparities, but it would be a fittingly symbolic start for New York City’s first “globalize the intifada” mayor. Charles Winokoor
Humanity vs. inhumanity
Bedford, N.Y.: I’m outraged at your editorial (“Mamdani must disavow words of hate,” July 2). What would you call what’s going on in Gaza if not the intentional extermination of Palestinians? Have you not watched the daily tolls of savagery being inflicted on the most innocent? Have you not listened to testimonials from U.S. and U.K. doctors about the deliberate targeting of babies, with holes in their bodies from IDF sniper bullets? The medical personnel, journalists and aid workers deliberately assassinated by the IDF? Is your editorial staff living in a cave or is it regurgitating the lies spewed by Netanyahu, who has been indicted for war crimes? Atrocities are being committed in the name of self-defense and under the guise of hostage rescue. Mamdani is correct in condemning Netanyahu and his policies, which are also condemned by conscientious Jews who don’t want the Holocaust and the Jewish experience of persecution used as a cover for genocide and persecution. Céline Secada
Free meals
Scarborough, N.Y.: Hard-working bodega owners are terrified that socialist mayoral candidate Mamdani’s plan to open city-run grocery stores will put them out of business. No need for them to worry. The “Zoh” markets’ shelves will be emptied by shoplifters and looters within a week of opening. If you’re not paying for transportation or day care, why pay for food? Thomas F. Comiskey
Guilty
Carle Place, L.I.: The Sean Combs verdict answers the question: Diddy or didn’t he? He did. Rudy Rosenberg
Big, but not beautiful
Manhattan: If you voted for President Trump under the impression that he would rein in America’s runaway debt and deficits, you’ve received a slap in the face. Some Trump supporters saw him as someone who would attempt to restore fiscal discipline, but this law does the exact opposite. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that $3.3 trillion will be added to the national debt over 10 years. That means higher borrowing costs, higher rates, a weaker dollar and economic contraction. Medicaid cuts may pay for it in part, although Alaska was largely exempt to get Lisa Murkowski’s vote in the Senate. There is no meaningful reform here — no tough choices, no restraint. Just more tax cuts for the wealthy at the expense of the poor, and kicking the national debt can down the road. An audacious betrayal of the millions on Medicaid, and an escalation of fiscal irresponsibility that all Americans will pay for down the line. Daniel Dolgicer
No friends at the top
Massapequa Park, L.I.: The only thing I can do to vent my frustration and anger is write a letter to the newspaper. When are you Republicans gonna wake up and realize that Trump and his billionaire friends are not only stealing from the poor, but they are also stealing from you? They are stealing your freedom. Why can you not see this? So many men and women have lost their lives fighting for all of these freedoms, and you are just going to sit back and let it happen. You must wake up and get rid of this corrupt and incompetent president. Impeachment now. The 25th Amendment demands it. Frank Mullahey
Appointments only
Rocky Point, L.I.: Can someone tell me why the Department of Motor Vehicles does not have walk-ins anymore? If there’s a problem, why wasn’t it fixed by now? Al Glass
Indoor riding
Cornwall, N.Y.: Morons on electric bikes! The state needs to crack down on these idiots who ride electric bikes in public buildings. I am sick and tired of dodging electric bikes inside the Port Authority Bus Terminal. Also, I hear the same problem is going on in Penn Station. Bad enough that we have to dodge these idiots on the streets, but now we have to dodge them inside public buildings. To the clown last week that almost hit me in the Port Authority: You were very lucky you kept going. These public buildings should issue fines and impound the bikes. Enough is enough already! Raymond Grosskopf
Unpoliticized
Manhattan: The tragedy in Idaho of the ambush sniper murder of two firefighters and critically injuring another is just horrific. I can’t help wondering what the MAGA reaction would have been if the shooter was identified as an undocumented immigrant and not a 20-year-old American-born white man. I shudder to think what Trump’s Truth Social messages would have been, most likely vilifying Joe Biden for allowing the murderous scum into our country. Kristi Noem, in all her glory, calling out criminal “illegals”; Tom Homan, border czar, threatening more deportations to save America. But since it was an American citizen who committed the heinous crime and slaughter in cold blood, not a word. No condemnation of another example of senseless gun violence in our country. No offering of thoughts and prayers from the Trump administration or a call to end this scourge of mass shootings that threatens our homeland and security. Phoebe Celentano
Performance review
Largo, Fla.: I have to agree with Voicer Michael Schettino regarding criticism of Anthony Volpe. He’s not Derek Jeter. But I do reference Jeter when I discuss Volpe’s hitting philosophy. He should take a page from Jeter’s career and aim to hit line drives to right field. His average is much higher when he does, and we need him on base, not trying to hit home runs. I also agree about other under-performers, but let’s start with the biggest — Aaron Boone and the analytics team. How can players work on their timing with the rotating-door lineups and only playing three to four nonconsecutive days a week? Why rest players when they’re hot? Why not manage by watching the game and using all the baseball knowledge you gained from being in such a baseball family? Michael Ferrara
