Time to abolish ICE and investigate its agents
Granby, Conn.: I don’t think there’s a day that goes by when I don’t see amateur video of some terrible abuse perpetrated by masked men suspected of being agents of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. I say “suspected” because frequently, these men don’t identify themselves as they shove people into unmarked cars. For all their victims know, these kidnappers are white supremacist vigilantes.
It would be unfortunate, but completely understandable, if such masked men were shot in self-defense by those they terrorize. Contrary to what officials in President Trump’s fascist administration might say, it’s absolutely legitimate to dox ICE agents, by which I mean reveal the identity of these thugs hiding behind masks. They’re nominally public servants, after all.
So many things are wrong with our country now, but one thing that should be very clear to everyone, especially Democratic lawmakers, is ICE is a rogue, out-of-control agency. This isn’t a matter of a few bad apples. The agency itself releases sadistic propaganda videos gleefully documenting its agents’ work to ship people to domestic and foreign concentration camps without due process.
The public might assume ICE is an integral, long-standing part of law enforcement, but that’s not true. The agency was established in the last 25 years. We don’t need it, especially after ICE has been revealed as the tip of the spear of American fascism. When Democrats regain power at the national level, they must abolish the agency and investigate all of its agents for wrongdoing. Jon Hochschartner
Relished ruination
Ballston Spa, N.Y.: Now that King Trump has the world in turmoil, I hope all you MAGA losers are happy! Just think, God willed this upon us and maybe he’s punishing us for our transgressions, so we’ll just have to wait and see what the outcome is going to be. In the meantime, if Trump was declared king, why don’t we just throw him in jail? But all these spineless congresspeople kiss his butt for a photo-op or a handshake! Have a happy life. Daniel Simard
Killing clean energy
Brooklyn: It’s good to see Trump is facing resistance to his anti-clean-energy agenda from Govs. Daniel McKee and Ned Lamont other leaders in Rhode Island and Connecticut (“Pols ask Prez to spare wind farm,” Aug. 26). A tell is the ratepayers’ cost for the power from that wind farm, which would be locked in for the next 20 years: 9.8 cents! This month, Con Ed charges 12.8 cents per kilowatt-hour, and that price has been increasing every month. No wonder Trump and his fossil fuel supporters want to shut down wind farms — they can generate electricity more cheaply than gas-fired power plants can. Hopefully, Gov. Hochul is noticing the affordability of renewables and is feeling inspired to stand up to Trump and defend an aggressive clean energy agenda for New Yorkers. Wind and solar mean lower electric bills and cleaner air for all of us to breathe. Susan Velez
Go, governors!
Brooklyn: Bravo to Govs. Hochul, Ned Lamont and Daniel McKee for resisting the Trump administration’s senseless efforts to kill a wind farm in our region. Our state leaders understand that clean, renewable energy is a boon to local consumers and workers, and vital to the health of our planet and its inhabitants. Keep up the good fight. Let’s stop Trump’s misguided (or worse) pro-fossil-fuel agenda! Linda Nagel
Unsympathetic slide
Brooklyn: The country is mourning yet another slaughter of its children — in a church, of all places (“2 kids slain, many hurt in Minn. shoot,” Aug. 28). What has happened to us? For those of us who still have faith: “The Lord hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land. Because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land.” Further: “By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break out, and blood touches blood” (Hosea, 4:1-2). Are we not doing all these things? America got rich over the years while showing kindness to the unfortunate, downtrodden, poor and hungry worldwide. The regard built up during that time is gone. Instead, we seem to be building hatred in every corner — and at home, even our very young children are at risk. Should anyone hear our prayers given our headlong plunge to the bottom of the abyss? Shirley Forde
Numbers are numbers
Chester, N.J.: Thank you to Voicer Phil Antico for his lucid description of Voicers Tom Archer’s and Dave Kalin’s denials of crime statistics. So, these Voicers (one an ex-precinct crime analysis sergeant) suggest that prosecutors allow defendants to plea down felonies, and this contributes to lower crime stats. However, Phil compares my belief that crime is down to believing in Santa Claus. How does he explain murders in NYC being the lowest ever (as reported by NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch on June 3)? Are they negotiating at the morgue, too? This week’s CompStat report from the NYPD also indicates that shootings are down (or are they negotiating shootings down to knifings now?). No, Phil, no Santa Claus, and no conspiracy theories, either. David J. Melvin
Tacky story
Newark: I’m a bit surprised to see Taylor Swift and whoever her partner is getting married on the front page of the newspaper (“Baby, she said yes!” Aug. 27). Isn’t there something more important happening in the world? David Figueroa
Not news
Flushing: I was shocked to see what your paper chose to put on its front page on Wednesday. I was even more shocked to see that you printed an additional four full pages devoted to an engagement of a superrich pop star to a football player! Really, was there nothing more important in all the turmoil and chaos going on at home and abroad? Think of the message you are sending to our youth and the rest of the world about the values this country deems important. You have turned your newspaper into a tabloid. Be honest with your readers and call your paper what it is. Martin Goldman
Too graphic
Brooklyn: Many days, I’m reminded of the old adage “if it bleeds, it leads” by news coverage of daily events, but I’m appalled that the Daily News feels it necessary to post pictures of actual blood on the street. Two of the pictures accompanying the article “Grandma killed by random gunshot” (Aug. 28) showed Robin Wright’s walker with a horrifically bloody sidewalk. There were two angles of that terrible scene. This is not the first time I’ve seen this kind of imagery in the online version of The News. Why is it necessary to show a picture of actual blood? It should be easy for any reporter to accurately describe this without the picture. It’s repulsive, disgusting and disrespectful to the victims. Do better, Daily News. There’s already more than enough reporting of bloody death and murder without having the actual pictures of the bloody aftermath. Wanda Peakes
Punching down
Brooklyn: To Voicer Leslie Langer: Concerning banning people who arrive at food pantries in cars, a whole lot of these folks are quite likely living in their cars. Mm-hmm, especially with skyrocketing rents, unaffordable housing masquerading as “affordable,” and corporate avarice and war against the poor while the wealthy get humongous tax breaks. Oh, but we should nitpick a welfare recipient who gets her nails done, or tell a person whose home is getting foreclosed on that buying a pint of Häagen-Dazs to soothe his anguish is “too expensive — no wonder you’re losing your home.” Or ban every hungry person who shows up at a pantry in a car. Jesus warned about “straining out the gnat and gulping down the camel.” Kicking thy poor neighbor when he’s down in the name of moral indignation while being silent about the poor being oppressed and sacrificed for the ultra-wealthy fits the bill. Joy E. Goldberg
Shapeshifter
Bronx: So Mayor Adams, who was a Republican until he decided to run for office, says Zohran Mamdani is not a Democrat (“Eric: Zoh’s a commie,” Aug. 28). Richie Nagan
