Bad Bunny performed unity for our divided U.S.
Forked River, N.J.: Bad Bunny’s halftime show was an inspiration for what the American dream can become. Ten years ago, he was a kid named Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio, bagging groceries in San Juan and uploading his music to YouTube. On Super Bowl Sunday, he represented the people of Puerto Rico and their story for the world to see. It was a positive message for America and all its cultures. Giant words behind him said, “The only thing more powerful than hate is love.” With America so divided, Bad Bunny held up a football with “Together we are America” written on it.
On the other end of the spectrum, the Turning Point USA halftime show had Kid Rock, who once sang “Mandatory Statutory” about men having sex with underaged girls. Pedophilia seems to be a common thread among the characters in President Trump’s universe. Trump called the Bad Bunny show disgusting, saying no one can understand what he’s saying. Others, like wart-on-a-log Republican Rep. Randy Fine, demanded that Bad Bunny be deported even if he’s a U.S. citizen.
We saw two different Americas during halftime. Which do you want to live in? I choose the one Bad Bunny envisions, which sees hatred as a cancer and love as the cure. I failed Spanish in high school, but I do remember the word that describes Bad Bunny’s halftime show: “wepa” (wow). Jim Hughes
Lurid lyrics
Suffern, N.Y.: Bad Bunny was just bad. Yes, millions speak Spanish, but at least have an English simulcast. Then again, the transcript of his halftime show was pure raunch and filth. Millions of children were watching and the lyrics were purely pornographic. Shame on Bad Bunny, Jay Z who organizes the halftime show, and the NFL commissioner. Glen Benjamin
Foreign origin
Massapequa, L.I.: MAGA Mania says the Super Bowl halftime show was in a language of a foreign country, not English? Really? Paul Pepe
Inaccessible
Delhi, N.Y.: With all of the furor over the halftime show, perhaps no one noticed two highly insulting events that directly affected the deaf audience. Two ASL interpreters were introduced before “America the Beautiful” and “The Star-Spangled Banner” but were never seen again. Who were they interpreting for? Why were they not in a box, as most networks display on TV? Also, while the Super Bowl is known for new commercials, numerous commercials were not captioned. This isn’t unusual, as many commercials aren’t. Not only is this a problem for the elderly and hearing impaired, but it’s a slap in the face to the deaf community. One would think that those who take the time to present these commercials would want to reach everyone. Arthur Martello
Display of contempt
Brooklyn: I watched the last two days of congressional hearings and there was clearly a difference in the way they were conducted. Rep. Andrew Garbarino ran a fair but tough hearing. A strict time limit was observed and questions were left unanswered, unfortunately. However, it wasn’t on a partisan basis and there were no personal attacks. However, the hearing involving Attorney General Pam Bondi was the total opposite. She refused to answer basic questions, refused to stop when her time was up on multiple occasions and made numerous personal attacks on the questioner. She really showed contempt for Congress. The hearing should’ve been stopped due to her behavior. It really says volumes that Trump doesn’t condemn her. Alan Podhaizer
Ruse made real
Manhattan: About 30 years ago, the GOP developed a campaign point called “noncitizen voting” and have tried in every election since to clobber the Democrats with the notion that they’re letting wild numbers of undocumented people into the voting booth. It’s baloney. But in the face of increasingly likely ignominious 2026 defeat, the GOP is demanding the so-called SAVE America Act’s radical voting restrictions as the price for meeting Sen. Chuck Schumer’s and his caucus’ demand that ICE simply follow normal law enforcement rules. The GOP is obeying Trump and Stephen Miller’s heartless deportation quotas by clinging to maintaining an unvetted, untrained bunch of ICE agents increasingly hated by Americans. Even Republican districts are rejecting the rapid buildout of ICE detention facilities in their communities. Schumer and the Democrats should demand more and not settle. Cut ICE’s $75 billion and reallocate it to Medicaid and other critical programs. Jennifer Cable
Easy reading
Brooklyn: I love your new, larger typeface. It’s so much easier to read! Beth Dunn
Still striking
Manhattan: Patients at Mount Sinai and Montefiore hospitals can breathe a sigh of relief. Their devoted nurses are returning after a month of picketing in the cold for their demands for patient and nurse safety. Apparently, only NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital is holding out. Safe staffing simply means there are enough nurses to make sure patients get the care they need, crucial symptom changes aren’t missed, and pain medication is adequate. And of course, nurses also need protection from violence. I’ve been on the picket line supporting the nurses at NewYork-Presbyterian’s main hospital at 168th St., and it’s clear how critical these issues are to them. As one of millions of New Yorkers who respects their skill and dedication, I fully support the nurses’ demands. Mary McGrail
Preserve & restore
Manhattan: The Feb. 10 op-ed “Build a better Penn Station by moving Madison Square Garden” supports Grand Penn’s plan to rebuild the Garden across the street, where the Hotel Pennsylvania once stood. It is difficult to locate an explanation of how that one block can accommodate an arena that currently occupies two blocks. If one of three plans will be selected in May for the new Penn Station, I think it better be one that improves both the functioning and aesthetics of Penn Station (Grand Penn’s plan evokes, but does not replicate, the magnificence of the 1910 architectural masterpiece, which was allowed to deteriorate and ultimately be demolished in 1963), while maintaining the present Madison Square Garden, which has achieved iconic status and is still great at nearly 60 years old. Jeffrey B. Freedman
Missing mention
New Hyde Park, L.I.: Your Feb. 5 article reporting the death of Mickey Lolich (“Lolich, Tiger hero of ’68 Series and ex-Met, dies at 85”) suggests that only he and Randy Johnson won three games in a particular World Series. It fails to mention that Milwaukee Braves starter Lew Burdette won three games in the 1957 World Series against the Yankees. As a lifelong Yankees fan, I recall my disappointment as the Braves won that series in seven games. Nevertheless, the Yankees came back in 1958 to beat them in seven games while beating Burdette twice. Burdette’s accomplishment in 1957, however, shouldn’t be ignored. Lou, I got your back. John Macklin
Terrible timing
Bronx: Why did the Mets and Francisco Lindor wait the entire winter to find out he needed surgery? Why, why? Ralph Canzone Sr.
