Trump’s war is a distraction from his troubles
Olivebridge, N.Y: War with Iran? They may develop a nuclear bomb? They have allegedly been attempting to develop the bomb for decades. It took America only four years without any previous knowledge of how to do it. Suddenly, Iran’s bomb making capabilities become real. The hawks spread their wings. Certain right-wing media beats the drums of war.
The rallying cry to vanquish Iran because of a potential, possible threat — it’s the WMD — the Weapons of Mass Destruction playbook again. A new villain, a new political need. We bomb; it’s a “presidential war.” Donald Trump needs a distraction while he restructures the tax system to further enrich the very wealthy and weaken an already struggling middle class. Tax law and tax legislation is boring; wars are exciting. Misdirection, a favorite of magicians everywhere, causes us to look at the war and ignore the tax legislation.
Trump ranting: “Look over here,” while he picks our pockets. You have to give him credit; he has fooled a generation of Americans — or at least 45% of them (is that the latest approval rating?) Is Trump a clever magician or simply a sleazy pickpocket? Warren Davis
Bombs away
Bronx: Well, he finally got his finger on a trigger. The narcissist, now psychopath, who we call president, has dropped bombs on Iran because Iran did nothing to us, but because he is up Israel’s behind. Also, being the immature child that he is, he could not help but touch what he was told not to touch. He has chosen not to trust the information from his top intelligence officer proves that he cannot take reasonable advice from anyone and thinks only his opinion matters. He has even passed over the approval of Congress, and, therefore ignored the American people’s desires. He has even proved beyond doubt that he is a king. He is the king of liars. He has reneged on his campaign promises and put all Americans in danger. If he can do this for Israel, why could he not help Ukraine? He is up Putin’s behind also. I hope that Congress grows a spine and finally impeaches this mentally incompetent psychopath. He has taken power to himself and not the people. Anna Maria McCorry
Blinders on
Davis, Calif.: In an almost unbelievable statement by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, we learn that he has never been “gravely alarmed” by decades of force used by Iran and its proxies against its neighbors or the U.S. According to Guterres, there is no military solution to the threat posed by a nuclear Iran. He stunningly seems not to recognize that the world has just been spared the threat of an Iranian nuclear bomb, thanks to a military solution. Julia Lutch
Not even a façade
Forest Hills: After the tragic shootings in Minnesota, Trump was asked if he planned to call Gov. Tim Walz. Trump responded by directing some of his infantile insults at Walz, and asked, “Why would I call him?” Well, Donald, here’s why: You may be unaware of this, but you are not president of the red states, you are president of the United States, of which Minnesota is one. Regardless of political positions or party affiliation, those shooting victims are your — and our — fellow Americans (they are also fellow human beings, another concept seemingly beyond your grasp). In a brief call to Walz, you could express condolences and mouth some platitudes, like: “We may differ on issues, but violence has no place in politics.” We know you’d be lying — you’re always lying — but at least you could pretend that decency and civility (look it up) still exist in this country. Alan Hirschberg
1%-er backers
Jamaica: Just reminding the people of New York that Reps. Elise Stefanik and Mike Lawler voted for that One Big Beautiful Bill. It will hurt people on Medicaid, SNAP, Medicare and possibly Social Security. These two people want to run for governor of New York. When it’s time to vote, think very hard and also remember what they did. The One Big Beautiful Bill is only good for the rich. Truly sad! Charlene Black
Grassroots groundswell
Manhattan: If you’ve been following Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Budget Bill” wend its way through Congress, you know how much pain it will inflict on ordinary people. But a lot of people have no idea that their health care may disappear, that SNAP and education funding will be chopped and that billions of our tax dollars are being diverted to arrest and deport 3,000 people every day, pretty much at random. The regime is sowing even more fear and chaos by arbitrarily revenge-arresting Democratic officials and deploying the military against protests that are mostly peaceful, no matter how many times news programs show images of the same two burning cars. There were no riots in L.A. National turnout for the peaceful No Kings Day protests on June 14 is looking like 8 to 11 million. These numbers show corporate enablers and Republicans that they’re on the wrong side of history. Laurie Aron
Lack of outrage
Floral Park, L.I.: I believe that all human life is precious, and I realize there is much debate regarding deportations of illegal immigrants. I do have views about that, but this letter is about young people and senior citizens being brutally beaten by criminals. In May, two young girls, 13 and 16, were playing basketball. Seven teens decided to drag them into a wooded area in a Flushing, Queens park, brutally beat them with metal bats, cut one’s hair and essentially almost executed them. Recently, two criminals broke into an apartment, brutally beat two senior citizens and robbed them of $750. Why do I not see outrage on social media or from elected officials in New York about our own citizens being brutally beaten? If an illegal immigrant is taken into custody, there are protests, riots and politicians making speeches, but no one has said a word about the two crimes I described above! Robert Damato
Spousal deports
East Elmhurst: Back in the 1970s, I watched TV episodes where a person faced deportation because their very recent marriage to an American citizen friend was deemed illegitimate. So why in the 2020s are we deporting immigrant spouses of American citizens in long-term, legal, legitimate marriages — even marriages with children? What happened to the party of family values that defended the sanctity of marriage? Melanie Lee
Sympathy for citizens
Commack, L.I.: If only Brad Lander would help our homeless and veterans the way he runs around helping illegal immigrants, I think he might have a shot at winning the mayor’s race. Just maybe! John Flanagan
Otherized
Bronx: This is not an endorsement of Zohran Mamdani, just an observation of how Andrew Cuomo in his political ads is trying to make Mamdani the “other.” In all his ads, Mamdani is wearing a suit like all the other male candidates. If they are not wearing suits, they are wearing ordinary clothing like most New Yorkers. But in the latest ads against Mamdani, he is wearing a kurta, a tunic worn by Indian and Middle Eastern men. I think this is to give us the impression that Mamdani is not from here, not one of us — not an American. I think these ads are despicable. Pauline Graham Binder
Incentivized
Manhattan: Bill Ackman will leave the city if Mamdani becomes mayor? Where do I vote? Michael Barnhart
Missing items
Manhattan: What’s up with the suddenly overly extreme search-and-confiscate protocols at the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport? Their security checkers have established absurdly stringent grounds for which bags they rummage through — and unfortunately sticky fingers. I am a 70-something senior, and when I returned home from vacation last week, I discovered my comb, brush and some sandwich baggies were missing. Totally Mickey Mouse thefts, but thefts all the same. However, the TSA people at LaGuardia Airport were professional, competent — and honest. H.D. Kayne
Curious congrats
Hillsdale, N.Y.: Why am I receiving so many emails, almost daily, informing me that I won something when I haven’t entered any contests? Maybe they have mistaken me for some lucky person who has the same name. I think I’ll start entering some contests and play the lotto. Phil Antico
