This season, let’s resurrect being Christ-like
Manhattan: Alongside many other honorable beings, Jesus Christ has always been a foremost revered hero, even deemed God by many or, as he is to me, a paramount role model; a wonderful mystic whose goodness would be exactly reflected by any Supreme Being one may hope exists.
I might not cut Christ’s mustard perfectly — flawed enough, as I freely acknowledge being. Yet, I am also confident in the great gifts freely entrusted to me and you, including the universe’s highest calling for us to rise and shine for each other to see, and so equally be, at our own bests.
In popular wisdom, “playing small” means letting ourselves be significantly less than our potential bests; to be so overly humble or limited as to not fruitfully challenge others to fully rise and shine either. That’s not what I’d imagine the maker of a great universe would want. Silence, invisibility, suppression, oppression, petty vengeful cruelties and killing joy are not divine aspirations or inspirations.
At this blessed season springing with the promise of all kinds of uplifting spiritualities, philosophies and identities, we urgently need noble visions to be resurrected as our reigning realities. Individually and collectively, may we fervently and publicly rise up and shine out only the best lights brightly, and most powerfully and resistantly against the phenomenally perverse, diabolical, anti-democracy darknesses of the Antichrists in chief of these times. Amen to kindred spirits seriously exhorting that “we need Jesus” — or any role models of boldly good character — right now more than ever! Phil Vanaria
The führer’s path
Hoffman Estates, Ill.: Donald Trump is following Hitler to a tee. He wants Canada and Greenland like Hitler wanted Czechoslovakia and Austria. He’s chasing all the intellectuals out of the country by defunding our universities. He’s overriding laws, Congress and the courts. Soon he’ll dissolve Congress like Hitler dissolved the Reichstag. Trump has demonized immigrants instead of Jews. He’s sending immigrants to prisons in El Salvador instead of Jews to Poland. DOGE and ICE are Trump’s Gestapo, and Republicans are his Brownshirts. He’s stepping all over individual rights, especially the First Amendment. On top of that, he’s destroying the economy. How did people vote for this clown? Or support him? Why don’t they see this? They, like him, must be woefully uninformed, deliriously stupid or just plain traitorous. Jim Arneberg
Contemptible prez
Providence, R.I.: Re “Trump’s contempt of court” (editorial, April 14): Trump’s contempt of court / Makes our future grim / Here’s a last resort / Show contempt of him. Felicia Nimue Ackerman
Foolhardy flight
Floral Park: As much as the woke, progressive, liberal Democrats love to bash President Trump and condemn every effort he makes to improve our country, even they have to admit there is no bigger fool than Sen. Chris Van Hollen. The man just used taxpayer dollars to fly to El Salvador to console Kilmar Abrego Garcia, an illegal migrant with alleged MS-13 affiliations who was deported. While in the U.S.A., Garcia’s wife had to take out a restraining order against him because of his violent behavior. This is the guy the senator has sympathy for? How about using those taxpayer dollars to help the legal citizens of this country who’ve been victimized by illegal migrants and gangbangers? We read about them every day in the newspaper and on TV. Come election time, this act of buffoonery should hang heavy over the senator’s head. Angelo Vetrano
Homegrown terror
Sebastian, Fla.: How is MAGA going to blame the shooting at Florida State University on an illegal immigrant when the alleged shooter, Phoenix Ikner, is an American citizen? Harold Lichtman
All-powerful incentive
Hyde Park, N.Y.: I certainly agree with Voicer Peter Giunta on the point of having fair trade. He’s right about unfair practices China has been utilizing for decades. We need balance in trade with any foreign country. Where I veer off is when he says we should trust Trump’s plan. I can’t do that because I don’t trust Trump. Let’s not forget that this guy bankrupted a casino! Giunta goes on to say that tariffs would “encourage companies to invest in America” and “create jobs at home.” In a perfect world, it could happen. But we live in a non-perfect, greedy world. Corporate greed is why so many American companies have moved their operations out of the U.S. Cheap labor has been the drug greedy corporations have been chasing for centuries (slavery!). Until the orange guy can change that (and he can’t), Giunta’s dream will never come true. Jack Cregan
No deal
Wantirna, Australia: Trump has so often said, “I have good relations” with so and so, “so I can do a deal with them” that this bloke was beginning to believe Trump (who does have some very good policies/ideas) could sweet-talk the most delightful cherries off a lemon tree and con the pants off a scarecrow! However, with Trump’s failure to — as promised! — end the Ukraine-Russia war (now involving nuclear-armed rogue-nation North Korean troops) within a day, this bloke now thinks Trump must be realizing what William Shakespeare did 400 years ago: “The Devil can cite Scripture to suit his purpose,” and to “Look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under it.” Trump looks as helpless as the most hapless, plumpest Thanksgiving turkey! Howard Hutchins
Real danger
Bronx: Re “Mom of slain Brooklyn teen slams judge” (April 18): She is understandably angry that her son’s murderer is allowed to finish a college course before going to prison. But more upsetting is that the murderer of her son is sentenced to only 15 years to life. Many murderers get “life” sentences that release them well before their life has expired. If the corruption charges against Mayor Adams had not been dropped, he would have faced a possible 45-year sentence. While I’m disappointed in Adams’ mayoral performance and I support state Sen. Jessica Ramos’ bid to succeed him, I see nothing in the charges against him that merit prison time. A hefty fine and a ban from holding public office would have been sufficient. I think most people fear murderers walking our streets, not Adams. Richard Warren
Fatal vanity
Carle Place, L.I.: I am sorry for the family of the woman who died at the hands of an unlicensed person removing her butt implants. Two questions: Is it worth the risk, licensed or not, to have these procedures done? And who goes for surgery to a guy working out of his house? Rudy Rosenberg
Pitch in
Brooklyn: Voicers, quit your kvetching about composting. You’re an embarrassment to resilient and flexible New Yorkers, whining about how it’s such an inconvenience to do your part to minimize the massive amounts of garbage we produce. Full disclosure: I was reluctant to adopt composting due to limited kitchen space and the threat of pests being attracted by food waste. But now that I’ve gotten into the habit, I’m amazed at just how much of the garbage I produce is compostable, and kind of ashamed I didn’t start following the guidelines sooner. I purchased a countertop-sized covered compost bin online for under $20; pests can’t get in, and it’s not a big deal to drop food scraps there while preparing meals. I’m sure the inspectors don’t want to comb through your garbage and fine you. Just do your best to follow composting rules in good faith and you should be good. Katherine Raymond
Celebrities in space
Brooklyn: Where are the Voicers’ outcry over the so-called female astronauts’ 11-minute trip? Talk about egos. A bunch of elite, richer-than-richie-rich phonies. How embarrassing. What about giving all the real astronauts and space engineers this much publicity? I would like to give big props to Sunita Williams, who was stuck in space for nine months. FYI, to train as an astronaut, it takes six years of schooling and two years of mandatory basic training — a decade of preparation. Astronauts may have to wait years before they embark on a space mission. I have had enough of Gayle King, her ego, her bestie and her fake eyelashes for a lifetime, along with her Gayle “gang.” Mariann Tepedino
