‘Your turn’ was not the lesson of the Holocaust
Youghal, Ireland: With the herding of Palestinians into south Gaza, a UN-designated war crime (war crimes include murder, torture, pillage or intentionally directing attacks against the civilian population, humanitarian aid workers, religious and educational buildings and hospitals), based purely on their Arab identity (ethnic cleansing), and forced starvation in a manufactured concentration camp (genocide), and IDF soldiers shooting at Palestinians seeking aid from food distribution sites, this is an atrocity unfolding before the whole world.
Children are being maimed. The murdered, starved and gunshot Palestinian bodies are scraped up and given to the desperate families for burial. Beyond the IDF wall, gunshots, screaming and the sounds of the dying family members are drowned out by the international silence of the “free world.”
Never in the realms of philosophical insights has the philosopher George Santayana’s well-worn prophecy that “in the history of Man, Man learns nothing from history” been so blatantly banal and correct. Santayana is known for such aphorisms, but I wish to incorrectly quote him and restate one: Those who can (previously, can not) remember the past are condemned to repeat it.
In the Palestinian enclave of Gaza, the IDF have been taught the past history of the Jewish people and are hellbent on inflicting it on their Hamas enemies (re Oct. 7, 2023) with murderous and greatly disproportionate intent. And the beat goes on, so it seems. Leo Crowley
Lifesaving sum
Patchogue, L.I.: President Trump wants to build a ballroom for the White House at a cost of $200 million to enhance his legacy. I have a better suggestion: Why not use that money to feed the starving people of Gaza and other places around the world? I can’t think of a better legacy. Lynda Welsh
Double standard?
Flushing: When — not even if — Russia gets to keep part of Ukraine, will that area be forever known as “occupied” Eastern Ukraine? Or is that nomenclature strictly reserved for liberated Judea and Samaria? Just wondering. Charles Tal
Must’ve missed it
Tappan, N.Y.: I have never, until this “great day,” been a huge fan of Trump until he announced that if a ceasefire was not agreed to during his “summit” with Vladimir Putin, he would “walk away” and enforce much more serious sanctions against Russia. As I watched the evening news on Friday night, I must have been distracted and missed seeing the exact moment when Trump abruptly walked out on Putin, showing utter disdain for him, thereby disparaging Putin’s feeble excuses for not committing to a ceasefire. Later, as I watched the late-night news, not one of the liberal stations commented on Trump’s show of strength and ability to stick to his guns and demonstrate to the world what a tremendous and powerful leader he is. Ray Hayes
Piece of cake
Wellfleet, Mass.: That wasn’t a summit, it was a grandiose photo-op for Russian dictator Putin with Trump submitting to him. Again. On his flight back to Russia, I imagine Putin was dancing down the hall of his jet, laughing his whatever off. Mike Rice
Spoils required
Middle Village: Vladimir Putin does not want peace, he wants Ukraine. Period. Putin’s two-week excursion is now into its third year. If he walks away with nothing, the Russian people will revolt against him. Maybe his own inner circle. Richard Ilardi
Sorry to see it
Glasgow, Scotland: I just watched your president on the telly while he was walking on the red carpet to meet with President Putin in the Russian province of Alaska. Trump weaved his way across the red carpet. Apparently, he can no longer walk in a straight line. Since Trump has been doing the verbal weave for years, perhaps the new walk weave is an addition to his repertoire. So reassuring over here to see an American president who can’t even walk straight. William Ina Kay
Lessons learned
Bronx: Here is what I got out of the Putin/Trump talk: If you think they are going to tell the people what they talked about, that will never happen. Second, Trump walks and talks just like John Gotti. Third, the media asks the dumbest questions ever. Jimmy Durda
Admissions standards
Bronx: Re “Columbia U. will pay $200M, ban DEI in deal with Trump” (July 24): Why weren’t the class preferences that allowed a self-described C student like George W. Bush attend Yale University and Harvard Business School included in this deal? The Centers of Puerto Rican Studies throughout the city and state university systems could benefit from a monitor as well. Gene Roman
Hide that history
Hamilton Square, N.J.: Don’t let anyone tell Trump that Arlington Cemetery was created on land seized from the estate of Robert E. Lee. He’ll want to rename it to honor another insurrectionist wanting to destroy our country. Eileen Johnson
Racial regression
Old Bridge, N.J.: A person that should be in the big house is in the White House? His blinded followers, MAGA, should actually be called MAWA: Make America White Again. He deports people of color to places unknown. He treats them as criminals, although they have committed no crimes. He houses them worse than animals at “Alligator Alcatraz.” Thirty-two people to a makeshift cell with three toilets? Then he allows 59 white people into the U.S. from South Africa! No problem! This is coming from a person who has been convicted of 34 crimes and one sexual assault case! He claims presidential immunity even though these crimes were committed before he was in office. Let’s remember the corruption surrounding him and his cabinet of clowns. When will Americans, especially Congress — both houses and parties — put an end to this insanity? George J. Lewis
Dodging blowback
Rocky Point, L.I.: Let’s get real. The ICE agents need to hide their faces so they can’t be hurt when off duty. Al Glass
Survivors input
Belfast, Northern Ireland: This year, we politicians in Northern Ireland have the opportunity to right a great wrong of the 20th century, imposed upon young women in mother and baby institutions, Magdalene laundries and workhouses between 1922 and 1995. We have launched an international appeal to victims and survivors, asking for their views on legislation to establish a public inquiry and financial redress scheme. Both are aimed at addressing the terrible wrongs done to them during one of the most distressing and hurtful episodes in our history. The Inquiry and Redress Scheme Bill was introduced to the Northern Ireland Assembly in June. Our scrutiny of it has begun, and as part of our work, we ask those who will be directly affected to respond to an online consultation. We want as many as possible to have their say before it closes at the end of September. Paula Bradshaw, chairperson, Committee for the Executive Office, Northern Ireland Assembly
So long, and thanks
Brooklyn: Good luck, DJ LeMahieu. As my favorite player, you were always a class act, batting champ in both leagues, Gold Glove winner, All-Star, and called “The Machine” by teammates and players. We will miss your presence, #26. Thank you for all the memories you gave me. Billy Somma
Community sentiment
Manhattan: I am a 41-year resident of West Chelsea, and I am exceedingly grateful to you for printing Stacey Torres’ excellent op-ed “Hold a fair vote for NYCHA’s Chelsea folks” (Aug. 16). A great many of us who live in Chelsea are vehemently opposed to NYCHA’s current plan and its alternatives. We stand in solidarity with the Fulton and Elliott-Chelsea residents — our friends and neighbors who bring something special to our community. We call for a fair and monitored vote by the NYCHA residents on renovation versus replacement of their homes, as well as Section 9 versus Section 8 status. The treatment of the senior residents in advance of NYCHA’s intent to demolish the senior buildings has been cruel and shameful. The 16 to 31 years projected for demolition and reconstruction will be an ongoing nightmare for all West Chelsea residents, and the environmental impacts even with maximum mitigation are potentially disastrous. Michelle Spinner
