Frivolous flights are heliports’ biggest issue
Manhattan: “NYC’s heliport closure is a medical emergency” (op-ed, Dec. 2) paints a flawed and inaccurate picture of the impact that the Gateway Tunnel project will have on Manhattan’s W. 30th St. heliport. First, notwithstanding the article’s headline, the heliport will not be forced to close to accommodate the Gateway project. Only one or two of its six helipads are slated for closure for about 18 months.
Second, the remaining four or five helipads can surely handle emergency organ transplant flights. Third, the vast majority of flights at the heliport are nonessential commuter flights to places like airports and the Hamptons. In the unlikely event that something has to give in order to accommodate medical emergencies, surely it is these unneeded flights. The real problem at all the city’s heliports is that nonessential flights have come to dominate them, leading to well-known issues like noise and pollution. Eliminating such flights will guarantee there will never be an issue when it comes to essential flights for medical, military, journalist, police and political usage.
Fourth, two other heliports on the East Side of Manhattan can accommodate medical emergencies, and their operating hours could be adjusted if need be. Indeed, the E. 34th St. heliport already accepts emergency fights 24/7. Importantly, these heliports are closer to most of Manhattan’s hospitals and to most of the city’s other hospitals. The author is right that transportation for organ transplants must be a priority at our heliports. Fortunately, the Gateway project’s minimal impact on the W. 30th St. heliport is not one of the obstacles to access to lifesaving organ transplants that his organization seeks to foster. Bill Thomas, board member, Stop the Chop NY/NJ
Open the books
Ocala, Fla.: Once again, I beg the Daily News to publish the full MTA budget. They are always looking for money. We should see the detailed, line-by-line accounting of where the MTA money is going. Isn’t this public record? Why can’t we see their expenditures? Lynn Miller
Tracking info
Carmel, N.Y.: None of the news updates or law enforcement have mentioned how the assassin of the UnitedHealthcare executive knew the schedule of his target. Who would have been privy to this information? Susan McCormack
Not worth it?
Manhattan: After the shocking murder of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO Brian Thompson, the NYPD announced a $10,000 reward for information leading to the apprehension of the killer. One commentator said that people are sometimes reluctant to come forward with information, but he believed that UnitedHealthcare would offer a substantial reward to encourage someone to do so. UnitedHealthcare reported revenue of $281 billion last year. To date, it has not offered any reward to aid in the search for the killer. Why is that? Ilene Shifrin
Forced to reflect
New Hyde Park, L.I.: It’s too bad that an insurance CEO had to die so some crazy guy could send his message, but maybe now these greedy, selfish health insurance companies will realize that health and life are more important than stock dividends. Bob Wiecezak
Numb to their pain
Milwaukee: After fierce public backlash, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield backtracked on its plan to cap coverage for anesthesia during medical procedures. Given the outrage, consider that the International Criminal Court asserts there is reasonable evidence to conclude that Israeli leaders “intentionally and knowingly” deprived civilians in Gaza of medical supplies, including anesthesia. Lack of anesthesia has forced doctors to perform amputations on adults and children with no safe ways to sedate them. Dr. Mike M. Mallah is a trauma surgeon from Charleston, S.C., who volunteered in Gaza. In an interview, Mallah’s voice shook as he described “anesthesiologists who don’t have anesthesia, who are holding people down and singing to them so that they can comfort them and do their surgery.” A doctor from Gaza states, “Because of the shortage of painkillers, we leave patients to scream for hours and hours.” Where is the public outrage regarding Israel’s actions? Are we unable to see Palestinians as fellow human beings? Terry Hansen
Not a word
Brookfield, Conn.: Franklin Delano Roosevelt said, “Dec. 7, 1941 — a date which will live in infamy.” Well, it may live in infamy but it certainly doesn’t live in today’s media. Not so much as one word in the print or electronic media regarding a day on which almost 3,000 Americans lost their lives. What a shame that you couldn’t find a few column inches to pay them tribute. I guess you were too busy gushing over Paris Jackson getting engaged, as if anyone cares about what she’s doing. Bob Lovell
From infamy to obscurity
Massapequa, L.I.: I have been reading the Daily News for more than 70 years. On Saturday, after reading The News, I had to skim through it again. Not a mention of Dec. 7, 1941 — 83 years ago, when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor. A date that will live in infamy. Shame on you. Ron Boehning
Not on par
Wyckoff, N.J.: Re “Biden’s unpardonable clemency” (editorial, Dec. 3): Comparing Donald Trump’s promise to pardon those convicted of assaulting police, breaking into and defacing the Capitol and interrupting the peaceful transfer of power with the convictions of Hunter Biden is ridiculous. Hunter was convicted of lying on a gun form to purchase a gun that was never fired or used in a crime. He was convicted of tax evasion for failing to pay taxes he subsequently repaid in full with interest. Many experienced prosecutors have asserted that these crimes are never prosecuted except when your last name is Biden. Fault President Biden for violating norms by pardoning a family member? Fine. Comparing those pardons to Jan. 6 convictions is absurd. Marc Schaeffer
Sad stuff
Glendale: To Voicer Bruce Berensky: I also read the Daily News while eating breakfast, lunch or dinner and try to walk off the extra calories during the day. Like you, I spend most of my time reading the op-eds and Voice of the People and completing the Jumble and crossword puzzles. However, I am also quite distressed by news of assault and murder that is often highlighted on the front and first pages. I’d sure like to see more of the positive side of NYC. There are so many people doing wonderful things around town. My mom, who is 95, while looking at the front page, always says, “Nothing but bad news.” P.S.: She still completes the Jumble in record time. Laura Zimmer
A good deed
Brooklyn: Just saw a story about how Alan Rosen from Junior’s donated $10,000 to a football team from Brownsville, Brooklyn. What a great thing to do so that this team could go to Orlando, Fla. for a chance to show their ability. I know Rosen and his family, they have always stepped up to help those who need it. I hope to see a victory celebration at Junior’s for this team when they return. Win or lose, they have won a lesson that no matter what, others do care. Thank you, Alan, for a positive news story. Sharon Cesario
Properly displayed
Brooklyn: Last week, I had the opportunity to see the earliest surviving inscribed tablet with the Ten Commandments, at Sotheby’s in Manhattan. It was a fascinating yet low-key experience seeing this priceless item in the lobby of the auction house. I’m glad that it has been made publicly available for a while. It is certainly of great historical and cultural interest. But I do not want to see the Ten Commandments on the walls of all public school classrooms, as Louisiana is planning to do. That is overstepping the boundaries of separation of church and state by forcing it on students. Ellen Levitt
Full quote
Brooklyn: To Voicer Natalie Barklow: I don’t make the laws of Judaism, I only quote them, and here is the answer: “The Talmud, a compendium of rabbinical commentaries and laws written during the 1st millennium C.E., characterizes a fetus as ‘mere water’ and doesn’t prohibit abortion before 40 days gestation. After this point, abortion is generally prohibited but exemptions are permitted to preserve the mother’s health or life.” Barbara Barran
