These protests are a patriotic ‘no’ to Trumpism
Flushing: After seeing the No Kings protests on Oct. 18, I couldn’t help but think of White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt’s crazed comment after Fox News interviewed Zohran Mamdani: “This interview proved that the Democrat Party’s main constituency are made up of Hamas terrorists, illegal aliens and violent criminals.” It’s a statement as blatantly false as it is desperate.
As a New Yorker, my heart swelled as I watched the country spring into action after 9/11, joining together and helping each other in a true display of what Americans are really about. People from virtually every state came running to the heart of New York City, working soup lines, helping cleanup efforts and doing everything they could to patch up the city’s wounded spirit. I’ve never forgotten the kindness, the caring and the selflessness.
We’ve made a grave error in the U.S. Watching the soulless, transaction-obsessed President Trump — only money registers in his empty soul — giving sycophantic sellouts Leavitt, Stephen Miller, Pete Hegseth and Pam Bondi megaphones for fractured fairytales uttered in hopes of dividing us. Sadly, so many people garner information from social media and unbridled commercial talk programs shown on networks that are somehow allowed to use the word “news” in their descriptions. Yet, the No Kings protesters prove that our populace is better-informed, more caring and more positive than I’ve seen in years. There is a healthy and human movement afoot where Americans are proving that they won’t accept the lies, hatred and almost unfathomable incompetence of the current administration — despite the sick, sordid rantings of Leavitt and her mendacity-spouting ilk. Robert Smith
Too big to bury
Forest Hills: Seven million people of all ages, sexes and faiths joined together all over the country, with well more than 150,000 in New York City’s five boroughs, and you find it acceptable to place the article about it on page 12 (“Nationwide rallies against Don have street party vibe,” Oct. 19). We are fighting to avoid a president becoming a king and you bury it on page 12. Shame on you. Lawrence Konstan
Out in force
Ozone Park: Our government leaders don’t care. They are at Mar-a-Lago golfing. These demonstrators aren’t blind-rage-filled miscreants. They are the Americans who care about a reasonable democratic government by the people, for the people and of the people. Trump better get his act together. If he thinks “who cares?” he’d better think again. Ray Hackinson
At war with his own
Hauppuage, L.I.: With all the “peace” the orange fascist purports to spread abroad, maybe all the wars he’s conducting at home are the real reason he didn’t win the Nobel Peace Prize: war on science, war on journalism, war on academic freedom, war on women, war on free speech, war on the poor, war on due process, war on the environment, war on the separation of powers. Greg Arnold
Forgotten fanfare
San Francisco: The U.S. Marine Corps celebrated its 250th anniversary on Oct. 18, but there was no military parade (at least not one elevated and/or attended by President Plump). The U.S. Navy celebrated its 250th anniversary on Oct. 13 (likewise, no Plump, no parade). Back on June 14, when the U.S. Army had its 250th anniversary, a $20-million, highly touted military parade ensued with Plump in attendance and rejoicing. So, what was different? Could it be that June 14, coincidentally, was the rotund one’s birthday? Or maybe that the June 14 parade was such a dismal failure that they decided not to risk a repeated embarrassment? Seems curious. Jimmy Layton
Favors for friends
Brooklyn: This pardon is a disgrace to all Americans. First Mayor Adams, then George Santos. Who’s gonna be next? Trump is abusing his power, and it’s a slap to all Americans. He’s abusing our justice system. Charlie Pisano
Sharp minds & mouths
Boynton Beach, Fla.: I nominate the wonderful ladies of the “I’ve Had It” podcast, Jennifer Welch and her sidekick Angie “Pumps” Sullivan, for president and vice president in 2028. America needs the super-intelligent, in-your-face, no-holds-barred attack these lovely podcasters bring to the table, exposing the gross corruption and incompetence of President Trump and his entire administration. These Oklahoma City girls bring their six-shooters to the fight while Democratic leaders Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries show up with plastic spoons. We need gunslingers like Jennifer and Pumps, not wusses like the aforementioned Democratic leaders. William T. Bredin
Neither happy nor sad
Newton, N.J.: To Voicer Ron Jackowski: Just because I think Charlie Kirk was the personification of evil — and I do — I never advocated for his death. I’d rather have seen him live with the public humiliation that will eventually come his way. But a Presidential Medal of Freedom for advocating hate, bigotry and condoning the murder of schoolchildren? That goes too far. I did say that while I do not condone his death, neither will I mourn it. There’s a difference. Michael Schnackenberg
‘Shotime’
Carmel, N.Y.: Shohei Ohtani’s performance on the mound and at the plate at Dodger Stadium in the final game of the National League Championship Series was one for the ages. My only regret was that it wasn’t against the Yankees at Ebbets Field. As a lifelong Dodgers fan who attended many games at the old ballpark in Brooklyn, I remember Campy and the Duke, along with Gil Hodges, Carl Furillo and my hero, “Old Number 42,” blasting the balls onto Bedford Ave. over the right-field fence. Had Ohtani been playing for the Brooklyn Bums, the balls would have wound up on Staten Island. The man is truly superhuman — not only a fierce force at the plate, but a pitcher focused on excellence. Shohei is another reason I continue to bleed Dodgers’ blue. Eric Gross
Cops left in the lurch
White Plains, N.Y.: Thank you, Voicer Annie Sullivan, you hit the nail on the head. Andrew Cuomo did more for criminals than his cops. Bail reform is a joke. Parole reform put cop killers back on our streets, but you want to hire more cops. Why? The laws are against cops. Next you’ll use the clean slate law and hire them as cops. Cops need your support — not talk, but action. Your bail reform put cop killers back on our streets where law-abiding citizens visit, live and raise their families. There are no true candidates. Zohran Mamdani insulted our cops, but before he decided to run for office, where was his apology? I don’t know if Curtis Sliwa has ever held office, but how can he be any worse? Larry Lombardo
Suddenly important?
Manhattan: I don’t understand why Mayor Adams is so invested in getting a carriage horse ban now when he never cared before. His recent op-ed (“End the horse-drawn carriage industry,” Oct. 19) overlooks important facts: The horses are healthy per veterinarian exams, the industry is very safe per statistics, and these horses offer much joy to children and those who take rides. Adams needs to ride off into the sunset. Olga Humphrey
Honor the tradition
Taylor, Texas: NYC citizens and all Americans have had enough politicization of the NYC carriage horses and their drivers. We need politicians and real estate developers to have a moral compass! The tradition in NYC has been the role model for other cities throughout this country for more than 400 years. The drivers who care for and love them are the salt of the Earth. NYC carriage rides bring delight to people of all ages, countries and backgrounds. Carriage rides may be the only time a person may come face-to-face with a horse. The horses and their drivers should be respected and cherished by politicians and real estate developers, and never banned to be replaced with electric vehicles, or their precious stables torn down for more high-rise buildings. NYC should be protecting the joy and nostalgia they bring to the city every day. Brenda Jones
OK if regulated
East Meadow, L.I.: What is it about the concept of legal immigration that fails to resonate with so many people? Yes, immigration built this country. Yes, immigrants came in waves. However, it was done in accordance with our laws, not undocumented, unregulated “migration.” Greg Hecht
