How dare you mock a measure that can save lives
Irvington, N.Y.: David Catalfamo’s recent piece (in the New York Post) mocking New York City’s panic button program for bodegas wasn’t just out of touch, it was shameful. It’s even more disappointing considering David once worked for Gov. George Pataki, a leader who felt the pain of everyday New Yorkers, especially the small businesses that are the soul of this city.
Before you wrote that column, did you stop and ask yourself, “What would Pataki say?” I doubt that a man who stood tall during 9/11 would ever laugh at working-class New Yorkers being hunted in their places of business. David, this isn’t some “Diet Coke button” joke from the White House. This is about blood on the floors of bodegas. It’s about mothers getting phone calls they’ll never forget. It’s about clerks who never got to clock out. A panic button isn’t a stunt. It’s a lifeline for people who’ve been forgotten and targeted.
You tried to compare this program to Andrew Cuomo handing out necklaces to defend himself from harassment claims. That wasn’t funny, it was offensive. Or to Curtis Sliwa putting panic buttons in Guardian Angel berets, as if crimefighting is some retro costume party. But here’s the difference: Mayor Adams didn’t laugh. He listened. When bodega owners called out for help after stabbings, shootings and robberies became a nightly reality, Adams stepped up. He didn’t offer a slogan. He offered a solution. And while it may not be perfect, it’s a real step toward keeping our workers alive. That’s more than we’ve gotten from a dozen press conferences and empty promises before him. Fernando Mateo, spokesman, United Bodegas of America
Worthless run
Manhattan: The Campaign Finance Board denied Adams $4 million to help underwrite his barely visible reelection campaign. And, as you reported, he’s rehired his shady 27-year-old pal Brianna Suggs to reel in some bucks. She’s already been paid nearly half a million dollars for services rendered. And, as previously reported, Adams’ campaign donations in the past quarter wouldn’t cover the cost of Broadway tickets to “Good Night, and Good Luck” with George Clooney. Mayor Adams, that play’s title sure sounds like the message being sent to you. Frankie Turchiano
No answer
Manhattan: Elected officials just do not pick up the phone. They have: “Due to high volume, we can not answer the phone.” Well, due to high volume, I will stop voting. I’ve said it many times before — this is the tip of the iceberg. I will not vote any longer as of today. I can’t ever get through to the Board of Elections, either. They don’t pick up. Helen Murphy
Maternal instincts
Bloomfield, N.J.: Saluting all those who were wonderful maternal figures this Mother’s Day. For me, it was Great Aunt Florrie. Her birthday overlaps with this special day. Born in 1897, the year President William McKinley took office, she later quit grammar school for factory work capping toothpaste and testing light bulbs to help support her family. Imagine the history she witnessed. My great aunt was a teenager when the Titanic sank, a lady in the Roaring ’20s. Wishing I asked more questions. A nurturing presence, she took me on outings and encouraged my love of books. In her 90s, I drove her around town, revisiting her favorite places. She paid me the ultimate compliment when she said, “When I’m with you, it’s like you were my little girl.” Christine Sparta
Remembering Mom
Bloomington, Ind.: My brother and I were in our mid-50s. It had been nearly a year since my father passed away, and this was our first Thanksgiving without him. His absence was conspicuous as we gathered in my mom’s dining room. After a quiet meal, we began reminiscing about past holidays. One year, my parents decided that my brother and I, who were 9 and 10 at the time, were too old for baskets from the Easter Bunny. Although we were disappointed, we didn’t let on then. Decades later, we revealed this traumatic childhood event. Of course, it was lighthearted. I told my mom I should have received at least one more Easter basket because my brother was older, yet they cut us both off in one fell swoop! When Christmas arrived, beneath the tree sat a large, vibrant basket filled with candy and colored eggs, accompanied by a note: “Merry Christmas from the Easter Bunny!” Scott Thompson
Honor thy mother
Denver: In 1969, my Alabama high school head football coach (Lavon Kelly, father of college coach Charles Kelly) sacked me before after-school practice, saying, “Mike, before you practice and play, you must go home and make it right with your mother.” As a fatherless senior, I had been abusing my cancer-stricken mother. I cursed her while demanding the car keys and cash to go on a date wearing “men’s cologne” (English Leather) with my girlfriend. When I was called out of school for her death on Jan. 13, 1970, I was weeping, but too late. Many times, I’ve shared this with my high-needs middle school students as their long-term substitute teacher, begging them to please not be like “Mr. Mike” and honor their mothers. Mike Sawyer
Talk it out
Ottawa, Ontario: I am delighted to read that six U.S. state governors invited six Canadian premiers for discussion about tariffs. It is a good start. That’s the way to have a healthy dose of communication and move forward. I feel that with the good meeting that took place between the Canadian prime minister and President Trump, things will get better between Canada and the U.S. Both countries need each other and they will continue, despite teaser conflict sometimes. Anant Nagpur
Mealy-mouthed replies
Edison, N.J.: Why does Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent constantly avoid answering yes-or-no questions by quickly rambling inane inaccuracies in front of congressional committees? Maybe he should check with his leader, Vladimir Putin, before he sits in front of these committees to answer questions. On another note, does anybody think Cheat-O Jesus knew that Bessent is part of the LGBTQ community before appointing him? And why no screaming MAGAs like the way they treated Pete Buttigeig? Thomas Morrison
Only a matter of time
Paramus, N.J.: How long before the orange felon takes credit for the American pope? Tom Greff
Rigged election
Manhattan: I must agree with my beautiful MAGA maggots. Joe Biden rigged that fake conclave. Donald Chump won in a landslide. An American pope, and it’s not the smartest Bible-selling American in the world. Raymond McEaddy
Catholic bashing
Bronx: Why do these comedians think it’s alright to joke about us? They don’t do it to others. Now the pope, not a day old and they were already bashing him. And during our holiest of days, joking about our Lord. Respect us. It’s not funny being the butt of their jokes. Julio E. Rivera
New, not improved
Brooklyn: I switched from MetroCard to OMNY in February and already regret it. After a long-delayed response to a complaint, customer service admitted that no subway customer can really find out how much money is on an OMNY card. The OMNY vending machines in subway stations run an hour or more late in registering how many trips were taken. I’ll stay with the MetroCard, where I can look at the turnstile and see just how much money I have left. Mary Foutz
Baby cattle abuse
Oakland, Calif.: Sincere condolences to the family and friends of renowned Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association calf roper Roy Cooper, who died in a Texas house fire last month. That said, tie-down calf roping should be outlawed worldwide. Consider the following: “Yeah, I accidentally killed and injured lots of calves when I was learning. I mean, I plain roped their heads off” (in “The mud, the blood & the poop,” Colorado Springs Independent, Aug. 19, 2004). And this from world-renowned animal behaviorist Dr. Temple Grandin: “The single worst thing you can do to an animal emotionally is to make it feel afraid. Fear is so bad for animals I think it’s worse than pain.” More than enough reason to outlaw tie-down calf roping: terrified babies separated from their mothers, a true crime against nature. Eric Mills
