Readers sound off on Paul Simon, getting aid to Gaza and Trump in Scotland



An American musical icon can still wow a crowd

San Francisco: I saw Paul Simon perform during the first night of several sold-out engagements at Davies Hall in San Francisco. He is one of the great musical forces in the history of American popular culture, and his catalogue is a veritable soundtrack to my own coming of age.

Many of us can reflect on the feelings awakened; the sense of empathy, understanding and compassion expressed upon hearing the 1970 release of “Bridge over Troubled Water.” Whether we were going through a break-up in a relationship, experiencing loss or were at a place in our lives when it seemed that no one could understand or comfort our feelings, this song broke through the emotional barriers and offered solace.

As with many of the world’s greatest songs, there was once a time before “Bridge” had been written — such is the astonishing, history-making, life-changing magic of music. Simon did not play “Bridge” this night, nor did he play “American Tune,” the 1973 composition that so deeply articulates for me the loss of an America I once knew. He writes, “And I dreamed I was flying, and high above my eyes could clearly see that Statue of Liberty sailing away to sea.”

Simon is in his 80s, his voice softer than before. But if something is lost in volume, something is gained in gravitas and in experiencing his radiance. He gave all of himself. The first half was a performance of his recently released “Seven Psalms,” which is a reflection of his life at the precipice of heaven. I was deeply moved. Bruce Farrell Rosen

Mind your eyes

Brooklyn: To Voicer Martin Bunis: I’m an almost 71-year-old child, straighter than an arrow, and don’t even notice what ladies are wearing out and about. I’m a professional photographer who shoots boudoir work, and even in their states of undress, I still manage to properly look a woman/model/client in the eye. C’mon, man. We are not wired to be aroused by bare thighs. That is called a specific fetish, but please keep that to yourself. You belittle the guys who can actually respectfully not care about what a woman wears outside. You’re from the city. You know women can be topless on the street, right? Randy Contello

Degraded service

Brooklyn: The USPS is celebrating its 250th anniversary, but I don’t think they should be proud of themselves for their service lately. In the last few years, several pieces of mail I sent or was supposed to receive haven’t gotten to their destination. If mail does arrive, it has taken a long time. Even something with a tracking number and delivery confirmation was not received. I know other people who have the same complaint. And yet, the price of a stamp just went up 5 cents. L. Veneroni

Say cheese

Ottawa, Ontario: I am glad that the TSA is removing restrictions about shoes at the airport and is now rethinking liquids, a good move in the right direction. There is one more thing they need to take into consideration, and that is smiling. It’s about time they let people smile for their passport and other IDs. Just imagine telling President Barack Obama not to smile. The time has come to eliminate that rule, and if the U.S.A. does that, everyone will follow. Don’t you think so? Anant Nagpur

Revenue disparity

Brooklyn: The NBA generates $11.3 billion over an 82-game season. There are a total of 540 players (30 teams x 18 players per team). Allocating revenue, that’s almost $21 million per player. The WNBA generates $200 million (that’s million, not billion) over a 44-game season. There are a total of 156 players (13 teams x 12 players). Allocating revenue, that’s almost $1.3 million per player. The WNBA players resorted to wearing T-shirts declaring “Pay us what you owe us.” Based on the financial numbers, they should be wearing a T-shirt that says, “Does management want a salary refund?” David DiBello

Charitable action

Brooklyn: To Voicer Gilbert M. Lane: Although I blame Hamas for the death and destruction in Gaza due to starting the war and conducting military operations from civilian locations, I am very concerned about the tragedy that has befallen its residents. I give ongoing donations to World Food Program USA, Doctors Without Borders, CARE, Mercy Corps and Project Hope, organizations that are providing humanitarian aid for Gaza. Lawrence Freedland

Dire circumstance

Brooklyn: All we hear about is humanitarian aid to Gaza. How about such aid to the hostages being held by Hamas? Ed Greenspan

Wrong side of history

Whitestone: Isn’t it about time that all rational and compassionate Americans admit that Benjamin Netanyahu and his radical right-wing supporters are genocidal killers? They obviously don’t believe that Palestinians, even the children, are as human and valuable as they are. Netanyahu doesn’t just want to eliminate Hamas, he wants to eliminate the Palestinian people with weapons of war and starvation. Why does the U.S. under President Trump, and formerly under Joe Biden, tolerate, if not support, the genocide of Palestinians? We will be condemned by future generations for our complicity in the evil support of the indiscriminate killing of Palestinians. Dorothy Lyons

Narrow criticism

Brooklyn: Where is all the outrage about Syria attacking and torturing Druze people? Syrian troops are also massacring Alawites and Christians. And why don’t we see more news coverage of and protests against attacks on Christians by Islamic extremists in African countries such as Nigeria, Burkina Faso and Chad? Could it be that one particular story in the Middle East is getting endless coverage and not enough attention is being paid to the other continuous, massive suffering in the region? Ellen Levitt

Agency details

Asheville, N.C.: This is a minor issue, but I believe accuracy in journalism is important. Two issues from Saturday’s Daily News: 1) There is only one sheriff in each county. The officers who work for the sheriff are deputy sheriffs, or sheriff’s deputies. The title is deputy, and they should be referred to as deputies, not sheriffs. 2) It’s Customs and Border Protection, not Customs and Border Patrol. Border Patrol is an agency within CBP, and its enforcement officers are called Border Patrol agents. CBP officers work at border crossings, seaports and airports while Border Patrol agents are more mobile. The new administration has made some changes in assignments, to say the least. With all the attacks on journalism and the media lately, I believe accuracy in reporting on agency titles and positions is important. David Mulkeen

New name

Forest Hills: Trump wants the Washington football team to again be called the Redskins. Why not rename them the Washington Trumps? That would appeal to his massive ego and also satisfy his desire for the team to return to a racist nickname. Alan Hirschberg

Unbelievable excuse

Swarthmore, Pa.: On Monday in Scotland, Trump took enough time away from touting his “great” Scottish golf courses to offer a surprising rationale for why he “cut ties” with Jeffrey Epstein in the early 2000s. He said he threw his long-time friend out of his Mar-a-Lago club years ago because “he stole people who worked for me.” That’s right, folks, he at least claims he did not do it because he suspected that Epstein, his close friend, was sexually trafficking and abusing young girls, even though he and Epstein shared a deep mutual appreciation, perhaps even a yearning, for young women. Mr. Trump, your explanation stinks. It doesn’t feel right or sound right, hence it lacks a modicum of credibility. Sir, if you’re trying to distance yourself from this salacious and sordid scandal, you’re failing miserably, and I’m not sorry to say, deservedly so. Ken Derow

Ever the performer

Clearwater, Fla.: It is indeed sad that bigger-than-life wrestling icon Hulk Hogan has passed away at 71. Hogan stole the show last July at the Republican National Convention when he endorsed Trump for president and suddenly ripped off his shirt. Hogan was quite a character and unforgettable. There is no doubt that he will be sorely missed. JoAnn Lee Frank

Subliminal surname

Brooklyn: Perhaps there’s a hidden message in one Democratic mayoral candidate’s name. If you move a few letters in Zohran Mamdani’s surname, it spells “I madman.” We’ve already got one in the White House, we don’t need another in City Hall. Neil S. Friedman



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