Bad behavior sullies the sport and the country
Stamford, Conn.: The Ryder Cup has long stood as one of golf’s greatest traditions. For nearly a century, it has showcased the best the sport has to offer: world-class talent, team camaraderie, national pride and above all, exemplary sportsmanship. More than just a tournament, it has embodied the values of respect, integrity and restraint that make golf unique among competitive sports.
Regrettably, this year’s event at Bethpage Black fell far short of that standard. The behavior of many in the gallery was a national embarrassment. Instead of honoring the game, spectators engaged in taunting, heckling and profanity. Some hurled objects, while others seemed intent on disrupting play entirely. This mob-like atmosphere was the opposite of what golf represents. As a lifelong golfer and fan, I felt embarrassed and saddened that such behavior overwhelmed this event.
The European team, and particularly Rory McIlroy, expressed disgust, with McIlroy declaring he would never again play tournament golf in America. That should deeply trouble any true fan of the game. Golf has long stood apart from the polarization and incivility of modern life. It has been a rare arena where rivals compete fiercely yet still show respect and admiration for one another.
This year, that tradition was badly tarnished. The Ryder Cup was broadcast to the world, and what people saw reflected poorly on both the tournament and our nation. I can only hope this disgraceful display was an aberration, not the new normal. We must do better because golf, and America, are better than this. Peter Janoff
Switched sides
Bronx: I see that Mayor Adams’s former campaign manager, Frank Carone, is now working for the candidate who Adams called “a snake and a liar” (“Zoh, Andy take shots with Eric out of way,” Sept. 30). W. Twirley
Catch up to Cali
Manhattan: On Wednesday, former California Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger spoke at the Vatican before Pope Leo XIV. After having dubbed the pope “Action Hero” for having solar-paneled the Vatican’s buildings, he counseled the world’s listeners on the importance of communicating effectively about climate. In the early 2000s, his California climate team used “pollution,” with videos of a child gasping for air, to reach viewers’ hearts. Californians’ support for cleaning up the state’s air skyrocketed. Perhaps we could reach the chambers of Gov. Hochul’s heart by reporting to her that California expects to exceed its 2030 goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 40% below 1990 levels. They now expect to reduce emissions to 48% less! Here in New York, we’re heading for far less than our 40% goal, as acknowledged in our draft State Energy Plan that Hochul supports. Let’s turn that around! Then let’s catch up with and pass California, governor. Lisa Meyer
Didn’t happen
Ridgefield, Conn.: Wednesday’s article “Making America unsafe” (Oct. 1) says Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem cut $187 million from anti-terrorism programs in New York. It mentions, “Noem previously vowed to cut off as much federal funding as possible to states that oppose Trump’s crackdown on undocumented immigration.” Everybody knows that Noem would never scrimp on funds destined to battle the forces of terrorists. Everybody knows she will quickly respond to the fake news article. Everybody knows New York City is the #1 target for terrorists. Money is needed to pay for its protection. A cynical person (not me, though) might suggest that someone in government might want something to happen so that a very high-level person could order a military presence to stay in blue-state New York forever. Sound familiar? Los Angeles, D.C., Portland, Chicago, etc.? Michael Pickering
States’ rights
North Bergen, N.J.: The president has no right to preemptively assume control of the National Guard from the states when there is no clear evidence of sedition or insurrection. It is not enough to claim that states and various municipalities are unable or unwilling to protect the public. The governors must reclaim their authority over the National Guard units the president has unlawfully deployed. All the demonstrations thus far have been an exercise of the rights to peacefully assemble and protest. Should violence erupt at any time, it could very well be attributed to an attempt to justify takeover of the National Guard. We dare not ignore the possibility that the president would deliberately provoke the appearance of an insurrection to justify his actions. Irving A. Gelb
Paid time off
Rockaway Park: As a retired detective with the U.S. Park Police, I have long been disturbed about those of us who were required to work versus those furloughed. Both groups will not get paid until after the shutdown concludes, then both groups will be paid the missing salaries. The difference is striking. Both get paid their full salaries but the working group gets paid the same as those furloughed. In clear fairness, the working group should be granted overtime or compensatory pay for those hours worked. Bill Stray
What’s the point?
Staten Island: I do not understand the shutdown of the federal government due to a lack of an agreement to extend government funding. A furloughed worker can apply for unemployment on the first day of the furlough. A furloughed worker can and may receive all back pay due them. It just seems like unnecessary anguish for all involved. Eventually, an agreement will be made along with people returning to work. This creates uncertainty for many people — will I have money to cover the rent/mortgage, food and all other daily living expenses? Doesn’t this just mean that in lieu of a timely new budget, money will be doled out in unemployment benefits? Does all this havoc make sense? It doesn’t to me. Can someone simplify this for me? It appears to be a money shift under the guise of a threat. Myra B. Goodman
Call his bluffs
Manhattan: Never have the uber-wealthy gotten uber-wealthier and the rest of us gotten poorer as fast as under the Trump regime. It’s pay-to-play now, and whether it’s a billionaire buying a presidential meme coin or bringing gold bars to the White House, for big corporations, profits are worth having regulations loosened and favorable laws passed. Then Trump and the GOP give the richest people and biggest corporations record tax breaks, funding them by taking away our health care. You didn’t really need those ACA tax credits, did you? So what if millions lose coverage or can’t pay the premiums? But Trump is not invulnerable. He gets power by people assuming he has it when he doesn’t. That’s why Sen. Chuck Schumer and the Democrats have to stand firm against a dictator and his toadies. The government’s been shut down since Inauguration Day. Now’s the time to make Trump blink. Holly Hester-Reilly
A bolder breed
Saratoga Springs, N.Y.: AOC has more brains, guts and heart than all of the Republicans in Congress combined. Michael Stella
He’s no soldier
Richmond Hill: The audacity of a five-time draft-dodger threatening our military leaders if they disobey his orders. Ohh, and by the way, the toddler was also upset because he didn’t get a standing ovation when he entered the room. God help us all! Francheisko Perez
Our generals
Brooklyn: “Following orders” is not a valid defense for soldiers, according to the Nuremberg Trials. I’m certain that our generals know this and will only follow constitutionally lawful orders. Herman Kolender
Loudmouths
Brooklyn: Seriously, do American politicians think before they speak? Do they ever listen to themselves? Are they aware of how often they sound unprofessional, or like habitual liars and con artists? My sense of humor is growing thin listening to and reading quotes from so many politicians and candidates on the local and national levels who sound like utter fools. Ellen Levitt
Cough him up
Dover, Del.: To Voicer Richard Sherman: Using your reasoning about nations signing agreements, Israel initially signed the Rome Statute that founded the International Criminal Court, which means the prime minister of Israel must surrender to face charges and stand trial for crimes against humanity. I am relatively sure that no one consulted the residents of Palestine in making the decision by Europeans to expel them from land they lived on peacefully with their neighbors. Chalky White
