Who really benefits from ‘saving’ the horses?
Manhattan: I have lived with horses all my life and have fed apples to the Central Park carriage horses for many years. The truth is they have never been cared for better. It’s obvious that the powerful real estate companies that have been lusting after the properties over by the Javits Center for years see an opportunity to grab the stables. They leap every time a horse has an accident or, most recently, the case of Lady passing away from a tumor, to accuse the carriage industry of mistreatment of its animals.
The Central Park Conservancy has been swayed by these same people and said it has to remove the horses because of overcrowding. I, for one, have been crashed into from behind by an electric bike, but never have I ever been hit or even crowded by a carriage horse. The drivers are vigilant and take good care to drive in their lanes.
Please take a deeper look into the actual reasons before beautiful creatures are to be removed. They are iconic and represent a romantic time that gives our city class. They also not only give many people work, but the horses actually need these jobs. Not many people understand that these horses are not going to be bought up by riding academies or even the Amish. Horse stables in a recession are the first to go. Many of the carriage horses are ex-racehorses who have these jobs as a second career. Some have a good chance of ending up in dog food. Please don’t let the City Council sound the death knell on these beautiful creatures. Janice Wilde
Ranked
Bronx: To Voicer Glenn Brown: In response to your MAGA letter on crime rates, here are facts. The Wikipedia 2024 listing of the 200 largest cities’ violent crime rates shows the 10 largest cities in order from lowest to highest rates of violent crime: San Diego, 76; Las Vegas, 80; Chicago, 109; San Antonio, 120; Dallas, 132; NYC, 134; Los Angeles, 145; Phoenix, 157; Philadelphia, 169; and Houston, 185. Stuart Eber
Run the numbers
Manhattan: Voicer Glenn Brown gave the President Trump, GOP and Fox News view of crime, which is not really correct. Using 2023 and 2024 data, the cities with the worst crime are Memphis, St. Louis, Baltimore, Detroit, Oakland, Little Rock, Cleveland, New Orleans, Birmingham, and Albuquerque. Looks to me like Republican states predominate the list. Daniel A. Greenbaum
Inaccurate anecdotes?
Hillsdale, N.Y.: Every day, we hear that crime is down in NYC, but every day we read about shootings, stabbings, muggings, robberies and/or rapes on the streets and in the subways. I guess these activities no longer qualify as crimes and are not included in the crime figures. Phil Antico
Imbalance of power
Brooklyn: Trump said of D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, “Mayor must stop giving false crime figures or bad things will happen.” Threats, intimidation, stealing hundreds of classified documents — Congress, let’s go already! You must take action! You are letting this country be turned into a dictatorship. Do you believe in checks and balances or not!? Bob Gomez
Halfway there
Pleasantville, N.Y.: It’s been just seven months that Trump has been president. According to the Project 2025 tracker, the Trump administration has already completed nearly 50% of the objectives laid out in Project 2025. This is the same blueprint for the fascist takeover of our government prepared by the Heritage Foundation that Trump said he knew nothing about. Howard Zane
Dealmaking
Greenville, S.C.: Great move by Trump meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and several world leaders at the White House on Aug. 19 to broker a peace deal with Russia. The strong arm of support for Zelenskyy in Washington involved world leaders such as French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Finland’s President Alexander Stubb. Trump advisors like Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio were present. This summit happened after Trump met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. Hopefully, this war between Ukraine and Russia can end sometime very soon. And it is a great move that Trump is casting himself as somewhat of a peacemaker in this ongoing conflict. Steven Hawkins
Soft on Russia
Peters Township, Pa.: Whatever comes of Trump’s involvement amidst his ever-changing positions on the savage Russian war on Ukraine is all but certain to be to the advantage of Putin. The warmth and affection Trump displayed for Putin and the red-carpet hero’s welcome afforded him during his visit to Alaska stands in stark contrast to Trump’s dressing down and public humiliation of Zelenskyy at the White House six months ago, something for which Trump has never apologized and never will. Putin is a war criminal mass murderer — an adversary of a United States that used to stand for freedom, democracy and human rights. Zelenskyy and his country are Putin’s victims. Our president allows his fondness for ruthless dictators to set that aside. Oren Spiegler
Prostitute prez
Queens Village: We all knew that Trump’s main squeeze has always been Putin, who promised Donald a Moscow Trump Tower, among other favors. But still waiting at the altar was Trump’s first love. You all remember the Kim Jong Un love letter that Trump couldn’t stop gushing over. Donald, you’re just a gigolo! Lawrence Krasner
Humphrey’s example
Bronx: I read Voicer Paul Blaustein’s letter. Interesting that he thinks the Democrats should follow the example of Hubert Humphrey. I consider myself a Humphrey Democrat, and do know that Humphrey would be all over this administration and the illegal things it has done. Blaustein then says that the Dems should take a lesson in gracefully accepting defeat like Humphrey did. Well, tell that to the current president. Martin Sandok
Quiet from the pulpit
Bronx: Where are our religious and spiritual leaders? Not speaking out on crimes against humanity all over, but right here, locking people up in cages, detention places in swamps — men, women and children. How cruel. We are all children of God. How evil. It’s about good and evil, not what party it is. Stop quoting the Bible and address these acts. It pains me that these poor people are suffering and criminals thrive. Julio Rivera
RIP
Middle Village: I bear the sad news that frequent Voicer Robert (Bob) Kralick of Glen Head, L.I., passed away last Friday, Aug. 15, after a short battle with ALS. His incisive and analytical comments on things in general and environmental/energy policy in particular will be sorely missed. He was a good man, husband, father and Pop. Mary Jane McCartney
Digital frontier
Manhattan: As parents in New York City, safety is always top of mind. Most people know the basics — look both ways before crossing the street, don’t walk home at night and never talk to strangers. But most parents don’t think about the uncertainties that our kids face when they go online. My children are young, but we are already thinking about their future and what apps might be appropriate for them. Parents need to understand the risks associated with misrepresenting age online. Even though we might be restrictive about how our kids use their devices, their friends at school could show them inappropriate content that we have no control over. Luckily, the App Store Accountability Act, a federal bill introduced in May, would provide a solution and centralize the age verification process to prioritize safety, privacy and positive online experiences. Dayna and Brian Lee
Boardwalk bikers
Delray Beach, Fla.: On a beautiful Friday after the storm, I figured I would take a ride to the Rockaways to see the waves from the boardwalk. By the concession and bathrooms was a very large sign: “Bicycles must Dismount.” Very few did. In fact, one moron went by so fast that he must have thought he was in the Tour de France! I am sure if an officer was there giving tickets, they would be crying. Let’s face it, most of you cyclists are a menace on the roads. You do what you want and when something happens, you cry. Obey the rules and maybe the public will learn to accept you. Manny Agostini
