Imagine enduring others’ unimaginable reality
Monroe Township, N.J.: To Voicer Jim Newton: Thank you for writing about my favorite TV show, “The Twilight Zone.” The show’s creator and narrator, Rod Serling of Binghamton, N.Y., was prophetic, so the early 1960s episodes are still relevant.
You applied “It’s a Good Life” to our presidential race. Another great episode is “The Shelter.” A radio broadcast warns of incoming enemy nuclear missiles. Friendly neighbors had been celebrating their beloved doctor’s birthday at his house. They become enraged as Doc and his family retreat into their stockpiled basement shelter. Doc bolts the door. His friends start pounding on the door, demanding to be let in. The doctor chides them for not preparing, as he had urged. These screaming, once-close friends find a type of battering ram and break open the shelter door. It turns out the radio warning was a false alarm. Everyone again gathers around the dining room table to eat Doc’s birthday cake, which is now meaningless. Their relationship with Doc has blown up.
To me, it’s significant that each person can return to his or her comfortable house. Life is still intact as the 30-minute program ends. But “The Shelter” prods me to wonder about people who really are enduring missiles and bombs. No false alarm. On the one hand, civilians who have had to dodge a rain of missiles after mass slaughter at a music festival. Hostages taken, most likely already dead. On the other side, countless innocents who have seen their neighborhoods bombed to ash and loved ones buried under rubble in Gaza. Tent cities await as hungry millions are permanently displaced. As it is said, “Hope is a human right.” Barry Hantman
Prove it
Rockaway Point: Over the years, unfortunately, elections have become crooked. It’s time to change New York laws where ID is required. Anybody can use my name and address and vote. Liberals are bringing this country down. ID should be required, and if you’re here illegally, you can’t vote. I wish politicians would stop bashing one another and get down to their policies. Regina Mangan
Pathetic party
Yonkers: Outrage! That’s all we heard from the far-left Democrats and their consortium of handmaidens in the lamestream media, Hollywood, academia and Big Tech after they condemned the Puerto Rican “garbage” joke. Yet, following President Biden’s calling half of Americans actual “garbage,” and a major Kamala Harris supporter and mega-donor saying Donald Trump only surrounds himself with nescient and idiotic women, what do we hear from that same Jacobin cabal? Silence or alibis. The collective exculpation for everything that the radical left puts forth, from Harris’ inane logorrhea to their political ablation of Biden from the ticket, to their excuse-making, double-standard hypocrisy, it puts the lie to the fact that they work for the American people. Come tomorrow’s election, those same American people must rescue themselves from this Democrat disaster. James McCaffrey
He started it
Commack, L.I.: Apparently, few remember that it was Donald Trump who was the first to engage in trash talk during a rally in Mosinee, Wis., on Sept. 7. Speaking about the possibility of Kamala Harris winning the election he said, “It’s not her, it’s the people that surround her. They’re scum. They are scum, and they want to take down our country. They are absolute garbage.” But go ahead, media and MAGA supporters, and make a bigger issue about President Biden’s response to the vile comments about Puerto Rico made by Tony Hinchcliffe at Trump’s MSG rally. Few also recall that Trump initially stated that he lost the 2020 election, then said he won and that the election was stolen. More recently, he’s been admitting in interviews that he lost, “but only by 1%.” Hopefully, the days of Don-foolery will soon be over. Yvonne Fitzner
Evil era
Penticton, British Columbia: Trump is the face of the “Father of Lies.” In his evil world, truth and loving your neighbor is not an option. Trump, Vladimir Putin and Bibi Netanyahu make up the Evil Trinity. The fading, flickering light showing the way, the truth and the decent life has left a deep moral void. This is the genesis of the highly successful Trump, Putin and Netanyahu’s evil havoc. Has Trump finally seduced America? Welcome to the evil ones’ world! Joe Schwarz
Tyrannical title
Narragansett, R.I.: This time, RFK Jr. as health czar. Another czar? Really? Jeff Tkacs
Check your history
Long Branch, N.J.: Donald Trump said he wants to have generals like Hitler’s. If he had paid attention in school, he would know that Hitler’s generals tried to assassinate him on several occasions. What Trump needs is what we have in America: generals loyal to the rule of law who will not try to kill their leaders. Lenzy Kelley
Suspect description
Scranton, Pa.: Federal authorities are on the lookout for a 78-year-old convicted felon who called President Biden a stupid bastard, said Vice President Harris is a sleaze bag and said Liz Cheney should be shot in the face in combat. The suspect has orange pancake batter smeared on his face and was recently seen riding around a parking lot in a garbage truck. He also may be wearing an apron from a fast food restaurant that is splattered with french fry grease. Approach the suspect with caution, especially if you are a female, as he may attempt to grab you by your hoo-hah. Vin Morabito
Selfish expression
Bloomington, Ind.: There’s nothing quite as gratifying as expressing outrage when our political rivals get caught doing something stupid or offensive. This spirited flogging is rarely the result of exasperation or wrath. Though appearing infuriated over the reprehensible acts committed by our political counterparts, many of us couldn’t be more pleased about having the opportunity to skewer our opposition. What’s more, we can highlight our virtues at the same time. It seems disingenuous to pretend we’re anything but delighted when our ideological foes get caught doing nefarious deeds. We can eviscerate our political adversaries and appear to be honorable by the act of doing so. Scott Thompson
Skip the scam
Bronx: If you want a good vacation, stay away from those apps by third parties — no cancellations, hard to contact, you pay more than what you expected. Just a bad experience. Deal directly with reputable companies. You may pay a little more, but you will not be scammed. They act like they are doing you a favor, but it’s what’s in it for them. Say you rent a car from them; when you go pick it up and don’t like their terms, like extra charges, you can’t tell them to keep it because you already paid the app. I’ve had bad experiences — air fare, hotel, car rentals. Do your own research and be careful. They sneak in on you. Julio E. Rivera
We know a better way
Manhattan: I am deeply troubled by the recent deaths of young people due to gun violence in our city. These tragedies highlight complex issues that demand more than just enforcement. We urgently need a citywide approach that emphasizes prevention, mentorship and mental health support. At The Children’s Village, we’ve seen the powerful impact of people with lived experience who invest in relationships and support youth regularly and during crises. These mentors often prevent youth from engaging in gang retaliation and help them stay focused on pathways to education and employment. To build safer neighborhoods, we all must invest in comprehensive, community-based programs that partner with local schools, housing and supportive families. Funding for full-time mentors, a one-stop-shop model for services, and longer program enrollment would allow us to address youth needs more effectively. By investing in these preventive measures, we can help break the cycle of violence. Lisa M. Starks, senior director of youth and adult probation programs, The Children’s Village
Tragic intent
Central Islip, L.I.: People are feeling sorry for that woman who jumped into Niagara Falls with her kids. Feel sorry? This woman was an uncaring nutjob! Thomas Sarc
Flair flop
White Plains, N.Y.: In Saturday’s Grasso’s Garage, the headline read, “2025 Lexus UX delivers compact luxury with flare.” Um, don’t you mean “flair”? Eleanor Salerno
