Usyk, heavyweight champion of the Free World
New Hyde Park, L.I.: In all of sports, no designation holds more consequence than heavyweight champion of the world. It is the legacy of Jack Dempsey, Rocky Marciano and Muhammad Ali. There is something transcendent to Oleksandr Usyk of Ukraine holding this title nearly three years into Russia’s invasion.
Usyk’s achievement is an unsung reproach to Vladimir Putin, who is consumed with sports projecting might and connects athletic development to his military industrial complex. It does not escape the tyrant that in the most prestigious of events, where men battle with fists while exposing their souls, a Ukrainian stands atop the hierarchy after twice defeating proverbial giant Tyson Fury.
Usyk has wholeheartedly accepted the mantle of being Ukraine’s most prominent athlete. He initially joined his territorial defense, tried to reason with Russians to stop the assault, and digests videos sent by his countrymen from the battlefield. All this imbues him with the Cossack spirit. The Cossacks, with history and myth surrounding them, formed the identity of a people distinguishable from the empires that surrounded them, including Russian, Polish and Ottoman. The champ never misses the opportunity to emulate them, including displaying the 17th century sword of Ivan Mazepa after his title defense.
Usyk demonstrates that each Ukrainian who takes up arms against a modern-day Goliath are the heroes who merit accolades and support that is not coming in proportion to what they are giving. They are sacrificing themselves for the ideal of democracy and freedom from tyranny, which allows most of us to sit back and enjoy the wonder of sport. Sean R. Strockyj
Invasion envy
Bronx: Am I the only one who suspects that Donald Trump talking about taking over Greenland and annexing Canada is a direct result of Putin’s invasion of Ukraine? He is so enamored of Putin and wants to be exactly like him that he’s talking about taking over land that is right next to America. He wants to be a land-grabbing dictator in the image of Putin, trying to take over neighboring countries and territories. The difference is he’s going to use our money and resources for his personal agenda. I bet he’s got pictures of Putin in private areas of Mar-a-Lago. David Gonzalez
Cartoon suggestion
Queens Village: I always enjoy Bramhall’s cartoons. They are topical, comical and always cutting-edge. I would love to see a cartoon I have in mind. We all remember the recent images of Elon Musk parading through Congress with his young son tightly strapped to his shoulders as an array of reporters briskly follows him. Now, we all know Trump has been vehemently shouting down accusations that Musk is his co-president. How about an image of little Donnie Trump, with his tightly strapped little hands holding onto Musk’s shoulders? Little Donnie is shouting to all the world to hear him, “How many times do I have to tell you? There is only one president!” Lawrence Krasner
From sitcom to CENTCOM
Delray Beach, Fla.: I was just watching some old reruns of “All in the Family” on TV. It occurred to me that fellow guy from Queens Donald Trump has Archie Bunker syndrome — stupidity and an uninformed, racist mentality. Except “All in the Family” was a comedy. Sadly, the Trump administration is anything but funny. Barry Rudd
Holding gov’t hostage
Manhattan: It’s obvious that Trump doesn’t care about the average person or the state of the country. When his spending agenda doesn’t get congressional approval, he threatens retaliation against those who oppose him and advocates a shutdown of the federal government. Here, after the House of Representatives rejected his request for an increase in the debt ceiling as part of the proposed spending package, he posted on social media, “If there is going to be a shutdown of government, let it begin now.” Apparently, if Trump doesn’t get what he wants, he doesn’t care if the federal government comes to a grinding halt, hundreds of thousands of workers don’t get paid and necessary services are frozen. Thankfully, enough Republicans in Congress, led by House Speaker Mike Johnson, showed they had the backbone to defy Trump. Chana Schwartz
Playing by the rules
Staten Island: To Voicer Margaret Dabraccio: I watched TV on Jan. 6 as the Capitol was stormed by MAGA proponents. I watched Trump as he spoke, encouraging his followers to continue their attempt to keep Joe Biden out of the White House. I listened to the news as Trump challenged the election results in each of the swing states. He lost the 2020 election. I firmly believe Americans would not have elected a convicted felon president unless there were some chicanery involved. However, Democrats are law-abiding citizens and will not attempt to thwart the results, so you are correct: There will be no necessity to call out the National Guard. Eileen Zanelli
Pardonable offense
Brooklyn: Until the age of Trump, pardon power was used sparingly, but now it is employed in the most capricious manner. While this has been happening, the Supreme Court has upped the ante to further erode the rule of law, or for that matter, the concept of common sense, by rendering the past and future president immune from prosecution. So, why stop there? Why not take it to the max? Accordingly, I propose that Luigi Mangione should be given a full and unequivocal pardon. Biden, Gov. Hochul and even Trump take note — a large portion of the American public is rooting for him. Far worse people have been pardoned. So, why not? Nick Smith
A lost treasure
Manhattan: I mourn the loss of the once beautiful, user-friendly public space in the Central Park Boathouse. Created for the everyday New Yorker who needed a warm and welcoming respite after wandering in the park through heat or cold, it had a bustling cafe with some of the best and most reasonably priced food in the city. The open interior space is now gone, absorbed by the high-end restaurant chain run by Legends Hospitality. No longer is the open space hospitable for average New Yorkers needing an impromptu indoor gathering place around a huge, welcoming fireplace. It has been replaced by three small booths in a cramped, windowless corner. This is a big comedown for a landmark boathouse now run by big business for a big profit. It is no longer the down-to-earth destination it always was before it was revamped by organizations running with the big money. Mary Smoke
Losing points
Whitestone: I don’t know if Gov. Hochul realizes it, but she is continuing to put nails in her coffin for the next election. By not taking action against Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg or Mayor Adams, and also this trick she pulled with this congestion pricing for the MTA, she’s hurting her reelection. They quietly added that on gridlock days, a 25% surcharge can be imposed on people driving into certain parts of Manhattan. It’s just another scam being conducted by this incompetent governor and the MTA Board. Gene O’Brien
Exile post
Manhattan: Just a passing thought: I firmly believe that Hochul would make an unsurpassed and iconic governor in the wonderful state of Alaska. Aden O’Donnell
Too easy
Brooklyn: I have been a basketball fan for many years. However, I think the three-point shot is really hurting the game. These guys have become so proficient at shooting them that they’ve almost become like a layup. I’m tired of seeing teams regularly scoring 130-140 points a game. Many times, a player has a layup and will pass it out to the three-point line. Many of my friends agree with me. I would like to hear other Voicers’ opinions. Dennis Burge
Memories matter
Manhattan: Re “Rod Serling at 100 and time’s meaning” (op-ed, Dec. 26): Kudos to guest columnist Colin Fleming for celebrating Serling on his centennial! But with all due respect, I do believe that Fleming’s invective against nostalgia is off the mark. Like every other thing under the sun, nostalgia has its place. It was, is and will be what it was, is and will be, like it or not. That’s called the whole of reality, which it is healthier to embrace than to reject. You can’t sever parts according to your personal particular preference. Howard Charles Yourow