Manhattan: Totally unbelievable! Felonious Donald Trump whines like bratty little Rhoda Penmark, filmdom’s “Bad Seed,” and twistedly tries to Kool-Aid us into abetting his bald-faced lie that the members of the congressional Jan. 6 Committee should all be jailed. That’s as ludicrously contrary as the idea that a convicted felon, repeat fraudster, perennially failed businessman, immoral abuser, anarchic traitor or would-be dictator is qualified to be president of the United States.

Seriously, the committee’s dedicated role models fulfilled their elected duties to make steady the besieged foundations of our democratic ideals, shaken by traitorous Trump and his misguided ilk of domestic “tourrorists” on that traumatically infamous day, for all of history to plainly witness. Our outstanding President Biden has properly awarded the Presidential Citizens Medal to Liz Cheney and Bennie Thompson, recognition that also befits each of the committee’s superb patriots.

At the anniversary of Jan. 6, a day of service and Epiphany for our nation, I’d retroactively title the whole committee the 2022 Person of the Year. A prominent lasting memorial, including acknowledgement of the committee, also appears overdue at or near the historic site.

Let’s all hope too that Attorney General Merrick Garland, whose issues likely helped enable Trump to evade proper justice, repairs his own questionable legacy somewhat by duly providing the deprived public with Jack Smith’s final report of his case against Trump. Unfortunately, there are important lessons Americans still need to learn. Phil Vanaria

Pro-Trump judge

Howard Beach: Florida Federal Judge Aileen Cannon is overruled a third time. How long before she is removed from the bench? It’s obvious that she’s lost her objectivity. When it comes to Trump, a convicted felon, Cannon is biased in his favor. Ernest Kienzle

Motion denied

Whitestone: Thank you to the four female justices and Chief Justice John Roberts for saving our respect for the law and having the guts to reject Trump’s attempt to erase his 34 felonies. They proved that even with all of his money, power and special friends on the high court, who will apparently do anything he asks them to do, he’s still a loser and a criminal. Damn the Constitution and hail to the king is the message from Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Brett Kavanaugh and Neil Gorsuch. I just wish Judge Juan Merchan had given Trump some time in prison, if only to make Elvis Presley’s “Jailhouse Rock” timely and relevant: Number 47 said to number 3 (Rudy G) / You’re the cutest jailbird I ever did see / I sure would be delighted with your company / Come on and do the Proud Boy’s rock with me. Let’s rock! Michael J. Gorman

In disbelief

Cranbury, N.J.: I can’t believe it. Who voted for this man? What is wrong with the American people? Of the many brilliant, accomplished, and yes, moral American men, how did I wind up with a morally corrupt specimen like this for my president? I can’t bring myself to believe that this is what we’ll all have to live with as president of our great country. Where were people’s brains to even think of voting for this man? To me, this is a disaster. Shame on the American people! Ann Solomon

Tell him that

Boynton Beach Fla.: Voicer Roberta Chaleff promotes one bit of factual news: that Donald J. Trump, convicted felon, will be our president for the next four years. As far as Roberta’s claim that The Donald is “one of us,” feel free, Roberta, to show up at Mar-a-Lago and see if you are welcomed in open arms by Trump and his fellow billionaires. As far as your plea to those of us who do not support the Trump lies, childish name-calling, fraud, cheating and bullying, along with his gross incompetence and childish behavior on occasions too numerous to detail here, to start “acting like good grown-ups by mustering a little pride and dignity of your own,” I suggest you forward your recommendation to the person in most need of such sage advice — Trump or any other member of the Trump family and entourage. William T. Bredin

Goes both ways

Brooklyn: To Voicer Roberta Chaleff: It’s laughable that Republicans like you are chiding Democrats and others you call “Trump-haters” when we have experienced four years of election denial and Biden-hating from you and others who feel as you do. Let’s not even talk about the infamous Jan. 6 riot. My advice would be for you to stop drinking the contradiction Kool-Aid and grow up yourself. Wanda Peakes

Stick around

Carmel, N.Y.: Time to stop our politicians from visiting foreign countries while they have so many issues within their own constituencies that are being overlooked and unresolved. S.J. McCormack

Prevent & mitigate

Brooklyn: Why the hell did L.A. not have pumping stations to take water from the Pacific Ocean and have water mains feeding hydrants to help control the fires, maintain the forests by cutting back dead trees and bushes, have fire breaks and have safe roads so people can get out of harm’s way!? Most of all, they need new building codes to build homes that are not fire traps, as we see block after block burned to the ground. Also, elect new leaders who will do what needs to be done to rebuild all the homes that have been destroyed. Thomas Miller

Local measures

Manhattan: Another warmest year on record from burning oil and gas has brought us weather we’ve never seen before. Torrential rain in California spurred plant growth followed by months of extreme drought that turned it to tinder, ready to burn bigger and faster than ever before, as extreme Santa Ana winds blow embers from neighborhood to neighborhood, even as local reservoirs are full. Overworked hydrants lose pressure no matter how much water is available. What this means for New York is Gov. Hochul has to press for robust climate policy that will bring costs down for New Yorkers. The cap and invest program will do just that. A price on emissions will provide direct rebates to pay consumer energy bills and funds to weatherize homes. Our climate disasters haven’t been as dramatic as California’s or North Carolina’s, but a severe drought leading to brushfires in city parks should be a wake-up call. Laurie Aron

Lack of empathy

Staten Island: To Voicer Tom Saracco, who would label a child born to a female (where’s the male in his scenario?) of a certain age and marital status as “undeserving”: I’m sure you are also anti-abortion. You want to choose who is deserving and who is not based on what you deem appropriate. How can a person be so heartless toward other humans? It’s like that mattress commercial, “How do you sleep at night?” Gina Ottrando

Religion’s riches

West Caldwell, N.J.: Re “Adams pal on Charter panel bows out after News query” (Jan. 11): There is additional befuddlement besides that of the spokesman for the Charter Revision Commission giving a disingenuous explanation for Rev. A.R. Bernard’s resignation after being caught by Daily News reporters not being a city resident. The article details that Bernard is known for his Cultural Center church and its 32,000 parishioners in economically depressed East New York, yet Bernard recently paid off a $1.1 million mortgage on a home and property on Long Island in three years. Have the parishioners of this church ever asked their leader when they will be as providentially affluent? Charlie Peters

Out-of-staters

Red Bank, N.J.: To Voicer Lee Crespi, who has an obvious jealousy of “folks in fancy houses in New Jersey’s suburbs” who have the audacity to “earn a living in Manhattan”: I say N.J. should charge all N.Y. plates entering and leaving the Holland/Lincoln Tunnels toll taxes to come to “New Jersey’s beautiful industrial parks” (and outlets) so people like you can avoid paying the New York state tax on clothing and shoes! Additionally, for the N.Y. plates clogging the Garden State Parkway during summer to utilize our beaches, it should cost you more just because you live and drive in from a different zip code/state. Based on your point of view, this seems fair to me just so you can continue to use a subway system that’s the “lifeblood of NYC.” A. Marie Clarke

Staten Island: We want to take a moment to recognize two extraordinary leaders within our wonderful school community. When we grow up, we want to be as kind and giving as third-graders Alexandria Khan and Hana Ezziddin.

On their own, Alexandria and Hana created a bracelet stand in their neighborhood last spring. Inspired by another family member’s bracelet stand, they raised about $185 over the past nine to 10 months. During the winter break, they made a courageous and kind decision to donate the proceeds to Zhenxuan, a young second-grade student recently diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer called osteosarcoma. They threw their hat in the ring and joined our PTA and school community to raise much-needed funds to help Zhenxuan’s family pay for direly needed medical treatment.

Osteosarcoma mostly affects children, teens and young adults. It’s the most common type of bone cancer, often developing in the cells that form new bone. It usually starts in the long bones around the knee but can occur in any bone, including the pelvis, shoulder and skull. The main symptoms include progressive bone pain, especially at night, and swelling that can restrict movement. Treatment typically involves a combination of surgery, chemotherapy and sometimes radiation therapy.

We are so grateful for kind and giving human beings like Alexandria and Hana, who embody the heart and soul of P.S. 23’s mission and vision. We believe that everyone, no matter how young or old, has genius and can make a lasting difference in the world through care, inspiration and empowerment. Paul J. Proscia, principal, and Renee Mazza, assistant principal, P.S. 23

Unpleasant experience

Breezy Point: On Thursday, I had to get driven into Midtown for my yearly colonoscopy due to 9/11 cancer. I guess you can say that I got it up my rear end twice due to congestion pricing. Pat Campbell

Wrong avenue

Astoria: If the MTA would stop all the criminals jumping the turnstiles — $700 million in losses — congestion pricing wouldn’t be needed. Fake reports of fewer drivers coming into the zone are BS. Drivers parking above 60th St. — same pollution. The governor must think everyone is stupid. Wake up, governor, we are hip to your games to try to get reelected. Anthony Gigantiello

Just take it?

Manhattan: If Donald Trump can say he wants to control Canada and Greenland and the Panama Canal, why can’t Vladimir Putin say he wants control over Alaska and Ukraine? Why can’t Xi Jinping of China say he wants total control over Taiwan and Hong Kong? Why then did we get upset when China took over Tibet? What is the difference between Trump and these dictators? Why didn’t Trump say all this before the election? I’m sure he would not have won the election and we would have been spared the next four years of chaos. Our country deserves better. Leonard Smoke

Futile application

Staten Island: Now I know why there’s garbage all over Staten Island after Sanitation picks up: They’re in a big hurry to throw your garbage can in the middle of the street and leave garbage behind because they need to get out there and salt streets that have no snow or ice on them in 40-degree weather. Joseph Dohner

Political prosecution

Kew Gardens: I would like to thank Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and Judge Juan Merchan for their unwitting in-kind contribution to the reelection of Donald Trump — to Bragg, who found a way to prosecute a case with no underlying crime, and to Merchan, whose jury instructions led to the unanimous decision and conviction. This was a pyrrhic victory for the prosecution and a damaging blow to the integrity of the New York State courts. This was, in fact, an exploding cigar for them, and galvanized public opinion against what was clearly a political prosecution. Americans are adamant about the notion of fair play. The only hope now is that the appeals process will reverse the conviction and repair the damage to the reputation of the New York courts. Phil Serpico

Easy out

Manhattan: He got off scot-free. I do not buy this junk about Trump at least having a felony record. Makes no difference to him. He could have been sentenced to one day, a week, community service, a fine — anything! The judge could sentence him and then suspend the sentence for four years. No way he would ever serve it out. Bragg proved to be a weakling as he recounted the terrible person Trump is and then endorsed an unconditional discharge. Why, Mr. Bragg? If Trump is a bad guy, ask the judge to treat him as such. It was not, is not and will never be the DA’s job to heal society. Prosecute him and recommend the right thing and that’s it, job done. Same for Merchan. Sentence him and wipe your hands clean. Let someone else, another judge, decide he shouldn’t serve. Steven Fromewick

Armed and dangerous

Bronx: My good friend asked me if this is correct — as of noon on Jan. 20, Donald Trump, the convicted felon, is not allowed to own a gun, but is authorized to launch an ICBM (inter-continental ballistic missile). Yes, Frank, that is correct. Mike Yorio

Speaking of…

Nutley, N.J.: To Voicer Roberta Chaleff: You admonished the Democrats to accept Trump’s presidency. I would give your thoughts a little more credence if you had written the same letter or could at least assure us that you had the same thoughts after the election of President Biden in 2020. Did you, Ms. Chaleff, accept your own advice and accept the 46th president “as the American you are”? I sincerely hope you are not one of those who agreed with the mob that stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Peter Griswold

Violence ignored

Lansdowne, Pa.: To Voicer Alim Howell: Gov. Josh Shapiro is just another Pennsylvania Pollyanna. At the funeral for Philly’s most recently murdered cop, Shapiro, the mayor, police commissioner and pathetic district attorney all gave brief speeches. The officer was Jamie Roman, only 32, a young dad and husband. None of the aforementioned mentioned crimes’ penalties. There aren’t any of significance. One weekend last month, 21 people were shot in Philly — one perp was only 14! Meanwhile, the mayor’s passion is for a new basketball stadium that will ruin the city’s old and popular Chinatown and erase the needed Greyhound and long-distance N.Y. bus terminal. Easy access to the city’s hospitals is over for patients from distant towns. Gridlock is already bad. Georgia Makiver

A different Dem

Brooklyn: Sen. John Fetterman from Pennsylvania, a rare find — a liberal with common sense. Rocco Conte

Praying for them

Roosevelt, L.I.: Let us pray for the people of Southern California who have lost everything they own and have ever known due to this apocalyptic, raging wildfire. I remember when my family visited my Aunt Sylvia Mackey and my late Uncle John Mackey, who was a tight end for the Baltimore Colts and San Diego Chargers, at their then-beautiful home in Altadena. It is terrifying to see people’s homes, believers’ houses of worship and children’s schools burnt to ashes, and workers’ places of business burnt to piles of dust in Los Angeles County. My God, it is heartbreaking. To hear of the death of loved ones is overwhelming. California, we stand in solidarity with you in this major tragedy. We pray for substantial governmental help, strong assistance and the right resources for the people of Southern California. Arthur L. Mackey Jr.

The real reason

Manhattan: Who is responsible for the L.A. fires? We are. The ultimate culprit is climate change. Changing weather patterns leading to hurricane-force winds and droughts are consequences of burning fossil fuels. The media rarely mentions this. Instead, we hear endless finger-pointing at L.A.’s water management, at Gov. Gavin Newsom, the Democratic Party, etc. Let’s put the responsibility where it belongs and get back to reducing our dependence on oil and gas. Paul Backalenick

Manhattan: As a New York City resident and non-politician, I disagree with the mayor’s selection of Jessica Tisch to head the New York Police Department.

In spite of the mayor’s effusive and grandiose touting of this appointee’s resume, a stint as a deputy NYPD commissioner and tenure as commissioner of the Department of Sanitation, as well as being an astute manager, do not in my view translate as qualifications to lead a paramilitary force of more than 30,000 police officers.

It would seem that out of a top tier of police deputies, many with 15 and 20 or more years’ experience with expansive knowledge of policing, including the latest technology and anti-terror techniques, someone from this group could be selected to lead the department. These police backgrounds include experience with street patrol as well as the grim-and-grime realities of policing.

This is not to say that Tisch is not well-meaning, but if I were a veteran police officer, I would not be inspired or want to follow her into any out-of-control situation requiring police interaction.

As a citizen of this city, I understand that there is always a place in any large organization for data collecting, management skills and forward-thinking ideas. Such individuals can be valuable assets as staff members of the department. But by this appointment, both the police and New Yorkers are ill-served. B. Wallace Cheatham

Mayor material

Greenburgh, N.Y.: In recent weeks, the Daily News has published stories about the upcoming race for mayor. I would like to urge NYC residents to encourage Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch to run. She is the kind of mayor NYC needs. The Harvard-educated official has impressed many people during her years as commissioner of three important city agencies. She highlighted her ability to address quality-of-life issues by waging war against rats and taking steps to make streets cleaner during her tenure as Sanitation commissioner. She is currently being praised for her efforts to get rid of bad apples within the police force. She worked on technology issues as commissioner of the Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications. Her goal is to get the job done and she is showing that she won’t tolerate corruption. NYC deserves the best. I think Tisch is what the city needs. Paul Feiner

Homeless and harmless

Manhattan: Re “A better mental illness approach” (editorial, Jan. 5): You write, “Recent underground horrors remind us of the need for action. There was the arson homicide of a woman at the Coney Island station, and the caught-on-camera shove onto the platform of a man in Chelsea.” But the suspects in each of these incidents were neither homeless nor had a history of mental illness, so neither would have qualified for involuntary treatment. Making the subways safer for everyone is a worthy goal, but the involuntary commitment of “folks sprawled on benches” who are deemed mentally ill but who haven’t done anything wrong is not the right way. James Baldwin

Self-induced

Staten Island: It is hard to watch what is going on with the fires in California. My wife and I are sick seeing it. How could there be no water to fight the fires? They are next to the biggest ocean on the planet. But they have a mayor who went on vacation knowing what was coming — this after cutting the fire department’s budget. They have a governor who rejected plans to ensure a much-needed supply of water because he felt the wellbeing of some fish was a higher priority. They have a fire chief who felt that DEI hiring was more important than the safety of the people who live there. While I do not wish anything bad for these poor residents, they voted for these people. They are the only ones who can make sure this doesn’t happen again. When you vote for incompetent people, you get incompetence. Tony Anastasio

Make it rain

Plainview, L.I.: How come our scientists didn’t think about artificially inducing the rain needed for the California wildfires? Shooting silver oxide into the atmosphere through a process called cloud seeding, which essentially provides particles of water droplets to condense around and form precipitation. This can be done by airplane or ground-based devices that disperse the substance into existing clouds. This possibly could have helped. Frank Mauceri

Leaders in the field

Manhattan: There is a way for Los Angeles to avoid ever running out of water again. There is a country that has an even drier climate than L.A. that used to always be short of water and whose fields were deliberately set on fire by its enemies. That country developed technology for extracting fresh water from the ocean and now produces so much water that it fills a freshwater lake and exports water and agricultural produce. All Los Angeles has to do is pay it to set up desalination plants. That country is Israel. Gamaliel Isaac

Hard copy

New Brunswick, N.J.: Kudos to J.T. Barbarese for the homage to print (“The simple joy of reading newspapers,” op-ed, Jan. 10). While I transitioned to tablet for the Daily News due to many factors — unreliable delivery, weather, mobility, to mention a few — I miss holding a newspaper in my hands. My dentist tried to convince me to read on Kindle. I told him that sometimes I do. But there’s nothing like the feel of a hardcover book or the inkiness of a newspaper. You’re correct, J.T.: writing style and integrity have been exchanged for expediency. By the time you get the paper, it’s yesterday’s news. T.M. Cembor

Cheating the system

East Meadow, L.I.: Re the Social Security Fairness Act: What is unfair is paying Social Security benefits to workers who didn’t contribute to the Social Security system. They worked in jobs, in municipalities, that don’t participate in the program. Why should they benefit from something they didn’t, or minimally, contribute to? Greg Hecht

Ex-prez fluctuation

Manhattan: Before Jimmy Carter died, we had five ex-presidents alive at once (Carter, Clinton, George W. Bush, Obama and Trump). It’s four now and will go back to five in a few days, when Biden joins the list and Trump leaves the list. I noticed that, like Carter, Harry Truman also died between Christmas and New Year’s Eve (Dec. 26, 1972), and also died as a presidential term was ending and another was about to start. Not a change of presidents, though, as Richard Nixon had been elected to a second term in a landslide victory over George McGovern. Lyndon Johnson survived Truman by less than four weeks, leaving us without a living ex-president until Nixon resigned in August 1974. Charles Adrian O’Connor

Fool incoming

Manhattan: Long ago, a popular song opened with “Fools rush in where wise men used to tread.” It came to mind as I watched the funeral for Jimmy Carter, a wise man, and watched Donald Trump not place his hand over his heart when the casket was at his row. Even Melania did that. A fool — a disdainful man — named Trump is rushing in. I am not alone in feeling fearful for our country. Frankie Turchiano

He’s one of us

Tamarac, Fla.: For those Democrats whose mission was to destroy Trump throughout the years to the present, get over it! He is not your enemy. He never was and never will be. Trump is going to be your next president and will proudly represent you and the country you live in! His wife Melania is going to be the next first lady of your country and will perform her duties with pride and dignity. So, Trump-haters, how about acting like good grown-ups by mustering a little pride and dignity of your own. Accept your 47th president as the American you are, not as the enemy you chose to be. Roberta Chaleff

Capital confusion

Ashburn, Va.: Everyone wonders why Trump wants Greenland so badly. The answer is simple: He thinks the capital of Greenland is named “Nookie.” Not to worry, though. When he finds out the capital is actually named Nuuk, he’ll immediately forget the whole thing. Mike Barrett

Utica, N.Y.: As we recently sat at home in upstate New York waiting out the snow, we watched a movie about our late President Jimmy Carter. This film not only talked about his relationship with rock and country musicians, but highlighted his faith, his decency, his compassion and his humanity.

These qualities could also describe outgoing President Biden, whose long tenure in politics has been driven by his desire to help average middle-class Americans. Any parent could be proud to have their children turn out like either of these two men.

So it makes us even more infuriated that we are about to inaugurate a convicted felon with a heart of granite to the American presidency. This lying con man has never done anything for anyone without a guarantee that he would benefit somehow, a concept so diametrically opposed to everything that America stands for.

He tells us that the 520,000 Americans who have died in our wars since 1776 are “losers and suckers,” and we elect him to office? He is probably lucky that Democrats inexplicably chose not to delve more deeply into the legitimacy of this election.

The next four years will be dark and difficult for Americans with hearts and souls. Yet, we will be gratified to think back on good, decent men like Carter and Biden as exemplars of our true American values. Jeff and Joan Ganeles

Doing his somber duty

Monroe Township, N.J.: To Voicer Joseph Napoleone: Yes, we can depend on Biden in times of crisis in our country. He is not at Camp David. He was in New Orleans comforting family members of people killed and injured by a terrorist. He then went to speak to Gov. Gavin Newsom in California and declared a federal state of emergency due to wildfires. He canceled his trip to Italy to visit the Pope so he could keep monitoring the wildfires. Like him or not, he is our president. Give him some respect. Lorri Thompson

Typical bluster

Shaftesbury, Vt.: Donald Trump, our future president, is uttering complete and futile nonsense and irritating our neighbor to the north, Panama and Denmark. His remarks about Canada, Greenland and the Panama Canal are preposterous! Taking back the Panama Canal, claiming Canada as a state and acquiring Greenland are his ideas of some land-grab deal. Canada is an independent country, Greenland is a Danish territory and Panama owns the Canal Zone. Trump’s preposterous ideas are pure BS. Meanwhile, let’s not forget all the promises he made: ending the wars in Ukraine and Israel, fixing inflation, improving our military, closing the U.S. border, etc. These other things he espouses are a distraction. That is what he does. Tom King

Hell on Earth

Milwaukee: Trump has declared “there will be hell to pay” if hostages in Gaza are not released prior to his taking office. But Gaza has already been largely reduced to dust. This includes destruction of fields, orchards, greenhouses, water infrastructure, hospitals, bakeries, public utilities, roads, schools, universities and religious and government buildings. More than 45,000 people have been killed, including more than 14,500 children. Another 20,000 children are missing — lost, detained or buried beneath rubble or in unmarked mass graves. And Gaza has the largest number of child amputees in modern history. The UN estimates that clearing the debris in Gaza could take as long as 15 years, and that it could take until at least 2040 to rebuild destroyed homes. As economist Daniel Egel asserts, “You can rebuild a building, but how do you rebuild the lives of a million children?” Note to Trump: Hell has been rendered. Terry Hansen

Musk-rat

Paramus, N.J.: What has the world’s richest man done for anyone other than himself? Built any hospitals or clinics? Helped others in need? No. Other than ruining Twitter and pushing the Orange Felon into more ignorant decisions (hard to believe), he has done nothing good. I’ve read that with his fortune, he could solve world hunger and make the world a better place for millions of people. Instead, this petulant child wants to go to Mars on the government dime. He’s a clown. Tom Greff

Ceding responsibility

Melbourne, Australia: Mark Zuckerberg has stopped Meta’s fact-checking program and will rely on its users to consider content. Isn’t this similar to sacking firefighters and letting arsonists decide which fires are serious and what to do about them? Actually, it’s not a big concern for me as I don’t use social media and rely on newspapers for my news and analysis. Dennis Fitzgerald

Finally, some good news?

Brooklyn: If the downward crime trend continues in 2025, NYC’s tabloid dailies may have to publish a lot more good news stories to fill their pages. That would be as welcome as the reduction in major crimes. Neil S. Friedman

New direction

Manhattan: In the span of six years, the number of felony assault reoffenders has risen by nearly 150%. In 2024, the number of burglary reoffenders rose by more than 60% and the number of robbery reoffenders by more than 80%. Mayor Adams, who is battling his own criminal charges, is not the person to lead the city back to safe ground. He gets an F grade for his failure to keep NYC safe. Let’s hope somebody more honest and competent runs for mayor this year. Pat Clark

Who’s being shortsighted?

Brooklyn: New Yorkers love to complain, so I should be more patient with all the bellyaching about congestion pricing, but enough already. For the small businesses that have to drive into Manhattan to buy flowers for their shops, it may cost you $9 a day, but with less traffic, your employees will save time and money on those trips. To the folks in New Jersey, I say it was your choice to live in the suburbs. If you want to earn a living in Manhattan to pay for your fancy house in Jersey, contribute to the city. Otherwise, I’m sure there are plenty of jobs in Jersey’s beautiful industrial parks. The subway system is the lifeblood of NYC. It moves millions of people to their jobs every day and is faster than anything on the surface. We should be happy to do everything we can to improve it. Lee Crespi

Shame on evaders

Brooklyn: To Voicer Harvey Goldstein: It’s because of jerks like you and the people you know that the rest of us law-abiding citizens are paying higher tolls. Your mother must be proud. Josie Oliveri

#22

Wimauma, Fla.: When the Mets signed Juan Soto, he chose uniform number 22 to wear. Eventually, Soto will be enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame if he continues to play at a high level the way he has performed the past few years. He will make previous Mets players who wore number 22 proud, such as Jack Fisher, Donn Clendenon, Ray Knight, Al Leiter and Kevin McReynolds. Let’s go Mets! Joseph Cardinale

Fan deprivation

Bronx: MSG pulled its network from Optimum cable services, meaning Knicks fans (Rangers, Islanders and Devils, too) who are Optimum subscribers will no longer be able to watch their favorite N.Y. teams. Optimum said the loss for us is at their discretion, adding that MSG is now considered a streaming service. Hard negotiations were not an option? It’s business as usual with no thought for the customers. Eric Cummings Jr.

Earned entitlement

Huntington, L.I.: Voicer Michele P. Brown writes well. I had to look up “encomium.” I would like to thank her for disagreeing with my comments without resorting to personal invective, as so many Voicers seem to favor. I was expecting far worse, but there is still tomorrow. I do believe in the concept of deserving poor and undeserving poor. A 16-year-old unmarried girl who has a child is an example of the undeserving poor. Brown asks who are the deserving rich. They are those who worked hard for what they have. Tom Saracco

Solid spot

Flushing: I would like to give a shout-out to New Hyde Park Diner. Their lobster bisque and lentil soups are delicious, and the people who work there are so friendly and nice. It is at 160 Hillside Ave., New Hyde Park, L.I. Try it, you will like it. Justine Weiss

Brooklyn: The cost of flowers is going up! New York City, in its never-ending quest to cripple small business, is about to hit us below the knees again with its congestion pricing scheme.

Disguised as a toll to help everyone, this tax is going to bring up the cost of flowers for businesses and customers alike. Since the 1890s, the New York City Flower Market, located on 28th St. in Chelsea, has served those who work in the floral and decorating trades. To operate our store, Park Deli in Crown Heights, we drive into Manhattan to buy supplies at the Flower Market roughly 180 times a year.

At $9 a trip, congestion pricing will add more than $1,600 to our supply costs. And that’s not counting the tolls the trucks that bring the flowers to the market will pay. You read that correctly: Flowers in NYC will be double-taxed by congestion pricing! I am in no way suggesting that the NYC Flower Market move outside of Manhattan. It’s centrally located where it belongs, and it’s the last of the great markets in New York City that provide not just the flowers you give to your loved ones, but jobs to New Yorkers. Florists who purchase flowers for resale in the congestion zone should be exempt from congestion pricing so they are not forced to raise prices.

It’s high time we ask when was the last time New York City enacted legislation that actually helps its small businesses? Michael J. Sclafani

Here it comes

Manhattan: Looks like the surcharge we’ve dreaded is now where we’re permanently headed with congestion pricing. They’re taxing our pockets while prices skyrocket. Tourists will flee. That’s guaranteed. Susan M. Silver

Shortsighted

North Bergen, N.J.: By initiating congestion pricing, the so-called Democratic leadership has proven to be just as irresponsible as Republicans. They ignore the harm they are creating by placing large commercial and residential facilities in locations with no concern for the transportation needs these projects will demand. Since the real cause of congestion is the greedy real estate industry, it should bear the responsibility of dealing with the problems it’s causing, least of which is congestion. The traveler does not enter or cross Midtown because he or she wants to, but because there is no real option. The tolls might only work for a short time because we could see many jobs moving to other locations or more work being done at home. Midtown real estate stands to lose income from the loss of tenancy. The governor is too shortsighted, seeing only the revenue these tolls might generate, ignoring the harm. Irving A. Gelb

Exempt?

Union, N.J.: Are diplomats going to be paying the $9 fee or are they just going to flaunt and ignore the vehicle laws on this too? Lou Alt

Fees galore

Bayonne: Now that we have drivers paying $9 to the MTA for a service they aren’t using, perhaps we should have them pay $9 for police, $9 for fire protection, $9 for sanitation, $9 to help the homeless, $9 to lower rents and $9 to fight AIDS, etc. William Bannon

Player loyalty

Brooklyn: We Yankees fans should appreciate players like DJ LeMahieu, who signed for less money to stay with the Yankees, allowing the team and Brian Cashman to obtain other good players. Juan Soto should have talked to Robinson Cano, who went elsewhere and regretted it. I call players like DJ class, pride and loyalty. Billy Somma

Apologist for wealth

Manhattan: Voicer Tom Saracco offers an encomium on the public-spiritedness of the rich: “The top 1% of earners… contributes 45% of total personal income taxes collected.” For me, that statistic is an indictment of an unfair economy. I may have been moved to sympathy for high-earners by explanations of civics teachers about the graduated tax system and its top marginal rate of 90%. But as I became less naïve, I learned that no one was actually paying that rate. Today, with a maximum marginal rate of 37%, the wealthiest cough up a little more than 20% of their earnings, an effective rate not much different from that of the middle class (and nearly 100,000 of them manage to avoid paying any taxes). The Voicer, in creating a category of “truly needy,” revisits the British Poor Laws conceptual bifurcation of deserving/undeserving poor. Who might be the deserving rich? Michele P. Brown

World tour

Bayonne: I see it reported that presidential loser Vice President Kamala Harris is embarking on a whirlwind farewell tour next week to Asia, the Middle East and Europe. What I would like to know is is she going to visit the southern border? Mike Armstrong

Undeserved honor

Yonkers: President Biden has hatefully said he’d like to smack Donald Trump, and on Saturday he smacked the rest of America across the face when he bestowed the convicted insider trader George Soros with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The America-hating Soros survived Nazi occupation of his native Hungary and became an American billionaire via insider trading. He has bought his way into Biden’s White House with his dirty money, and his financial support for the radical left movement has caused misery for countless Americans. Hopefully, Trump’s Justice Department will investigate Soros’ past treasonous activities and yank that medal right off his neck. Nicholas Maffei

Carte blanche

Staten Island: Article II, Section 2 of the Constitution defines the pardon power as allowing a president to “grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against the United States, except in cases of impeachment.” There is no language specifying who may or may not be the subject of a pardon. The president is simply given the power to pardon any federal crime, including his own. How ironic is this? Myra Goodman

Ego-driven agenda

Garden City, L.I.: So, the giant red hat is busy coming up with ways to make all Americans’ lives better, like changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico, invading Canada and Greenland and taking over the Panama Canal, not to mention all the Trump junk for sale on TV. Will all of this benefit all of us like his health care “concept”? Paul Falabella

Into the abyss

Matawan, N.J.: To Voicer Diane Y. McCovery: Thank you for your support in acknowledging the fact that a totally unfit former president has been voted into office for another term. To MAGA supporters: You reap what you sow. I bet you are really looking forward to a drop in the price of bacon while our president pardons convicted felons who killed police officers and tries to turn our country into a Soviet Union. MAGAs, listen to Barry McGuire’s song and realize that it’s more true than it was before: “We’re on the Eve of Destruction.” God save us from this man. Robert Wyshynski

Post-fact reality

Bronx: What difference does it make if Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg (suddenly resembling a young Roman emperor) or X’s Elon Musk, or the entire staff of The New Yorker, for that matter, alter or drop their fact-checking programs/policies? Nobody has cared about the facts for a long time, just as nobody has cared about debunking fake news — not during the pandemic, not during Trump’s entire first presidency and not now, during the waiting period for his surreal return to office and his “planned” resurgence of American expansion. The facts, like the Age of Reason, are dead. Oh, and if we do annex Canada, I want a statue of Christopher Columbus on the White House lawn. Maria Bonsanti

Counting the days

Briarwood: There are 365 days in a year plus one extra day each four years for leap year. This means that as of Jan. 20, 2025, there will be 1,461 days until the Trump era finally ends. Mary Elizabeth Ellis

Opulent remembrance

Stony Point, N.Y.: After watching the powerful tributes paid to Jimmy Carter, I was wondering what the tribute to DJT (the anti-Carter) will be. Rather than the Rotunda, his would more appropriately be held at the Bellagio fountains! Gerry Chomiak

Huntington, L.I.: Voicer John A. MacKinnon writes in response to my letter: “About half of the average American’s taxes go to support corporate welfare.” I couldn’t agree more. Tax cuts for preferred industries, subsidies and low-interest loans from the government are forms of corporate welfare. President Biden signing his Inflation Reduction Act includes hundreds of billions in corporate welfare, and it should be repealed.

John also asks us to “Reflect on the facts that during the pandemic, 99% of the world’s population became poorer while the top 1% doubled their wealth and ask how that income transfer took place (Mr. T(reason) was the reason in this country.” The top 1% of earners typically pay much more in taxes than many Americans. Nationwide, this group contributes 45% of total personal income taxes collected. The top 50% of all taxpayers paid 97% of all federal individual income taxes while the bottom 50% paid the remaining 3%.

John also asks: “Does the Voicer really believe that people deliberately cause their poverty in order to become eligible for public entitlements?” I didn’t mean to suggest this. I said politicians would rather throw money at those who are poor due to their own actions rather than help the truly needy. I believe that access to welfare entices some to make poor choices. Does a poor young unmarried girl choose poverty when she has a child and is added to the welfare rolls? Very often. The severely mentally ill do not have a choice. Federal and state welfare costs total more than $1.8 trillion per year. This is unsustainable. Government needs to do more to decrease the welfare burden and increase aid for the mentally ill. Tom Saracco

Remember muckraking?

Lindenhurst, L.I.: On my desk sits a coffee mug the Daily News once sent me. It says “Journalism Matters.” If only the paper still adhered to this principle. In Cary Goodman’s op-ed “Jimmy Carter in the South Bronx” (Jan. 5), the writer recalls when columnists like Pete Hamill and Jack Newfield would expose a problem. Arrests, indictments and trials would follow. Because an aide of Carter’s was reading Hamill’s column in a car with the president in N.Y., they accepted Hamill’s challenge to redirect the presidential limo to the South Bronx, bringing its blights to the nation’s attention. If The News would hire reporters today like Hamill, Newfield and Jimmy Breslin, the corruption in the Adams administration would have been exposed much sooner. If only The News could follow its own marketing logo. Paula Magdalena Vidal

It’s tradition

Brewster, N.Y.: The president-elect is peeved because flags will be at half-staff for Jimmy Carter during his inauguration. He blames the Democrats and said this has never happened before. A little history is in order: On Dec. 26, 1972, Harry Truman died. The flags were at half-staff during Richard Nixon’s inauguration on Jan 20, 1973. Two days after Nixon was sworn in, LBJ died. The flags were at half-staff for another 30 days. Five days after LBJ’s death, the Vietnam War ended. So, it was a momentous week. Flags are flown at half-staff for 30 days for every president at their passing. The president-elect will be awarded the same honor someday. Stop trying to make everything about you and know your history! Larry Maslak

Not-so-hidden hand

Brooklyn: To Voicer Jimmy Durda: Pot calling the kettle black. Elon Musk will run the country with Donald Trump. Musk says jump, Trump says how high. I feel sorry for the country. Carmen Lugo

Sentencing date

Huntington, L.I.: If Trump does not get sentenced before Jan. 20, then on Jan. 20 the citizens get sentenced to four years. Leonard Stevenson

Payback time

Yonkers: I enjoy the continued hilariously inept attempts at Trump-bashing by the incompetent ones in charge, namely our illustrious state attorney general, our unfit clown of a Manhattan district attorney and the judges who joined the “Laurel and Hardy” shtick in attempts to bring Trump down. In addition, an honorable, robed jurist looks to sentence Trump for the nonsensical sham trial regarding the Stormy Daniels debacle. Brings to mind an old adage: “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.” Knock yourselves out, folks. I’m sure Trump has a plan — a master plan — and I await and savor those coming days. As my Sicilian grandparents told me, “Payback is best served cold. The colder it is, the more satisfying it tastes.” This will be like dining at McDonald’s — “I’m lovin’ it.” Ralph A. Manente

All the president’s goons

Blairstown, N.J.: When first running for the presidency in 2015 and 2016, Trumpty promised to drain the swamp in Washington, D.C. No, he filled it with grifters, including himself. Fast-forward to now — he promises to fill that same swamp with rats, snakes, Fox News, ex-cons, buffoons and the Gestapo. Ron Cristi

Not his fault

Sunnyside: I realize there needs to be reform in the NYPD. However, I don’t think Harry Siegel should have used that as an excuse to demonize Chief of Department John Chell (“Jessica Tisch’s very badly needed NYPD clean-up,” column, Jan. 5). Siegal should not have been so quick to accuse Chell of “feuding wildly and mindlessly with press and politicians.” Many journalists tend to convince themselves that they are as important and knowledgeable as police officers. And the politicians with whom police officials tend to disagree are the ones to subscribe to the “defund the police” insanity. It was also wrong of Siegal to accuse Chell of being “the driving force in police car chases and crashes.” When officers take part in chases, they do so because suspects refuse to comply with lawful orders. Therefore, if there are any crashes or deaths, the blame lies with the suspects. John Francis Fox

Kitchen-table issue

Fresh Meadows: Regardless of your climate concerns — and they should be on red alert — Gov. Hochul getting the NY HEAT Act into her executive budget is a no-brainer because it will save us money (“The Earth’s climate, New York & the path ahead,” op-ed, Jan. 6). Corporations big and bigger will be on our backs under the incoming presidency of Trump. Hochul can protect us in New York from gas companies hiking all of our bills to build their profitable but unnecessary pipelines. A huge chunk of New Yorkers will see their outrageous gas bills capped at 6% of their income. NY HEAT lowers the cost of living for New Yorkers. People need help, and our elected officials need to provide it. Sara Rebecca Storch

Dumb decisions

Omaha: No more flights back to New York to see the Giants. John Mara and Steve Tisch have to be the worst owners in all of professional sports. Talk about saving money! Tom Dahulick

Good comeback

Hastings-on-Hudson, N.Y.: Aaron Rodgers just got me back with one epic post-game reaction and now I will love him forever! Predictably, after the Jets’ season finale win over the Dolphins, Rodgers was asked if it was also his career finale. In the setup, the reporter did the old, “People close to him tell me” maneuver and Aaron seamlessly pulled a Tugg Speedman: “People said they were close to me?” Well played, my boy! Not well played were training camp attendance, homeopathic COVID vaccination status, brotherly love, the Jets; Olivia Munn — OK, I’ve made my point. Despite the four-time MVP’s legendary stats and career, he’s been bugging the crap out of me for a while. That all ended when I laughed out loud, unlike the dude asking the question, who clearly didn’t get it. Stephan Reynolds

Actions, reactions

Brooklyn: Voicer Tal Barzilai asks where I was when I heard about the events of Oct. 7. I was in Brooklyn, noticing the remarkable similarity of those attacks to the ending of the movie “Django Unchained.” Apparently, that filmmaker knew something about human nature that Barzilai doesn’t. Also, when I heard the news, I thought long and hard about my old Palestinian friend whose brother and sister were murdered by Zionist terrorists many years ago. But Barzilai doesn’t want to know about those kinds of things. I hope he stays in New York, but most likely he will go back to Israel to live in fear. To each his own. Nick Smith

Brooklyn: I loved reading Stephen Greenwald’s and Paula Landry’s Dec. 31 op-ed “How holiday movies build entertainment empires.” Of the movies they mentioned, my favorite is “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York.”

Year after year, I watch this movie for the residual uplifting it provides me during the holiday season and after its conclusion. Little Kevin, a precocious 8-year-old, again becomes a hero, besting two adult thieves while exposing the pretense and buffoonery of a famed hotel’s employees, all with side-splitting hilarity. It is so refreshing to watch something where the endless reservoir of childhood’s innocence and good-natured mischief can supply a little kid with ingenuity, pluck and the resilience needed to overcome danger and loneliness during the holiday season.

While New York embraces him with its assertive yet poignant Christmas spirit, Kevin also befriends a homeless woman who in turn has been embraced by silence and pigeons, and with sweet gentility shows us how important it is to be open-minded about, and not afraid of, those who have become marginalized by a society bent on marching on even while watering down our standard of life.

Similar to other holiday favorites, this movie draws its style from a genuine concern for the less fortunate among us, giving us a way to end the anti-social streak we sometimes harbor and to dial down our acquisitive nature. That is a pretty good reason that holiday movies will continue to be popular year after year. Vasilios Vasilounis

Not believable

Brooklyn: Congrats to Demi Moore for her Golden Globes win for “The Substance.” She deserved it. On the other hand, the film itself is very problematic. No, not for the last 20 minutes. The main premise of “The Substance” is that Moore’s character has split into two bodies but is still of one mind. The sole reason she is sacrificing the health of her old body is so that she can experience life again as an attractive young woman. But as the story progresses, it is apparent that they aren’t actually experiencing each others’ lives, which means Moore’s older self gets absolutely zero gain from using the substance, neither in social status or personal experience. So, why continue with the experiment?! Obviously, to drive the story. Sorry, it makes no sense. Peter Magnotta

Opens things up

Glendale: Voicer Dennis Burge believes that the three-point shot is ruining professional basketball. Well, Dennis, it was adopted/added because many people thought the constant dunking was ruining the game, and the three-point shot opened up the inside. In addition, the game of basketball was also looked at as only for the tall players, and that a shorter player was at a huge disadvantage. The three-point shot has erased that position. You may think the success rate is high but it isn’t. Making a three-point shot takes skill, and a success rate above 40% is considered good, however, 40% for a regular (two-point) shot is dismal. There is talk about moving the three-point shot out, however, there is an issue with the corner three since there is nowhere to move it since you may have to take away seats (aka money) if you widen the court. Thomas Murawski

Stop the losses

Brooklyn: Now that the MTA has succeeded in getting the congestion pricing toll tax put into effect, will they collect the millions of dollars that slip through their fingers from individuals who use public transportation, bridges and tunnels? The turnstile-jumpers, people not paying on buses, and cars that conceal their license plates with covers or phony plates who beat the system are going to increase with the public turning to MTA facilities. How about straightening out your act before you come to the public again with your hands out for an increase in tolls, saying not enough money is being collected? The MTA must be held accountable with all the funds that come its way. William Blitzer

Same as it ever was

Whitestone: What is going on in this city of ours? The FDNY union calls congestion pricing a “looming public safety crisis.” Our firefighters have to use their personal cars to get to the firehouses when they are needed. What about when they must return to the firehouse and they are refused an exemption in this or any situation? Are we nuts? All because we have accepted more people than this city can hold. Is this wonderful idea going to help the MTA? Never! Clean up the subways and get police to patrol them on off-hours, or soldiers at main busy stations or quiet lonely ones. And on top of it all, soon we will pay a higher fare. This has been their MO for the 50 years I have been riding the subway. Oh, subway is not working right, many delays, etc. Notice: Fare going up three months from now. How’s that? Marlene Torino

Slow-roll it

Richmond Hill: Way back when congestion was first an issue, having all deliveries done in the evening was proposed. This would have been a good first step and let the powers that be build on it. Doing one thing at a time has always been the smartest. As of today, everyone is pissed off and not willing to cooperate. Robert Clolery

Voted for it

Larchmont, N.Y.: New Yorkers might be up in arms over all the crime in the city, especially on the subway, but it’s their fault. New Yorkers vote in liberal and progressive politicians who care more about the rights of criminals than the rights of victims of crimes, resulting in the release of criminals on charges that are not bail-eligible, putting these miscreants back on the street and subway to assault and kill again. Until New Yorkers wise up and get rid of these misguided lawmakers in the City Council and elsewhere, crime will continue to plague the city, and New Yorkers have no one to blame but themselves. Cecily Carrigan

Historic win

Parlin, N.J.: To Voicers Michael Udolf, Marty Wolfson, Robert Wyshynski and Chalky White: All of you couldn’t have put it any better describing the convicted felon we now have going to the White House. I never thought I would see the day that someone so corrupt and criminally minded would be voted in to run our country! This is truly one for the history books! Diane Y. McCovery

Raw memory

Floral Park, L.I.: Every time I read or see coverage of the Jan. 6 attack on our Capitol, I cringe. To see that tyrant Donald Trump back in the White House is more upsetting than ever. He belongs in jail, no other place. Regina Rossi

Heads in the sand

Jacksonville, Fla.: It’s reported that in 2022, Congress authorized a commemorative plaque recognizing the police officers who rose to the occasion to defend the Capitol Building against Heir Trump’s rioters. But as of January 2025, that plaque has yet to be hung inside the Capitol! And no Republican will answer why! The Trump-clan Republicans are just bowing down to a dictator. Carl J.C. Hafner

Ask abroad

Madisonville, Pa.: To Voicer Fred Schoeneborn: When Trump visits a foreign country, he pushes his way up front to get in the photos. He doesn’t care who he elbows aside to be front and center. If you have any friends or family who have lived or are currently living overseas, ask what the opinion of Trump is over there. You might actually learn something. Not that you’d either believe or like it. Tom Mielczarek

Terribly absurd

Edinburgh, Scotland: No sooner had I finished a weekend letter concerning the whole Elon Musk/Trump/ Nigel Farage horror story than it turns out that Musk — the ketamine king — has already had enough of the U.K.’s con-man-in-chief Farage. Trump, of course, features nowhere. He’s golfing while bitching about the possibility of flags being at half-staff during his inauguration in honor of a man who actually did some good for America, Jimmy Carter. But I digress. This would all be comical if it weren’t for the chaos and catastrophic collateral damage of this delusional, end-of-empire, fascist bun-fight and orgy of lunacy. Amanda Baker

Manhattan: The recent op-ed “N.Y. must end the subminimum wage now” (Jan. 2) contains a major error. There’s no such thing as a “subminimum wage” — New York’s Labor Law mandates that all employees are paid at least the state’s minimum wage, period.

The tip credit system enables tipped workers to earn far in excess of the minimum wage through tips, with studies showing that many tipped workers make well in excess of $20 per hour.

A recent poll shows that 88% of tipped workers in New York want to keep the current tipping structure. Why? They don’t want to see their tips decrease, small businesses struggle and shutter, or face job losses, which happened when Washington, D.C. began eliminating the tip credit and full-service restaurants lost 1,800 jobs.

The writers want the Democratic Party to get credit for helping hard-working restaurant workers, not the Donald Trump administration. However, eliminating the tip credit just harms workers and significantly raises the cost of doing business for mom-and-pop restaurants, as well as food prices for New Yorkers who are already struggling, just as the Trump administration is poised to increase costs further with new tariffs.

If Democrats want to show that they’re in touch with the working class, they’ll leave tips and the tip credit alone. Andrew Rigie, executive director, New York City Hospitality Alliance

Bad idea

Bronx: In reply to Voicer Harvey Goldstein’s comment to place a cover over a license plate to avoid congestion pricing: Don’t! Police have stepped up any attempts to evade tolls. Placing anything over your license plate is illegal and subject to fines of up to $500. Marc Menchise

Raising costs

Manhattan: Congestion pricing is only one of the financial burdens New Yorkers and commuters will have to bear as a result of Gov. Hochul’s policies. She just signed into law a fine on oil and gas companies of $25 billion. That cost will be passed on to anyone in New York who rents a heated apartment, cooks or drives a car. This, coupled with soft-on-crime policies and offering free hotels and food to illegal immigrants, is driving New York into ruin. Gamaliel Isaac

Cost-prohibitive zone

Middle Village: It’s time to put the dollar sign next to and over New York State and New York City! So very sad. Robert Chirieleison

Tearing it down

Spotswood, N.J.: Between violent crime, Queen Hochul smothering the working people with taxes, and a corrupt mayor’s office and police department, New York is definitely a place to avoid. Democrats have ruined a once-great city. Tom Scott

Convenient appointment

Brooklyn: The best-case scenario for New Yorkers: Donald Trump pardons Mayor Adams of all charges — and immediately appoints him ambassador to Turkey. Adams gets to spend four years living it up with his cronies over there, and we get to elect a new, non-corrupt mayor without fear of him subverting the process by flipping to run as a Republican. Everyone wins! Katherine Raymond

Hands off

Oceanside, L.I.: The best hire from the beginning of the Adams administration willingly left because she wasn’t allowed to do her job. Former Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell was in conflict with the micromanagement style of Adams and his buddies undermining her. She was smart enough to leave when she did, and the toilet has been flushing ever since. Hopefully, because the timing is right, Commissioner Jessica Tisch can continue overhauling the police department independent of Adams’ interference. Tony Giametta

Serious slight

Massapequa, L.I.: Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman will not lower our American flag to half-staff for the passing of a former president of the United States. We don’t know his reason, apparently other than Jimmy Carter was a Democrat. Half-staff flags for former presidents have been the normal thing to do since President Dwight Eisenhower started the tradition in the 1950s. Call Blakeman’s office over and over at 516-571-3131 until he orders the flags lowered to half-staff. If they are not lowered, he should be removed from office. Ron Boehning

Childish nonsense

Charlotte, N.C.: Do we really need our next president acting as if Carter’s death is a personal affront to him? Bad enough that we have Trump’s toady Blakeman in Nassau County refusing to fly the flag at half-staff for Carter. Now we have the big man himself throwing a tantrum like a spoiled little 3-year-old. Where on Earth are the grown-ups in the room? Barbara Haynes

We’ll get who we raise

Bronx: My fervent wish would be that my children and grandchildren grow up to emulate Jimmy Carter and not the president-elect. For those who disagree, I sincerely hope your wish comes true. John Cirolia

Like him, then?

Brookfield, Conn.: To Voicer Pat Ryan: I need to ask, will you encourage yourself, your children and your grandchildren to follow President Biden’s ways? Lying, cheating, using the Justice Department against his enemies and selling out his country in an influence-peddling racket? As for how the rest of the world views our choice, considering the last four years, I don’t think they’ll have a problem with it. I notice that when Trump visits a foreign country, they don’t hide him in the back row. Fred Schoeneborn

Just typical

Brick, N.J.: To Voicer Pat Ryan: You say that Trump lies, cheats, breaks the law and puts people down. So, like Biden and every other politician? Steve Kirby

Impotent justice

Wyckoff, N.J.: In “No Don, you must pay the price: judge” (Jan. 4), you report that Manhattan Judge Juan Merchan will sentence Trump to “unconditional discharge,” meaning he “won’t face jail time, probation or any other form of punishment.” So now in America, the Supreme Court has ruled that a president is immune from prosecution for official acts committed while in office. A state judge has ruled that a president-elect who was found guilty of 34 felony counts by a unanimous jury will face no punishment. Can we finally disabuse ourselves of the fairytale that “equal justice under law” is a core American legal principle? It should be sandblasted off the façade of the Supreme Court building and never uttered again by any law enforcement officer. Marc Schaeffer

Obama of Oz

Bronx: The judge who denied Trump’s request to dismiss the charges against him was told by Biden (who was told by Obama) how to rule against Trump, and that’s the truth. We all know who is running the country, and it is not Biden — it is B.O. Jimmy Durda

You sure?

Massapequa Park, L.I.: I thought House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries’ speech after the election of Speaker Mike Johnson was great. My favorite part was when he said, “There are no election deniers on the Democratic side of the aisle.” I could not believe he said that with a straight face. I guess he forgot about Hillary Clinton, Adam Schiff or the dozens of others who still claim the 2016 election was stolen with the help of the Russians. How quickly they forget. Raymond P. Moran

What did you say then?

Pleasantville, N.Y.: I would like to know where Voicer Nick Smith and other pro-Palestinian supporters were when Hamas was kidnapping and killing Israeli civilians who were celebrating a music festival before this all started. My guess is they were silent about that, only complaining after Israel responded. Had this happened to Americans or any other country’s people, I bet Smith and many others would say that any action would be reasonable to get them back. As a native of Israel, I’m appalled that it is the only country that gets condemned when fighting back after being attacked by such a group. Also, the only reason the death toll is so high on the Palestinian side is because Hamas has a long history of placing their own people into harm’s way and couldn’t care less about them being caught in the crossfire. Tal Barzilai

Gross grub

Bronx: I am writing about the food being served to the patients at Montefiore Einstein Hospital on Eastchester Road in the Bronx. It is disgusting to look at and to eat. Something has to be done about it — yesterday. Mary Caggiano

Manhattan: It’s about six weeks until spring training. Already, self-appointed hitting experts like Daily News sportswriter Gary Phillips are analyzing how the Yankees’ fine shortstop Anthony Volpe can improve his hitting production (“Yanks amped for Anthony upswing,” Jan. 2). Phillips uses a surfeit of inane analytical gibberish to explain how Volpe’s 2024 hitting production has fallen off from his rookie year in 2023. Phillips points to such nonsensical metrics as “hard hits” and “squared up” percentages. What’s the difference?

Similarly, what is the magical revelation in a batter’s “BABIP”? That would be “batting average on balls in play.” Really? Ivy League geniuses who never played the game of baseball on a serious level are paid to conjure up such nonsense to purportedly analyze and improve the art of hitting in the major leagues, arguably the single most difficult thing to do successfully in all of professional sports!

The best thing the Yankees can do regarding Volpe’s hitting production is to leave him alone and not put pressure on him to hit 20 or more homers! That’s the one reason this fine ballplayer struck out an unacceptable 156 times last season! If anything, the Yankees should be talking to Volpe and all of their hitters about having a two-strike approach. This is when the hitter’s main priority becomes putting the ball in play with authority.

Volpe’s main focus as a hitter should be to drive the ball to the left- and right-field alleys. It should definitely not be to swing wildly to satisfy the recommendations of non-athletes who play their baseball on spreadsheets instead of the grass and dirt of major league ballparks! Gerard Rosenthal

Don’t worry about it

Carle Place, L.I.: Can we please have an end to the hand-wringing about Saquon Barkley not having the chance to break Eric Dickerson’s rushing record? Dickerson played 16 games, and through last week, Barkley has played 16 games and he’s 100 yards behind. Also, Dickerson played when there were fewer teams in the league. The more teams, the more diluted the product becomes. Exhibit #1: baseball. Case closed. Rudy Rosenberg

What a boss

Beechhurst: Newly minted NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch is rooting out the corruption and cronyism that has plagued the department ever since ex-NYPD captain Mayor Adams entered Gracie Mansion. Tisch’s experience at cleaning up the garbage as former Department of Sanitation commissioner is coming in handy as she rights this badly listing NYPD ship. Although she doesn’t look the part — man, she’s a diminutive dynamo who has hit the ground running. The city is lucky to have such a managerial wunderkind atop an agency that has lost its way. James Hyland

Deny them that

Westerlo, N.Y.: We don’t need to know the name of the person who killed and injured people in New Orleans on New Year’s Day, or any mass murderer or terrorist. Such people should get no fame and no free publicity for their cause or grievance. Common sense tells us that plastering the name and photo of such a person all over the news and social media only encourages more evil people to emulate such crimes because it works. It gives them what they want: attention. Tell us what happened and the names of the hurt and wounded. Tell us about heroes who protected others. Tell us, in general terms only, what the motivation was — political beliefs, religious zealotry, mental instability, etc. But please, don’t write or say his name. Cindy Adams-Kornmeyer

Ideological threat

Waltham, Mass.: The deadly terror attack in New Orleans is a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of failing to confront radical Islamist ideology as it spreads from the Middle East to the West. The suspect behind this heinous act carried an ISIS flag on the truck used to plow through a crowd. This attack is part of a deeply alarming trend. Over the past year, we’ve seen countless protests in which people openly waved the flags of Hamas and Hezbollah on American streets. The surge in support for these terror groups is not about ending the war in Gaza or supporting peace between Israelis and Palestinians. It never was. That’s why you don’t see peace signs or American flags among those waving terror banners. Their hatred extends to the West itself, and if we fail to take a firm stand, we will undoubtedly face more tragedies like the one in New Orleans. Aviva Klompas

Immortal enemy

Manhattan: The latest reports from Gaza are that infants in squalid tent camps are freezing to death. Normally, I would be imploring Israel to send more blankets, but not this time. Hamas is regrouping in the east. Or, maybe it was the south or perhaps the north, I don’t quite remember which. The important part is that Israel tells us Hamas is regrouping. They are clearly banding together and planning their next invasion of Israel. They will once again catch the IDF sleeping and march through mile upon mile of rubble and desolation to invade Israel, kill thousands and take hundreds of hostages, then escape back to their safe haven in Gaza. If Israel allows blankets into Gaza, Hamas will steal them to keep their weapons warm as they prepare for the invasion. Israel will kill a fair number of innocents as they hunt down Hamas and seize its cache of blankets. Those Israelis sure know how to protect their citizens. Steven Davies

Another break

Delray Beach, Fla.: Once again, the 9/11 terrorists get a reprieve. As usual in American justice, the criminals get a break. Of course, the lowlife defense attorney argued that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin did not have the authority to override the plea agreement. As we all know, this trial has gone on too long, and for the families who lost loved ones in 9/11, it is just another knife in the heart. Manny Agostini

On R&R?

Richmond Hill: It’s so comforting to know that we have such a sharp, dynamic, intelligent leader in the White House who we can always depend on in times of crisis in our country. Oh wait, he’s on vacation at Camp David! It must be so exhausting to keep taking those calls from Barack Obama to get advice! Maybe he should get some nose candy (cocaine) from his son to get his heart pumping. “Two-hundred joules! Clear!” Joseph Napoleone

Changing course

Brooklyn: Donald Trump is a breath of fresh air with his new, non-political team that wants to focus on Americans first and new ideas like paying off the national debt embarrassment and trimming the fatted calf that is the government we’ve become grudgingly accustomed to. Even plans for the Panama Canal and Greenland are something different to think about instead of funding wars, with borrowed money wasted on death and destruction. I’m pretty sure Kim Jong-Un in North Korea is having sleepless nights with Elon Musk coming into the mix, a computer, space and rocket genius. Joe Many

According to him…

Forest Hills: How can Musk — a prototypical James Bond villain — become Trump’s co-president when Musk was not born in this country? He’s an immigrant, here to “poison our blood” (among other things). Alan Hirschberg

Appreciated

Brooklyn: I would like to thank Voicer Francisco Matos for his support and for speaking the truth re Voicer Bob Pascarella. For years we have tolerated Pascarella’s venomous letters insulting and badgering any reader who didn’t agree with him or who spoke out against his nefarious dictator wannabe. Voicer T.S. Fallani and I wrote only the truth about the MAGA cult, of which Pascarella surely qualifies as chief. Matos was absolutely correct: Pascarella’s letter expressed exactly what he is. Susan Cassano

Uncorrected injustice

Bronx: To Voicer Ed Woods: An October 1975 FBI ballistics test did show that the gun that was allegedly Leonard Peltier’s was not the one that fired the bullets that killed two FBI agents. The FBI pressured Myrtle Poor Bear, who did not know Peltier, to claim to be his girlfriend and a witness to the shooting. The FBI had no actual witnesses, so they pinned the murder on Peltier, a political enemy. The fact that no judge has been willing to correct this on any appeal does not mean that it was not an injustice. Richard Warren

Staten Island: I am an 80-year-old senior who can’t understand what is happening in today’s government, which gives and takes with the same hand — a government not keeping its eyes on what’s going on, or why more and more of us are going to food sources other than the grocery store.

The price of eggs is out of my budget, same with a lot of other products. That’s bad, but it’s just the beginning. Now we have to apply for new Medicare protection for the new year and find out that each policy we are inquiring about has premiums from $25 to $28 a month — surprise; I never had that before.

We are told in the newspapers and in the TV news that seniors are going to get a cost-of-living raise. What good is it if, at the same time, Medicare expenses are also being increased, which comes directly out of my Social Security check? I don’t even see this raise before it’s already been taken. On top of this, we have to encounter issues with medicine. Some medications are in groups according to what they are and what they cost. It seems that the more you need it, the higher it costs. Too bad if you’re a diabetic and go to pick up your medication, but it’s not in and you have to wait, which is not a thing you can do. But while you’re having the conversation, another person steps up for a pickup and asks for the same medication (I’ve heard) and was not a diabetic.

Not acceptable. Please, seniors are not wealthy people. Help. Dorothy Doyle

Action on Alzheimer’s

Los Angeles: I read with interest Charles Fuschillo’s essay “Pushing back the shadow of Alzheimer’s disease” (op-ed, Dec. 26). As a neurologist dedicated to fighting this creeping, still-mysterious malady, I agree with his call to action and am similarly optimistic that top Trump administration officials who’ve had personal experiences with it will fight hard. Several small but important steps have been taken recently. In 2023, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced the Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) Model, a voluntary, nationwide test that aims to support people with dementia and unpaid caregivers. This includes a 24/7 telephone support line and specialized caregiver training. Congress enacted the BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Act, which empowers the CDC to create strong public health infrastructure to support and promote dementia risk reduction, early detection and diagnosis, prevention of avoidable hospitalizations and dementia caregiving. And there’s new Medicare insurance coverage of amyloid PET scans for those over 65 to assist in diagnosis and treatment planning. Dr. Keith Vossel, UCLA

Seizing on a tragedy

Monroe, N.J.: With the tragedy of New Orleans two days into the new year, politics have already begun. Hearings are being demanded, and at an early press conference, Sen. John Kennedy blustered numerous times that we must know the truth, implying a coverup. Demands have been made for leaders of the FBI and Homeland Security to appear before Congress, only to point fingers and arouse political suspicions. These political witch hunts are demanded without compassion for victims, their families and the citizens of New Orleans; all this bravado when investigations are still ongoing and families are grieving. I suppose this is the game plan for the next four years — blame others for anything to appear powerful and in charge of it all. Katherine A. Moloney

Cheap shot

Hammonton, N.J.: Only two days into the new year and the Daily News Editorial Board already used the attack in New Orleans to beat up on Trump FBI nominee Kash Patel (“Keep the FBI on terror guard,” editorial, Jan. 2). It’s easy to call the man unfit and dangerous. It would be impressive if the editors could explain how Patel is unfit and dangerous, other than that he supports Trump. William Cook

Ignorance always

Brooklyn: Re “Don rips ‘Islamic terrorism, open borders’ after N. Orleans horror” (Jan. 3): Trump spewing ignorant nonsense, lying and making things up out of whole cloth is shocking, simply shocking. How can anyone not believe this vitriol will be his enduring legacy? Herman Kolender

He elicits it

Flushing: When I first read Voicer David Kalin’s letter I’ll admit that my first reaction was to respond as Dick Cheney did to Sen. Pat Leahy on the floor of the Senate 20 years ago (look it up). Granted, I suppose bleeding-heart, woke — blah, blah, blah — liberals like me really should move on and find ways to deal with the chaos the second President Trump is already promising to become (hello Elon Musk vs. the MAGA base on H-1B visas). But if we do, where will you get the fix of liberal tears you are clearly still jonesing for? Because Trump won’t deliver anything else. Clyde Kerlew

Flaws embodied

Floral Park: To all those who voted for Trump, I need to ask: Will you encourage yourselves, your children and your grandchildren to follow his ways? Lying, cheating, breaking the law, putting people down and narcissism. What a fine example he shows to young Americans. I wonder how the rest of the world views our choice. Pat Ryan

Behind bars

Longmont, Colo.: In a recent editorial regarding Matt Gaetz (“The Matt Gaetz facts,” Dec. 27), the Daily News opined the following: “Now, he’s at least where he belongs: a third-rate talk show host on a low-rated cable channel peddling conspiracies.” I disagree. Gaetz, who allegedly committed statutory rape, belongs in jail. Why isn’t he? Bob D’Alessandro

War financier

Maspeth: President Biden’s legacy: Gaza genocide — starvation as a weapon of war and daily school and hospital bombings. Ukraine killing fields — 1.5 million Russians and Ukrainians dead and half a million crippled. Biden’s last straw: another $6 billion of military aid and a proposal to drop Ukraine’s draft age from 25 to 18, which Volodymyr Zelenskyy rejected as lunacy. Maybe, as Pope Francis proposed, ceasefire and peace negotiations now. Wes Warchol

Cheapened raids

Toms River, N.J.: I have to laugh every time I read of raids on counterfeit goods vendors as “protection of the public.” Nobody who buys a $50 luxury watch or handbag believes they are buying a real product. They are people who can’t afford the actual price and are willing to using the imitation for whatever reason. The only beneficiaries of these shutdowns are the manufacturers of the real brands, who wouldn’t get business from these people anyway. I bought a $25 “luxury” watch 40 years ago and it still works. If the police assigned to these raids really want to protect the public, they should be assigned to work on subways, where they are obviously needed. Ron Palazzo

Treat it early

Manhattan: N.Y. Attorney General Letitia James is spot-on with her assessments and calls to action (“N.Y. must lead the way on mental health in 2025,” op-ed, Jan. 1). And, if we want to stem the growing pipeline of people who need intensive care for serious psychiatric issues, we should invest upstream by ensuring that young people and their families get the support they need. More youth are showing signs of serious mental health challenges. We see these young people in our residential and foster care programs, where they are sent when living at home is not safe for them or their families. We need to invest more in supporting these young people and their families because the people who wind up on the streets and in our hospitals and jails were once young people who did not get the support they needed, and when treatment is most likely to work. Ronald E. Richter, CEO and executive director, JCCA

Under the radar

Punta Gorda, Fla.: There is a simple way to beat the unwarranted and discriminatory tax called congestion pricing. That is to place a clear Fresnel lens cover over your license plates. A police officer can easily read the number from behind or in front of your vehicle, but an elevated camera can’t! Such plate covers are inexpensive and can be purchased online. No one I know who has used one has ever received a toll bill from any state where they were used! Folks need to strike back at tax-happy bureaucrats! Harvey Goldstein