Forked River, N.J.: I watch the TV show “The View” because not every celebrity guest on the show is promoting a movie. Some are working on noble causes.

Recently, Matthew McConaughey was on to raise awareness for his Greenlights Grant Initiative, which can help to provide funding to make schools safer. Last week, Robert Downey Jr. was on to talk about his book “Cool Food.” The book shows how new farming techniques can make both people and this planet much healthier.

The ever-increasing problem with “The View” comes in the form of co-host Sunny Hostin. Her narcissism and constant interruptions of her co-hosts, especially Alyssa Farah Griffin, who is the only Republican at the table, is beyond annoying.

A few times now, in the middle of a live show, Hostin’s cell phone will ring because her adult children are calling yet again. After whatever was being discussed is derailed, Hostin tells the audience, “I told them not to call when I’m doing the show.” Then the same thing will happen again a week or two later.

Nowadays I will check the TV listing first to see who the guest will be to see if it’s worth tuning in. Only now my thumb rests firmly on my TV remote’s mute button every time Hostin starts telling her life story yet again. Jim Hughes

Nice spread

Bronx: Sunday’s “Photos from Around the World” were spectacular! Keep it up! Barbara Sulkowski

!#&@%

North Brunswick, N.J.: To Voicer Katherine Raymond: Watch your ding-dang language before l dip your ding-dang quill in liquid soap! BTW, you made my day — ding-dang it! Ea A. Mingo

Not fee-ling it

Massapequa, L.I.: To Voicer Paul Camilleri: I agree about Money Thrown Away (MTA) due to bad management and the MTA paying double for overtime for employees who didn’t even work for years, but I disagree with your suggestion that Amazon members should not only pay an annual fee for Prime, but pay an additional $1 surcharge for deliveries. I will never go into the city via train, bus, car, etc. the way it is now, and I rarely did in the past. It’s bad enough that we are all being taxed for the MTA through our utility bills, gas stations, etc. Jean Marie Chiaramonte

Futility of fealty

Manhattan: The dramatic Tuesday House vote defeating Speaker Mike Johnson’s resolution to impeach Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas may have been a political error by a House leadership that prioritizes loyalty to former President Donald Trump over border security. It does not deflect attention from its leadership’s cynical decision to reject the hard work of their Senate counterparts to craft a serious compromise immigration initiative. That noted, a censure would constitute an appropriate legislatively imposed sanction. President Biden has executive powers to do more to curb a porous Southern border that weakens U.S. security. However, congressional Republicans have again chosen genuflection to Trump over the national interest to address a clear governmental failure. Roger B. Adler

OK with death

Fort Worth, Texas: Talk about horrendous hypocrites. After demanding that Democrats find a solution to the border crisis, House Speaker Mike Johnson now says that any immigration bill is “dead on arrival,” which tragically ensures that many more immigrants will be “dead on arrival” before stepping on U.S. soil. It’s beyond my comprehension how the supposedly pro-life party can coldly watch as immigrant children continue to drown, caught in the razor wire that Republicans have placed in the Rio Grande. But I guess that’s not surprising, knowing that Republicans already sold their souls the minute they endorsed a lying, cheating, democracy-hating, dictator wannabe for president. Sharon Austry

Do not bend

Floral Park, L.I.: Former President Donald Trump and his paid supporters knew that Trump lost his 2020 presidential election. He did a lot of foolish things to stay in power. He did not realize that he would face consequences for that. He also thought there were enough justices appointed by him to help him. But if the Supreme Court is planning to do the right thing or follow the law, that’s definitely going to hurt Trump. If they ignore the law, that will be a success for Trump. For the sake of the people’s trust in our judicial system, please do the right thing and obey the law. God bless America. Mathai Easow

Guilty stance

Staten Island: If Trump really didn’t do anything wrong (as he says), he wouldn’t have asked for absolute immunity, and an innocent man would have demanded a speedy trial instead of trying to push it back. It’s beyond stupid that an educated society is debating this matter (total immunity) in a high court. Just lock him up already. Michael Rosenkrantz

Lowered count

Pearl River, N.Y.: To Voicer Ronnie Leiterman: Nobody but an unarmed female veteran who was murdered by a D.C. police officer was killed on Jan. 6. Do a little of the fact-checking that you lefties always like to throw around and stop spreading propaganda. People like you and the mainstream media keep on pushing the lie that people were killed on that day. They weren’t. You are part of the reason that this country is in such danger. When the stuff hits the fan — and it will, because of all the terrorists you Democrats let into this country — you will run and hide like the coward you are. Robert Brennan

Join me

Itasca, Ill.: My name is Jim. I’m a recovering voter struggling with confirmation bias (adopting a point of view, then only considering information that supports that view). I attribute my struggle with this affliction to congressional wrangling since Jan. 6, 2021. I counter this condition via journalists like S.E. Cupp, Gene Lyons, Mona Charen, Fareed Zakaria and David Brooks. They are my 12-step program to stop my slide into confirmation bias. The good news is that I hear this program still has openings — assuming that prospective members admit they have a problem. Jim Newton

Vigilante injustice

Staten Island: So, Curtis Sliwa’s gang jumps and beats some guy for allegedly trying to talk to the weasel and the guy who was beaten, lied about and besmirched gets a citation for disorderly conduct? NYPD, are you kidding me? A man is gang-assaulted and he gets cited? Please, for the love of our city, hire cops with brains and eyes. If Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg isn’t looking to arrest the gang members who beat this guy, then why have a DA at all? I, for one, demand that gang assaults like this be treated as the serious crimes they truly are. Vigilantes can not be allowed to act with impunity. That’s not law and order. Imagine 10 guys attacking you for simply existing. Would you feel good about it? Lock them up or explain why they get away with this gang assault — on live TV! Everyone saw it but the cops? Tom McGuire

Idle anti-immigrant idol

Los Angeles: Can anyone out there please help Curtis Sliwa get a real job so he can stop spending his days making up anti-immigrant stories for his own vanity? The sad irony is that migrant workers contribute far more to the economy and well-being of this city than this lowlife ever has. James Montalbano

Policy feedback

Brooklyn: To Voicer Vanessa Enger: Let me ask you a question. Migrants, or illegal immigrants, supposedly come here for a better life. They are not here to commit crimes and acts of violence against anyone, let alone against NYC’s Finest. Don’t worry, I’m an old-school letter writer, so my letter is on its way to Biden. Mariann Tepedino

Misplaced ire

Mineola, L.I.: To Voicer Daniel Dolgicer: I am in no way defending The New York Times, but why did you write a letter to The News castigating an article written by the Times? You should have directed your letter to the Times! Philip Martone

Triple Z

Bronx: If Mazi Pilip married Tom Suozzi, she’d be Mazi Suozzi. Fred Smith

Long Island City: The Monday report on the Ch. 4 6 o’clock news regarding overcrowding on the No. 7 platform at Grand Central was totally misleading and wrong. Ch. 4 must have been spoon fed the story by the MTA rather than doing its own investigative reporting on the subject.

As any regular commuter who uses that platform knows, the crowding problem is a direct result of the closure of the two mid-station escalators for replacement and the MTA’s narrowing of the platform mid-station as a result of the boarding up for construction that they did.

The replacement of the two escalators will take about a year, as the recent replacement of the two escalators at the Third Ave. end of the platform did. It is ridiculous that the replacements take a year to complete. It is because of the bureaucratic incompetence of the MTA, as confirmed to me by a number of outside contractors I spoke to during the replacement of the two Third Ave. escalators.

The incompetence and wasteful spending of money by the MTA is well known. Now they’ve decided to put in place congestion pricing to waste more money.

A painless way to raise funding for the MTA is to put a $1 surcharge on all packages that are delivered by Amazon and all the other delivery services for online purchases. Paul Camilleri

No credit

Manhattan: Mayor Adams’ program to provide $5.3 million to provide migrants with free prepaid credit cards for food is the height of insanity. The migrants will sell these credit cards for a few dollars on the street just to get much-needed cash. Tell Adams we will not vote for him for a second term if he proceeds with this project. Cecilia K. Gullas

Apply elsewhere

Cornwall, N.Y.: So, now we can beat the crap out of NYPD cops in the middle of the street and nothing happens to these criminals? Where is the outrage? Where is the City Council on this? I bet if one of the brave officers discharged his weapon, City Council members would get involved. They would say, “You didn’t need to discharge your weapon.” I am sorry — when you get hit and kicked in the back of your head, you have every right to shoot. Cops are afraid to fight back because their lives will get ruined. Take this advice if you are thinking about joining the NYPD or if you’re a member: Get out. The city officials and judges don’t give a crap about you. Take the Orange County, Rockland County, Westchester County and state police exams. These counties love and respect the men and women in blue. Raymond Grosskopf

Legal, in fact

Manhattan: To Voicer Mariann Tepedino: It’s a federal crime to transport illegal immigrants across state lines. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is not about to commit a federal crime with each busload to teach N.Y. a lesson. The migrants arriving in NYC have the permission of the Biden administration to enter the U.S. — they’re not illegal immigrants. Vanessa Enger

Deal-breakers

Greenburgh, N.Y.: I was thrilled to read that Congress failed to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. If Republicans in the House who are concerned about border insecurity want to impeach anyone, they should impeach themselves for failing to support the bipartisan compromise immigration plan the Senate is pushing. Their reason: They don’t want to give President Biden a win. They are putting Trump over America, and that is an impeachable offense. Paul Feiner

Hypocritical

Brooklyn: Voters should know that despite Donald Trump’s fulminations about “illegal immigration,” Melania Trump, his wife, entered the United States and worked here illegally. After marrying Trump, she brought her family over via “chain migration.” Herman Kolender

Zip it

Beverly Hills, Calif.: Has anyone noticed that Donald Trump has a mouth larger than a crocodile? All he does is yap way too much! Now he’s getting most of his words mixed up, just like his brain. Does he have one? Seems like it’s all emotions when he talks. That’s no surprise. He is talking about himself like always. Trump thinks he is the greatest man on Earth. Get over it, Trump, now! That’s how you will make America great again! Is this clear? Margo Kent

Missed a few

Jersey City: To Voicer Ken Byrnes: Bravo for telling it like it is about Trump. You forgot to mention how he got away with not being in the Army during the Vietnam War. I didn’t have that privilege and served in the war. Also, the Trump University fiasco. It never ends; we don’t need all this drama from this spoiled, fat brat. Anthony C. Zaccone

Unacceptable record

Yonkers: As a registered Republican, I will not be voting Republican in the 2024 election if Donald Trump is the chosen candidate for president. He caused the deaths of thousands by denying the gravity of COVID, which in turn delayed the development of a vaccine. He gave generous tax cuts to the wealthy and meager cuts to the middle class. He praised despots and authoritarians and aligned himself with Putin. He withdrew the U.S. from the Paris Climate Accord, the Iran nuclear deal and the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which allowed advances for China. Trump committed bank fraud by falsifying his financial statements. He is morally corrupt and has had several infidelities while married. Books have been written by several of his close former associates that describe his transgressions and psychopathic behavior. Worst of all, Trump led an insurrection attempt to overthrow our government on Jan. 6, 2021. Another four years of a Trump presidency? God forbid! Joan Cavalluzzi

Non-negotiables

Ossining, N.Y.: Voicer Pete deMatteo suggests he would vote for President Biden, but we are involved in “three wars,” so maybe Trump will get his vote. The prime directive for any president is to protect Americans from all threats, domestic and foreign, and defend the Constitution. To that end, Biden has done his job. Our support for Israel and Ukraine and keeping international waterways safe is precisely what he should be doing. Standing up to invading dictators of allies should be a cause we support. The former guy, however, would have let Putin take what he wanted. He also failed at protecting us from enemies and attacked our Constitution. Remember Jan. 6, when domestic enemies sacked our Capitol? Trump encouraged and allowed it. But absent all that, what does it say about us when so many still support a proven immoral liar, cheat, fraud, sexual predator and grifter? Robert Rundbaken

Empty boasts

Staten Island: I am tired of reading the whiny responses from the Donald Trump supporters in the Voice of the People. What exactly did he do for you? Michael Rosenkrantz

Nuclear option

Mamaroneck, N.Y.: It seems counterproductive for Donald Trump to endorse President Biden canceling the 2024 presidential election and unlawfully remaining in power with full immunity simply because it is for the good of our country. But it sounds like a plan. Paul Matthews

Lateral move

Carle Place, L.I.: Congressional candidate Mazi Pilip is the least-qualified candidate I’ve seen since the last GOP pick, George Santos. Enough said. Rudy Rosenberg

Accidental lewdness

Brooklyn: Your photo caption (Feb. 5, page 16) about Taylor Swift “pulling a train” at the Grammys is a double-loser. Firstly, I had to ask my husband what he found so funny about it. Despite a rather extensive “locker room” vocabulary, I wasn’t aware of the double-entendre, meaning she was sexually accommodating a group of men. Secondly, this disparaging comment is inaccurate. Her success is due to hard work and talent, not putting in time putting out on the casting couch. Barbara Krooss

Dangerous game

Hamden, Conn.: Future doctor Kate Cunningham rightly warned fans of Taylor Swift against the brain and body damage caused by football (“Swifties, beware football’s risks,” op-ed, Feb. 7). Unlike basketball and baseball, invented here but played worldwide, football appeals only in the U.S. Seventeen minutes of deadly action per game, with hours of ads, analysis and penalties! Maybe Swifties will help end this carnage so that football joins boxing on the ash heap of major sports. Petra Peter Gardella

Oceanside, L.I.: Re “The right numbers” (editorial, Feb. 4): How can the high costs of grocery shopping, which have broken the backs of households, not be mentioned? In addition, how much credit card debt has been accumulated by households just to pay for the necessities to get by?

These grocery stores have used inflation to reset their prices at a higher level. In this case, what goes up does not necessarily go down. Manufacturers have used this crisis as well, continuing to shrink their products, adding to our paying more for less. Another blow is the phasing out of manufacturers’ paper coupons, which in many cases could have been doubled up to $1 in some areas. This perfect storm has led to the increase of food insecurity and a strain on the food banks. Then there is the high cost of leasing a car and the prices of used cars.

The reality is the high price of everything has done its damage and the higher wages that you talk about barely keep people afloat. It is also a reality that people contemplating retirement have to think twice, and the retired have to strongly consider going back to the workforce to meet the high cost of everything.

Finally, paycheck-to-paycheck living has made a big comeback. These are the “right numbers,” and it’s not a “gut feeling” but an everyday reality. Tony Giametta

Structural rot

Floral Park: It’s really no surprise that corruption was found in NYCHA! The governor and mayor should also be held accountable. Of course, nothing will happen, and the people who live in these developments are the ones who suffer. Robert Damato

Pro hosts

New Windsor, N.Y.: I’m with Voicer Carl Hafner regarding Kelly Ripa’s egotistical, snobbish attitude. When I was a kid growing up in the 1970s and 1980s, besides Regis Philbin, we were blessed with Dinah Shore, Mike Douglas and Merv Griffin, all class acts and personable. But most importantly, they let the guests be the stars of their shows. None of them had an ego — they made guests feel like they belonged. All four (Reege, Dinah, Merv and Mike) were a joy to watch and they lasted on TV for many years. We miss them dearly but the memories remain forever. Todd Schuster

No sympathy

Brooklyn: Sunday’s Daily News front cover hit an all-time low (“Desperate Times,” Feb. 4). I am totally disgusted that The News feels sorry and is making excuses for the illegal immigrants who attacked New York’s Finest. So, NYC isn’t doing enough hand-holding and ass-kissing? You owe the NYPD a front-page apology. Let’s get real and stop the nonsense. Mariann Tepedino

Old-school arms

Brooklyn: After seeing what the illegal immigrants did, attacking our police in Times Square, it’s time to give the cops back their nightsticks so they can defend themselves when attacked by a mob of thugs! Thomas Miller

Different standard?

Manhattan: The New York Times does as The New York Times does. The “paper of record” published a hit piece alleging Israeli soldiers celebrate destruction in Gaza. I find it somewhat amusing and predictable that the Times would scrutinize Israeli soldiers’ alleged social media celebrations. Somehow, the publication lacks the foresight to weigh these videos against the medievalist behavior of Israel’s enemies — sexual barbarism, kidnapping, lynched victims amidst cheering crowds shouting “allahu akbar” in joyous unison. They seem to judge Arab-Muslim societies on somewhat of a curve, as though they expect less of them. And they judge Israelis as though they expect more. It is a strange permutation of identity politics and cultural relativism. I’m old enough to remember the joy with which American soldiers laid siege to Iraq. The celebratory music, the abuse of prisoners, the callousness, the death — and for what? Somehow, the Times glossed over that, too. Daniel Dolgicer

Oppressed next door

Brooklyn: To Voicer Mike O’ Hare: If you are concerned about apartheid, you need to focus on Lebanon. Palestinians born in that country are denied citizenship, prohibited from working, forced to reside in refugee camps and are not permitted to leave the country. The international community ignores this disgraceful situation. Wendy Jackson

Underground expertise

Whitestone: We’re spending $40 million to dig a tunnel (“MTA’s sandhogs digging deep transfer tunnel below E. 42nd,” Feb. 6): Why not give the job to Hamas? Look at the tunnels they dug under Gaza far more cheaply and faster, without union troubles. Jack McConnell

From the archives

Lansdowne, Pa.: I’ve been reviewing some old stuff and found a column of Leonard Greene’s. It was published during the 2016 presidential campaign: “It was a Republican president, George H.W. Bush, who insulted America and the legacy of Thurgood Marshall by appointing [Clarence] Thomas in the first place” (“Donald Trump finds special breed of blind justice to be his running mate,” May 23, 2016). Apparently, Greene doesn’t know that U.S. Supreme Court appointments are a perk of the presidency. His biases are always obvious. Sonia Sotomayor didn’t deserve the high court. Georgia Makiver

Inexcusable

Bayside: To Voicer Pete deMatteo: I would very much like you to honestly look in the mirror and say that the former president, Donald Duck, did nothing wrong when he refused to accept the results of the 2020 election. I would like you to please tell me why more than 800 people have been convicted of insurrection and rioting on Jan. 6, and Donald Duck is still walking around professing that the 2020 election was stolen from him! Trump caused a riot! Five people died because of his refusal to accept defeat. Ronnie Leiterman

No good

Oak Ridge, N.J.: Trump — a bum. Lock him up and throw away the key! John Lesquereaux

Mixed emotions

White Plains, N.Y.: I totally agree with Voicer Sam Katz. It amuses and disgusts me that you keep printing letters from Voicer Bob Pascarella. Eleanor Salerno

For the people

Rockaway Beach: What can I say? Many of us are “politically correct,” somewhere in the middle — hoping for peace, enough money to live on and healthy lives. Congress? A divided, angry body working against itself rather than with each other, but certainly not striving for the people. Legislators, ladies and gentlemen of this august body: Prove yourselves loyal to us, your constituents, and to the Constitution. It is yours, too, after all — or have you forgotten? Keep America strong, united and wonderful. What more can I say? I love our country. Maureen McNelis

Forward motion

Sleepy Hollow, N.Y.: SUNY Maritime in the Bronx offers courses to train students for jobs, so it says a lot that the school has just added a new offshore wind basic safety program. New York is getting back on track with offshore wind to power our electric grid, ramping up capacity estimated to provide 5,000 new jobs in less than 15 years. These will be solid jobs for city residents with the right training and skills. Gov. Hochul quickly put out for rebid the four offshore wind projects canceled over inflationary turbulence. The winners will be announced this month. Offshore wind projects will be connecting to local industrial ports and bringing in clean power to former polluting gas plants in our city and on Long Island, creating a cascade of local businesses. As a former longtime resident of NYC who cares deeply about the city’s health, I applaud these developments. Elizabeth Ungar

Sun-kissed

Rockaway Beach: Why is the “One Big Happy” family so tan all of a sudden? It doesn’t look good at all. Barbara Yahle

Ready to rant

Brooklyn: I turn 50 this year, and I’d like to embrace being a cranky middle-aged Voicer with the following rant to the Daily News: Make the ding-dang crossword puzzles bigger! Stop delivering the Sunday paper without the funnies and/or the Justice Story! Speaking of funnies, stop publishing ones that aren’t funny! Stop publishing so many ding-dang AP stories instead of original reporting! Hire someone to cover New York Rangers games in person! Put the Rangers on the back page when they’re doing well instead of some ding-dang nonsense about baseball when it’s the ding-dang off-season! Stop publishing letters from cranky old Voicers complaining about these things despite never doing anything about them (well, except for mine)! Katherine Raymond

Hackensack, N.J.: I am tired of reading the whiny responses from the Donald Trump supporters in this section. What exactly did he do for you? You whine about inflation despite President Biden keeping ours at half (or less) than that of the rest of the world. And let’s not forget that Trump’s $8 trillion in record deficit spending (the overwhelming part of which went to the wealthy) was in part responsible for the inflationary surge, as were the tariffs he imposed on goods that we are all now still paying.

Jobs? Barack Obama created more jobs in the final three years of his administration than Trump created in the first three years of his (pre-pandemic). Economy? Trump ranks seventh in post-WWII economic growth. Simple, provable facts. And then toss in his theft of classified documents, his attempt to subvert the Constitution and his sowing of doubt and division around our elections.

And let’s not forget his lavish praise of tyrants such as Vladimir Putin, Kim Jong Un and Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. And for all those Trump supporters who somehow delude themselves into thinking that weak, feckless snowflake is somehow “strong,” please think back to Helsinki in 2018, where we watched an American president bend the knee to a Russian tyrant. And let’s not forget the brazen corruption of the Trump crime family, starting with son-in-law Jared’s $2 billion “investment” in his hedge fund from the Saudi Royal prince. How much did greedy Donny get from that sweet deal? Biden corrupt? Spare us the feigned outrage. Hunter Biden couldn’t hold a candle to that crew. Ken Byrnes

Start swingin’

Linden, N.J.: Advice for Nikki Haley: “The biggest bang for the buck comes from negative campaigning.” – George F. Will. “Never hit softly.” – Theodore Roosevelt. “It’s a sin in politics to land a soft punch.” – Alf Landon. Or as Spider-Man once told Dr. Octopus, “The best defense is a smashing offense.” Ron Jackowski

Info bubbles

Glendale: In the modern world, with more opinions on any subject than specks of dirt on subway walls, there needs to be a new way of defining how to read a newspaper. In N.Y., this translates to knowing that each paper subscribes to its own guidelines. What’s fit to print often gets tangled up in what fits into the daily narratives. At a glance, the stories take on an interesting chapter-like feel, as if we readers are experiencing a novel-like version of reality on a daily basis. The word that stands out most is “distraction.” The all-powerful wizards of our everyday existence clearly don’t want us to know the truth. Readers also subscribe to their own chosen versions of reality, sensing they have a better understanding of what’s happening than others. Chosen versions of reality at best are nothing more than embraced propaganda. Jonathan Kiddrane

New direction

Warwick, R.I.: Our Congress is a perfect example of the need for term limits. This was never meant to be a full-time job. We need to elect a new Congress that votes to close our borders, keep our jobs here and reduce our national debt. Patricia Hoag

Laudable

Bronx: I can’t think of a better person to honor this Black History Month than Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett-Helaire, a Black woman scientist whose vaccine saved millions of American lives. This immunologist led in the development of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine that successfully combated the pandemic. If only America would take the time to learn about how Black Americans were so instrumental in the growth of America. Perhaps the acquisition of this knowledge would help in race relations. Only a united America will enable us to reach our fullest potential. Gilbert M. Lane

Fave band

New Windsor, N.Y.: Great article in yesterday’s Daily News (“We loved them yeah, yeah, yeah,” Feb. 5). The Beatles are the songbook to my life. I can’t believe it is 60 years later. I also love the Rolling Stones but the Beatles are a notch above them. I remember watching the Ed Sullivan shows in 1964 and I was only 4 years old. A day or so after the show, I had my father buy me the “Meet The Beatles” album. I still have that album, it’s a little worn out. Yeah, yeah, yeah, I love the Beatles and you know that can’t be bad. Vinny Armiento

Nip it in the bud

Schenectady, N.Y.: To Voicer Thomas Murawski: You said 97-99% of abortions are performed for convenience. It takes two! I have a suggestion for you: All men and teenage boys get a vasectomy until they can handle what they participated in! Then there’s no need for abortions! You’re welcome. Diane Hombach

Harmless input

Brooklyn: To Voicers Anne Slamka and Gregory W. Chupa re Voicer Shlomo Klein: I too wondered if Shlomo works for Amazon. Then I thought, “Maybe he’s just being kind, offering tips and suggestions for others.” Some may find his suggestions useful, others may get a chuckle, or he may have brought a smile to someone. In any case, he has not insulted anyone, been nasty or disrespectful. A bit refreshing from what is usually printed. Give the guy a break, he may get joy out of seeing his letters printed. Is he offending or harming you? I think not. I personally prefer his little tidbits compared to some, such as Voicer Bob Pascarella’s! Have a nice day. And to Shlomo: You have a nice day, too. Curious to see your next recommendation, lol. Susan Cassano

Not the place

Manhattan: On Feb. 1, the New York City Transit Authority introduced open-gangway trains on the C line. In her remarks about the merits of one of the biggest changes to the subway experience in decades, while touting the ability of passengers to move seamlessly between cars, Gov. Hochul said, “You’re not trapped — you want to have a different experience… You get up and move around. You see someone who looks more interesting to talk to than someone else, just get up and move around.” I’m sorry, but in her enthusiasm, she forgot the reality of why we ride the subway. It’s not the environment to meet new people. Lately, casual conversation or moving closer to another rider could unfortunately cause an argument or worse. I don’t suggest the subway be considered the place for a meet-and-greet experience. This is not opinion — just read the Daily News. Sharon Walters

Abuse of the system

Hammonton, N.J.: Leonard Greene (“Beating cops not wise,” column, Feb. 4) writes that the migrants who attacked the NYPD will “make it worse for all the other migrants, the law-abiding, hard-working ones just trying to live the American Dream.” Obviously, it escapes Greene’s attention that the majority of these people have illegally crossed our border instead of entering at one of our legal entry points. That means they are not law-abiding. The difference is someone knocking on your front door and asking permission to enter versus someone cutting your fence and breaking your window to enter your home. It certainly doesn’t help that the American dream they are pursuing is our government providing food, shelter and money provided by hard-working citizens’ money. Barack Obama set records for deportations. Too bad Biden was not paying attention as vice president. William Cook

Retro features

Brooklyn: Ever since you took a hard left politically, your paper has suffered, especially the sports department. I’m gonna throw you nincompoops a bone and tell you how to improve your readership: Bring back “The Inquiring Photographer” and “Ching Chow.” Steven Barry Furst II

Not guilty

East Meadow, L.I.: America brings to mind an expression President Ronald Reagan used whenever he’d get frustrated with someone: “There you go again.” Now we’ve decided to indict actor Alec Baldwin. What is wrong with us? He’s an actor. There are people on the set paid to supervise and hand out munitions and firearms. And in this case, not only was this person a supposed professional, her father before her is in the very same profession. Alec is not a professional in munitions or firearms. I believe he got himself in hot water because he said he didn’t pull the trigger, and that’s because he was in disbelief that he had anything to do with this horrible occurrence. Gary L. Drakeford

Manhattan: I write in defense of City Council member deference, which grants all members a veto on rezonings in their district. This empowers voters to elect candidates who share their vision for their neighborhood.

Zoning is used to print money for real estate developers who have bought politicians. Developers get billions while residents get a lottery for families earning $232,980 to pay $6,057 a month for “affordable housing.” When I was an Upper East Side council member from 2014 to 2022, I refused real estate money. This freed me to use member deference to lead a rezoning to block Billionaires’ Row, make empty spaces in buildings for billionaires illegal, open 1,000 affordable apartments and welcome housing and shelter for the homeless. Sadly, Mayor Bill de Blasio blocked my proposals to require affordable housing or integrated public schools in new towers. That’s why I proposed removing city planning from the mayor.

Take the 2021 Blood Center rezoning, where member deference was ignored. That rezoning was not about blood, it was about rezoning a residential block of brownstones to build a 334-foot commercial tower. It involved de Blasio, who owed lobbyists on the project $435,000, a nonprofit that provided blood as an alternative to the Red Cross, and a pandemic. It promised a new headquarters and new jobs to boost our recovery.

Years later, the Blood Center headquarters moved from Long Island to Westchester. Construction never started and the jobs never came. A new rezoning could allow a super-tall commercial tower without them. The City Council did not get what it voted for. This is an example for not only keeping member deference, but electing more candidates who refuse real estate money. Ben Kallos

Too open

Manhattan: I’m not sure how I feel about the MTA’s open gangway cars rollout, which will expand along various subway lines. Although I’m for the advancements and progression of technology, with the recent spikes in crime on the subway, I feel this will pose a huge safety issue for straphangers. Omar Branch

Solid support

South Ozone Park: Any NFL team with fans like Patti Smith, MC5 and Snoop Lion has my support. Go Detroit. Kevin Moran

Strong season

Massapequa, L.I.: Congratulations to Taylor Swift on making it to the Super Bowl. We all watched what a great season she had, as she was shown after every single play. I only hope someone comes along real soon and smashes all of her “records.” Tom Ascher

Do it right

Yorktown Heights, N.Y.: Thank you for “Containerization is set for uptown nabe in new way to pick up rubbish” (Feb. 2). A citywide mandate to have trash bags in sealed containers would go far towards deterring rodents, who populate where trash is left out. For anyone having smaller issues with rodents, the following methods are deterrents: mint sprays and pouches, ultrasonic plug-in devices, sealing holes, cleanliness and trash management. Glue traps are abominable. Causing such intense and prolonged suffering should never be an option. Glue traps are banned in England, Iceland, Ireland and New Zealand, and legislation has been introduced to ban them in America. Rodents are emotional, intelligent and just looking to survive. In many cases, their presence is due to human habits. The least we can do is use the most humane methods of deterrence. James Scotto

See it for yourselves

Brooklyn: The president and the mayor should take a walk to see what a pigsty Floyd Bennett Field has become. So, what do you say, boys? Come by anytime to the nightmare you have created. Christina C. Anderson

Softened up

Bronx: In your Jan. 15 editorial “Iowa, Trump and America’s future,” The News lamented the fact that President Biden is not facing a primary challenge. It should be noted that the last three presidents who had competitive primaries were Gerald Ford (1976), Jimmy Carter (1980) and George H.W. Bush (1992). All three were defeated in the general election. The moral? Be careful what you ask for. Edward Stapleton

Warpath

Bronx: This is addressed to all of the little maggots who want the big maggot back in the White House: Remember George W. Bush and the war he started in Iraq? Donald Trump wants to do the same thing with Iran! It’s more of a test of power, to show the world that he’s a strong president. But the world already knows that he’s a morally corrupt weakling at heart but his ego seems to be bigger than America’s safety. So, let your MAGA brain put it to the test: Prepare your sons for death on a foreign shore. Robert Adams

Clean record

Bayonne: I’d like very much to cast my next vote for President Biden, but with three wars on our hands, I can’t help but remember how Trump kept us out of them entirely.  Focusing on this factor alone makes me quite prone to support our former president. Pete deMatteo

Crime and punishment

East Meadow, L.I.: On Jan. 30, a Pakistani court sentenced former Prime Minister Imran Khan to 10 years in prison for leaking state secrets and 14 years for corruption. Pakistan knows what to do with their political leaders who commit crimes. Hopefully, our courts have the courage to sentence Donald Trump to lengthy prison sentences for stealing documents, leaking intelligence on one of our nuclear-armed allies, and trying to steal, then overturn, the 2020 election, including the Jan. 6 insurrection. Richard Skibins

Celebrity option

Merion Station, Pa.: If President Biden wants to win in November, he must appeal to younger voters. He should replace Kamala Harris with Taylor Swift, who has name recognition, a huge fan base, minimal baggage and will turn 35 by January 2025. Paul L. Newman

All in

Sidney, Maine: It seems that Voicer Bob Pascarella wants to impress us with his scholarly language: “The Sword of Damocles” (hmm, I’ll have to look that up) as he scolds the “postmodern liberals… the media… the Democrats… elite mobs… their hedonist, distorted agenda.” Then he goes on to remind us that MAGA has the will and the wherewithal to overcome the “hate-filled despoilers and take back America.” I wonder if Pascarella has a replay of Jan. 6, 2021 in mind? Anyway, after all is said and done, his letter impresses me as another boorish rant by a Trumpian true believer who has bitten the bait of a world-class liar. George Hite

On good and evil

Fort Lauderdale, Fla.: We continually hear that those on the right, especially the extreme right, are unacceptable and intolerable. But Scripture says, “The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left” (Eccl. 10:2). Jesus was as far right as it gets. His children are right there with Him. The devil is as far left as it gets and his children are right there with him. This country would be much better off if the left made a sharp U-turn. Jim Black

Misstated

Rochdale Village: To Voicer Thomas Murawski: You are wrong in many ways. First, fetuses are not human beings yet. The Bible actually says it is not a person until it takes its first breath, so for the health of the mother it is not a “kill or be killed” situation. And 98% of abortions are not for convenience, as you say; it is for the health of the mother. And if a 10-year-old gets raped by her father or uncle, what then? Saul Rothenberg

Catch and release

Brooklyn: To Voicer Paul DiNardi: As you state, you aren’t surprised to see right-wingers using the despicable attack on cops in Times Square to bash criminal justice reforms. Maybe you should be educated that defendants for robbery, felony assaults, an unlicensed gun charge, etc. are let out the same day or next day just to do it again. I guess you also love to shop and ring a bell to retrieve the items you need, then wait due to chronic shoplifters that plague the stores and sell items to the bodega. Bail reform needs to be revamped. Time and time again, the defendant is arrested for a felony crime and is let out just to commit the next felony one. John Rico

North Bergen, N.J.: The reason a conventional two-state solution, while well-intentioned, can not work should be obvious. The West Bank and Gaza are not contiguous. To consider them a single, unified Palestinian state would foster the demand for a land bridge across Israel to connect the two parts. Israel could never agree to being cut in two.

A single Palestinian Authority based in the West Bank can not be expected to govern both parts fairly. It’s because of the West Bank’s inability to properly govern Gaza that Hamas took root. What’s needed is a three-state solution along the lines of the Pakistan-Bangladesh partition. Recognizing that Gaza needs to be independent from the West Bank would be the first step.

The next step would be to recognize the legitimacy of the West Bank with the understanding that residents of existing Jewish settlements in the territory will no longer be recognized as citizens of Israel, but as citizens of the new state with the same rights and privileges currently enjoyed by Arabs living in Israel. Of course, any settlers who would prefer to be Israeli citizens rather than citizens of the new West Bank state should be allowed to return to Israel.

Further, the battle with Hamas and Hezbollah should not be Israel’s alone. Terrorist groups have been operating with impunity from  states and territories like Yemen, Gaza and the West Bank, it is because Arab states and territories have shown themselves to be either unable, unwilling or more likely afraid to close the terrorist bases on their land that terrorism continues. Finally the burden of a ceasefire should not be Israel’s alone to bear. For any ceasefire to be effective, Hamas and Hezbollah must agree to it in good faith with the understanding that they begin providing for the needs of the civilians in Gaza rather than rearming. Irving A. Gelb

Lesson lament

Pine Plains, N.Y.: What ever happened to all the adults in New York City schools? NYC school principal Terri Grey has set up a systemwide call for teachers to share lessons on the history of the Israeli occupation and genocide in Palestine. She has put together a panel of legal experts to combat censorship and foster “justice and healing” in the schools. To start with, this idiot should learn the definition of genocide, which Israel is decidedly not guilty of. People like her have no place in the city schools. All they do is twist and distort children’s views on the world by promoting their hate-filled lies. It is time for the adults to take back charge and throw out the trash. Joseph McCluskey

Makes you think

Astoria: After watching the Netflix documentary “The Greatest Night in Pop,” I ask myself: What the hell happened to us? Every individual on this planet Earth needs to look at themselves in the mirror while listening to the lyrics of “We Are the World.” The words “we can’t go on pretending day by day” say it all. Aris Sakellaridis

Job well done

Huntington Station, L.I.: This letter is long overdue, but I wanted to be sure that I wrote a glowing report for our Daily News deliveryman, William Zimmer III. This gentleman is so efficient and diligent, unlike many of the delivery people we have had in the past. Every morning, like clockwork, our paper is on the driveway as it is supposed to be. If there is ever an issue, he will correspond to let us know. His personal touch — with little notes now and again about his helpful “elf” truly brightens our day. So, thank you, Mr. Zimmer, for your reliable and wonderful service each day. You are one of the things we count as a blessing in our lives. Nancy Macri Kennedy

New era

Rocky Point, L.I.: Years ago, the phrase “cornhole” was a sex act. Now, “cornhole” is a sport game. Times have changed. This fact is from myself, a 90-year-old man. Al Glass

One wish

Bethpage, L.I.: If I click my heels three times, can we send Taylor Swift back to the “Land of Oz”? Richie Peterson

Pie in the sky

Staten Island: To Voicer Paul Backalenick: Stop the crime of fare-beating? Solution: Make the fare free? Just like making pot legal? How is that working out? What next, no penalties for rape, murder or arson? Spoken like a true communist. Make big business pay for everything. The evil corporations are the cause of all of society’s problems? Wake up. If you take away all the laws, there won’t be any for people to break. The typical commie solution: Tax the rich, tax the corporations, make everything for the people free. When pigs fly. Why do I get the feeling that you are just a person who depends on the public transportation system but has the scruples not to jump the turnstile, but is rightly irate when he sees dozens of miscreants do it. Keep your chin up, better days are coming. Alfred Lebrio

Not replicable

Freeport, L.I.: Before the Metropolitan Transportation Authority crows too loudly about a 20% reduction of fare-beaters at its Sutphin Blvd-JFK E and J train station, perhaps it should address flaws in the study of new gates being tested there. Business takes me through that station at odd hours on a regular basis. Invariably, at least two MTA workers in Day-Glo vests are posted at the turnstiles as well as two to four transit cops. With so much personnel guarding that stop, the real surprise of the study is that there are any fare-beaters. Posting such a cohort of workers at all 470 subway stations would surely reduce fare-beating, but likely would generate personnel costs far exceeding the additional fares collected. Fare-beating is further lowered by the removal of emergency exits, an untenable solution for the public safety hazard that would create in a true emergency. Bob Sterner

Good stuff

Elmhurst: Thank you, Daily News, for your food drive from Oct. 24 to Jan. 12. Thank you for your kind compassion running a full-page advertisement every day inviting readers to help and be of service to our neighbors. Also, thank you, Rick Detorie, fantastic cartoon artist for the excellent comic strip “One Big Happy.” Your characters — Ruthie, her dog Willie, Joe, mom, dad, etc. — are beautifully created, fabulous and fun. Please keep up your wonderful work. Vince Burger

Family-friendly

Jacksonville, Fla.: Whatever happened to TV talk show hosts who actually earned their multimillion-dollar contracts? For example, Post-Regis Philbin, Kelly Ripa and her hubby Mark Consuelos from “LIVE With Kelly & Mark” only work three days a week now! Every Thursday and Friday is a not-live, pre-recorded show! Since Kelly’s show became nepotism-heavy (with her husband as co-host and executive producer Michael Gelman’s wife and daughter persistently on the show), this crew has become nothing but one big happy family of multimillion-dollar grabbers! What ever happened to true TV personalities who are actually dedicated to their jobs? Carl Hafner

Dirty drink

Bayside: Comic strips depicting a dog drinking out of a toilet bowl — I am not a fan of that unspeakable practice. I’m hoping that dog owners never allow this. Please! Sarah Alboher

Disagreeable

Manhattan: Will the Daily News ever stop printing the idiotic nonsense that spews from the pen of Voicer Bob Pascarella? He uses the most ridiculous terms. What is a “postmodern liberal?” He calls others “hedonistic,” but I think cheating on three wives and paying off porn stars is pretty hedonistic. We all know you print Pascarella’s drivel to rile up your readers, but his screeds are absurd. Donald Trump is not “patriotic.” Patriotic leaders don’t try to overthrow their own 250-year-old government. They don’t cheat business partners or the IRS. They don’t have their charities shuttered for fraud, and they don’t get fined millions for libel. They don’t store stolen, top-secret documents in their bathrooms. They don’t try to extort votes from governors. Criticizing politicians is not “hate,” it’s simply political criticism. I enjoy reading the Voice of the People, but I am so tired of Pascarella’s juvenile, high-school girl crush on the odious, traitorous, foul-mouthed Donald Trump. Sam Katz

Manhattan: Re “Looking up at Downstate” (editorial, Jan. 28): Historically, biased listing criteria, including raced-based algorithms, have resulted in the exclusion of low-income and Black/African-American people from receiving kidney transplants. As the only safety net, or “public” hospital in the city with a kidney transplant program, cutting this vital lifeline that SUNY Downstate’s University Hospital provides would be a devastating blow to these communities.

SUNY Downstate contracts with most Essential Plans and many Medicaid HMO plans, which exclusively support low-income people. In contrast, the voluntary or “private” hospitals often contract with a limited number of Essential Plans and Medicaid HMO plans, creating a patchwork of access that leaves the most vulnerable behind.

According to the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), the organization that manages the nation’s organ transplant system, in 2023, Medicaid patients accounted for 31.6% of kidney transplant recipients at SUNY Downstate. In contrast, at NYU Langone, the next closest transplant center, that number drops to 10.6%. That same year, at SUNY Downstate, 100% of transplant recipients were non-white, including multiracial individuals, 85% of whom identified as Black, non-Hispanic. At NYU, 65% of recipients identified as non-white with only around 24% identifying as Black, non-Hispanic.

Any plans for SUNY Downstate must ensure support for SUNY patients who are listed and/or are in the process of being listed to obtain a transplant. Most importantly, robust financial support is necessary to ensure that SUNY’s Kidney Transplant Program can continue serving the most marginalized communities within the five boroughs. Karina Albistegui Adler, co-director, health justice program at New York Lawyers for the Public Interest

Different vibe

New Rochelle, N.Y.: Only on the Buffalo subway — yes, there actually is one — would a rider think of moving to another car for a different experience or to chat up a more interesting-looking stranger. Richard Rodrigue

Better way to get around

Manhattan: Ultimately, the only way to truly solve the fare evasion problem is by making all public transportation in NYC free. It can be done and may well save money. At first, it will be a net cost due to increased ridership, but there will be significant savings by reducing law enforcement costs, eliminating the whole OMNY and MetroCard systems, removing turnstiles and gates, etc. Plus, there are other revenue sources, such as lessening corporate tax giveaways, that could help cover it. People will more easily get to jobs, restaurants and cultural events. The economy will improve. And a lot of people will stop disobeying laws. It will be good for everyone. Paul Backalenick

Held up

Kew Gardens Hills: Victim: “Help me! I’m being robbed!” Police officer: “I’m sorry. I just gave directions to an old lady, and I won’t be able to help you until I fill out this form describing the encounter. Please hang in there — help will arrive within the hour.” Barry Koppel

Consequential

Fresh Meadows: We as NYCers really have to start paying attention to who we elected to office. It doesn’t matter if they’re Democrats or Republicans. Let us first talk about the City Council’s decision on the “How Many Stops Act” to be put in place for NYPD. What do you think is about to happen? Police will just stop making stops, which will make the city less safe. Just think if every time a councilmember was approached by someone during their election campaign or in the street, they had to document the process. They would never be able to do any work. Gregory Coston

No respect

Ridgewood, N.J.: The attack on police officers in Times Square can be blamed on public officials who have downgraded law and order. Until the justice system is restored, more attacks can be expected as NYC continues to have a high crime rate. Ed Houlihan

Undesirables

Bayside: I am incensed to hear that a gang of migrants beat NYPD officers outside a shelter in Midtown Manhattan. My outrage is that they wouldn’t even talk back to a police officer in their home country, let alone assault him. This is not the kind of individuals we want to give asylum to. They would end up being perennial criminals. Considering the way the criminal system is applied in our state right now, there would be no real penalty for their crime and they would probably walk away with no bail and no way to administer their punishment. I think all the participants in the melée should be rounded up and deported immediately! Jacques Hakim

Not so unusual

Manhattan: Not surprised to see right-wingers using the despicable attack on the cops in Times Square to bash criminal justice reforms across the board. These guys are recently arrived migrants, reportedly spending their time smoking and drinking in an alley. Do we really think they’re clued into the street crime trends of the past several years? Has there ever been an era when cops didn’t scuffle with perps during arrests? We surely have problems, but not everything belongs in the same pile, folks. Paul DeNardi

Larger issue

Brooklyn: It was inevitable that idle, young migrant males would turn to crime if continually deprived of work permits and the means to fend for themselves. Since the issuance of work permits originates with the federal government, local and municipal governments together with the police departments will continue to be overwhelmed. If Congress continues to refuse to fix this, President Biden must use his executive powers. Once migrants reach the cities, for practical purposes it is irrelevant whether they are here legally or illegally. That, of course, does not mean that crime should be excused. Steven Rosenzweig

Selective outrage

Garwood, N.J.: Of course we can all agree that the recent beating of law enforcement officers by migrants was disgusting and deplorable. I wonder, however — and I’m talking to all the right-wing bigmouths — what is the difference between this incident and the thousands of redneck, idiotic MAGA followers who attacked the Capitol Police on Jan. 6? Where was all their outrage then? There wasn’t. All we heard were crickets. Why? Because their orange spray-tanned messiah told them it was fine, that they were patriots. So once again, the far right leaves it up to their leader to tell them what’s right or wrong. Pure stupidity! John E. Deichmeister

Good riddance

Suffern, N.Y.: Your story concerning the four migrants who assaulted NYPD officers and then fled the city by bus reminded me of a line from a Roy Clark country song: “Thank God and Greyhound you’re gone.” John Kiernan 

Micromanager

Omaha: Too bad Brian Daboll can’t fire himself. What assistant coach would even want to come to the Giants? Tom Dahulick

Outlier

Glendale: Jennifer Boulanger attempts to justify all abortions in her op-ed “An abortion would have saved my friend’s life” (Jan. 25) and indicates that it conveys for some a life-sustaining, rather than a life-taking, procedure. First of all, abortion always destroys at least one human being. This scientific fact can’t be disputed since it is self-evident. However, in rare circumstances, such as the one she describes, an argument can be made that in an ectopic pregnancy, a woman’s life is endangered, thus an abortion would be justified since it is a kill-or-be-killed situation, i.e. self-defense. Many pro-lifers such as myself have no problem when a direct life-threatening situation exists. However, the facts speak for themselves that about 97-99% of abortions are performed for convenience. Thomas Murawski

Death by plastic

Western Springs, Ill.: More than 430 million tons of plastic are produced worldwide every year. These plastics break down into microscopic particles, 110,000-400,000 of which were found in a liter of bottled water. The three brands of water tested were purchased at a Walmart. Much of the plastic seems to be coming from the plastic bottles. A researcher found more than 100 cancer-causing chemicals in these nanoplastics, which can enter human cells. Tap water is starting to get tested for plastic content. Water filters themselves can put plastics into the water. Plastic particles wind up in oceans, lakes, rivers and groundwater with unknown health effects. To protect against this, we should drastically cut back on plastic use and production. Richard Barsanti

Manhattan: A couple of Voicers who heaped praise on the op-ed by Efrem Sigel (“Three lies about Israel and the truth,” Jan. 25) must be too young to remember the perfume ad: “Promise her anything, but…”

When seeking support from the Arabs in WWI, the Allies promised Arab self-determination in the Middle East, including Palestine. War over, promise broken: Apparently without consultation with the Arab population, Mandatory Palestine (photo) was placed under control by the U.K., which a quarter-century later dumped the problem on the UN. The U.K. at least had the sense to recommend a Jewish “homeland” and not a sovereign state. The UN, in its infancy, botched the solution, opening up a territory that was 90% Muslim and Christian to Jewish immigrants.

In the interim, between the Balfour Declaration/League of Nations and 1947, Zionist propagandists had promoted the “ancestral homeland” argument (after earlier having considered other safe havens in Africa, Asia and South America), although many Jews (including Hannah Arendt) opposed the creation of a theocratic state.

By the 17th century, virtually the entire Jewish population had departed the region (demographers estimate about 2,000 Jews remained); yet Sigel attempts to legitimize the current Jewish presence by “historical ties” back thousands of years. Israel today is a practical problem. It won the war, it need not win the debate. It is perhaps the strongest power in the region and is not going away. Find a fix. A kochleffel does not help the situation. Michele P. Brown

Sanitized narrative

Boonton, N.J.: Efrem Sigel writes about “truth” while listing only the truths he likes, bringing comfort to people like Voicer Stuart Lahn but obscuring cruel realities suffered daily. Sigel rattles off statistics of professional and political representation of Israel’s Arab minority as if it disproves Israel’s apartheid system. He makes no mention of those same Arab citizens not being allowed to buy houses in Jewish-only communities, being harassed at airports every time they fly out of and back into the country, and being subjected to every form of discrimination one can imagine in a society that prefers one group over others. And what about the 3 million Palestinians in the West Bank over whom Israel governs with military law, arresting and imprisoning grade-school-age children without trial? Live with the possibility that heavily armed soldiers can enter your home at will and take anyone with them and then I’ll listen to your thoughts on apartheid. Mike O’Hare

No justice

Maspeth: I am sick from watching the video of our two NYPD policemen being beaten by a group of migrants. How does this happen and why are the perps not incarcerated? Let out immediately — are you kidding me? They should be immediately deported back to where they came from. This is enough! Jo Signorelli

Cowed cops

Astoria: Gang assault on uniformed police officers in daylight in Times Square and they spend three hours in lock up? Why does this happen? Because the City Council has completely neutered the NYPD and the DA’s office refuses to do its job enforcing the law. If these migrants had tried this in their home country, do you know what would have happened? There would be eight body bags on the ground and no one would have a problem with it. The cops would get medals and the criminals would be afraid. In NYC, the people and the cops have to be afraid. Tim Austin

Get goonish

Sea Isle City, N.J.: The officers’ superior should give an order that if this happens again, use their billy clubs — start swinging and don’t stop until the screaming stops. The city needs a police commissioner like the city of Philadelphia had back in the ’60s and ’70s, “Big Man” Frank Rizzo. He kept the city safe. Jim Fusco

Written reports?

North Massapequa, L.I.: I’m just wondering, did the City Council check to see if the police who were attacked in Times Square filled out their documented contact forms? Steven Malichek

Soundbite solution

Manhattan: The main objection to the “How Many Stops” Act is the paperwork. It seems to me that police can quickly record each interaction with a special audio recorder instead of writing it all out. These recordings can then be promptly made into text at the precinct by people who are trained to do this task, just as we can convert our own words to text in a matter of seconds with the push of a button. The recording process would also likely make the police encounter less confrontational. Easy access to the stored recordings and their transcripts can follow. All of this will take the time factor away from the police. Leonard Smoke

Falls short

Hoboken: To Voicer Myra B. Goodman: I couldn’t agree with you more. The first time I saw the subway platform fences, I laughed. I mean if that isn’t the definition of a waste of money, I don’t know what is. On top of everything else you mentioned, the barriers are at the perfect height for your knees to buckle as you go flying over it onto the tracks. This should be a fire-able offense. Joe Ewansky

Quality of life

Far Rockaway: It seems like Far Rockaway has more speed cameras per mile than any neighborhood. Tickets galore, yet parking is a free-for-all. On Beach 21st and 22nd St. off Mott Ave., vehicles are parked all day, every day, in the “No Standing Anytime” zones without consequences. There’s a bus stop and layover on Beach 21st St., which means the illegal parking makes it impassable when a bus is present. Abandoned vehicles are left on residential streets for months despite repeated complaints to 311. They keep building housing projects, at first aimed at low-income, then no-income, recently homeless and now migrants. The new property tax assessment comes in the mail: market value down but taxes up. The city seems to be getting worse daily, caught between the right-wing nuts shipping migrants here and the left-wing flakes bleeding the residents dry. E. Jones

Asinine insights

Brooklyn: Please stop publishing the inane comments from Voicer Shlomo Klein. Each time I see them, I try to figure out why on earth you would publish it. Each time I read one, my brain can’t comprehend why he writes them. Is he using the column to promote items for sale on Amazon? PrepWorks apple slicer, disposable baking pans, Antonki timers, window privacy film and the valuable shower vs. bath debate, to name a few. Anne Slamka

Klein’s Digest

Holliswood: Please give Voicer Shlomo Klein his own “money-saving tips” column already. All he ever seems to write about is some money-saving gadget he’s found on Amazon. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s promoting stuff on his own Amazon business webpage. Gregory W. Chupa

Man up

Manhattan: Unlike Voicer Thomas Sarc, who believes he speaks for everyone, I’ll speak for myself. I am getting so tired of weak, fearful, emasculated snowflakes who allow a quick cutaway to a famous female celebrity during a football game ruin the whole game for them. Did he really think the readers would view him as anything other than a weak, insecure male? I suggest he add her music to his boycott list, along with pancake mix, Disney, Bud Light and all the other things that cause him such misery. Steven Davies

Mind games

Staten Island: The Taylor Swift psyop conspiracy theory gives new meaning to the term “phantasy football.” Ralph D’Esposito

Good for everyone

Sleepy Hollow, N.Y.: To Voicer Kris Tapper: Time to set a few things straight. The NY HEAT provisions, which I praised Gov. Hochul for including in her executive budget in my response to your previous letter, affect all New Yorkers — the ones from Brooklyn and Sleepy Hollow. All of us will have lower gas bills, and public health throughout the state will improve. We are all suffering from rising temperatures caused by burning fossil fuels. What’s the logic of not trying to reduce their use and pay less in energy costs for doing so? We’ll hardly be alone. Surprising states like Texas have beaten us all hollow in solar and wind power development. Norman J. Sissman

Brooklyn: I’m writing regarding a bill proposed by City Councilman Lincoln Restler that would increase NYC’s alternate-side parking fines from $65 to $100 after the first offense and allow the city to tow vehicles after the third violation. Restler believes that the current fines are too cheap and are no longer a deterrent to those drivers who, in the face of astronomical parking garage rates, often choose to accept a parking summons as a cost of living in the city.

I believe that the underlying problem here is vanishing public parking spaces. The extension of the COVID-era dining shed allowance, the expansion of the Citi Bike program, new bus lanes and street planning have eliminated thousands of them.

Many of our city’s car owners live in the outer boroughs, particularly in neighborhoods underserved by public transportation. In 2020, the city standardized ASP fines citywide, resulting in an increase from $45 to $65 for drivers outside of Manhattan. Restler’s proposal would amount to a 122% fine increase for these motorists in just four years.

I think it’s fair to say that even those of us who are diligent about moving our cars twice a week still get a few tickets per year. The bill would further penalize a pool of NYC motorists who the city essentially looks at as a piggy bank. Parking tickets are already the second-largest source of city revenue, right behind city taxes. I appreciate Councilman Restler’s efforts to tackle this problem, but he has proposed a solution that is all stick and no carrot. Derek Wiesehahn

Nice neighborhood

Manhattan: I grew up in the housing projects on Dyckman St. As a kid, I loved roaming the 10th Ave. riverfront and fell in a few times. I loved playing football next to the Speedway. My family moved away when I was a freshman in college. I stayed in the city, and because things happen the way they do, I kept finding myself returning and living in the neighborhood. I lived there at different times and in different affordable, easy-to-find places for parts of college and graduate school. As fate would have it, I needed a place to live many, many years later and found the best deal in Inwood. I stayed in that apartment for 13 years with the rent topping out at $1,900. Affordable housing is a bigtime need in the city and this housing boom in Inwood certainly offers an opportunity for reasonable living. My question is where will people park their cars? Don Cerrone

Double negative

Brooklyn: How does an editorial in the Daily News (“Mind the gap,” Jan. 31) begin with: “Even if you haven’t never ridden the London Tube”? Jack Flynn

Scooter patrol

Brooklyn: Here’s a possible solution to the highly menacing delivery guys on motorized bicycles, scooters and mopeds who put pedestrians’ lives in danger by flouting all traffic laws: Create a task force of police on scooters who can patrol the avenues and catch these scofflaws, issue tickets and, if need be, confiscate their vehicles. They may not catch all of them but will get enough of them to put the word out. This lawlessness has to stop. Are you listening, Mayor Adams? Irwin Cantos

Livelihoods lost

Manhattan: I see that the cops shut down seven massage parlors/brothels in Queens. Mayor Adams says that prostitution is not a victimless crime because it is rife with sex trafficking and abuse. If that is the case, then why were no arrests made regarding those issues? The only thing that was accomplished by shutting down these establishments was to put people out of work. P.S.: One time, I went to a discount massage parlor — it was self-service! James Baldwin

Let slide

Bayside: Three cheers to the NYPD for finally hiring officers with super X-ray vision. How else could the officers have known that a Black man was behind the wheel of a car with tinted windows for such an implied racial stop? I’d love to know why Councilman Yusef Salaam was offered courtesy instead of being written a ticket for the illegal tints. Why was he not asked to provide registration for the car he was driving (to show he wasn’t committing insurance fraud)? These are two tickets I surely would have received had I been breaking both laws. Big shout-out to the fantastic NYPD for showing why they’re the best! Karen Sabatini

Are things so bad?

Brooklyn: What happened to body cameras? They record every interaction. The City Council has now overridden the veto of the mayor. Officers will have to take more time to document every action. Not only will it tie up officers and their time, it will kill morale, which is sadly at an all-time low. One of the council members said that Civilian Complaint Review Board complaints are at an all-time high. As a civilian member of the NYPD for almost 51 years, I do not see it. Let us look to bring in community advocates to help mend relations. Sharon Cesario

All on video

Brooklyn: There may be a simple solution to the “how many stops” problem with the police department. Since all police officers have body cameras, the department at the end of every shift should upload every officer’s camera into the cloud. Every police-initiated stop, and not a citizen-initiated stop, would be marked for review and the officer would write down the time in their patrol pad, put those times down at the end of their shift and file for review. F. Bodkin

Just say no

Bayonne: I have some advice for New York’s Finest about the police transparency bill: Just don’t do it. What can they do, fire the whole police force? Stick together. The police union has to use all its clout come election time and vote these cop-haters out of office. Wake up, New York citizens, and get rid of these progressive Marxist politicians. They are hurting New York and our other once-great cities, which now all look like cesspools. Mike Armstrong

Undeterred

Brooklyn: A sign on the bus says that assaulting a bus operator is a felony punishable by a prison term. Yet if a police officer is attacked and beaten, the perps get a slap on the wrist and, if arrested, will be out in hours. Something is very wrong here. Peter G. Orsi

Unafraid

Kew Gardens: The three soldiers killed in Jordan were casualties waiting to happen. After dozens of attacks on Americans in the Mideast, it was just a matter of time. President Biden, when previously asked for a response to the growing attacks, issued a one-word, bone-chilling warning to those planning attacks. In his best tough guy voice, he said: “Don’t.” How did that work out? It’s clear that America is on the defensive and that he is viewed as a toothless tiger. And why, after that abysmal exit from Afghanistan where we lost 13 Americans, would anyone fear him? Phil Serpico

Super saturated

Central Islip, L.I.: We are getting so sick and tired of reading about and seeing photos of Taylor Swift with her probably temporary football boyfriend! I hope we don’t have to suffer through seeing her during the Super Bowl. Thomas Sarc

Storied career

Manhattan: We bid farewell to Chita Rivera / a star of great renown / musical theater, sold-out concerts / Tony winner / she was the toast of the town / An accomplished singer / she danced her way into our hearts / winning praise and well-deserved accolades / for her memorable parts / Chita was the Spider Woman / Velma in “Chicago” / Rosie in “Bye Bye Birdie” / a hit in every show / Best known for “West Side Story” / where she played Anita / she was stellar in this role / kudos to you, Chita / a master class performer / a talented Broadway star / she wowed us with her skills / acclaimed both near and far / So as we say goodbye today / we are feeling downcast and blue / Broadway theaters will dim their lights / in tribute to honor you / The world of entertainment / has lost a shining star / but we know you are in heaven / and are still the best by far. Phoebe Celentano

Middletown, N.J.: In the NFL, the owners are making millions, if not billions, from cable and broadcast TV deals. They get a kickback from everything sold with their team logo on it. They make money from fans buying tickets to their games, especially season ticket-holders! So why doesn’t the NFL impose a rule on every team to put a roof on its stadium?

I see the Buffalo Bills in the playoffs and they are asking for help to clear the field and the stadium seats of the snow — and from the public, no less! But why don’t they have a roof to let their fans enjoy the game in a comfortable environment?

I am a New York Jets fan. I gave up my season tickets after having them for well more than 30 years, mainly because of the winter games but also because of the price of each game, the personal seat license surcharge (PSL), which helped build MetLife Stadium and the cost of food, soda, beer and parking was very expensive! The Giants also played there, so with two NFL teams playing there, why did they not put a roof on it?

Greed, pure and simple. They tell me it is “roof ready.” Then, for the sake of your fans, please put that roof on the stadium! The same goes for the Patriots (did you see their last game against the Jets, the snow game?) That was simply ridiculous for the fans and the players! Herb Hanrahan

Swift miss

Brooklyn: Previously, TV showed Taylor Swift’s reactions to the Chiefs’ plays, but not in Baltimore. What happened? Martin Selbst

Blank canvas

Manhattan: The sea wall from 23rd St. to 18th St. is complete. It looks like it will be a graffiti artist’s dream come true. The city might want to hire some muralists. It might end up looking like the subway trains in the ’70s. Joseph Duffy

Packed light

Brooklyn: Your first newspaper of the year will go on record as being thinner than toilet paper. William Glassman

Apple gadget

Brooklyn: I recommend that your readers get a Prepworks apple slicer. It cuts apples into 16 slices, which make them a lot easier to eat. It costs less than $20 on Amazon, and it can help you be healthy and lose weight. It makes eating apples a lot more enjoyable and will encourage you to eat healthier. An apple slicer provides a very high return on investment by making you eat a lot more apples and thus substantially improving your health. Shlomo Klein

Glad to see it

Manhattan: Thank you very much for publishing the excellent Efrem Sigel’s “Three lies about Israel & the truth” (op-ed, Jan. 25) in last Thursday’s Daily News. This op-ed brings great comfort to your Jewish readers, like me, who every day hear the many lies and misconceptions about Israel with so little pushback from the media. Stuart Lahn

RIP

Aiken, S.C.: Living across the river from Augusta, Ga., my condolences go out to the families of the three reservists killed in Jordan: William Rivers, 46, of Carrollton, Ga.; Spc. Kennedy Sanders, 24, of Waycross, Ga.; and Spc. Breonna Moffett, 23, of Savannah, Ga., according to the U.S. Defense Department. As a 100% disabled Marine Vietnam veteran wounded five times in combat, I am very sensitive to the deaths of our military personnel. However, in my day, we didn’t throw a grenade at the enemy and stop fighting until they struck again, like the feckless responses our military is doing today. It’s common knowledge that Iran is supporting all of the proxies attacking our bases and Israel, so no matter what anyone says about fearing all-out war, we are already there and should respond with an overwhelming show of force to make Iran and their supporters crawl back under their rocks. Gregory J. Topliff

Invited attacks

Yonkers: America is in serious trouble. President Biden has shown himself to be a weak president and now the Iran-backed radical groups are taking advantage and attacking our military bases in the Middle East. This is what happens when America is led by a president who is indecisive and spineless. Biden is losing control at all ends of the spectrum. Our American troops are under fire. At this point, it is obvious that Biden doesn’t have the courage to stand up to Iran. Apparently, he learned nothing from 9/11. Nicholas Maffei

Take notes

Massapequa Park, L.I.: My wife and I just went on vacation to Riviera Maya, Mexico, and to my surprise, we were pulled out of the crowd and subjected to a full search, including our luggage. Just a hint to our useless president: That is how it is done. Raymond P. Moran

Stark difference

Manhattan: To Voicer Joe Fioramonti: I support Biden for president because he represents the democratic values that I believe in, while Donald Trump, the would-be autocrat, convicted sexual abuser and inciter of the Jan. 6 insurrection, does not. It’s that simple. Chana Schwartz

MAGA ascendant

Bronx: The long knives are out at the Daily News while the Sword of Damocles hangs over its head. In the Jan. 28 edition, there was an editorial, columns by Leonard Greene and Harry Siegel, and the usual suspects in Voice of the People. We read of the anger and frustration of the postmodern liberal with their nemesis, former President Donald Trump, who appears to be heading for a primary victory in the battle for the heart and soul of America. The media, Democrats and the elite mob can’t countenance another Trump presidency, which is antithetical to their hedonist, distorted agenda. They will stop at nothing to defeat Trump. A fusillade of lies, chicanery and dirty gutter politics is not beneath them. But like its leader, the MAGA movement is strong in the face of adversity, is patriotic and possesses the wherewithal and the will to overcome the hate-filled despoilers, and take back America for the people. Bob Pascarella

Morals mix-up

Darien, Conn.: Moms For Liberty continues to proceed despite its co-president being fully involved in a lurid threesome sex tape. Recently, dictionaries have been on their banned books list. What’s next, the Bible? Dan Singer

Manufactured consent

Bronx: Voicer Paula Magdalena Vidal claims the media used to report both sides of every story. If it did, perhaps the U.S. government would not have invaded Korea, Vietnam and Iraq (twice). Maybe it would not have been able to replace democracies with dictators in Iran, Guatemala and Chile. Richard Warren

Now hiring

Brooklyn: I don’t understand the news that the state has identified 4,000 jobs that could be filled by migrants. Why aren’t most of these jobs being offered to native New Yorkers who have been in our shelter system for well more than a year? There are 55,000 adults in the regular shelter system, 30,000 of them are within the family system, yet we are offering these jobs to migrants who don’t have work authorization. Native New Yorkers don’t need work authorization and are more likely to be proficient in English, which these jobs require. The migrants need help and they need jobs, but should that be at the expense of native New Yorkers who are in shelters? Robert Mascali

Be a hero

Andover, Mass.: As a former teacher and school administrator, I had to deal with students who were troubled and had difficulty learning. These students often had poor attendance, behavior problems, or were tuned out in class. Usually, the standard recommendation to address these behaviors was counseling or therapy, which had some success. However, we failed to realize that these students needed a hero — someone to listen to them, provide support, care about them and be there for them. A hero could be a teacher, administrator, coach or neighbor — they are often located in a school, after-school program, government agency or youth center. If you are aware of a young person who is dealing with depression, anxiety or another emotional issue, please consider finding a hero or being one. Richard Trotta