Speak to Israel, not about it, on its conduct
San Francisco: It is unfortunate that President Biden, during an interview on May 8 with Erin Burnett on CNN, made the global headline-grabbing comment that he would “halt some shipments of American weapons to Israel” if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah. He elaborated that “civilians have been killed in Gaza as a consequence of those bombs and other ways in which they go after population centers.”
Yes, the situation in Gaza is one of the great horrors in the history of mankind’s horrors. The comment “other ways in which they go after population centers” is an egregious accusation to make. Implicit is the insinuation that Israel is targeting population centers in Gaza, and that they might be being indiscriminate in their attacks to eliminate Hamas emerging from hundreds of miles of tunnels built directly under and amidst Palestinian population centers.
I wouldn’t think that Biden perceives there to be any equivalence between Israel and Hamas, but he has inadvertently permitted that comparison with the looseness of his language. It was irresponsible for him to use that language, though it likely plays well in the key battleground states of Wisconsin and Michigan — places of virulent anti-Israeli protest and states essential for him to retain the presidency. However, his language empowers Hamas. It emboldens Hezbollah as they continue to escalate rocket attacks from southern Lebanon. It inspires Iran, who just three weeks earlier launched more than 300 deadly missiles upon the soil of Israel.
If the president wanted to send this message to Israel, he should have done it quietly, not loudly on CNN. Bruce Farrell Rosen
Self-unregulated
Brooklyn: In her Daily News guest article about algorithmic killers (“Algorithmic killers & how to stop them,” op-ed, May 20), Zephyr Teachout states that N.Y. pols state Sen. Andrew Gounardes and Assemblywoman Nily Rozic have introduced a law to turn off by default the algorithms that are ruining kids’ lives. Bravo to them! Although, after the public shaming Congress recently gave the tech industry, you’d think the tech companies would just do it voluntarily. Sue Herskovits
First restorers
Massapequa, L.I.: After seeing the pictures of the destruction to the transmission towers and cables in Texas after strong winds, a tornado and downed trees, there are more than 400,000 residents and businesses without power. Who are you going to call? The only answer to that is the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. The IBEW will make all the necessary repairs quickly and safely and get all back to normal soon. Ron Boehning
Damage control
New Hyde Park, L.I.: So, Diddy finally admits he is “truly sorry” now for beating his ex-girlfriend in 2016. If that video would have never surfaced, he would still be saying that his ex-girlfriend and multiple other women who accused him of sexual assault were looking for a payday as per his words. Thank goodness for him that the statute of limitations has expired. What a guy. His parents must be so proud. Andrew Dooley
Key threat
Manhattan: Apparently, our honest and morally upright Mayor Adams has threatened to revoke Sean Puffy Combs’ key to NYC. Laugh, laugh. The mayor won’t follow through because he knows that Puffy allegedly has dirt on him and might just use it. Hmm. Let’s see if the mayor has the fortitude to follow through on his blustering. Patricia Clark
Recycled words
Bronx: To Voicer Joseph Napoleone: Voicer Vanessa Enger was right about it being Chico Marx who first uttered, “Who ya gonna believe me or your own eyes?” from the the 1933 film “Duck Soup.” But Chico was disguised as Groucho in that scene. Richard Pryor later revived it as, “Who are you going to believe, me or your lying eyes?” Jen Psaki never said it, but had those words thrown at her for misinformation found in her newly published book. Mike Dangelo
Honorable end
Huntington Station, L.I.: Excellent article by Kristian Winfield about the final game of our season (“7: The cruelest number in town,” May 20). The “engine” metaphor was perfect! The Knicks’ season ended with a valiant effort. I am really sad, but so proud of this gutsy team. Shame on Tyrese Haliburton, who I did respect early on in the season, for wearing a Reggie Miller “choke sign” hoodie to the after-game press conference. Choke? How about a fight to the finish with a hobbled squad? No choke! While the Pacers were the better team in the end, there are few teams that displayed the tenacity and grit that these Knicks did — despite the loss of four key players. It would have been better for Haliburton to show some class, but he chose the low road. We New Yorkers will remember that move. Nancy Macri Kennedy
Unappetizing
Kearny, N.J.: I just heard that Red Lobster seafood restaurants have filed for Chapter 11. Was it the “endless shrimp” promo that finally cracked the lobster’s claw? I think it was more of a food quality issue. I was in the restaurant recently and ordered the grilled flounder for $19.99. The waitress said, “Oh, that’s not the price, it’s the year it was caught”! Check, please! Kevin Dale
Extra credit
Maspeth: If Chuck Schumer really wants to keep consumers from being fleeced of their hard-earned money, why doesn’t he stop the surcharges businesses are charging for using a credit card? I always felt safe using my credit card because it wouldn’t bounce like a personal check, and meant I wouldn’t be carrying hundreds in cash to pay bills. Back in July, I was blindsided with a $27 fee by an auto repair shop for using my credit card to pay the bill. Apparently, I should have ascertained the total cost, gone to a bank for either a bank check or cash, and then gone to get my car and pay. The city also has charged me a ridiculous “extra fee” for using a credit card to pay a bill. These extra charges because of the paperwork involved in processing credit card payments by the business are ridiculous. Veronica Kwiecinski
Overlooked accomplishment
Yonkers: Rep. Ritchie Torres’ hatred of Donald Trump is so profound that he is utterly incapable of recognizing anything positive that Trump did for the Bronx (“The Bronx gives a Bronx cheer to Donald Trump,” op-ed, May 21). Ferry Point Park was a designated Department of Sanitation landfill — a dump — for many years. Thus, it reeked of an odious stench, resulting from the decomposition of all sorts of materials, plus it was a haven for a great variety of vermin. It was an eyesore and a health hazard. So Trump had the dump and stench removed and replaced with a beautiful and scenic golf course. So, Rep. Torres, at least give credit where credit is due. Frank Brady
Back on his word
Ashburn, Va.: When Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, he lambasted Hillary Clinton’s aides for refusing to testify about her conduct concerning a deadly raid in Libya. “So, there are five people taking the Fifth Amendment. Like you see on the mob, right? You see the mob takes the Fifth. If you’re innocent, why are you taking the Fifth Amendment?” he asked. It didn’t take long, though, for President Trump to plead the Fifth in an investigation of his business dealings in 2022. Now, he has declined to testify in his criminal trial in New York. Once again, his principles — such as they are — will allow him to disregard all previous promises whenever it’s convenient. Perfectly legal, of course, but not a particularly good look for a presidential candidate whose ardent supporters expect him to keep his promises. Mike Barrett
Flagging outrage
Bronx: Where are the Republicans to call out and chastise their fellow GOP, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, for disrespecting the American flag by hoisting it upside down, as the GOP MAGA Jan. 6 insurrectionists did upon their storming of the U.S. Capitol? Yet, these are the same GOPers, in following their multiple criminally indicted leader Donald Trump, who made the criticism of disrespecting the flag (however false, if I may add) against NFL players and others for taking a knee during the national anthem! Not one word from these Republicans! All I hear are crickets and their inexcusable nonsense! Michael S. Wilbekin
