Prop 1 is about politics, not protecting rights
Manhattan: I was surprised by your Oct. 12 editorial endorsing Proposal 1 (“Vote yes on Prop 1“). Your stance seems rooted in an “ends justify the means” mentality, particularly in your subtitle: “Despite lousy language, its pro-choice goal is correct.”
John Adams once said, “We are a nation of laws, not of men.” Our country depends on the rule of law, not arbitrary decisions that reinforce political power. You rightly criticize the Legislature for the proposal’s vague wording, admitting, “its lack of specificity will leave its interpretation open to the courts much more than the direct approach in other states.” If the language is problematic, why support such a risky measure that could carry unintended consequences? Remarkably, the proposal doesn’t even directly mention abortion.
Prop 1 appears to be a calculated vote-grab for down-ballot Democrats, hinging on a hot-button issue that is already heavily protected in New York. The Legislature could have put this on the ballot for the 2023 off-year election but waited for 2024, likely for political gain. Your argument that fears about women’s sports and privacy in women’s spaces are just that — fears — doesn’t hold up. These issues are already playing out in New York without constitutional backing. Even your editorial acknowledges lawsuits will emerge due to the proposal’s “mushy language.” What’s stopping fringe litigation from stripping away parental rights, dismantling girls’ sports or even granting taxpayer rights to illegal immigrants?
New Yorkers should see through this political maneuvering. Proposal 1 is a poorly written, opportunistic measure that doesn’t even mention the key issue it claims to protect. Paul J. Dreyer
Fanboy
Howard Beach: Anyone refusing to accept that Vladimir Putin has some hold over Donald Trump is not dealing with reality. Voicer James Formato is one of those individuals who appears to be in a state of denial. Kamala Harris was correct when she said that if Trump was president, Putin would be sitting in Kyiv right now. Didn’t Trump call Putin a “genius” and “savvy” when Putin invaded Ukraine? As the rest of the world condemned Putin, Trump was praising him. Time for Formato to wake up. Barbara Berg
Latest transgressions
Holbrook, L.I.: In the last few days, Trump has embarrassed himself at the Al Smith dinner, went on a rant of admiration about the size of Arnold Palmer’s genitalia and called the vice president “sh*t” — and the deplorables cheer! It’s time for the Trumpers who submit letters to the Daily News to answer: Why is this acceptable? Is this how you want a president to behave? Michael L. Wilson
Improper guest
Floral Park, L.I.: I agree with Voicer Ed Jaworski about Cardinal Dolan and an apology. Having that convicted criminal at that function was disgusting. Nothing was funny about it and Trump’s remarks were outrageous. Regina Rossi
Proper context
Bronx: To Voicer Linda Andreula: Former President Trump closed both northern and southern borders due to the pandemic (remember COVID, the pandemic he said was a hoax?) That is the reason for the closing of the border during his term. You said that when Trump was in office, the economy was great and inflation was at 1.3% (thanks to an economy inherited from Barack Obama). Inflation is now at 2.4%, not 9%. Prices went up due to COVID and the war in Ukraine, where the U.S. gets most of our grain and base metals (during both administrations) and neither caused by President Biden. As far as you calling the U.S. the migrant states (Lady Liberty says so too), you are correct, as most of our ancestors were migrants. Lydia Milnar
Ahistorical
Manhattan: As you reported, Trump declared that citizens imprisoned for attempting to overturn the presidential election on Jan. 6 are comparable to citizens of Japanese heritage interned by the United States after Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor. This is a totally false equivalency — a lie. The convicted Jan. 6 participants committed violent and seditious crimes. The interned Japanese-Americans did not. They were interned in a misguided attempt to mitigate risk to our national security. The United States eventually apologized and paid modest restitution to the formerly interned Japanese. Tragically, Trump does not apologize or make amends. Frankie Turchiano
Lopsided love
Mineola, L.I.: So, Trump has now said that Jan. 6, 2021 was a “day of love”! Yes, maybe for him and his cult, but not for anyone else! Most Americans see that date as a day of infamy, like Dec. 7, 1941! People who love Trump did exactly what he told them to do — to try to overthrow the president who had been legitimately elected on Nov. 3, 2020! The only love shown on that day was the love the cult showed for Trump! Philip Martone
Dirty laundry
Chappaqua, N.Y.: All I hear lately is, “I can’t vote for Kamala because I don’t know enough about her.” Well, I know so much about the other guy and that’s why I can’t vote for him. More than 30,000 lies, nonsensical answers, racist and misogynistic comments, felonies, etc. I want the children in America to want to emulate someone of substance. Renée Pollard
New regime
Massapequa, L.I.: Forget about being the first female president. Forget about being the first African-American female president. If Kamala Harris wins this election on Nov. 5, she will be sworn in on Jan. 20, 2025 as the very first president ever of the United Socialist People’s Republic of America. Be careful what you wish for. Tom Ascher
Pulled out the stops
Manhattan: Of course the Mets went all in. They asked their fans to show up. The fans did. Full house. Some shrewd people asked The Temptations to show up. The Temptations did and had the place rocking before the first bat of the night was swung. Of course the Mets went all in. There was a sliver of hope. Godspeed. Susan A. Stark
Too late
Manhattan: So, the Yankees clinch the pennant and my print edition of the Sunday Daily News has nothing! The front page is about a 4-year-old, the back page is the Mets! Nothing about the victory. Look inside, it says “late game.” Why couldn’t more late edition papers of The News have been distributed like the Post did? I’m switching to the Post. Felix Baez
No tampering
Brooklyn: It seems like Lin-Manuel Miranda is a nice guy and talented, but I wish he would come up with a genuine idea that doesn’t have a basis in an already famous idea. I hear he has made a woke album with the idea that “The Warriors” are all female and trans and such. It’s like Marilyn Manson taking his name from Marilyn Monroe and Charles Manson. What’s next, “Gone with the Wind” or “Bullitt”? Please leave “The Warriors” alone. Joe Many
Local rule
Brooklyn: Voicer John Fair is confused. The Palestinians need to free themselves from Hamas, not the Israelis. The Israeli withdrawal from Gaza in 2005 resulted in a self-governed Palestinian territory that Hamas turned into a gangster-run terrorism state. Hamas diverts humanitarian aid funds for military purposes, jails political opponents, executes gays and permits honor killings. Hamas has started five wars with Israel, conducts military operations from civilian locations, and its armed goons are looting humanitarian aid convoys. The Palestinians have rejected numerous offers of statehood because this would mean recognizing Israel’s right to exit. Wendy Jackson
Fancy suit
Melbourne, Australia: Axiom Space and Prada have shown us a new spacesuit to be used on the moon. It’s a nice-looking traditional white suit, although I am sure other colors will be available upon request. The Axiom Space website describes it as “a spacesuit for everyone” but I wonder if this includes an old, overweight bald man with a sore hip. The other possible problem is the cost, which seems to be anywhere between $1 million to $4 million, although it is hard to be precise as there are none for sale on eBay at the moment. My solution will be to buy one off some site that offers fake products. If they can make fairly accurate copies of Prada bags, a spacesuit should be easy. Hopefully it will be airtight. In fact, it might be best to concentrate on the problems on Earth before we try to get off the planet. Dennis Fitzgerald
