Taylor Swift’s a PR concoction
Kansas City, Mo.: I’ve known for some time that Taylor Swift has a well organized PR machine (“Taylor Swift considering filing police report against Kanye West, Kim Kardashian over secretly recorded ‘Famous’ phone call,” July 18). First she said she had never talked to West about the lyrics. Now we know she did. The letter her attorney sent to prevent the release of the video of the phone call shows Swift knew she had lied.
Whenever she gets caught in a bad situation, her PR people have her show up at some child’s hospital bed or donate money to a cause. Now we also know she did not teach herself guitar. She lied about that, as the Daily News and “60 Minutes” have reported. Swift’s hometown people back up her guitar teacher’s story, and he has photographs to prove it. Swift and gang tried to retaliate, but they could not refute that she was given lessons over a long period of time. There goes the myth of the prodigy who taught herself to play.
She is not the kind soul her great PR machine makes her out to be. The initial report is that Calvin Harris left her; he could not take her spoiled and self-centered ways anymore. Then her PR machine went after him. Oh, he was jealous, and she broke up with him. The public will learn she is a very well-crafted product. Rick Carney
Health alert
Floral Park, L.I.: Donald Trump should have an MRI done on his brain. I think he has a tumor. One minute he acts sane. The next minute he acts insane. I once knew a dog like that. He had to be put down because he had a brain tumor. What a shame; he was a good dog. Robert Geer
Liar, liar
Manhattan: Hearing Donald Trump and his lackeys go on and on about “lyin’ Hillary” is making me sick to my core. Not only is he a narcissistic con man whose mind may not be balanced, he is a consummate liar. I can’t even begin, but I’ll try. First, Trump University; a total con. He’s lied about his financial situation, won’t release his taxes (why is this allowed?), lied about his wife’s education and about her speech. He’s changed his stances on everything just to get this nomination. Somehow I wonder if he really wants to be President. I think he just wants the glory of being able to say, “I did it.” How is the country falling for this carrotmaned con man who will surely bring us to ruin? Please, please, Americans, come to your senses. This is totally insane.
Marcia Epstein
Making a martyr
Ridgefield Park, N.J.: If Chris Christie was auditioning for the role of Pontius Pilate, all he forgot was the water to wash his hands.
Chris McLoughlin
Committed Cruz
Brick, N.J.: So Ted Cruz upset his fellow Republicans by not supporting Donald Trump. Would any red-blooded man endorse someone who insulted his wife and his father? At the risk of his political career, Cruz was a true profile in courage. He should be commended, not criticized.
James Mack
Ted not dead
Brooklyn: Watching the crowd at the Republican convention reminds me of the Thunderdome in the “Mad Max” movie, with lots of people screaming and calls for blood. Then in walks Mad Ted to try and deliver a death blow to Master Blaster Trump. Let’s just hope he proves successful.
William Gabriel
Homage vs. stealing
Sunnyside: To Voicer Sherrel Cox: Nobody complained when JFK repeated FDR’s speech because both Presidents were in the same political party. Both were from rich families, but both were liberal Democrats. JFK was following in the political footsteps FDR planted decades before, whereas the Trump family specifically, and Republicans generally, have been totally against the Democrats, specifically President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. It’s OK if both families disagree. But why would anyone steal quotes from someone they disagree with? If Mrs. Trump agrees with what Mrs. Obama said, then Mr. and Mrs. Trump should stop saying disparaging things about the Obamas. If the Trumps disagree totally with the Obamas, then Mrs. Trump should never express the same sentiments that Mrs. Obama expressed.
Paul J. Maringelli
Vote!
Everett, Wash.: I don’t care whether someone is voting for Donald Trump or for Hillary Clinton. I know who I will be voting for in November. I respect others’ choices and agree to disagree when it pertains to politics. What I refuse to respect is anyone who complains and complains about politics, yet refuses to vote even when they have the ability to do so. They forfeit their right to complain. I take great pride in voting and have voted in every presidential election since I turned 18.
Jeff Swanson
Noise is color-blind
Bronx: Voicers Sandy Placido, Steve Pinell, Marco Gomez, Carlos Blanco and Shauntaye King all labeled noise victim Ann Votaw as a racist for writing “Dyckman’s deafening daily drumbeat” (July 16), using her First Amendment right as equally as those blasting noise, and having the audacity to call 311 to complain. But nowhere in her article is there any reference, or inference, about race. In fact, they are making racist comments against Votaw and victims of noise. No one is complaining about “music”; they are complaining about noise, whose magnitude can be so extreme it measures on the Richter scale. The notion that a person is above the law simply because they are breaking those laws and are of a particular race or culture is not a valid defense. Lakiya Hernandez
The long game
Newport Beach, Calif.: What is wrong with baseball’s commissioner (“MLB considering limiting use of relief pitchers, Rob Manfred says,” July 21)? First he puts Fred Wilpon in charge of a finance committee, and now he wants to screw up the best game in the world. He doesn’t even realize that most fans don’t have a problem with the length of games. It’s a vocal minority that always complains. When my family and I go to games, we want them to last as long as possible. It is an escape from life’s problems in the truest sense and a time for family bonding. I’ve been going to games for 50 years and never heard one person complain that the game was taking too long. There is nothing more spectacular than a day at the ballpark.
Lenny Schwartz
Cuddle but don’t coddle
Bronx: As a parent member of the mayor’s School Climate Working Group, I witnessed firsthand the dedication members exhibited toward restructuring a policy gone wrong (“A new path to safer public schools,” Op-Ed, July 21). Reducing suspensions, arrests and summonses with restorative practices will continue to decrease and eliminate the use or need of metal detectors or scanners. Interventions and supports for positive behaviors will re-create a welcoming school environment, in contrast to a giving students the impression of stepping into prison. Adding restorative coordinators and engaging youth, parents and community in order to eliminate punitive policies is necessary. Michelle Reyes
A loss for Queens
Astoria: Beyond furthering a lack of affordable housing, which affects all New Yorkers, the delay in renewing the 421-a tax abatement will have a heavy impact on Astoria. It has caused our neighborhood to lose the Hallets Point onsite power plant, putting strain on an already overtaxed and antiquated local power grid. Also gone are neighborhood improvements committed to by the developers of Astoria Cove and Hallets Point, such as replacement of rusting sea wall railings, improvements to local playgrounds, and a new school and supermarket. With new ferry service set to start in 2017, the lack of a residential base may make it difficult to justify the service in the future. Richard Khuzami, president
Old Astoria Neighborhood Association
Bus a move
Manhattan: Hooray for Brooklyn’s brave transit advocates (“Rally for speedy buses,” July 21)! We share a common problem: poor bus service. Several years ago, the MTA changed several routes in Manhattan, including the M1, M5 and M6. We still suffer from the complete disconnect of MTA’s people, who simply do not understand the needs of riders. A big change is needed and we thank our Brooklyn friends for leading the way.
Sylvia Rackow
A poem
Leesburg, Va.: Our TV sets are too big, our hearts are too small. That’s what it’s like living in the 21st century, y’all.
Donald Hutnick