An open letter to Hillary Clinton
Bondville, Vt.: Hillary, your political machine secured your nomination, but make no mistake, you did not defeat Bernie, his ideas and philosophies, or those who ascribe to them. Many of us fully appreciate that in the end, you agreed to incorporate much of our vision for America into yours and we sincerely but cautiously look forward to you genuinely embracing them. We wish you well. But please be assured that we will be standing beside you as a constant reminder of the promises you made to America’s Main Streets.
Convince us that you will put your energies into forwarding our mutual agenda and I can assure you that a huge percentage of the people who brought Bernie’s dream to within a few points of becoming the nominee will bring their dedication and innovative spirit to your campaign.
Humbly, we have repeatedly demonstrated our strength, commitment and boundless energy, and its proven effectiveness. Needless to say, we have earned the trust and dedication of huge segments of Main Street America, Americans you will sorely need in November.
Earn our trust, and we can turn a coin-toss election into a Democratic and independent landslide with long down-ballot coat tails.
Fred Schwacke
Berning with rage
Chicago: The only reason Bernie Sanders ran as a Democrat is so he could get 15% and be on stage. He’s been in public service for 30-plus years and has little to show for it. And he’s gone back to being the independent we know him to be. He is and was a spoiled brat. He does not care about America or he would have endorsed Hillary Clinton a long time ago. I hope the Democrats do not reward him for this bad behavior. I hope he goes back to his basement in his old-man underwear and we never hear from him again! Sheryl Wilson
Putin’s poodle
Putnam Valley, N.Y.: Trump must show us his tax returns. Or is it just too full of Russian money, Donald? John Grassilli
Pick your poison
Staten Island: Voicer Joseph Rebando writes that if Hillary is elected, we will have become the Roman Empire. Perhaps this is so. But if Trump is elected, we will have become the Fourth Reich. Which is worse?
Victor R. Stanwick
No comparison
Bronx: The DNC was an explosion. The RNC was an implosion. RIP, DJT. Pamela Butler
Standing O
Manhattan: I did not think you would, but I’m so proud of The News for endorsing Hillary Clinton. You understand the middle class and selected the candidate that will take us to the next level. Way to go! Sharon Dorr
A round of boos
Bronx: Congratulations on passing your audition to become cheerleaders for the Hillary Clinton campaign. You will now be on the payroll of the Clinton Foundation, provided you continue to idolize Hillary and demonize her opponent. Hopefully one day you’ll grow up to learn just what it means to put out a responsible, professional and unbiased newspaper. Until then, continue your hellacious hollering for Hillary. L. Gevirtz
Too soon
Duarte, Calif: Isn’t it a tad bit early to endorse Hillary for President? We haven’t had the debates. Do you hate Donald Trump so much that you won’t consider some of his arguments that, like it or not, have resonated with so many people? Yes, I know. Under your breadth, you’re calling them “hicks.” But those hicks pay the taxes, obey the law, raise their children and participate in their communities. I hate Hillary, but I’m willing to listen to her arguments. And her arguments are equivalent to the same old, same old: another eight years of Obama. Probably another $20 trillion in extra debt. No, thank you, I’ve had my fill.
Stuart O’Melveny
Plain propaganda
Jersey City: How does Fox News’ censorship of the Democratic Convention’s heartbreaking speech by the Muslim father whose son gave his life to our country differ from the censorship once used by the Soviet news agency Tass and the ongoing censorship employed by the Xinhua news agency in China? Except for the commercials, it doesn’t. This was a bold, blatant restriction of information for propaganda purposes. Cutting to a Benghazi-themed commercial instead proved their malicious intent. Advertisers on Fox News need to take responsibility for enabling Communist-style manipulations of the press, and the free world’s press needs to be completely outraged at yet another example of Fox News’ electronic bullying. G. W. Gibson
Olympic outrage
Ironia, N.J.: Next week the Olympics in Rio will begin. Before anyone starts watching these games, they should watch the latest episode of “Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel.” This episode — a historical first for the show, as it was completely devoted to just one subject matter — details the corruption of the International Olympic Committee and the host cities of their events. The show details the human costs involved in the Olympics and the corruption of the IOC officials. What the IOC and host cities and countries are doing is a crime against humanity, while top IOC officials enrich themselves personally. If the U.S. Department of Justice found enough evidence to charge officials of FIFA, then they will have enough evidence disclosed by this show to at the very least begin an investigation into the IOC. Ben Burben
Never again
Uniondale, L.I.: Seventy-one years ago, the U.S. detonated two nuclear bombs in Japan, killing 200,000 people — mostly civilians. This day should be used for reflecting on the horror and tragedy and for remembering all the victims of nuclear weapons use and production. Unfortunately, the threat and cost of nuclear weapons is still all too real and too high. I urge Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand and Chuck Schumer and our representatives the administration’s proposal to modernize the U.S. nuclear arsenal, a project that could start a new arms race to rival the Cold War.
Margaret Melkonian
The milk of human kindness
Brooklyn: The recent Daily News report about a female NYPD officer having problems with securing time and space to pump breastmilk at work is an all too common refrain not just for those on the beat, but for mothers throughout New York City (“Cop: Unfair on breast pump,” July 25). This is why I, along with Council Member Robert Cornegy, Jr., shepherded legislation through the City Council to open publicly-accessible lactation rooms in city public offices, such as employment, SNAP and medical assistance centers. Women should always feel supported in their decision to breastfeed their children. In the coming days, I am excited to see Mayor de Blasio sign this legislation into law, making New York City what is believed to be the first municipality in America to require public lactation rooms for nursing and pumping mothers.
Eric Adams
Solidarity
Tuscaloosa, Ala.: I worked at the Tuscaloosa Police Department and went through similar struggles as the breastmilk-pumping NYPD cop. I won a verdict in federal court for Family and Medical Leave Act retaliation and pregnancy discrimination. The jury awarded us $161,000. The police department appealed and was denied in Alabama; they’re now appealing now in the 11th circuit in Atlanta.
Stephanie Hicks
Check your head
Manhattan: The court’s decision to allow Ronald Corwin’s lawsuit to be enhanced because “the city can’t have it both ways” brings a badly needed element of rationality to the full-tilt bike program that has taken the public for a ride “Citi Bike rider injured in crash says NYC partly to blame for not providing helmets,” July 29). Wearing a bike helmet makes good sense. Mike Bloomberg’s decision to not require Citi Bike riders to wear helmets because that might inhibit usege is a paradox. He had no problem trying to impose his idea of common sense with soft drink quantity. He was known for holding his finger to the legal wind before making moves. Corwin deserves a substantial settlement because of the brain damage he suffered. Also, he is performing a public service in bringing the city to a clear if begrudging realization.
Jack Brown