Stop smearing antifa as violent

Bayside: I am writing in response to the Daily News’ editorial “The antifa threat” (Aug. 20). The News wrote that “unlike the broad coalition of activists arrayed in opposition to much of the Trump agenda, its members unapologetically embrace violence as the only sufficiently strong answer to those they see as enemies, even when those enemies are engaging in nonviolent protest.”

This is a completely unfair characterization of antifa, and largely inaccurate. This kind of response is what I would expect from Fox News or Trump, but coming from a supposed liberal newspaper, it is quite surprising.

Here is a more balanced description from CNN: “Antifa positions can be hard to define, but many members support oppressed populations and protest the amassing of wealth by corporations and elites. Some employ radical or militant tactics to get their message across.”

Antifa employs what is known as a “diversity of tactics.” Some members can get violent, but even those who do are not violent all the time, and there are many people who identify as antifa who are not at all violent. Most of the protesters arrested during the inauguration were completely peaceful, and some identify as antifa. Several were livestreamers whom I consider friends, and I know for a fact that they are never violent. These are people I marched with at the height of Occupy. Their only weapons are iPhones. Rodney Rigoli

Standing together

Metairie, La.: To our friends in Houston: You were there for us in New Orleans. and now we are there for you. God bless you all, and we are 100% behind you.

Gerard DeMare

Turnabout is fair play

Long Branch, N.J.: In view of the flooding across southern Texas and the Gulf Coast plains, I would suggest that our blue-state congressional representatives study the funding request for 90 days then insist on funding offsets before any financial aid is provided. The red states (Oklahoma and Texas) were slow to respond to Hurricane Sandy aid and additional funding to assist the Northeast Corridor after the Amtrak disaster. Two can play that game.

Lenzy Kelley

Hung out to dry

Billings, Mont.: When I saw the video showing those poor elderly ladies just left sitting in that at least three-foot-deep water, it broke my heart and sickened me at the same time. As a former ER/trauma nurse, the main reason it shocked me is because when you work with patients, you are taught very early in your training how to respond in times of emergency or disaster — how to move or evacuate patients so that they out of harm’s way if at all possible! When you work with seniors who may be disabled, in wheelchairs or bedridden you learn different ways of moving, carrying and lifting patients so you don’t injure them or yourself. To just let them sit there as the water rose without moving them either onto beds or at least get them elevated and out of the water was to me sickening and made me wonder what the hell is wrong with the people caring for these patients. Patti Erickson

Cruelty, thy name is Trump

Albany: Your editorial “Living off the wall” (Aug. 30) hits the nail on the head. The President’s use of innocent children as pawns in a political game — first threatening to end the DACA program, then assuring Dreamers they have nothing to worry about, and now once again threatening to end the program — is cruel, shortsighted and stands in direct opposition to everything that has made our country great. Dreamers are American in every way but their immigration status. They’ve done everything right, worked hard in school and many have even served in the military. Now they simply want to continue to give back and contribute as productive, hardworking, tax-paying members of our communities. As a Latina who spent my earliest years in Puerto Rico before returning to New York, I know first-hand what it means to be on the outside looking in. Fortunately for me, the America I grew up in welcomed me and presented me with educational and employment opportunities that I joyfully seized. If the President truly wants to make America great again, he should start by embracing the ideals of inclusiveness and openness that made us great in the first place. Betty A. Rosa Chancellor, NY Board of Regents

Work on retirement

Elmhurst: An option that should be put on the table regarding New York City’s underfunded pension plans is a switch from defined benefit plans to defined contribution plans. This transition has been taking place in the private sector for decades because it has been cost effective for the companies and provides an alternative for employees where they have more control over their own financial future. Under this scenario, money that has been accumulated in workers’ defined benefit plans prior to the switch is locked in for them, so they are entitled to receive these benefits. As of a specified date, usually a few months after the switch is announced, employees are then transitioned into a 401(k) plan. It is better to be proactive on a monumental matter such as pensions that affect peoples lives rather than reactively, as we are now. There is so much to lose for hardworking New Yorkers and elsewhere around the country.

Klea Theoharis

Clean sweep

Monroe, N.Y.: Re “Restaurant workers caught preparing food outside on the ground near dumpsters” (Aug. 29): An “A” rating means the inspector saw a roach. A “B” means a bunch of roaches. A “C” means a colony of roaches. A “D” means damn, so many I’ve lost count. An “F” means f--king great, I’ve lost my license to serve food. Alex Woo

Smells like Osteen spirit

Anthon, Iowa.: The poignancy and brilliant humor of Linda Stasi’s column about the user and abuser of God’s name and people (and tax-exemption policies) was a great read and illuminating (“Man of ‘God’ a man of greed,” Aug. 30). Joel Osteen is and long has been what the column indicated. He has never taught, preached or practiced Christian doctrine. In fact, his messages and lifestyle are opposite of the teachings of Jesus Christ and the Christian religion of which Christ is the founder and namesake. The reason the slick cash-collecting false prophet didn’t want wet, smelly, needy, crying, now homeless, shoeless, penniless persons in the stadium some erroneously call a church is because he thinks they would mess up his perfect little scam. Jean Lillie

Money changers

Las Vegas: I enjoyed reading Linda Stasi take Joel Osteen to task for not reaching out to help flood victims — that is, until he was shamed by social media. I’m not sure that Stasi needed seven paragraphs to pat herself on the back for her actions during Katrina, though. Stasi might also be interested to know that radio host Sean Salisbury, whom she mentions in her piece, was once an employee of ESPN — until he allegedly started showing his female co-workers photos of his genitals. To see Salisbury cast in a positive light in a Stasi column is rather ironic. Michael Kolinski

Christianity for sale

Coulee City, Wash.: Joel Osteen just lost all credibility with me. He is another Jimmy Bakker. It’s Christians like them who tarnish Christianity the world over. He should be stripped of his wealth and made to push a shopping cart and dwell in the streets.

Wally Newby

Good Old Glory

Hazlet, N.J.: On the cover of your Aug. 29 paper, the Daily News had a shredded American flag with some words next to it. The first sentence read, “Tattered Old Glory still flies.” So I am guessing the meaning behind it is the pride, fortitude, resilience and toughness that represents the Americans suffering in Houston. The willingness of the American people to band together to get through what is happening there. That is what the American flag represents. Not police brutality toward African Americans and minorities. Colin Kaepernick has every right to protest, but the idea that the American flag represents police brutality is misguided and just not true. Kurt Friend

Freedom for all

AFP/GETTY IMAGES Port Jefferson Station, L.I.: I find it so ironic that Berkeley, that bastion of liberal thoughts and deeds, is so against free speech. Where is the outrage and indignation of seeing the rights of people being trampled on? Let the extremes on either side expose themselves with their irrational acts and beliefs. The alt-right are repugnant in their values, yet as Americans, they should be allowed to speak in peace without threats of bodily harm or death. Please remember we all have those same inalienable rights as promised by our forefathers.

Bob Cavaliere