Hefner, back at the beginning

Beverly Hills: Hugh Hefner not only started the sexual revolution, he started my career in public relations. I was inexperienced living in Chicago and had an idea for my very first client, a pet store on the verge of closing its doors. I wanted my client to start a dog walking service, a first for Chicago. I needed something more to connect in order to summon the press to turn out for my idea.

Hugh Hefner heard through some of my Playboy Bunny friends who worked at the Playboy Mansion that I was going to start a dog walking service. He asked two Bunnies to help me and allowed his beloved dog Humphrey to participate in what became a major news story across the country. The Bunnies and Hef’s dog Humphrey followed me with 15 dogs down famed Michigan Ave. with the press in tow. The following day Mayor Richard J. Daley in his weekly address said, “Chicago has the first dog walking service.” I sent word to Hugh that I was getting calls from everyone to represent them.

Even though that was more than a half century ago, his passing brought a sense of sadness and jubilant joy that I actually am in the business of PR, because he took the time to care in allowing his staff and dog to help me start my career. Thank you Hef, I will miss you.

Chris Harris

Huge jerk

Manhattan: Thank you so much for Linda Stasi’s refreshing view of Hugh! (“Playboy Philosophy should die with Hugh Hefner”). After reading all these other praiseworthy articles on this man from the mainstream, I was starting to think I was the only one who saw him for the disgusting pig he really was. May God have mercy on us all! Estee Liuba

The club in the sky

Breezy Point: If anybody says Hugh Hefner’s in a better place, better think twice. God bless ya, Hugh. Paul Lepelletier

The articles

Scranton, Pa.: Hugh Hefner, whose Playboy magazine and tales of hedonism with his bevy of Bunnies in his mansion helped fuel the sexual revolution, has passed at 91. In his honor, pipes resembling the ones he was frequently depicted puffing on shall be flown at full-staff on only the most erect of poles.

Vin Morabito

It is true

Bronx: Is it true that Hugh Hefner will be reincarnated as a harem eunuch? Joseph Fusco

Mr. Misogyny

Tulsa, Okla.: I am glad that Hefner is dead. He defiled the dignity of all women everywhere.

Lorna Sherrick

Angel of the centerfold

Hallandale Beach, Fla.: Hugh Hefner was a true American icon. He founded Playboy magazine in 1953 and worked it to craft it into a niche upscale men’s magazine, combining photos of nude women with in-depth articles, interviews, and fiction by writers and subjects including Norman Mailer, Alex Haley, Bertrand Russell and Jimmy Carter. He launched the first issue of Playboy, featuring Marilyn Monroe on the cover, with $1,000 borrowed from his mother. He also led free speech battles, fighting all the way to the Supreme Court after the post office refused to deliver his magazine. We will remember Hugh Hefner always and forever. RIP. Paul Bacon

Do unto others

Staten Island: We the people of these United States will have the best health care plan when all the politicians have the same coverage as the people. Tom DeLuca

A nation of nations

Manhattan: A quick note to help out Voicer James Reilly: California, Texas, Arizona and a few other states belonged to Mexico. That is until immigrants (illegals?) settled in those states while Mexico was busy fighting Spain and, using Manifest Destiny, stole them; which resulted in the Mexican-American War. That victory was used to put a stamp of legitimacy on their land grab; same as the Indian Wars stole lands from Native Americans. I hope that clears things up for you.

Vanessa Enger

Remember all the islands

Sunnyside: Thank you, Voicer Dorothy Matthews, for expressing the concerns of family and friends who are dismayed by the lack of news coverage on the needs of the U.S. Virgin Islands. News coverage on the needs of residents has been a drop in the bucket when compared to the mobilization efforts on Puerto Rico. St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix also need massive amounts of humanitarian aid in addition to prayers. There hasn’t been one article in the Daily News on these U.S. territories in weeks.

Janice Cyntje

Lead already

Bayonne, N.J.: The Jones Act was waived so ships with supplies can now come to Puerto Rico. But all those supplies are sitting in warehouses across the nation and at the docks in Puerto Rico, going to rot. President Trump needs to send the entire Atlantic Fleet to the island with troops to restore power and deliver the supplies and rebuild the roads to bring the island nation back to life. He needs to step up and do the right thing before it’s too late.

Joseph Donnelly

A bridge too far

Brooklyn: I’m truly disgusted that the demolition of the old Kosciuszko Bridge was done on a Sunday, the Catholic/Christian day of worship. Why wasn’t it done on a Saturday? Oh, we all know why, don’t we! Then do it on a weekday! Another reason I hate New York. And yes, Daily News, I know you won’t print this. Cathy Sheehan-Wilson

Our hero

Brooklyn: As an American, an Hispanic and a veteran, mere words cannot express how happy and proud I feel. God bless Pittsburgh Steeler Alejandro Villanueva for having the guts to do the right thing by standing up with his right hand over his heart during the playing of our National Anthem. Villanueva is a real life American hero who was captain in the Army Rangers. He served three tours of duty in Afghanistan, and was decorated with a Bronze Star for valor. President Trump should give him the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the SOBs who disrespect my country and my flag should take a lesson from Villanueva. Daniel Colón

A zero

North Arlington, N.J.: Voicer Lew Friedman writes that Colin Kaepernick will eventually be recognized as an American hero. When attendance is down, as well as viewership, and people stop buying anything with the NFL logo, owners will be forced to take millions less in their TV deals. Come contract time, in retrospect I don’t think the players will think it was a very smart move to back a man who disrespected the flag, and wore socks with police officers depicted as pigs.

Armand Rose

Problem solved

New Hyde Park, L.I.: Here are some steps to stem the gun problem in this country: There should be no assault rifles, except for the military or specialized police units like SWAT teams. All gun owners should register their guns with a DMV-like bureau and take a personality test every year upon re-registration. Fail the personality test and that person would be banned from purchasing any firearm for five years.

Michael Carras

Blame game

Smithtown, L.I.: Another great job by the Editorial Board of the Daily News recognizing how to make Bronx schools safe (“Learn from this horror,” Sept. 29). As you explained, the student was stabbed by another because there was no metal detector. It’s also the fault of the school’s principal and superintendent to allow safety issues to fester. Then there are the teachers and administrators who failed to stop bullying. And naturally, it was the mayor’s fault for changing the schools’ disciplinary code. Not mentioned: the police for not stopping and frisking the young man, Amazon for selling him the knife and Donald Trump. Andrew Ross

Doomed to repeat it

GETTY Oakland, N.J.: If you watched Ken Burns’ incredible documentary on Vietnam, you now understand how Richard Nixon stole the 1968 election from Hubert Humphrey by sabotaging the Vietnam peace talks. This is not an opinion; it’s a fact. So to all those knuckleheads who say there’s no evidence that our so-called President colluded with the Russians to steal the most recent election, give it time. On another note, why was Trump holding a campaign rally in Alabama? Doesn’t he realize the election is over? Or was he just desperate for some positive feedback from anyone other than the Fox News Channel?

Bob Shwalb