Tips for Columbus’ inquisitors

Brooklyn: Now that New York City’s mayor, not mine (aka Warren Wilhelm Jr.) has appointed a statue-review commission, I hope that these inquisitors know history. Christopher “Columbo” was one person. He received three caravels from Queen Isabella, who also gave him all the prisoners accused for murder, rape, theft, etc., promising them freedom if they came back alive.

The crew was ready to kill him if they didn’t find land in a few days. Thank God they did find it. Also, the inquisitors — mayor included and all the organizations against Columbo — have to read the story of other injustices committed before and after Columbo dulcis in fundo who brought the people from Africa to this continent and sold them as slaves for a big profit.

A few years ago, when art and historical objects were destroyed in Iraq, Egypt and other nations in the region, we called the perpetrators barbarians. What will we have to call those destroyers today willing to eradicate history bringing down statues? Some radicals are even against Martin Luther King Jr., who was an extremely peaceful person. I would also like to know if those radicals are raising money for the mayor’s re-election and how much. Leonardo Timpone

Erasing history

Staten Island: Voicer Carol Romeo, were you sitting next to me discussing this nonsense? We are in total agreement. Let’s just erase all history before 2000. This is a case of throwing the baby out with the bathwater. Remember Columbus’ main goal was proving the world was round. This made him a heretic and target of the Inquisition in Italy and then in Spain. Also, to our elected officials and a certain entertainer, Africans were brought to Europe by the Portuguese in 1441. That was 50 years before Columbus set sail west and did not fall off the end of the Earth. Henry Zimring

Ditka was right

Los Angeles: Spot on (“Ditka’s anthem of ignorance,” Oct. 11). Almost perfect. Maybe 100 years is too long a time frame, but certainly for the past 30 and maybe 50 years. Fifty years ago, people like me were very supportive of all of the reforms done to bring civil rights to the forefront. It’s been done. People have to join the system, which is what the civil rights movement was all about in the first place. It was not to recognize people as different … black, white, Hispanic, etc. That was the battle. Integrate into the system. If you don’t want to do that, tough: There are consequences. The fact that there are still bigots and anti-Semites and neo-Nazis and generally anti-social bad actors is an irrelevant sideshow. That’s just an excuse. Those people will always be around. Get over it. Get with the program. Good for Ditka. Dale Leshaw

Fruitless foolishness

Gonzales, La.: Stop this insanity, please (“Rookie firefighter fired for gifting mostly black station with watermelon,” Oct. 9)! I am so tired of all the whiners out there. Time to put on the big boy boxers and the big girl panties and stop being so freakin’ sensitive. Do you realize there are little children dying of cancer out there — and you’re being sensitive about a watermelon! I think you can handle a nice gesture — be it watermelon, fried chicken, etc. What kind of world am I leaving to my grandchildren? If you have time on your hands, put it to good use. Take an elderly neighbor to a doctor’s appointment or to the grocery store, or just out for coffee. Volunteer at a hospital, spend a few hours visiting veterans, box up groceries at your local food bank or go down to your local animal shelter and take a few dogs for a nice walk. We need to get back to some good old fashioned values.

Helen W. Fernandez

Get it fixed right away

Brooklyn: I am a 17-year-old girl who has been suffering with scoliosis and back pain every day for the last five years of my life. However, there are doctors who perform miracles every day. Three months ago, Dr. Lonner in Manhattan performed my scoliosis surgery. I didn’t believe miracles could happen until that surgery was done. My biggest regret was waiting for five years to agree to the operation. If you suffer with pain in your life and do not want to live with it anymore, make the correct decision; don’t wait to take action.

Anastasia Manchenko

Will white people hear?

Weehawken: I wish to thank Carron Phillips for his courage in speaking the absolute truth that white people do not want to hear nor deal with (“The unfortunate consequences of kneeling for the national anthem,” column, Oct. 12). Black people aren’t going to disappear from this country to make life easier. So, listen to the reasons and acknowledge there is a big, deadly problem of racism against blacks that leads to a disproportionate number of incidents of police brutality. Wake up and see that every system in this country is weighted against people of color. Then decide if you want to continue burying your heads in the sand, or continuing fruitless attacks.

Sandra McKenzie

For anthem and country?

Middle Village: Let me state that people should stand for the playing of the national anthem. But how many of those making so much noise about it will be standing in line to join the armed forces if we go to war? John Puglese

Abuse cliffhanger

Elmont, L.I.: Again, you left us hanging (“City correction officer arrested for abandoning young kids and dog,” Oct. 9). Reporting the neglect and abuse of two children and a poor, little dog without telling us the outcome is not good enough. Did the kids get taken out of there? Did the dog get put back in that cage to continue starving to death? Please. We want to know. Follow up!

Katie Ratigan

Hollywood frauds

Pearl River, N.Y.: To all the fake Hollywood stars coming out against Harvey Weinstein: It’s obvious these phony A-list celebrities who care so much about women’s rights knew of these atrocities for decades yet never came forward. Nearly every celebrity now accusing him of these horrible acts has taken pictures with him smiling as if nothing happened. Their celebrity status is more important than a woman getting abused. If they had come forward years ago, even after they got famous and became untouchable by him, maybe many victims would have been spared. Now I’m sure they will come out saying they feel guilty for not saying something sooner. Phonies. Gerard Mormile

Dumb disrespect

Granville, Ohio: Re: “Just how dumb Donald Trump is,” Op-Ed, Oct. 12: Shame on you for writing such an article describing our commander in chief and leader as dumb. He wasn’t my first choice, but he is our President. Headlines and articles like this make our country look weak and divided. Why don’t you write about the the good things like the economy booming, stock market on the rise and the unemployment at its lowest in 16 years? Stop contributing to the hate in this country.

Gina Erickson

Fishing compassion

Tuckahoe, N.Y.: So Rachel Maddow “loves to fish” in her spare time. Kind of odd that someone who champions equal rights and speaking up for the underdog, chooses killing animals for fun when she wants to relax. Fish are sentient, intelligent and sociable; try being tricked into biting down on a sharp hook,

Water wishes

CRAIG RUTTLE/AP then yanked out and suffocated; how do you think that feels? The fish were enjoying their lives before you got there, Rachel. Have some compassion for other living, helpless beings. Fishing hurts the fish. Especially as a gay woman who has known the horror of oppression, why harm others? Choose a pastime where no one suffers, where everyone goes home alive. Kiley Blackman Brooklyn: I can’t believe that having been a NYCHA tenant for years, we have to beg for water. Water to wash, water to cook with and water to cleanse with so we can go to temple to pray on a high holy day. This is a shame; people of Sheepshead and Nostrand Houses cannot get enough respect to have water for everyone. I am past upset.

Francine Herskovitz

Vance’s decisions

Kew Gardens Hills: Re your “Trump family values” editorial (Oct. 5): Cy Vance’s failure to prosecute Donald Trump’s kids isn’t his only disgrace. The Manhattan DA’s office paid psychiatrist Michael Welner $536,940 of taxpayers’ money to testify as an expert witness in two trials of Etan Patz’s killer and gained notoriety in his field by creating a “depravity standard” index to measure how evil a crime is. What’s really depraved is paying this forensic fraud $700 an hour. Whoever approved these payments needs a psychiatrist — and not Dr. Welner. Richard Reif