Finding the right words for grief

Syosset, L.I.: It’s not only the words that matter, but the way in which they are conveyed, and by whom. I believe that the President did ask Gen. John Kelly what to say in his call to the families of the men killed in Niger. The general conveyed the words that had comforted him when his son was killed. And they were good words, spoken between two men who have military backgrounds, who view service in the military as a higher calling, an honorable calling.

Had a member of the military told Myeshia Johnson that her husband “knew what he was getting into,” it would have been received in a different spirit. I can imagine though, that hearing those words spoken by Trump, someone who has never known the meaning of the words service and sacrifice, they must have sounded very glib and dismissive.

The words and the subsequent storm surrounding them have only served to cause the family of Sgt. La David Johnson more grief. Perhaps the President should forego phone calls in future and stick to letters. It might be easier to feign empathy and sincerity on paper.

Elena Andrusezko

Trump’s Gold Star exception

Bronx: I am curious as to what John Kelly thinks of Trump’s past treatment of the Gold Star family of slain Muslim Army Capt. Humayun Khan. If Kelly is going to bring up past issues in regards to the disrespect that Rep. Frederica Wilson has insisted occurred and which has been confirmed by the family of the widow of slain Sgt. La David Johnson, then Kelly might want to make a comment on why Trump can’t seem to relate to nonwhite families of slain military service members.

Kevin Valentine

Poignant viewpoints

Onslow, Iowa: John Kelly’s reply to President Trump is what one soldier expresses to another soldier about his soldier son’s death and is probably fitting in that context. I have heard that concept expressed, on NPR, by a soldier, saying they are professionals and know what they have signed up for. However, when speaking to a pregnant, grieving widow, you must come to her, from her point of view, a wife who has just lost her husband and the father of their family. Therefore, the congresswoman is not wrong; it was not the thing to say. We must choose our words carefully, befitting the situation and circumstance. (Also, if one is conveying condolences to a parent or a child, you do so from their viewpoint, as well.) Marilyn J. Gray Manhattan: I am sorry that the Daily News didn’t more highlight the speech given last week by President George W. Bush (“Bush upset — but not naming names,” Oct. 20). Bush’s speech was powerful and inspiring. There was implied criticism of President Trump and of others who are destroying the very fabric of this country, but he didn’t mention any names. He didn’t need to. But he did harshly condemn any form of bigotry, and destructive nationalism. I wish more attention had been paid by the media to the very important contents of the speech.

Sue Deutsch

A unified front

Melbourne, Australia: How confused is the political world when ex-President George W. Bush speaks up against the present leadership in Washington, although no names are mentioned? To condemn bigotry, white supremacy and fake news should be the cry of all politicians present and past, although it seems these concerns are not being addressed fully by the present leadership. When one of the Republican senior figures condemns the present Republicans, I am not sure whether to be pleased that it has started or saddened that it has taken so long. Maybe that “Shining City on a hill” is being relit and the fire might burn strongly enough to make changes. Dennis Fitzgerald

Contradictory lives

Monroe, N.J.: To Voicer Stew Frimer: You can turn your remarks around. Why do those who want stronger gun control find it perfectly acceptable to perform abortions? Kathleen Andvord

Fatal equation

Brooklyn: Self-driving car + hackers + terrorists = death

Marty Schatzman

Clean-up crew

Richmond, Va.: Like many that tell it like it is, my letter and many others making suggestions of how New York City can get the subways and streets cleaned up never get printed. Although I do not live in the city, I was born there, (Brooklyn, raised in the Bronx) and still have relatives there, I keep up on what’s going. My suggestion was to get those able people on welfare off their duff and put them to work cleaning up the subways and streets, pay them from money that NYC pays those phony people in office that don’t do anything on a big fat salary.

Marty Goodman

Protector detector

Bronx: A 13-year-old boy was arrested after he brought an unloaded gun into his Bronx public school just days after a student was fatally stabbed in another Bronx public school. Metal detectors should be mandatory in all schools — as they are in all courthouses and airports. What’s the problem? The delays it will cause? Being on time for class? JoLinda Celentano

Who’s paying

Yonkers: Bravo to New York State for becoming the first state to have free tuition for state and city colleges and universities for residents! However, I am an older, part-time SUNY student who must work to be able to pay rent, food, bills, electric, gas and more. Would it have been so difficult to extend the tuition break, or at least a portion of it, to us part-timers as well? I wish I could attend school full time, but I can’t. I wish I could get free tuition (or even a break), but I can’t. Where does this money come from for free tuition? The taxpayers (of which I am one)? Somehow this doesn’t seem right.

Aliza Burton

A hero’s words

Glendale: I would like to thank Jason McDowell for his service in the Iraq War and the good work his unit did (“Why one vet salutes NFL kneeling,” Op-Ed, Oct. 4). I am very disappointed in everything our current President says regarding the Iraq War. You guys are heroes. Mary Haeberle

Ignorance isn’t always bliss

Brooklyn: I find it ironic that, despite living in a democratic republic, many Americans don’t know our own representatives. Of course, we would know the President, but members of Congress and senators? I realize that we citizens should research this information on our own, but I’ve simply never been motivated enough to do so. Kids should learn this stuff in high school to prepare them to formulate their own political opinions when they reach the voting age. I feel that people pay too much attention to the controversies of our current President, and should instead devote that time to learning about our more local representatives in order to improve our country.

Sean Montfort

Curb your language

North Hollywood, Calif.: Voicer Joseph Human ended his blistering takedown of Larry David with a terse “What a piece of feces.” A little editorial advice, Joe: The Daily News adds our names to the ends of these letters. There’s no need to sign your name twice. Love ya, L.D. Glad you’re back.

James Montalbano

News, we have a problem

Staten Island: Shameful, shameful editorial even for Daily News standards (“Houston’s just a street”, Oct. 20). To malign a fine pitcher and his team is the reason why everyone detests the Yankees except their fans. The sheer arrogance of this is breathtaking.

Francine Schwartz

Drop the Mike

U.S. ARMY Afton, N.Y.: Mike Francesa cannot retire soon enough. His arrogance grows with each passing day. On Tuesday during his call-in show he repeatedly berated the listens who dared call in. The first caller didn’t agree with Mike’s opinion on a broadcaster and Francesa was quick to say, “we’re talking Yankees today; I’m not talking about this today.” It got worse from there. The next caller began by referencing the noise at Yankee Stadium for Game 3. Francesa was all ears until the caller went on saying he was watching the game with his partner. Francesa cut off the call and said, “That was going nowhere.” Where does he get the audacity? Literally thousands of people could step into his “job” and do just fine, without alienating portions of his listeners. The sports talk world, and New York, will be much better off when he’s gone. Maybe I will start listening to WFAN on a regular basis again. Good riddance. Thomas Tuttle