Pensioners need oil & gas stock

Washington: A recent Op-Ed fails to note the many reasons New York City’s pension system has not — and should not — divest from oil and natural gas companies (“Pension funds, sell your oil & gas stock,” Dec. 4). New York’s leaders recognize why divestment is a bad choice for beneficiaries who rely on stable returns from their pension. As the state controller has stated, “my fiduciary duty requires me to focus on the long-term value of the Fund. To achieve that objective the Fund works to maximize returns and minimize risks.

“Key to accomplishing this objective is diversifying the Fund’s investments across sectors and asset classes — including the energy sector, where fossil fuels continue to play an integral role in powering the world’s electricity generators, industry, transportation and infrastructure.”

New York First Deputy Controller Pete Grannis also spoke against divestment last year, noting that it does nothing more than merely transfer shares from one owner to another. Even New York City Controller Scott Stringer — a politician who has been outspoken against energy development — has opted for a strategy of engagement over expanding divestment.

Academic reports find divestment could mean substantial loses for the funds — funds that retirees rely upon for secure futures. One report by a professor at the University of Chicago Law School that we commissioned found that if New York City’s five pensions divested they would lose up to $120 million annually, and more than $1 trillion over the next 50 years. These are unnecessary costs New Yorkers cannot afford.

Divestment does nothing to impact the environment or targeted companies, but it stands to carry a very real impact on pensioners. Anyone promoting this agenda should think long and hard before pushing for this costly, ineffective strategy. Jeff Eshelman Senior vice president, Independent Petroleum Association of America

What a waste

Forest Hills: How much is it going to cost the American taxpayer to move the embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem? Craig Bockhorn

It’s an idea

Manhattan: Why not move the United Nations to Jerusalem, and truly make it an international city with all the responsibilities thereof? By its very nature, Jerusalem is an international city already. Then take the UN property here and use it for our own problems. Tim Quilter

America vs. the world

Penticton, B.C.: Has the United States of America become the greatest danger to world peace?

Joe Schwarz

Right move, right time

San Francisco: Jerusalem has been Israel’s capital since Dec. 5, 1949. Israel’s Knesset, prime minister’s and president’s residences and supreme court are all located there. No serious peace plan envisions Israel ceasing to have its capital there. The Palestinian claim that the U.S. recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital will upend peace efforts is merely a pretext for launching yet another terror war targeting Israeli civilians, much as the Palestinians did in 2000 after Israel offered the Palestinians a state born in peace with a capital in Jerusalem and the Palestinians violently rejected it. If we continue to refuse to recognize the fact that Jerusalem is Israel’s capital merely because we fear the Palestinians will react with yet more violence, then we are the ones who are not serious about peace.

Stephen A. Silver

Shame, shame, shame

Hicksville, L.I.: I don’t drink coffee, but if I did I would have spit it out! On Dec. 7, how dare you wait until page 20 to talk about the date which will live in infamy? Kevin Abberton

Crossing another line

Staten Island: Just saw a picture of Roy Moore in the paper. His flag lapel pin has a cross attached to it. Newsflash, pervert: The United States is not a theocracy. There is a separation between the church and state. Everyone is entitled to worship the way they choose. That pin seems to insinuate that we are a Christian country. We are not. Henry Zimring

Put up your dukes

Hollis: There’s a new weapon that women are using: accusations of sexual harassment or abuse. I am shocked to hear about WNYC and NPR radio personalities Leonard Lopate and Jonathan Schwartz. What did these men actually say or do to the women in all these cases? And why do women sometimes wait years to make a complaint? And what about athletes? There have been plenty of one-night stands or short-lived relationships, and nothing is heard. I’m a former professional pugilist; they might just be coming after me! But I’m ready! Ali-Abdul Perez

You’re no better than us

Conover, N.C.: I was born and raised in New York and lived for years in New Jersey. So I chuckle when I read criticism from residents of those states suggesting that Roy Moore is unfit for the Senate. The voters of these two states have elected governors who have been embroiled in sex scandals; congressmen who have been convicted of sexting offenses; senators who have been tried and even convicted of bribery. Correct your own deficiencies before telling voters in the rest of the country how to vote.

Tom Masselli

Damn the Dems

Oceanside, L.I.: I am totally sick of reading so many Voicer letters blasting the President and the Republicans for whatever they do or what they don’t do. Do you people on the left ever look at the fact that your Democratic representatives and senators are a bunch of monolithic sheep, who vote 100% against everything proposed, and then scream along with their media cheerleaders about the lack of bipartisanship on the Republican side? Apparently bipartisanship to the Democrats is when the opposing party comes across the aisle to support them. Steve Feuer

Make up your minds

Manhattan: I find it humorous that for months, President Trump has called the Russian “thing” a made-up media- and Democratcreated hoax. Now his lawyers argue that he did nothing illegal because collusion isn’t a crime. Which side of the razor are they on? Are they finally admitting he lied about it being a hoax?

Tedd Merritt

A dream before Christmas

Woodside: Thank you so much, Daily News, for the early Christmas gift! I was one of your lucky prize winners for the performance of “The Nightmare Before Christmas” live in concert. I took my fiancé and we both loved it. I am so happy we got to see such a wonderful performance. It was also our first time at the Barclays Center, too. How awesome it was to see an orchestra and the actors live and in person doing the voices and making the movie come alive. Thank you so much!

Debra Morochnick

Save Roland I

Snellville, Ga.: I am very upset to hear that TV One is cancelling the Roland Martin’s show — I watch him every day. This is where I get my politics from regarding the black community. I watch other politics channels only after I’m done watching Martin. If his show is cancelled, I will no longer support TV One at all. I’m truly, truly hurt by this! Linda Binn

Save Roland II

Nashville: I’m really angry and disappointed that Roland Martin’s show is being cancelled. All communities, especially the black and Latino communities, need this show. Where else will we get the news about us? The other news outlets are only focused on the disaster in the White House.

Senna Palmer

Neither snow nor rain

Garwood, N.J.: I would like to take the time to thank you for my paper carrier. To Michael Alcantara in Edison, thank you for the best service in town. The paper is there in the wee hours every day. I don’t expect you to deliver in a blizzard or ice storm. I will remember you at Christmas time.

Joan Tully

House of cards

Bronx: So our governor signs off on a $500 million-plus contract to replace the MetroCard. Does anyone who has ever ridden the subway really think that the problem is the way we pay? Shame on Gov. Cuomo and whoever else is responsible.

Elise Wexler

Worse than sub-par

AP Forest Hills: I’m writing to voice my dismay at the MTA for its shoddy, miserable service on the E train on Wednesday night. At around 11:40 p.m., I had boarded the train at 42nd St. with my friend and was subjected to infuriating delays on the way to Forest Hills-71st Ave. The ride, which normally would have taken only 25 minutes, took over an hour to reach our destination. What can be done about this terrible service without declaring a strike against the lackluster agency? Ron Gersh