Kaep’s fiction vs. Rikers facts
Beechhurst: Colin Kaepernick’s razzle-dazzle visit to Rikers Island no doubt boosts his protest profile in his own eyes and in the eyes of those who see him as some sort of social justice warrior shaman. But many more folks see him as a social justice showman, basking in the sunshine of the “radical chic” crowd. Most Americans view his aggrieved portrait of America — a nasty, racist nation brimming with endemic police brutality — to be a perverse characterization of the land of the free and the home of the brave.
Kaepernick’s poorly disguised message to the inmates is “Hey man, it’s not your fault that you’re in jail, it’s the Man’s fault.” We’ve heard that scapegoating shibboleth before in the 1960s, and all it produces is resentment and rage. James Hyland Islandia, L.I.: Colin Kaepernick has made errors that have put Americans against him. Wearing socks calling police pigs is one example. Another mistake was clearly only taking one knee. Now it could be argued that the right knee is not as forceful as the left knee in protest.
I believe that Kaepernick — with his bronzed skin, his wooly hair, his placing Christian scriptures on his body, and his kneeling in the open air — are reminiscent of Jesus himself who brought all Christians the scriptures. I support Kaepernick in his fight for social justice.
Bring our nation’s churches, communities and police together with our youth and Kaepernick and bury the differences that keep us apart. Restore faith in humanity by working harder toward social justice. And keep the flag out of this now. Christmas is coming so pray for peace on Earth! Martin Danenberg
Get him out of there
St. Catharines, Ont.: The #metoo movement has taken down heroes (Al Franken) and horrors (Harvey Weinstein), yet Donald Trump remains in office. The President has alienated major allies, poured fuel on the flames of Middle East war and invited nuclear annihilation, sullied the fifth estate, sponsored pedophilia, and become the international icon for hatred. The supreme leader of the Free World is the Crown Prince of CrotchClutching, and the sycophants around him should be ashamed. Meanwhile, count me in for support in Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand’s presidential campaign. I am an American citizen living in the civilization called Canada.
Sharon DeMarko
What Judith Clark deserves
Manhattan: I was shocked at the denial of parole to Judy Clark. This is the woman whom the former president of the New York State Board of Parole, Robert Dennison, called “the most worthy candidate for clemency that I’ve seen in all my years as parole board commissioner and chairman.” And let’s remember: Clark’s sentence of 75 years to life had nothing to do with her secondary role in the crime. Rather, it was a reaction to her conduct during the trial. Clark refused to cooperate with legal proceedings. She stayed out of the courtroom for most of her trial, waived her right to an attorney and waived her right to appeal. The judge took this behavior to mean that she would never be rehabilitated, and gave her the maximum sentence. Meanwhile, many of the others — including the shooters — received lesser sentences, have been released or are soon eligible for parole. Is this justice? Is this fairness? Nina Klippel
Phone home
Brooklyn: So Mayor de Blasio intends to make landlords homeless by using eminent domain to take their buildings away so they can be used to house the homeless. Am I missing something here, or is the mayor missing more than just a few marbles?
Johnny T. Sollitto
Words matter
Brooklyn: It is not true that words don’t mean anything. Not true that war is peace, slavery is freedom or truth is a lie. Actions have consequences. Donald Trump is the worst morally depraved, criminally insane crackpot that ever occupied the office of President. The country will soon be completely destroyed because of his rotten stupidity. Coming very soon will be an enormous market crash, followed by the Greatest Depression of all time. Probably followed by World War III.
Harvey Stoneburner
Estate of shock
Bronx: The estate tax, which congressional Republicans are champing at the bit to abolish, applies to people who leave at least $5.49 million to their descendants (at least $10.98 million for a couple). Republican Chuck Grassley, the senior senator from Iowa, declared that it’s perfectly reasonable to repeal that tax. He told a reporter, “I think not having the estate tax recognizes the people that are investing, as opposed to those that are just spending every darn penny they have, whether it’s on booze or women or movies.” Wow! So all you millions of folks who aren't investing are using your $30,000 or $40,000 or $50,000 or $60,000 annual salary not to pay for your family’s rent or mortgage, food, clothing and many other necessities but on liquor, women or going to the movies. Where are all those millions of homeless, starving, buck naked people hiding, Sen. Grassley? Miriam Helbok
White, black, right and wrong
Rockaway Park: I am sick and tired of hearing that black lives matter only when a white person kills a black person. There were no riots or looting when Daniel Shaver was killed, because that is not what white people believe in as an answer. But we never hear black people having their poor excuses to steal, loot and damage their own communities they live in when a black person kills another black person. All lives matter. Connie Scalice
Dirty dozen
Middle Village: Let’s all go out and commit low-level crimes. Our mayor will give us $15 Dunkin’ Donuts gift cards. It would be fun to meet up over coffee to catch up!
Kim Doremus
Get smart
Rego Park: The back-to-back editorials on homelessness and congestion pricing (“Bill owns this problem,” “Get on the train, Mr. Mayor,” Dec. 13) again highlight the disconnect between housing and transportation. Gentrification, homelessness and traffic congestion are all symptoms of poorly planned development. To top it off, we give developers and major corporations billions in tax breaks and incentives to build or relocate into already crowded areas. Let’s encourage smart development that would throw off profits that could be directed toward funding mass transit, fixing our aging infrastructure and providing affordable housing. Arthur Miller
At your service
Manhattan: A recent Op-Ed stressed the importance of supporting independent small businesses “The relief NYC’s momand-pops need,” Dec. 11). I couldn’t agree more. These businesses help sustain vibrant neighborhoods and support a strong local economy. The author also called upon city government to help small business owners navigate regulations. The good news is that Mayor de Blasio and the Department of Small Business Services have made regulatory compliance a top priority. It is a key component of the mayor’s Small Business First initiative, which includes 30 recommendations to improve the way the City interacts with small business owners. One way we are helping small businesses is through free, on-site consultations. We look for common regulatory violations and explain how business owners can fix the issue. Consultations help business owners follow the rules, avoiding costly fines and penalties. Since the mayor took office in 2014, small-business fines are down 40%. If you have any feedback or if we can help your business, more information is available at nyc.gov/sbs or by calling 311. You can also send me an email at cbishop@sbs.nyc.gov.
Gregg Bishop Commissioner, NYC Dept. of
Small Business Services
The fire next time
Bronx: Good news for members of the FDNY who face future disciplinary charges: All will be forgiven. They all will get a second chance. That is according to Mayor de Blasio and Commissioner Dan Nigro. Let’s hope they keep their word and don’t just forgive sons of former commissioners. Paul Greco
Burned out
GETTY Grosse Pointe, Mich.: The U.S. Forest Service is not the final voice on saving animals. They are the ones setting “prescribed” fires without the slightest thought as to what animals inhabit the region or what season would ensure survival of infant animals. I have worked alongside he Forest Service and know firsthand that animal habitat and animal survival is not a consideration. Visit any forest that has suffered the prescribed fires and listen for birds, search the ground for insects, look for birds of prey, squirrels, chipmunks, listen for owls. I have. They are few and far between.
Linda H. Holsapple