More than a few good men here

Cleveland: To all males living in this country I issue a collective statement: Enough already! Who are you to impose your sexual desires on someone when they did not give you their consent? Once again we are witnessing those in authority positions taking advantage of the situation. Resignation is the least you can do. Prosecution is the best we can do . . . and we will. What did you expect to gain from making sexual advances on a human being? If this isn’t an indication of the failure to grow up I don’t know what is. Those men who have perpetrated this transgression must seek counseling before they destroy more lives executing their perverted conquest. Otherwise, time spent in prison will allow them to dwell on their evil actions while trying to survive an environment which is the closest equivalent to hell on earth.

Perhaps I had the advantage of growing up with four sisters in my family which some say predisposes males to be kinder to females throughout their lives. Frankly, I remember times when I was embarrassed about making incidental contact with a female followed by an immediate apology.

Ladies of America please, be assured that the actions of a few do not represent the feelings and beliefs of the many. You are our mothers, sisters, daughters, cousins etc. who compose one equal half of the species we call the human race.

For that matter, do not despair because the true honest and gentlemen of this country know better than to act inappropriately in your company. We will always cherish your beauty, charm and, most importantly, your intelligence.

Now help us to drive this dreadful scourge from the planet once and for all. It is up to all of us. Let us begin. Joe Bialek

The offense defense

Bronx: If Abel Cedeno, the 18-year-old who stabbed 15year-old Matthew McCree to death, is acquitted because of alleged verbal bullying, I need to reconsidered my own response to a bullying incident. When I was 16 and walking through Pearl River, N.Y., a little white boy who looked to be about 4 years old appeared at a door and called me the n-word. At the time, I simply walked on, but now that I know that murder is a justifiable option.

Dickie Bhee

Belmont Breeding ground

Staten Island: I was delighted to see the Islanders-to-Belmont Park project was approved. I would also be delighted if the Breeders Cup could return to Belmont in 2019. These year-end championship races have not been held in New York State since 2005, when the event was run at Belmont before political considerations apparently reared their always-ugly heads. Since then, the Breeders Cup has been staged at Santa Anita Park six times, at Churchill Downs three times, at Del Mar once, at Keeneland once and at Monmouth Park once (in a rainstorm to rival any calamity depicted in the Old Testament). Next year, the extravaganza returns to Churchill. A decision on the 2019 site has not been announced. Perhaps Gov. Cuomo could pull some wires and make the return happen to what is indisputably the biggest and most beautiful racing setting in the nation. Robert W. Raimonto

Frank talk on Franken

Manhattan: What Al Franken did was wrong, and he’s a hypocrite, but he should not resign from the Senate. There’s a difference between bad behavior and criminal conduct, and Franken is only guilty of the former. Seems like total public humiliation is a punishment befitting his mistakes. He has apologized, and if the people don’t accept his apology they can say so in the voting booth. Much the same is true for Louis C.K. He never forced himself on anyone and always asked permission before he did anything creepy. If he were a teacher I could understand him being blacklisted. But he’s a comedian! On one end of the #metoo spectrum is Harvey Weinstein, who deserves both ostracism and prosecution, on the other end are people like Al Franken and Louis C.K., who just need to change their behavior.

Gary Taustine

Bitter temptations

Brooklyn: To Voicer Bob Manning . . . agreed. I worked as a talent agent in the early ’80s, and I had a plethora of lovely young ladies and more than a few handsome young men hoping to unlock the magic door to fame and fortune and more than willing to do “anything” to snag the key. I was quite happily married at the time, so never bit, but if I had, I probably would be getting dragged out by my ankles today.

Luis A. Colón Tucson: Re “Pennsylvania couple who gifted daughters as ‘sex slaves’ to cult-like figure sentenced to up to 7 years in prison” (July 20): I wish the community would see and feel responsible for what goes on around them. When a child or anyone else is being victimized, it’s up to you to do the right thing speak out. Tell and keep telling until something is done to restore safety for the victims of crime. Not every criminal has a ski mask on and not every predator is so obvious as to be outwardly menacing. Sometimes, they are your well-liked neighbors or well-loved pastors. If you do not step in when you see something wrong, you are just as responsible as the person committing the crime next time that victim is abused or another victim is abused. God gave us a brain and a conscience for a reason. Use it.

Leslie Williford

Sneak attack

Flushing: If the tax bill becomes law, it will be the Trojan horse that ends entitlement programs. America’s fiscal budget is already burdened with trillions of dollars in deficit spending. Adding this deficit dinosaur of a tax bill will break the bank. Unfortunately, we can’t continue to have a deficit, so they definitely won’t cut defense, but most surely all of the entitlement programs will be cut to the bare bone. The tax bill emptied out the federal treasury, leaving no money for people. The rich now will say “Let them eat cake.” Josephine Tsatsakos

Involve the families

Glen Cove, L.I.: Has anyone ever thought about the families that lost someone over this opioid crisis? Why is everyone focusing on the big pharmaceutical companies and not the families that actually lost someone to an overdose? This does not seem right or fair in the least. We lost. Why are counties suing and we are not part of those lawsuits?

Claudia Marra

Less politics, more God

Stapleton, Ala.: Here in Alabama and we have been raised on football and basketball and these two young men have been almost worshipped in our home (“Magic Johnson gets political at end of Kobe Bryant speech,” Dec. 19) . They were blessed with a great talent to handle a ball and people and make a good living doing what they loved. Our country has supported them by buying tickets and t-shirts, and we have never drawn a racial line in the sand then or now. These boys are Americans and should be proud to stand by our President and support our country if for nothing else the great living and freedom it has given them. What has happened to us? God bless America, we need to bring our children back and bring God back, and maybe things like this will be a little simpler. Diann Quinley JASON CONNOLLY/AFP/GETTY IMAGES

Raising hell on taxes

Bronx: In response to the Republican tax cuts I suggest New York, New Jersey and California respond by raising the state tax rate for national and multi-national corporations by half the cut they are receiving and apply all of that revenue to reducing state and local income taxes. This will have a minimal effect on those corporations but would make a significant difference here. It also would benefit them by making these areas more affordable for their employees. If those companies threaten to leave, let them lose two of the largest markets in the country. David Fisher

Social insecurity

New Milford, N.J.: Again senior citizens are being disrespected. Even with the small increase in Social Security benefits, after taking out deduction for Medicare medical benefits, I ended up with a $7 increase and my husband ended up with nothing. What a joke. We don’t matter at all. Malina Newman

Chew on this

Ponder, Tex.: Re “Serena Williams asks for teething advice to help teething 3-month-old daughter: I’ve raised two children and I would give a chicken bone from the leg so they could not bite it but rub and gnaw on it. Rub oral gel to numb the gums — it helps. My daughter was hell at that age, LOL. Good luck and God bless you and your family on your new journey. Frances Sharp