Cold method to Trump madness

North Bergen, N.J.: President Trump’s decision to announce his intention to move the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem was not done out of respect for Israel. Rather, it was done to reignite tensions and violence in the Middle East. An inflamed Mideast provides Trump with a much-needed distraction from the Mueller investigation and also gives him another opportunity to play commander in chief. The UN’s recent non-binding resolution condemning his decision feeds his ego by making it seem that the world is against us, when in fact they simply oppose his action. And where is his sense of fiscal responsibility?

In light of his recent tax “victory,” how can he commit hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars to this nonessential embassy move? If his actions isolate us from the rest of the world, that is his intention. If his actions cause an increase in terrorist activity, that is his intention. Further, if future elections are compromised by our continued use of electronic voting machines that are vulnerable to Russian hackers, that too is his intention. We need to recognize that there is in fact method to Trump’s madness. And time to act is running out.

Irving A. Gelb Brooklyn: This week, millions of us will make positive personal resolutions for the new year even if we too often fail to keep them. However, this New Year’s resolutions should include one that we keep, committing us not only to register to vote, but to cast our vote at every opportunity. And to help at least one other American do so as well, no matter how difficult. Prior to doing so we should study the issues that are important to us, and the candidates’ positions on them. Last year, many tens of millions of those eligible did not Lido Beach, L.I.: I think there is nothing wrong when government is blind (“A fee alone won’t curb Uber,” Op-Ed, Dec. 28). It’s a complex city, state and country we live in today. However, please explain how Uber and other ride-share companies were not required to be a part of the program that collected the additional surcharge that yellow taxis have been required to pay? It seems simple and an easy way to collect a 50-cent MTA surcharge. But the government never entertained it? Based on Uber usage, the city could potentially have collected millions of much needed revenue. Whose idea was it to pass on this? As everybody in city government and now state government seems to acknowledge, congestion is out of control. The root cause is obviously the proliferation of ride sharing app vehicles ie: Uber, Lyft etc. I believe the number of ridesharing vehicles and taxis has increased from approximately 47,000 in 2013 to 103,000 in 2017. Why has the city not regulated these vehicles as well as the number of these vehicles on the streets? That would surely improve traffic flow.Richard Manhattan: The Daily News’ exposé on the NYCHA lead paint tests opens another can of worms. After waiting for years and still waiting for years for so much as a return phone call from NYCHA, much less an apartment, I have to ask: How does a 17- or 18-year-old woman with an infant move into an apartment? What waiting list was she on? Where is the father of this child? What the hell is going on? There is something definitely wrong here. Anybody with answers? Shola Olatoye? Mayor de Blasio? San Mateo, Calif.: Thank you for publishing the article stating the case for an anti-Israel bias at Columbia (“Anti-Israel bias reigns at Columbia,” Op-Ed, Dec. 28). Please follow through and take action to start dismantling the origins of this bias, both in the Center for Palestine Studies and on your campus. It is time for anti-Israel political bias and the academic boycott of Israel to be removed from your institution; such action will then make Columbia a center for higher education again. Brooklyn: Gotta love Apple apologizing yet again, after blaming the victims for deliberately slowing down iPhones without telling customers. Hey, Apple, if this was indeed a battery problem, then why did no one’s phones get any faster when plugged in with the charger, bypassing the battery? If power corrupts, and Apple is the most powerful company in history, then it stands to reason that Apple is the most corrupt company ever. Which is exactly what all facts show us, from the huge criminal scandal of them back-dating stock options, to iPhone 4’s insane antennae-gate. (Apple blamed the victims and said none knew how to hold a phone!) Is there not one single person we pay in law enforcement ever going to enforce the laws against consumer fraud and so on? Not one? France just announced a criminal investigation, because they outlawed planned obsolescence! Where’s that phony Preet Bharara when we need him? Brooklyn: To Voicer Jean Hampsas: You must only be receiving a Social Security check for $150 to be getting only a $3 increase. As per the Social Security Administration, there is a 2% cost of living increase for 2018. So, I don’t know where you got your notice from but would like to know. Piscataway, N.J.: To Voicers Roscoe Berreta and Jane Flowers complaining about the advertising inserts in the Daily News: Really? With all the terrorism, sexual harassment, and all the uncertainty going on in this world, this is what’s annoying you? Manhattan: Re: “Giants and Eli Manning will need to decide whether to part ways,” Dec. 28): Finally, someone has the guts to say what needs to be said about Eli — he isn’t close to being elite. I’ve been a Giants fan since 1977 and the only bad thing I’ve ever said about a player was Elvis “Toast” Patterson. Eli is a good man and a AP PHOTO/EVAN VUCCI team player, but he is no longer a starting QB. He’s never been the type of quarterback who made players around him better; he was good when those around him were good. If he is not completely on board with being only a mentor, then he needs to be cut, because then he would have lost his best asset, being a “team” guy. Brimfield, Mass.: “Even so, Manning now has a track record for how he responds when told he is losing playing time. He kicks and screams and cries. Gettleman may not want to subject the new Giants coach to having to deal with Manning when he inevitably will have to bench him.” “He kicks and screams and cries”? Priceless, Gary Myers! (“Giants and Eli Manning will need to decide whether to part ways,” Dec. 28 column) is priceless. By now, Dave Gettleman has been hired. I hope he trades or releases Eli. Cranford, N.J.: I want to thank the Daily News for the pair of tickets I won to the play “Desperate Measures” at the York Theatre Company. My wife and I attended the Thursday afternoon performance and our seats were great. This was the best play we had ever seen. The show was very funny and the singing and cast were outstanding. I hope this play gets to Broadway; it certainly deserves it. My wife and I had a great time thanks to The News!