Save U.S. cultural arts funding

Brooklyn: Communities across America, including our own, have a stake in the arts. According to Americans for the Arts, 4.8 million Americans go to work in arts and culture industries. Additionally, the arts generate $22.3 billion in federal, state and local government revenue. The major driver of arts initiatives across the country is the National Endowment for the Arts. The NEA is the independent federal agency whose funding and support gives Americans the opportunity to participate in the arts.

In 2016 alone, the NEA recommended more than 2,400 grants in nearly 16,000 communities in every congressional district in the country. What’s more, 40% of NEA-supported activities take place in high-poverty neighborhoods. 36% of NEA grants go to organizations that reach underserved populations such as people with disabilities, people in institutions, and veterans. The NEA has been able to do all these things and more on a meager budget of $148 million.

President Trump’s proposed budget for FY 2018 called for an elimination of the NEA, among other cultural agencies like the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Please don’t believe those dusty, old arguments that eliminating these cultural agencies would reduce the deficit or the size of government. We simply cannot afford to cut back on our federal investment in the arts and culture in this country. Stephen Danziger

Waste of a mother

Rockaway Park: Uh, Administration for Children’s Services, where are you (“Baby covered in human waste, ma held,” Feb. 23)? This so called “mother” has a history of abuse and neglect stemming from 2014 to present. Why does she have children in her custody? Are you joking? Why is she permitted to have innocent children where she lives? Mr. Mayor? Or is everyone waiting for the usual — “Baby killed by parent who had history of abuse and neglect”? Thank God someone had the heart and care for this baby to call and report her. Please put these babies with human beings who will care for and love them. That sick person should never be allowed to be around children for the rest of her life. Do something, ACS and Mr. Mayor! Connie Scalice

Malcolm’s Mecca redemption

Brooklyn: I have also read “The Autobiography of Malcolm X.” Malcolm left the Nation of Islam because when he was in Mecca, he saw Muslims from many different races. They included “blue-eyed Muslims”! That experience changed his mindset.

Dorothy L. Kendle

Missing the medaling

Beaverton, Ore.: I would like to comment on the lack of medal ceremonies being aired during the 2018 winter Olympic Games. Such a disappointment for the viewers, or am the only one? I have been scheduling my life around watching the games. However the competition is not the only important part — watching the athletes from all countries being recognized for their years of training and hard work is also a very important part of the games.

Ellen Lacey

Gunning for our schools

Brooklyn: I don’t get it (“We are here to teach life, not take one,” Feb. 23). The solution is to arm teachers? Shooters use semi-automatic weapons of war. So we arm our teachers with the same weapons. Then what? We become like the Wild West and the OK Corral? With our children in the crossfire. Are you kidding me? What is wrong with our politicians? Nobody wants to repeal the Second Amendment. What we want is weapons of war banned for general use. They belong to the military. Why do you think banning these weapons is punishing law-abiding citizens? Do these citizens need automatic rifles to protect their families from invading armies that our military can’t protect us from? Let’s approach this with common sense. Andrea Allen

Newest lesson plan

Monroe Township, N.J.: I could just see this scenario between mother and child getting ready for school: Mother asks child, “So what do you have planned for today?” Child answers: “We have library this morning and I am looking forward to it — except if there is a person that comes into the school with an automatic, we will have a shootout first and get the bad guy.” How sad.

Charlotte Dinowitz

All in the Trump Family

Brooklyn: When Donnie said he thinks it’s a good idea to put guns in teachers’ hands, it brings something to mind. Archie Bunker’s solution to stop hijackings — “arm all your passengers.” And this is coming from someone who is “really, really smart.”

Jeffrey P. Smith

Shooters party registration

Bronx: New York State GOP Rep. Claudia Tenney claims that “. . . so many of these people that commit the mass murders end up being Democrats” ( “Mass Murderers? Mostly Dems: Pol,” Feb. 23). I did some research and found out that Tenney got paid the second largest amount of money in New York State from, who else? The NRA. Is it just a coincidence that she thinks that all mass murderers are Democrats? Or is she getting paid to say that by the NRA idiots? We can only hope that the smart folks in the 22nd congressional district will vote her out of office in November. It’s a start. Sally Small

Constitutional scare tactics

Laguna Beach, Calif.: In no uncertain terms, President Trump warned the CPAC attendees on Friday that if Democrats win in November, they will repeal the Second Amendment. Don’t be fooled. This is fake news. I am a lifelong Democrat who has worked on Capitol Hill and at the Democratic National Committee. Beginning in 1972, I started writing about both ends of Pennsylvania Ave. To date, more than 1,200 of my letters to the editor and commentaries have been published coast to coast. Despite all the gun violence in this country, I have never once advocated repealing the Second Amendment. Where does the President come up with this stuff?

Denny Freidenrich

Tale of two Presidents

Ossining, N.Y.: Voicer Richard Hecht wondered if people “ripped” President Obama after Sandy Hook the way they criticize Trump and suggested Obama did nothing in response to that massacre. When that occurred Republicans controlled Congress and repeatedly defeated any attempts at gun legislation. In response, Obama issued 13 executive orders focused on gun violence. As for Hecht’s reference to when Democrats briefly controlled Congress, do remember Obama was handed a collapsing economy, two badly managed wars and a broken health care system, all of which he addressed.

Robert Rundbaken

A cross word for The News

Thiels, N.Y.: Like Voicer John Bellington, I too remember when this newspaper was more than just crossword puzzles, but, as he put it “an actual newspaper.” I continue to purchase the Daily News, not for the content, but for the two crossword puzzles that appear in the paper. I hope that the puzzles do not get reduced to sensationalist gossip and innuendo, or else I will have no choice but seek other newspaper options. It would be nice if the Daily News could go back to being a paper that presented “just the facts.” Jane R. Shulein

Graham’s words

Cliffside Park, N.J.: If the numerous messages preached by Billy Graham are listened to, it would be explicitly obvious that the messages were based on a foundation of faith in Jesus Christ alone (“Godspeed, Billy Graham,” editorial, Feb. 22). But that message is probably too narrow for many people. Then again if the writer takes the time to actually read the Bible it could clearly be found in Matthew 7:13: “narrow is the gate that leads to life.” This wonderful, powerful message has never changed and its truth will never change with the times as the writer states when it comes to spiritual truth and grace.

Barry Scharch

Road rage tips

GETTY IMAGES Clearwater, Fla.: Road rage is getting out of control (“Chevy Chase reportedly attacked in a road rage incident,” Feb. 23). Instead of conducting ourselves in a civilized manner, Americans are no better than the barbarians who killed Moammar Khadafy in Libya. And even though Chase was cut off by the truck driver, he never should have gotten out of his vehicle. After tracking down the truck, he should have written down the license number and called 911 on his cell phone. At age 74, Chase is lucky to still be alive. JoAnn Lee Frank