A base smear on police officers
Manhattan: I am getting so sick and so tired of the hateful, divisive rhetoric being peddled by the Daily News (“We still must shout out that black lives matter,” column, April 4). I am a black man and I am also a police officer. I have been shot in the line of duty in an incident that unfolded within a matter of seconds. The way your writers — Leonard Greene in this case — are able to lump all police-involved shootings into one is truly impressive.
Greene’s article mentions Parkland shooter Nikolas Cruz, to suggest that cops easily arrest dangerous whites “without a scratch” while often killing unarmed blacks. Cruz shot and killed 17 people, ditched his guns, fled the scene and tried to blend into his local community, where he was captured by an eagled-eyed officer.
Here in Brooklyn, at least three different people believed this individual had a firearm and called police.
Put yourself in their shoes. They were responding to what they believed to be a man with a firearm. One 911 call as cops we say, eh maybe. Two calls? Okay, this sounds like something. Three calls, and we believe it’s a life-or-death situation and people are in danger.
These cops arrive and someone takes what we all know to be a shooting stance, and these officers are forced to make a split-second decision as to whether this person is going to try to end their lives or someone else’s life.
They shoot, he is killed and now they are left to deal with the ramifications, as human beings, of taking a life.
It frankly disgusts me, the race-baiting that seems to never stop emanating from this newspaper. We have to do better. You have to do better. Cops never take this job to take lives or harm people, but sometimes it happens. The moment we start believing falsely that cops “shoot first, ask questions later” is when we start believing that somehow police officers are not human. Manny Kwo
Way over the line
Roslyn Heights, L.I.: The April 3 front page was a new low for the Daily News. To refer to the President of the United States in the way you did is absolutely disgraceful (“Sex crimes boss gave cash to ‘pussy grabber’ ”) You should be ashamed of what you have become. I understand your paper is extremely left-leaning, but to use the words you used on the cover of your paper is disgusting.
Kyle Meade
How low can you go?
Cedarhurst, L.I.: I am not a prude, but the April 3 front-page headline was vulgar, obscene and insulting to your readers. The Daily News is better than that.
Mary Brescio
Human refuse
Kearny, N.J.: When small-minded pieces of garbage like Ted Nugent and Laura Ingraham attack you, you know you’re in the right. And when a death-worshipping, demented degenerate like Nugent — who fits right in on the NRA’s board of directors — starts calling you “soulless,” know that you’re on the side of the angels. People who are supposed to be adults should know better than to attack kids — kids! — who survived a shooting at their school that killed 17 of their fellow students and teachers. Should, but don’t. Blinded by greed, ideology, the power they think a gun gives them, nuts like Nugent and Ingraham (and Roseanne and Don Jr., who retweeted some nonsense attacking the kids) have lost whatever brains and morals the good Lord gave them in the first place. Go suck on your machine gun, Ted. You know you wanna.
John Woodmaska Seminole, Fla.: That was the best production of “Jesus Christ Superstar” I’ve seen. The minimal set was perfect and the singers and dancers so energetic. John Legend and the cast were perfect. I loved every minute.
Roberta Ashkenase
Trump in the pews
Wilton, N.Y.: Mike Austin offers many insightful and thought-provoking opinions for persons of faith as well as non-Christians (“Why good Christians must disavow Donald Trump,” Op-Ed April 1). What I find most interesting are the comparisons of Trump as a modern-day King David or Saul on the road to Damascus who becomes Paul the Apostle. Some Evangelicals believe he was chosen by God to lead the nation and to bring values back to America. If this is true, then his words and actions would demonstrate a man with a strong moral compass who believes he should respect all people and defend the rights of all Americans. What I see is a narcissist who prefers to name-call people who disagree with him and verbally attack the media who criticize him. Are these Christian values? Trump needs to reflect on what Pope Francis told him. I am sure the Pope told him to defend and promote all aspects of life. He did not tell him to demean, degrade and berate.
Tom Peyton
They knew what they got
Jamaica: For all those who feel sorry for Melania Trump, here are few things to think about. Ivana Trump was the first wife to Donald. Then you had Marla Maples, who took him away from Ivana. Then last you have Melania, who took him away from Marla. Just remember, each wife had to take care of their children alone. It’s truly sad that Donald has no good morals nor respect for women. Melania and Marla must remember: “You reap what you sow!” Charlene Black
A true lady
Bronx: To Voicer Bernadette Beauchamp: Don’t be so quick to judge. Your accusations that Melania Trump married Donald Trump “obviously for money,” and that “she knew clearly what a creep he was” are examples of how people today can be so quick to form opinions of people they do not know. Why Melania married Donald is not anyone’s business but her own. To be so biased as to say Melania is not First Lady material because of her husband’s actions is quite juvenile. After all, Jackie O., who was one of the greatest first ladies of all time, had to cope with her President husband’s infidelity and imperfections. Maybe Melania isn’t “role model” material for you, but she might be for others.
Virginia Orrico
Smoke and mirrors
Kew Gardens: It is totally unbelievable that they want to come up with a bill to stop people from smoking while they are walking. My question to Councilman Peter Koo is, why didn’t you just get away from the person and go on your way without suffering? Suppose a person is walking and smoking, but there is no one around them: Would they still get a fine? Another thing I would like to bring up is what about people who smoke pot while they are walking. Are they going to get a fine also? I see this on a daily basis. Why don’t people complain more about exhaust coming from vehicles? Buses and trucks are the worst. Which is more harmful: exhaust or cigarette smoke?
Barbara Miller
All creatures, great and small
Brooklyn: To Voicer Curtis Livingston: Humans have a choice of whether or not to perform in the circus. Animals, or what you call critters, do not. They are made to perform in unnatural and often painful poses and movements. Most often, they are abused and neglected. They don’t have a voice, so we are their voice. Please educate yourself on these practices before accusing others of being bullies. Oh, and please don’t try to make it a racism issue, animal activism has no color. Susan A. Cassano
The robots in the mirror
Ronkonkoma, L.I.: S.E. Cupp says “Sinclair’s journalists must stand up and say ‘enough,’ ” (Op-Ed, April 3). Really? And ABC, NBC, CBS, MSNBC, CNN, NPR, the Daily News, the Washington Post and others don’t just repeat progressive talking points? Your paper has become a joke. Demetrios Carris
Make TV great again
Oakland Gardens: The President has taken credit for the new “Roseanne” show, saying: “It’s all about us!” I wonder if we watched the same show, because the episode had Darlene returning home because she lost her job, Becky renting her womb so that she could pay bills, buy a car and put a deposit on a house, and a grandson who likes to wear feminine clothes. Does he really want his administration to take credit for this?
Deborah M. Jackson
Can’t take a joke
Brooklyn: So, Gov. Cuomo made a joke about Jews not having rhythm? I remember many Jewish comedians making fun of Polish people incessantly. Fair game, I suppose. The Poles did not complain. Are we only allowed to describe Jews as geniuses and/or persecution victims? Some folks need to develop a sense of humor. Len Silver