Andrew Jackson, a Democratic force
Manhattan: In this modern age, there is no excuse for getting basic historical facts wrong, as occurred in your editorial supporting a portrait change on the $20 bill (“Insulting Harriet,” editorial, May 22).
It states Andrew Jackson “ordered the slaughter of thousands of Native Americans.” This simply isn’t so. Jackson, widely acknowledged as the founder of the modern Democratic Party, was a towering figure during the first half of the 19th century — “The Age of Jackson.”
He sincerely believed that whites and Amerindians couldn’t live together. That to do so would mean the end of the Indians as a people. Against much opposition, Jackson pushed through and signed the “Indian Removal Act” of 1830, which forced the various tribes to move west of the Mississippi River.
This was wrong, then and now, but his objective was to move, not to kill. Tragically, thousands died on The Trail of Tears, and Jackson (and his successor, Martin Van Buren) certainly bear some responsibility for that. But it was an unforeseen consequence, not the purpose of the law. It’s like blaming the “true believers” who imposed Prohibition on the country in 1919 for all the ensuing gangster activity during the next two decades. Bad laws often have unanticipated consequences — as do inaccurate editorials! Paul Weiss
Shopping spree
Copiague, L.I.: Watching HUD Secretary Ben Carson during his congressional hearing the other day not answering if he would “would want his grandmother to live in a NYCHA apartment,” and learning that he is now under scrutiny for spending $31,000 for a brand new dining room set and a new dishwasher for his government office reminds me of the old days’ during my career in NYCHA. Then-NYCHA Chairwoman Laura Blackburne spent government funds on a pink leather sofa, and new pink blinds for her office windows. Government’s flagrant abuse of taxpayer money is bad! When I, as deputy director of NYCHA’s Energy Department, wanted to order pens and pencils, I had to “justify the need.” So, using HUD’s and NYCHA’s protocol, I guess pink sofas and dining room sets are more important than pens and pencils! Carl J. C.-Hafner
Book club
Brooklyn: What I’m reading now? “Howard Stern Comes Again.” As a lifelong fan, I suggest anyone who doesn’t know Howard pick up his book. Remember I told you so. Congratulations, Howard, on another success. The one and only King of All Media, we speak your name. Mariann Tepedino
Black and white
Cold Spring, N.Y.: Voicer Cassandra Murray’s letter about her mother’s death from a back-alley abortion makes a powerful case for the pro-choice cause. At the same time, the last two lines, “I love you Margaret, even if I don’t know you. Thank you for having me,” can be seen as a powerful message for the pro-life cause. I am a man and will never have to make this Sophie’s Choice. The point I’m trying to make is that, taking religion out of it, this is still a moral issue with no obvious solution. You can’t be a little pregnant. You can’t abort a fetus without terminating a potential life. I think every woman has the right to choose but I also think that every moral society has the obligation to question the morality of abortion. I have known a few women who have had abortions and none of them took it lightly. It’s a terrible position to be in with no right answer. We, as a society, need to look at it with compassion and not constant confrontation. There may not be a way to compromise here but, if there is, we will never find it by yelling at each other. Joe Stropoli
Lawless on Penn. Ave.
Jamaica: Nobody in Trump’s administration is following the law. That means Trump is above the law and he can do anything. That means he is not working for “We the People.” No one is suppose to be above the law. This is how a dictatorship starts. We are slowly going towards an authoritarian rule for the United States of America. Truly sad! Charlene Black
Blame the right
Lake Worth, Fla.: Voicer Jimmy Durda’s says that if we Democrats have proof that Drumpf is covering up or violated something that could call for his removal from office, we should produce it. What does he think all of the subpoenas are all about? It is Drumpf ’s refusal to let anyone testify and the backing of the DOJ to refuse to release the full Mueller report that is causing this. If he isn’t guilty of obstruction, then he should welcome the chance to prove it. Anyone who has read the unredacted Mueller report has said that there was obstruction, and Mueller stated he wanted the Congress to deal with it. It is not the Democrats that are delaying this, it is Drumpf and his sycophants. Judith Levine
Free markets work
Durango, Colo.: Economists tell us there are two approaches to dealing with our climate crisis: regulation, or free market forces. A third approach, to ignore the issue is not a responsible option, morally or economically. Regulation, like “The Clean Air Act,” is unpopular with conservatives. It has a low chance of achieving bipartisan legislative support in our current political climate. Taxpayers have to carry the financial burden of the damages from wildfires, droughts, floods, and sea-level rise. Emitting greenhouse gas into the atmosphere should not be free. Economists overwhelmingly tell us the fastest, easiest and most efficient way to reduce our carbon emissions is to place a fee on carbon pollution. The Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act (HR763) will bring climate change under control, while unleashing American technology innovation and ingenuity. It will incentivize low carbon choices across residential, business, and industrial sectors. We can capitalize on the strength of our free market to deliver the goods — a livable world for all. Susan Atkinson
Proper prior planning
Little Neck: “Segregation,” “backlash,” “near-total exclusion of black and Latino students,” etc., are all inflammatory words which serve to hide the reality that an entrance test is given for the specialized high schools, which are open to all students citywide. Those who make the cut-off get in, and those who don’t, do not get in. What is the problem with expecting black and Latino students to do the same hard work of studying for the advanced level of reading and math required on the test and in the specialized high schools? I propose that with attention, encouragement, test preparation and hard work, many more black and Latino students will pass the test. Let the Department of Education identify those very bright students, and give them the test preparation they deserve. Reena Fettner
Brainwashed
Tobyhanna, Pa.: To Voicer Stan Rosenson: You don’t understand the Facebook, Instagram and Twitter definition of hate speech. It’s anything Mark (Adolf?) Zuckerberg disagrees with. If someone is opposed to abortion, gay marriage, transgenderism, illegal immigration, drug use, the Green New Deal, or whatever trendy cause the left is worshipping this week, you’re guilty of hate speech. Remember: To the Zuckerbergs of the world, thinking for yourself is not allowed. You’ve got to fall into line. Joseph Matarazzo