Manhattan should be chopper-free

Manhattan: Helicopters over a densely populated area such as Manhattan pose a clear and present danger for those of us who live here. Unfortunately, when they malfunction, they drop straight down as there is no ability to “glide” to open space. I will not even mention the issue with air pollution and noise from our Downtown/Wall St. heliport, which should have been closed years ago.

The skies over Manhattan constantly buzz with helicopters carrying tourists, business people, traffic reporters, news reporters, NYPD officers and others. Crashes are not uncommon.

A crash in October 2011 in the East River killed a British woman visiting the city for her 40th birthday. Three other passengers were injured. A helicopter on a sightseeing tour of Manhattan crashed into the Hudson River in July 2007, shaking the eight people aboard but injuring no one. In June 2005, two helicopters crashed into the East River in the same week. One injured eight people, including some banking executives. The other hit the water shortly after takeoff on a sightseeing flight, injuring six tourists and the pilot. In March of 2018, there was a helicopter crash in the East River that killed all five passengers on board. The pilot later stated that he had thought of possibly making an emergency landing in Central Park — one of the densest areas of Manhattan.

Manhattan needs to be an area over which no helicopters can fly and heliports located in Manhattan need to be closed.

On the menu

Cincinnati: Joe Biden, the early leader of a raucous menagerie of variably known Democratic presidential contenders, is an avuncular pale male with center-left political bona fides second to none and a penchant for apology when his errors are discovered (“Biden can run, but he can’t Hyde,” column, June 10). As the polling leader, he suffers the slings and arrows of lesser lights so they may dim his glitter. This is par for the course. What may be problematic is that the far left often eats its own and woke revolutionaries are ravenous. Will they consume the Democratic front runner because he does not breathe the requisite progressive fire, even at the cost of cannibalizing the party in order to maintain ideological purity? Biden is a cagey professional politician and so is somersaulting further left. As an independent and thoroughly cynical voter who likes to see politicians of all stripes bloodied, I certainly hope the Democratic donnybrook continues.

In her hands

Terre Haute, Ind.: Elizabeth Warren’s unhinged, Jiffy Pop demeanor during the course of her various political forums is quite disquieting, especially given the shrill screaming and yelling outbursts of hers. In this context, just one question: New York, are you comfortable with an individual like her as the president of the United States having full access to the “football?” AKA, this nation’s nuclear weapons launch codes which accompany a president 24/7/365?

In need of assistance

Redondo Beach, Calif: Calling all enemies of the United States — Donald Trump wants your help in getting reelected.

Green team

Brooklyn: Gov. Cuomo insists that climate change isn’t a priority in the final days of Albany’s legislation session. So, lawmakers should pass a bill and slap it on his desk for him to sign. But, the bill must be bold and ambitious. It should move New York off fossil fuels to 100% renewable energy by 2030. And it must ban new fossil fuel projects, like the proposed Williams fracked gas pipeline. We don’t have time for half-measures, and we certainly don’t have time for Cuomo’s political games. We need real leadership to prevent climate change, and the legislature must provide it.

Help wanted

Brooklyn: I am once again applying for the position of proofreader. “Libra” does not begin with an “S.” I would love to proofread your paper. There are many typos as well as grammatical errors, however, this one was so obvious.

Taking sides

Staten Island: Can’t believe I’m chiming in on this, but, I’m on team Voicer Rosie Stine! Can’t stand Sam Champion and his phony laugh either. With the exception of the seemingly down-to-earth Lee Goldberg and Jeff Smith, you can have the rest of the full-of-themselves WABC TV News weather team!

Jury of your peers

Manhattan: To Voicer Pamela White: There once was a judge on the federal bench who made it a point not to thank jurors for their service. He felt it was their civic duty. For the past thirty-seven years, I avoided jury service by simply marking the official court notice, “Refused” and “R.T.S,” or, “Return to Sender.” The state of the state judiciary being what it was — and still is what with crimes such as marijuana possession no longer being regarded as such — I knew no one would come looking for me. And I was never missed. But now, older and wiser and a bit curious about what I might have missed, I will be heading down to court shortly. With a pencil and paper. If jury service is as you’ve described, something akin to doing time, no problem. I’ve got this.

Ride hailer

Indianapolis: I left New York years ago and often return to visit. Several years ago, I arrived via LaGuardia and hurriedly made my way out the airport to grab a cab to my destination, I believe it was in Brooklyn. There was not one yellow cab that would take me! I cannot communicate the surge of rage that initially built up in my chest as I remembered that, as a black woman, it is often impossible to get a yellow cab. But! Thank goodness for Uber! I pulled out my phone and had a ride in minutes! Say what you want about Uber, they have never denied me access, never passed me on street corners, driver after driver in the morning in desolate downtown after pulling a long night at work. I remember crying and walking home

from downtown on nights when I needed a ride home and I didn’t feel safe being the only one on an empty subway platform. Uber allowed me the same safety and security other New Yorkers receive readily. I have nothing but the best reviews for Uber! If every yellow cab went out of business today, I would lose no sleep nor would I feel any sympathy. Tell Bill I said “the bricks they lay!”

Righting wrongs

Larchmont, N.Y.: I was very touched that, after 50 years, the Daily News finally had the good sense to acknowledge its terrible mistake in the way it looked at gay people (“Old wrongs on gay rights,” editorial, June 7). One hopes we won’t have to wait another 50 years before this long-standing great newspaper acknowledges its terrible mistake of supporting abortion.

Just punishment

FDNY Armonk, N.Y.: Once the people who were responsible for shooting “Big Papi” are found guilty, the authorities should lock them all in one of those resort hotel rooms and make them drink from the mini bar.