Traumatic brain injury is no joke

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Manhattan: Spinning his usual rude ignorance, “whirled” leader D.J. Trump has unwittingly provided a very teachable moment for March, Brain Injury Awareness Month. Brain injuries are not “just headaches.” Not only are they the signature wound of our brave veterans, but health professionals deem them “the silent epidemic” that, beyond battlegrounds and athletic fields, shatters more lives than any other health menace. Their various causes abound in every setting. I myself have tackled the daily ups and downs of my own traumatic brain injury for 22 years now, ever since being electrically shocked at a New York City street corner payphone site.

The injury’s overwhelming and contradictory array of symptoms systemically alters and challenges a survivor’s body, cognition and psyche. The effects often elude observation, understanding or due respect, hence their label “hidden disability,” and, with that, misdiagnoses or even no diagnoses at all. Necessary ongoing therapies and services are often not covered or affordable. Thus treatment by less aware professionals and society is often “mistreatment.” All this for these oftenpreventable personal disasters, for which everyone is vulnerable, even you, your loved ones — even a president!

Disregard the White House witch doctor’s misguidance; get the facts from respectable organizations like the Brain Injury Association of America. Contact obstinate legislators and demand that new laws cover all the care needed by such health plights. Reach out to media outlets and request more and broader coverage of this widespread threat, featuring all the various causes and diversely affected faces. And in 2020, vote blue: Trump and his ilk are health traumas that we the people can vanquish! Phil Vanaria

Call out

Yonkers: Voicer James Carroll: What kind of anti-Semitic nonsense are you spewing about who George Soros may be backing this year for president? He is a Holocaust survivor who just also happened to make a great deal of money and supports righteous causes. Your and all your loony, right-wing nut case conspiracy theorist antiSemites should let go of your obsession over a decent person who survived a nightmare. Get some education and focus on something that’s real and could actually make a difference in your community. Bigotry is ignorance.

Suzanne Hayes Kelly

Civics lesson

Greenwich, Conn.: To Voicer Suzy E. Sandor: You’re right. Few citizens understand the presidential election process, yourself included. I suggest you (and anyone reading this) begin your research with the differences between a republic and a democracy (hint: the United States is both) and why a pure democracy would mean disaster. As for delegates,

the higher the state population, the more delegates; same with electors. The primary vote determines who is on the ballot in November. The Electoral College process is in place as a compromise between electing the president via a majority vote of the people or of Congress. You contribute to people’s ignorance of the process by blathering about how 14 states decide for all of us. At the very least, know what you’re talking about. Teresa Williams

Cast of characters

Lakewood, N.J.: In November’s presidential election, we’re going to be voting for either Statler, Waldorf or Donald Duck. God help us!

Frank Mongiello

Party divided

Forest Hills: Voicer Uchena Shorey’s logic is completely irrational. If Joe Biden is the presidential nominee and you vote for Trump out of spite, you are at the very least, condemning innocent children to four more years of being locked in cages. Who are the selfish ones here?

Libby Gurgis

Time change

Seaside Heights, N.J.: Changing the clocks twice a year reminds me of the Democrats. They “spring ahead” with a slate of potential candidates for the presidency. And then wind up “falling back” — falling way back — to what appears to be a twoman race between a 78-yearold ultra-left wing socialist who wants to tax the hell out of the middle class, and a 77-year-old has-been who hasn’t got a clue on what is going on. Traditionally, I’ve never voted Republican. But given the choices that the Democrats are offering the American people, I may have to break with that tradition.

Igor LaManna

Low flier

Brooklyn: On March 6 at 5:06 p.m., a helicopter flew so low over my home in Bay Ridge that my rooms vibrated. Is it necessary to fly so low? I don’t think so! Diane Hunt

Litter patrol

Bronx: I was trying to get home to the Bronx and the traffic was bumper-tobumper, so I was able to see the trash on the side of the highway. Don’t these people have a conscience, or do they feel that it is okay to throw their trash on the side of the highway and street? Disgusting. Mary Caggiano

Mary’s partner

Glendale: I board the M train at Fresh Pond Road. It’s the second stop. What happened to cleaning the cars at the last stop? Every morning the train pulls in with cans, and coffee cups rolling around on the floor. I understand they cannot wake the homeless that sleep on the benches but maybe they can at least pick up rolling garbage.

James Pollina

Parent solidarity

Brentwood, L.I.: I want to thank Donna Howell for being a parent (“Attack susp’s mom: I wanted to kill him,” March 8). As a parent, I feel your pain and would have done the same if it were my son no matter how much it hurt. But that hurt can’t be nearly as bad as the hurt of seeing ones child commit such acts. Ms. Howell needs to know that parents, other black parents like me, support her decision. She need not hang her head in shame. That is her son’s burden.

Anthony Johnson Sr.

Cultural oppression

Kew Gardens Hills: Re “Book is a bust” (March 7): Hachette’s

GETTY IMAGES cancellation of Woody Allen’s memoir proves that the MeToo movement is modern-day McCarthyism. Dylan Farrow’s claims of child abuse against her dad were not substantiated by investigations. But an employee protest prompted Hachette to shred the First Amendment. Another publisher caved in to cancel culture by halting a book tour for the author of “American Dirt,” Jeanine Cummins. She was punished for writing a bestselling novel about Mexican immigrants while committing the unforgivable sin of being white. What was once hailed as creativity is now condemned as “cultural appropriation.” The P.C. police rule our nation.

Richard Reif

Public service

Brooklyn: I would seriously suggest to you that you do not digitally block access to articles pertaining to anything to do with Covid-19 for the good of all of your readers, regardless of ability to pay. It would also be an opportunity for you to build trust with your readers and may gain future subscribers from a marketing perspective.

Jean Strong