The faulty logic of big business
White Rock, British Columbia: A common refrain prevails among Western capitalist governments and big business circles: Best business practices are best decided by business decision-makers.
Yet this was proved false by, as a most consequential example, Boeing’s decision to delay the grounding of its ill-fated 737 Max planes, regardless of indicators, including employee warnings, that they should be grounded so that serious software glitches could be corrected.
While an ousted CEO received more than $62 million to leave Boeing — perhaps from what’s now described as a culture of concealment — 346 ticket-buyers received horrific deaths.
Also, when the COVID-19 crisis began, the most influential, and maybe even the first, voices to have the ear of governments likely were the largest corporations, particularly the airlines. The result was resistance against an immediate halt in international commerce, including overseas flights, and weeks of delay that may have translated into many COVID-19 deaths. Frank Sterle Jr.
Ready and able
Brooklyn: A 4,500-teacher shortage!? I am a former NYC teacher with a career spanning a total of 28 years (public and private). I have submitted my application on Teaching Central and have emailed and snail-mailed my cover letter and resume to numerous neighborhood schools, as well as reached out to them personally. I have tried to contact Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza as well. Nothing. On Teaching Central, my application has been under review since July 22! Kristina Tapper
Doesn’t add up
Brooklyn: Why should restaurants pass the buck to our customers? We’re doing less business than ever. Adding 10% to nothing equals what? It won’t cover the back rent, electricity, gas, etc. This reality shouldn’t baffle politicians unless they don’t go out and see for themselves what is really happening in the streets. I’m tearful. Inside dining is dicey, not everyone wants to sit in a restaurant during a pandemic. Forget 25% capacity. How does that work? Stay open 24 hours and hope there’s a line outside? Saving the restaurant industry is all about the thousands in damage this virus cost us. We will never catch up with silly math. Lisa DeSantis
Prejudiced preference
Freeville, N.Y.: A Voicer said that the adoption problem in the U.S. is a lack of babies needing homes. I disagree, there is no problem finding babies to adopt. The problem is that too many people want blond, blue-eyed children with no disabilities. Until that changes, the problems with adoption will not go away. By the way, I’ve adopted two children. Rick Smith
Absentee
St. Petersburg, Fla.: So, Giancarlo Stanton has returned once again. This guy’s nickname should be Groundhog for his appearance every six weeks, whereupon he sees his shadow, sprains another muscle and will be gone for another six weeks or months! Can the Yankees please pay him off and retire this guy? At least some deserving kid who can stay healthy will get a chance to fill his roster spot. Bill Barrett
Regressive grievances
Manhattan: Rudy Giuliani was ranting about the violence in New York City and said of Black Lives Matter: “They are cop killers.” His answer to the spike in crime is to elect Republicans and hire 9,000 more police officers. Yes, let’s go back to when he was leaving office, when the crime and murder rates were double what they are now. He wants to go back to the good ol’ days, when police officers violated Abner Louima in a precinct house bathroom and an innocent, unarmed Amadou Diallo was shot 41 times by police on his own doorstep. Having been to several Black Lives Matter marches, I can say I heard not one person utter a word against white people or call for violence against anyone. What they were saying is to stop discrimination, daily harassment and the killing of innocent people because they were Black. It is no wonder that on the same day Giuliani made his statements, there was a story about a white woman assaulting a young Black woman with a water bottle while yelling racist names at her. The young Black woman did not offer harsh words for her attacker saying, “She needs to do some soul searching.” Ralph Palladino
Balloon heads
Jacksonville, Fla.: So the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will be scaled back? The balloons will be tied up in Herald Square without marchers? There won’t be crowds of people? The whole damn debacle should be canceled outright! It’s nothing but a big advertising campaign for Macy’s. Why would NYC allow this to go on during a pandemic that’s killing people every day? Oh yeah, I forgot, NYC has this inept mayor sitting on his butt in City Hall allowing this. What’s more important, saving lives or giving in to a department store’s gross, overblown Christmas advertising campaign that will cost lives? Carl Hafner
Time off
Ashburn, Va.: So Mayor de Blasio and his entire staff are being furloughed, or less elegantly stated, they’re being kicked out of City Hall. Hmm, does this furlough thing work at the White House level? Hey, just asking. Mike Barrett
Too little
Little Egg Harbor, N.J.: Does Bill de Blasio really think taking a weeklong furlough with his staff will help? He and Gov. Cuomo know nothing about finances and business. The panicked overreaction by these two dictators has crippled and destroyed small businesses and made a bad fiscal situation worse. The best thing de Blasio can do for the city is just take a permanent leave of absence. William Cook
Clock-watcher
Staten Island: During his daily pressers, Mayor de Blasio has countdown signs for the census and Election Day. More importantly, he should have a countdown sign for next year’s mayoral election. Counting the days … tick … tick … tick. Sheila Picciarelli
Hot air
Newton, N.J.: Every time Rudy Giuliani opens his mouth, I find myself wishing his 15 minutes of fame had ended 19 years ago. Shut up already, Rudy. Michael Schnackenberg
Apples to oranges
Waldwick, N.J.: In response to Voicer Donald Williams’ letter regarding bone spurs versus childhood asthma: My Uncle Mike wanted to fight in WWII and he went to the draft board to sign up, but he was rejected because of childhood asthma. My mom said he cried like a baby because he so wanted to serve our country. Even if someone is asymptomatic, asthma is always a part of your life, and you can die from it. Please do not compare people who are legitimately ill to someone who can play golf and tennis with bone spurs. Jacqueline Robb
Respect your elders
Bayside: Enough said about Joe Biden’s age! The president is close to it! Where is all the respect for our wise elder population? It’s just another prejudice. MaryBeth Pepe