Education is every child’s right
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Bethlehem, Pa.: Slava Rar (“What we can learn from yeshivas,” Aug. 8) tries to argue that people with progressive values should support the right of some yeshivas to teach little or no secular education, in defiance of New York State law, which calls for a “substantially equivalent education.” Mr. Rar is profoundly wrong. Progressives value freedom, equality and choice. Progressives do not believe that children should be denied a basic education because of the communities they happen to be born in. Progressives believe that when children grow up, they can decide for themselves whom to marry, how to worship, where to live and what occupation to pursue. We believe that all children are entitled to the educational tools to grow up to be adults who can make those choices. Some — probably most — will choose to remain in their religious communities, but others will not.
It is fact, not anecdote, that many ultra-Orthodox boys’ yeshivas teach no secular studies at all, and others are profoundly inadequate. In 2019, the New York City Department of Education concluded an inquiry that took more than four years and found that 26 out of the 28 yeshivas they investigated did not meet minimum standards.
Keeping children uneducated and illiterate in English is profoundly coercive, authoritarian and anti-progressive. Dena S. Davis
A disservice in death
Flushing: As a friend of Charles Zolot, I was appalled at your article reporting the vicious murder of this kind, intelligent and caring person (“Divorce lawyer is slain in office,” Aug. 6). Why is it necessary to include his alleged problems with the IRS, his fashion sense and a comment from someone about the fact that he was a hoarder? Do you think that this adds anything to the story or is relevant in any way to the fact that his life was violently cut short? If you were trying to paint a picture of the man Charlie was, you have fallen woefully short. Hopefully, when my time comes, I won’t need you to report on my demise. Meredith Deckler
No more games
Middle Village: I am writing on behalf of all senior citizen Mets fans (been a fan since 1962). It has become extremely difficult, if not impossible, to get Mets tickets. My cell phone can’t download the app, I can’t go up to a ticket window (there is none) and I can’t print tickets from my computer. Additionally, the Mets are losing money spent on souvenirs and concession sales. Mr. Cohen, please help us dedicated seniors who just want to go to a game and support our team.
Mary Ann Gallagher
Tribute
St. Albans: Re “Bowden: FSU great dies at 91” (Aug. 9): I would like to offer my condolences to the family of Bobby Bowden. He will be sorely missed by his family, friends, former players and all the Florida State college football fans. He led that team to 12 conference titles and two national championships. The college football world has lost a terrific coaching legend.
When you get to heaven, throw a perfect spiral to God. Rest in peace, Bobby. Leslie Langer
Patiently waiting
Cortlandt Manor, N.Y.: Would someone please be so kind as to let me know when the Summer Olympics start? I don’t want to miss any of the action.
Michael P. Devine
Snubbed
Sayerville, N.J.: I was excitedly glued to the TV to witness the two Kenyans holding on to the gold and silver women’s marathon medals while Ch. 4 was focused on Molly Seidel, who was kept in her bronze position throughout the race. Her steadfast efforts were well appreciated and we all congratulated her. However, it was somewhat insensitive on the part of the network as they openly ignored the gold and silver medalists by not recognizing their significant accomplishment even once. Shame on them. Desmond Chase
Bad work ethic
Prospect, Conn.: Dagwood is always complaining about his boss, Mr. Dithers, screaming at him. However, Dagwood is a very lucky man that Mr. Dithers has a lot of patience. If Dagwood worked for a lot of different companies, he would have been fired a long time ago for sleeping on the job. Blondie, be careful — if Dagwood is ever fired, make sure your catering business keeps thriving!
Joseph Cardinale
Preventative justice
Chicago: We were thrilled to read in the Daily News that more than 8,200 victims of child sexual abuse have filed lawsuits in New York over the past two years (“Deadline is near for child victims to get justice,” Aug. 9). These courageous survivors have publicly exposed hundreds, maybe thousands, of wrongdoers. Some of these criminals are dead, of course. But many now live and work among unsuspecting neighbors and colleagues who, until now, have never had a single doubt about them. So not only are these thousands of victims seeking justice for themselves, but they are also protecting vulnerable kids. We are grateful to them for their bravery.
Zach Hiner, executive director Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP)
Positions of authority
Brooklyn: Just wondering about the 8,000-plus accusations of child sexual abuse referenced in The News. You give the impression that they all involve one profession. Just to be fair, you should mention the many other professions of the accused, like Scout leaders, doctors, rabbis, ministers, coaches, trainers, businessmen, dentists, teachers, lawyers, etc.
Connie Leist
Worth the effort
Fort Myers, Fla.: Re “Vax-acious query” (column, Aug 5): “‘We know that those types of things are difficult to enforce when it comes to vaccines,’ Janey, who is also Boston’s first woman mayor, said Tuesday when asked about whether she’s considering a similar policy in her city.” What we know is precisely how difficult it was to actualize “all men are created equal,” but that did not deter Abraham Lincoln from pursuing that goal. Nor did it deter others from so doing. Harold A. Maio
Same energy?
Forest Hills: Been watching the news reports on the delta variant running rampant and unchecked throughout our country and the importance of getting everyone vaccinated to try to prevent more infections and death. These are usually followed by reports on all the anti-vaxxers out there and their unfounded, idiotic, factless and baseless reasons for not getting vaccinated. The common thread in all their excuses for not getting the shots is that no government, federal or otherwise, can mandate what they must do or not do to their bodies. They say this is America and their personal freedoms would be violated with any such mandate. In essence, “my body, my choice.” This got me thinking — are they just as vociferous when it comes to a woman’s right to choose? Does a woman’s personal freedom hold the same weight for them as the personal freedoms they so readily expound on time and again? Just askin’.
Mel Moskowitz
RIGHT-HAND WOMAN
Fresh Meadows: The announcement that Melissa DeRosa, Gov. Cuomo’s top aide, has resigned, should be of no
surprise given the fact that she was involved in the cover-up of the actual number of nursing home deaths given out to the public. Also, it is said that she made life miserable for other women who worked in the governor’s office. She, too, could be in big trouble with the law like her boss is. Let’s see how the political fallout from this latest development will play out in the days ahead. Who said that politics was an honest profession?
John Amato
Suspicious timing
AP
Staten Island: It seems that women who complain of sexual harassment often come out at strategic times in relation to the careers of the accused. Example: City Comptroller Scott Stringer at primary time. Surely, they could have reported the problem much sooner. Fran Baldassarr
On immorality
Old Bridge, N.J.: Regarding the drivel being spewed about forbidding participation by President Biden in the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, two things to ponder: the words of Pope Francis — “Who am I to judge?” — regarding all members of the church, and the bracelet many Catholics wear with the letters “WWJD” — what would Jesus do? In my opinion, if you intentionally cover up incidents of pedophilia, denying anyone the Eucharist is a mortal sin on the part of a badly misguided clergy. For shame! Janet Cecin