Death according to skin color is unjustifiable
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Brooklyn: From your editorial “Murder, life and death” (Jan. 14) about a possible death sentence for Buffalo massacre gunman Payton Gendron (photo), I quote: “The arguments against the death penalty, such as it being applied more frequently to Black and Brown defendants charged with killing whites, does not apply, as this is the opposition situation.” I was 15 when Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. I am from the generation when Blacks had to fight to not sit in the back of the bus, the Ku Klux Klan lit burning crosses on their lawns and they were refused service at restaurants. When they were lynched and hanged, murdered in jail, tortured. A little later in history, shot 40 times. Sodomized like Abner Louima. Killed time and again by authorities and by civilians. Suffocated so they couldn’t breathe. Because they were Black.
Every time I see a picture of George Floyd, I cry. But what you have written here is a horrendous breach of the standards of fair and ethical justice. In effect, you aren’t implying — you are saying — that giving a Black murderer of a bunch of Caucasians the death penalty is more questionable than this Caucasian murderer. Because of skin. It was revolting in every possible aspect.
A lot of injustice has happened. Righting the wrongs means being just toward all equally, setting the example for the next generations. Without equity, someone suffers unjustly. Usually it’s the innocent. Be equal, have harmony in the garden, and it’s then the serpent becomes apparent. When the serpent is in everything, one can scarcely see the garden for the weeds.
You need to seriously rethink this, because I see Lady Justice peeking out from her blindfold. Joy E. Goldberg
Futile campaign
Clearwater, Fla.: The people of New Hampshire have spoken. It’s apparent they want the experience and strong leadership of former President Donald Trump. Nikki Haley’s decision to remain in the presidential race when she clearly has no chance is but one example of poor decisions Haley would make as president. Oddly enough, Haley doesn’t recognize defeat — even when it’s staring her in the face. Or perhaps she is just too stubborn-headed to admit it. In the meantime, everyone but Haley can agree that she is finished, defeated — kaput.
JoAnn Lee Frank
Soulless sole motivation
Manhattan: I have come to the conclusion that there is only one reason the Republican Party unequivocally stands behind Donald Trump: They want to win at all costs, and Trump, with his MAGA supporters, is their best chance. Their unconditional support for Trump has nothing to do with their beliefs, values, political positions or even love for our country, but only with their drive to attain and keep power. Sad that that is all the Republican Party actually stands for these days. Chana Schwartz
Pure obstructionism
Hartsdale, N.Y.: It was both revealing and disturbing to read that our recent ex-president has directed his congressional puppets to not work toward real, comprehensive, bipartisan immigration legislation because he doesn’t want to give President Biden a win. Instead, he wants to campaign on Biden’s failure — which would be created by his own party’s not thinking of “America First” and instead thinking of how to make the other guy look bad. The abject cowardice and lack of concern they are showing would, in a sane America, be reason to remove them all from office. In the America we have been forced to live in, some would say this is normal. It is everything but.
Norman E. Gaines Jr.
With them in spirit
Roosevelt, L.I.: Our deepest wholehearted sympathy, prayers and condolences go out to our beloved King family in the death of Dexter King. We are praying for the entire family without ceasing.
Arthur L. Mackey Jr.
Appreciation appreciated
Avon-by-the-Sea, N.J.: Voicer George Havriliak admires the high heels that news broadcasters wear. There is nothing unusual about that. Personally, I appreciate it when a man takes the time to notice and admire my high heels. I take the time every morning to make sure they match the outfit I am wearing on that day. Some may call this “accessorizing.” When a man compliments me on my high heels, it means that he appreciates the time and effort that I take on a daily basis to make sure I am well-dressed for any occasion. So, Mr. Havriliak, as well as other men reading my Voice of the People letter, please compliment women for being well-dressed and wearing fashionable high-heel footwear. Those compliments mean a lot to us. Ophelia Paolino
True putz
East Meadow, L.I.: For those of you looking for the true meaning of “putz,” watch Greg Gutfeld, whether it’s on the show “The Five” or anywhere else you can hear him speak. Jeff Tuck
Right to refuse
Yonkers: The City Council carries on like a bunch of crybabies, ranting and raving over Mayor Adams’ veto of the How Many Stops Act. In essence, this act would entirely limit policing because of the ludicrous amount of time each documentation of the intervention would take. The author of this stupidity — himself a former arrestee — should be held accountable by voters when his tenure is up. If the Council overrides the veto as promised, the police should do one of two things: Abide by the act and deplete the entire overtime budget with this idiocy and, in the pedigree section of the report, write “refused.” The author is, was and will always be a total mutt. Ralph A. Manente
Overhyped
Bridgewater, N.J.: Nobody likes a retro freak and fewer people like a born liar. Mike Lupica is both, especially when he refers to the Kansas City Chiefs as “champions of the world” (something they have never been!). Perhaps Lupica can take his George Santos-like fantasies to Sports Illustrated or some other clickbait farm.
Charles Everett
Easier on the eyes
Charlotte, N.C.: Though I’m not a big Taylor Swift fan, I am certainly not “disgusted,” as Voicer Manny Agostini is, by seeing Taylor on my TV cheering for her boyfriend at an NFL football game. She’s a very popular and attractive young lady. Perhaps Manny preferred the shirtless Jason Kelce bounding around in the crowd with a beer. Even though Jason was cheering for the Chiefs, his defense was “taking your shirt off is like a Buffalo Bills thing.” If Taylor was a Bills fan and acted accordingly, maybe Agostini wouldn’t feel so bad. I know who I’d prefer seeing. Ron Turek
Special circumstances
Ridgewood, N.J.: Re “Speech and violence” (editorial, Jan. 24): In the second paragraph, you end with, “there is no circumstance under which a chemical attack on a group of protesters is justified.” You are wrong. Chemical weapons, even lethal force, were justified by the government during the protests of Jan. 6, 2021 at the U.S. Capitol. However, the Capitol Police restrained themselves, a heroic stance that cost them dearly.
Peter J. Peirano
A 39-year-old man was arrested for fatally knifing a man in the neck during a robbery on a Brooklyn street, police said Friday.
The grisly stabbing was one of two unrelated murders to take place minutes apart from each other on Wednesday night, cops said.
Jamel Miles is facing murder, robbery and weapons possession charges for the clash on Sterling Place near Schnectady Ave. in Crown Heights about 11 p.m.
Police said the victim, Barrington Howell, 37, was nearing the corner when Miles tried to mug him.
During the ensuing struggle Miles stabbed Howell multiple times in the neck, cops said.
EMS rushed him to Kings County Hospital, but he could not be saved.
Miles was arrested at the scene. His arraignment in Brooklyn Criminal Court was pending Friday.
Less than a half-hour after the knifing, at about 11:30 p.m. Wednesday, a 28-year-old man was shot less than two miles away from where Howell was killed.
The victim, shot numerous times in the upper body at Atlantic and Rockaway Aves. in Brownsville, was rushed by medics to Brookdale Medical Center but could not be saved. No arrests have been made. Through Jan. 21, murders in the city are down 41% year-todate. Police have counted 16 homicides so far in 2024, compared to 27 in the same period of 2023.