Honor due to hallowed ground
Scotch Plains, N.J.: I was upset to read about the middle school students showing such disrespect at the World Trade Center memorial (“Shame of New York,” June 24). However, some of the fault lies elsewhere. The memorial was designed without any remnants of the destruction, so visitors never really see the horror of what happened on the site. There is no signage telling visitors what occured on the site or the significance of the names around the waterfalls. There is not even an American flag flown, which might indicate that something of national importance happened there. As for using the place as a garbage dump, please remember that human remains of the victims were taken to an actual garbage dump, Fresh Kills, and left there. Diane Horning, mother of 26-year-old Matthew Horning, WTC 1 Sunnyside: To the student who said, “No one was disrespecting,” then went on to say, “No one was being serious. Everyone was kind of bored and it was just something to do.” That is the definition of disrespect. Being bored is not a reason to do what you kids did! Paul Maringelli Plenty of blame . . .
Flushing: Where were the teachers and parents who were supposed to be supervising the kids at the 9/11 memorial and preventing them from throwing trash into the reflecting pool? I hope others are as outraged as I am by this blatant lack of compassion and respect. Jeanne Hughes
. . . to go around
Seaford, L.I.: The blame goes back to the parents of these children. Obviously they are not taught respect at home, so to them littering a sacred area is of no importance. Just remember, these children hold the future of these United States in their hands, and that alone is a very scary thought.
Frances Harwood
Simple solution Manhattan: I don’t understand why President Obama did not make health care like Plan D (the Medicare Prescription Drug Plans that were never challenged in court for some reason). You are not forced to buy insurance, but when you do, as almost everyone will eventually have to, you pay a lifetime penalty. Suzy Sandor
Heat is on I
Bronx: To Voicer Ray Mceddy: To say Miami’s win over Oklahoma City was a victory for all who have no honor is hypocritical and pathetic. By your standards, those who leave their birth state to work elsewhere are sellouts. Rodney Russell
Heat is on II
Brooklyn: Dear Voicer Ray Mceddy: Your ignorance of the concept of free agency is stunning, but who expects Knick fans to understand basketball? The honorable thing would be for you to try to understand that what Lebron James did is modern, standard and wise. Brad Schwartz
Heat is on III
Bloomfield, N.J.: The people who have no honor are the owners of the Oklahoma City Thunder and NBA Commissioner David Stern. Voicer Ray Mceddy should read the whole story of how Seattle’s former team ended up in Oklahoma City. Lebron James is the one who acted honorably — he fulfilled his contractual obligation to Cleveland. Denise Serbay
Minding the minders
Brooklyn: A bill has been introduced in the City Council that would provide oversight of the Police Department by an inspector general. Every other agency has an IG; only Commissioner Raymond Kelly acts according to his own judgment and answers to no one. Allan Feinblum
Cloud of suspicion
Pearl River, N.Y.: I am very curious as to why Dottie Sandusky was not investigated (“Caged monster,” June 24). She was in the house when some of these How big assaults could were the house taking be place. that she didn’t hear these poor children scream while her maniac husband was assaulting them? Dan O’hagan
What are the odds?
Brooklyn: After all we now know about the widespread abuse of steroids in Major League Baseball, isn’t it time Pete Rose take his rightful place in Cooperstown while he is alive to see it? Charlie Hustle did it the old-fashioned way, while so many other players who did make it in hustled us. Cronin Miller
Quote on ice
Brooklyn: To Voicer John Castagliola: Ironic that you would quote Eldridge Cleaver, once the leader of the Black Panthers, a group that would adamantly oppose stop-and-frisk. Though Cleaver later joined the Republican Party, when he wrote “You’re either part of the solution or you’re part of the problem” he was still a radical. Neil S. Friedman
Then and now
Ballston Lake, N.Y.: Re “Psycho onboard” (Justice Story, June 24), about the fire on the cruise ship Morro Castle in 1934: My father was a tough Irish commercial fisherman out of Shark River Inlet in New Jersey. I remember the storm that night, and he said upon hearing of the fire that he must go out there to help people in the water. We were scared for him. Others joined him with their boats, and they told many stories about that night. I was 6 years old, but I have a vivid memory of the storm, the fire and the courage of my dad and others. I am now 84 and can’t remember my grocery list. Eleanor Calder Coates
Hip lip
Ozone Park: James Panero makes no attempt to hide his embarrassing desire to be a hipster, but to New Yorkers these pretentious transplants from flyover states are a scourge (“Hail to the hipsters,” Op-ed, June 24). Their gentrifying ways have pushed out bluecollar families. Frank Perri
Balance of power
Saratoga Springs, N.Y.: It is Voicer Rich Maddalena who is clueless. After the Democrats lost their filibuster-proof majority in the Senate, Republicans held hostage every single bill that Democrats introduced. If you want to see real progress, vote Republicans out. Janice E. Yaeger
Cocks of the walk
Wantagh, L.I.: To all the Mets who called the Yankees chickens: Remember who rules the roost. Jo-ann Maginnis
A vote for Barron
Brooklyn: I’ve recently been biting my lip because of the ridiculous editorials slamming teachers union President Michael Mulgrew, and now I open the paper to see an editorial slamming Councilman Charles Barron (“Bar Barron from Congress,” June 24). Shame on you. Barron fought tooth and nail for my kids’ school, just as he does for all his constituents. I am proud to stand up for Barron, and I am a white male. Jimmy Orr
Abortion politics
Bronx: I want to thank Steve Wagner and Kim Daniels for their article, “Modern-day slaves, hostage to abortion” (Op-ed, June 24). It is unconscionable that, with an estimated 21 million people around the world suffering from the human trafficking industry, the Obama administration would block funding for a Catholic service organization because it won’t provide abortion-related services. D. Canale
Letter of the law
Maspeth: To Voicer Sherri Rosen: I was the cashier for the candy electronic benefits card transaction, and there was nothing I could do about it. I must abide by whatever items the cash register accepts with EBT payment, whether or not I approve of it. Lucyann Digilio
Food for thought
Brooklyn: To Voicer Sherri Rosen: So poor people should not have the ability to purchase healthy food options because you think it’s too expensive? Wow, now I’ve heard everything. I’m sure you would like to see them eating out of the garbage instead. Lia Szigeti