Please look where you’re going
Manhattan: As far as nuisances on the streets of New York City go, pedestrians are far and away, hands down, the greatest obstacle to traffic flow. They jaywalk. They stand off the curb at intersections. They wander into bike lanes. They walk obliviously while chatting on cell phones or, even worse, texting. Two weeks ago, I saw a three-texter pileup at 14th St. and Fourth Ave. David Fantaci Bergenfield, N.J.: Nanny Bloomberg will solve the problem of bicycle collisions by mandating that all pedestrians wear helmets and body armor. Alfred Roberts Manhattan: I love biking in Central Park. But even I worry about the Spandex-wearing idiots trying to shave six seconds off their mile times. That’s not what bike lanes in city parks are about. These bikers have to realize they’re part of a community, with everyone enjoying the gift of parks at their own speed. Judy Young
The path to his heart
Manhattan: I don’t care who is running for mayor. I am voting for whoever gets rid of the bike lanes. They’re an unnecessary danger for everyone. Perry Dell’Aquila
Costs and benefits
Lyndhurst, N.J.: Gasoline, power and food prices are up due to executive orders by President Obama and EPA regulations. Eliminate those, and women can afford to buy their own birth control — and a new outfit to get someone to use the contraception with. Louis Costantine
Born on third base
Massapequa Park, L.I.: To Voicer Gregg Livesay, who suggested that another Voicer emulate Mitt Romney’s success by taking risks: How much of a risk is it when your father is a wealthy ex-governor and former chairman and president of the American Motors Corp.? Sean McGoey
Pulling his weight
Ridge, L.I.: Why do so many of those who pay the least income taxes complain about those who pay the most income taxes? Mitt Romney paid $3 million just for 2010. That likely amounts to more than what 95% of Americans will pay throughout their entire lives. Donald Kuhlman
Mr. Entitlement
Bronx: To Voicer Scott Jones: Paul Ryan used Social Security benefits from his father’s death to pay for college. His mother benefits from Medicare, a program his budget plan decimates. And his entire professional career has been spent as a government employee. Did I mention he’s an avowed disciple of Ayn Rand?
Raymond Cancel
He’s with stupid
Massapequa Park, L.I.: Voicer D.R. Tucker states that Mitt Romney chose Paul Ryan in an effort to woo redneck voters. In the same way, that must be why President Obama chose Joe Biden — to woo idiots. It looks like the plan worked, because he sure got a lot of idiots to vote for him.
E. Klenovich
Out of his league
Newtown, Conn.: While Mike Lupica is certainly able to string words together and make them sound good, there never appears to be any cogent thought behind them. His piece on Vice President Biden was incomprehensible. Lupica should stick to sports, where he at least appears to have some semblance of expertise, and to the Imus show, where his shtick is heard by those still stuck in a junior high school boy’s room. Frank Katz
Now he tell us
Manhattan: Mike Lupica never ceases to amaze me (“Hil no, Bam won’t dump Biden,” column, Aug. 16). Now, he’s extolling Secretary of State Clinton. Um, Mike, four years ago you were demonizing Clinton and anointing Barack Obama as The One. There were those of us who thought she was the more qualified candidate, while you and Chris Matthews and the rest of the male media did your best to sink her. Mary Jo Pane
Fear of Camelot
Bronx: Chelsea Clinton, looking absolutely beautiful in the pages of the Daily News, is well educated, charming and astute (“Chelsea, lately, ponders kids and campaigns,” Aug. 16). Why, then, do I see only the start of another political dynasty, a la the Kennedy debacle?
Patricia O’Hanlon
Far-fetched
Brooklyn: How is it possible, with all the Powerball tickets sold, that only one had all the numbers? What are the odds of that?
Joan Defazio
Money meters
Bronx: Voicer Ronnie Gordon is so right. When my sister and I went shopping at Macy’s, we had to walk two blocks to find a muni-meter that worked, put the money in, walk back to our car, post the ticket, then rush to shop — because we had to walk two blocks if time lapsed. What are we going to do when there are snow piles? Why were these meters put so far apart? Why were they put in at all?
Caterina & Giavanna Giannone
Check, please
Manhattan: Nancy Rankin points to San Francisco as an example of why New York City should adopt a paid sick leave mandate (“Paid sick leave is good for business,” Op-Ed, Aug. 16). However, the fact is that the mandate did cost jobs in San Francisco. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, quick-service restaurants in San Francisco employed an average of 15.2 workers per establishment in 2006, before the paid sick leave ordinance went into effect. By 2010, quick-service restaurants employed only 14 workers per establishment. In comparison, quick-service restaurants in the five surrounding counties employed 2.5% more workers during the same period. In a National Restaurant Association survey in March, 55% of respondents said they would reduce employees as a result of a paid sick leave mandate. While paid time off for every employee is a nice ideal to aspire to, forcing businesses to comply with a mandate they can’t afford is not the correct approach. We urge the City Council to focus on initiatives that will sustain and create jobs, not jeopardize them. Andrew Rigie, executive director
N.Y.C. Hospitality Alliance
Dog disservice
Stony Point, N.Y.: I have to take umbrage at the misguided photo of Tom Brady being bitten by a Doberman pinscher (“Give him Gang Green!” Aug. 16). I owned a Doberman for 10 years, and she was one of the smartest, most loving and sweetest dogs I ever owned. The photo perpetuates the myth that Dobermans are aggressive, an absolutely false depiction of this breed’s temperament. Lois Baruch
Beastly behavior
Manhattan: Has anyone considered that perhaps one reason for the rash of killings in our city is the example set by trigger-happy bozos who are now blithely taking out dogs (“Shot trying to save his master,” Aug. 14)? Shooting this dog in the head was a reprehensible, inexcusable, unacceptable act of blatant cowardice. Most NYPD cops today need intensive sensitivity training. God save us from these clowns. Marijo Gillis
Desperate times
Ridgewood: Want an easy way to stop gun violence? Lower rent, lower gas prices and lower taxes would most likely lead to lower crime. Some teenagers have to rob and steal to survive in New York City. Not everyone is born with a golden spoon in his mouth. People live like animals because the rent is too damn high. More affordable housing, please.
Danilee Hernandez
Noticeably absent
Brooklyn: Where was Barbra Streisand when her good friend and composer Marvin Hamlisch was being eulogized (“Stars out for Marvin,” Aug. 15)? She sang many of his most memorable hits. She couldn’t find her way to Manhattan? She will, however, be at the Barclays Center in October. So much for friendship.
Rose Taps
Happy citizen
Brooklyn: Thank you to Borough President Marty Markowitz for presenting the Jacksons at Coney Island. What a great, great show. My two sisters and I were dancing in the aisle. Michele McMahon
A poor reflection
Union City, N.J.: How can the Mets even look at themselves in the mirror? Allan Collins
Tebow overload
Springfield Gardens: I wouldn’t mind seeing Tim Tebow splashed all over the sports page every single day if he had actually achieved something in football besides showing up on the field, with or without a jersey.
Jerome Wilson