A city mourns, a nation unites
Queens Village: Watching the aftermath of Monday’s bombing of the Boston Marathon, I saw the same thing that I saw on 9/11, when I worked at Bellevue Hospital in Manhattan. Back on that day, I saw thousands of people line up to donate blood for the injured who never came. They were lined up four and five across for blocks. They were black, white, Middle Eastern, Indian, Hispanic and Asian, from every walk of life. They came by the hundreds, overwhelming us. They waited to help. Later, I saw thousands come from every state and country to search for survivors.
I saw the same in the reaction to the horrific Boston attack — people of all races running toward the explosions to help the injured while Bostonians offered up their homes to displaced runners and visitors. This is what makes our country so great. When it comes to a disaster like this, we are all Americans selflessly working together to help others in times of crisis. Len Basile
Prayers for Beantown
Manhattan: It is beyond tragic that such an unspeakable act of violence occurs at an event that is supposed to bring people together in unity and good faith. So many innocent victims were hurt and fatally wounded. My heart goes out to all the families of all those affected by this horrendous and — yes — cowardly act.
Laurie Jordan
So much suffering
Manhattan: First, all those kids shot in Newtown, Conn. Now, the bombing in Boston. What is this world coming to? Are we safe anywhere? Charlie D’Amenico
Were we the target?
Manhattan: It’s worth considering that the bomb at the Boston Marathon might have been first planned for New York City, then shifted to Boston when the New York City Marathon was canceled due to superstorm Sandy.
Paul Weissman
Could have been us
Bronx: I can’t help but think about the intended target maybe having been the New York marathon, not the one in Boston. What if superstorm Sandy had not forced the cancellation of our own race in November? Regardless, I am willing to bet that both the Boston and New York marathons will be bigger and better, because Americans don’t scare easily and will not live in fear of foreign or domestic terrorism.
Rodney S. Russell
Getting beyond bigotry
Bel Air, Md.: Within an hour of the Boston explosions, I noticed that “Muslims” was trending on Twitter in the United States. As an American Muslim who has experienced bigotry firsthand, I was a bit apprehensive as I clicked to view the tweets. To my pleasant surprise, with the excep- tion of maybe Fox News contributor Erik Rush, an overwhelming number of people, Muslim and even more so, non-Muslim, were tweeting in defense of Islam and condemning stereotyping and bigotry. America has come a long way since the period right after 9/11, and I couldn’t be more proud to be an American and a Muslim. Basir Jamil
Quick to judge
Staten Island: Less than two hours after the bombs exploded in Boston, before anything was known, George Stephanopoulos and Diane Sawyer mentioned the possibility of “right-wing” involvement. If that isn’t media bias, then I don’t know what is.
Michelle Stanek
On alert
Westbury, L.I.: After the tragic bombings at the Boston Marathon, New York City must once again heighten security to increase public safety and protect ourselves from acts of terrorism. We have become complacent.
Patricia Hannam
A vote of confidence
Manhattan: The reason I feel safe here in New York City has to do two words: Ray Kelly. Our police commissioner is the greatest.
Carol Hollenbeck
Lack of resolve
Bellerose: To Voicer Alan J. Winters, who says we should drop bombs on the home of the North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un, who threatens the American people with nuclear weapons: I’ve got news for you — President Obama is no Ronald Reagan.
George Parrott
Get him
Mooresville, N.C.: If North Korea’s madman Kim Jong Un makes a move against the United States, we should immediately take action to obliterate that nation with whatever it takes. That would have the benefit of serving as a warning to any other country foolish enough to attempt to scare us with the same rhetoric. And, please, Mr. President, no apologies! Herb Stark
You call this reform?
Brooklyn: Why haven’t the hard questions been asked about the amnesty bill being shoved down our throats? What, exactly, are we going to do with the 11 million undocumented residents living within our borders?
Daniel Herald
I like Quinn
Brooklyn: I am a Christine Quinn supporter and have been involved in politics since I graduated college three years ago. Quinn is still an activist and a street fighter. She has done a lot for communities, especially victims of gun violence. Quinn does not compromise on the issues that would harm New Yorkers, and her heart is always in the right place. I believe Speaker Quinn is vital to New York’s future. She fights for what she believes and she makes a difference. Julie Harte Ulrich
The wrong tactic
Manhattan: Former executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union Ira Glasser was right on point when he said of City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, “We don’t need another mayor with this little respect for our tradition of free speech.” Quinn’s ill-advised reaction to the recent negative campaign ad was one of countless reasons she must be defeated in the Democratic primary. Mickey Kramer
Take care of your own
Bronx: Re “Tragic ma: Pool a deathtrap” (April 16): The drowning deaths of two children on Long Island is such a tragedy. But how can their mother, Tia Knowles, say or even think that her neighbor’s yard “was not secured and that’s why (her) children are not here today.” Her unsupervised children climbed a fence. Granted, if the neighbor’s fence was not up to code, then she should be fined. Then again, those two young souls were the mother’s responsibility. She just seems like she needs someone to blame. It must be difficult to look in the mirror, Ms. Knowles.
Jessica Figueroa
Keep your guard up
Brooklyn: Tia Knowles blames her neighbor for her two children drowning in her pool. The blame should be on her. She had a history, according to neighbors, of not supervising her children. It was her responsibility to know where her children were at all times. Andrew Feinstein
Kicking into high gear
Manhattan: Bike New York strongly disagrees with opinions expressed in the editorials “Taken for a ride” and “Pay to pedal” (April 8 and 15). The information used in both editorials was from the fiscal year beginning in 2010. Since that time, we’ve developed nine community bicycle education centers throughout the five boroughs, had a 259% increase in the number of students served, developed an after-school program and taught classes in Spanish as well as English. Bike New York aims to eliminate the barriers of entry for many New Yorkers who want to experience the joys and benefits of bicycling, including the underserved children who attend our summer camp programs throughout the five boroughs. Ken Podziba
CEO, Bike New York
We appreciate it
Wanaque, N.J.: We would like to say thanks for the many chances to win offers in your newspaper. Our family has had some nice outings at Rye Playland, the Rockland Boulders last year and the Mets this year. Looking forward to more entries.
John and Peg McMahon
He will be missed
Brooklyn: Jonathan Winters was a genius. He had no equal at improvisation. His mind was a wonderful place where funny thoughts collided with all his life’s experiences — and out came a brand of humor that impressed you with its simplicity and its randomness. Winters was a 12th-degree master in a world of comic wanna-bes. Patrick Grant