Fighting the good fight for kids

Brooklyn: As a former New York City high school principal, I had my share of teachers whose behavior was not only unprofessional but harmful to kids. While the process for terminating these predators was arduous, I took it seriously. Children cannot learn if they are not safe. I made sure that I was visible and approachable and gained the trust of students, ensuring they would feel comfortable coming forward. I empowered my administrative team so that they, too, had the students’ trust. Once misconduct was reported, I worked diligently to document behaviors and strengthen cases. This is difficult, time-consuming work — work that takes away from other responsibilities, especially in today’s climate of increased accountability.

I implore the next mayor to streamline this process. If an arbitrator’s decision is dependent on keeping the union happy at the expense of children’s well-being, we are feeding our children to these predators.

Marta Jimenez

Don’t blame UFT

Bellerose Manor: I am sick of the United Federation of Teachers being blamed for protecting bad teachers. It is the job of the union to protect its members. It is the job of the supervisor to properly document improper behavior and seek discipline. The Daily News and other media should go after the ones who are in charge.

Linda Silverman

The test of time

Bronx: I am a 67-year-old who attended PS 104, PS 19, JHS 82 and DeWitt Clinton High School. I feel that people like myself, ex-students of local schools from a previous generation, would be best able to evaluate today’s teachers by comparing their skills to those of teachers in the past. There is one caveat: Classrooms today are filled with students whose only goal is to disrupt; no one can evaluate a teacher in that environment. Dennis Feller

Movie muddle

Las Vegas: Actor-comedian and native Canadian Jim Carrey says he regrets the violence in his upcoming film “Kick-Ass 2,” which was made prior to the Newtown massacre (“Carrey rips own movie for violence,” June 24). FYI, Jim, your film was made after the Columbine, Virginia Tech and Aurora massacres. Your lament is a typical liberal rant that means absolutely nothing. Please, have a Molson and shut up.

Arthur A. Ahr

Angry about birds

Brooklyn: Re “Geese kill ruffles bird lovers’ feathers” (June 20): Officials should stop calling these actions “euthanasia.” According to Merriam-Webster, euthanasia is “the act or practice of killing or permitting the death of hopelessly sick or injured individuals (as persons or domestic animals) in a relatively painless way for reasons of mercy.” Do these geese appear hopelessly sick? Are these killings being done for the sake of “mercy”? You know the answer to that. Our tax dollars are being used to fund cruel, inhumane and barbaric acts, and we will no longer stand by and watch wildlife be scapegoated and wiped out. Mary Beth Artz

First compressions

Brooklyn: A friendly reminder for some of you men: When shaking the hand of a woman, please keep in mind that we are not men and give us a less firm handshake. I was recently introduced to someone at my firm, and he nearly broke my fingers. Okay, guys? Thanks. Lenore McKinney

Unhealthy situation

Manhattan: At the VA hospital on E. 23rd St., there is no air conditioning in the pharmacy or on floors four through seven — and the seventh floor is besieged by houseflies. According to staff, the VA has not given any explanation nor any definitive date when the air conditioning will be restored. Weeks have elapsed with no resolution. As an outpatient, I have genuine concern for the health and morale of staff who administer to fellow veterans.

Fred Diener, Vietnam veteran

The wimp factor

Brooklyn: Vladimir Putin looks and acts like a strong alpha leader. Then there is President Obama, who looks and acts weak, doesn’t keep his word and is wishy-washy. We need a leader like Putin here in America — with America’s values, of course.

Lottie Murphy

The system at work

Staten Island: The Daily News of June 26 had two very disturbing stories. One was about the city letting off big businesses that owe a lot of money on parking tickets (“Biz scofflaws get a tix slide”). The Parking Violations Bureau goes after normal people, but big companies get away with thou- sands of dollars owed. The second article was about the EMT who refused to interrupt her coffee break to help a dying, pregnant cafe worker (“Sorry . . . for what?”). The worker walked away with all charges dropped. This is more true justice?

Tony Verganelis

Tell it to the judge

Bronx: That little punk who was handcuffed for stealing a car and causing a wreck could have won an Academy Award for the way he hammed it up for the cameras (“Joyride ends in tears,” June 26). It’s a good thing the cop who had him in custody was also black, or Al Sharpton and others would have made a stink over the way he was treated. Rocco Strunzi

Serves her right

Long Beach, L.I.: Isn’t it strange that City Council Speaker Christine Quinn’s poll numbers started to plummet after she started bashing New York’s Finest (“And it’s Weiner by a head!” June 26)? I hope she’s proud of herself now.

Rob Ryan

Show some respect

Nutley, N.J.: I’m getting tired of your sophomoric, snide headlines regarding Anthony Weiner, as evidenced in the June 26 edition (“Who’s a Weiner now!”). His candidacy should be taken as seriously as the city’s need for good leadership. I commend him for running in spite of relentless heckling from you and others. Did you never hear of “forgive and forget”? Patricia Kordas

See something, say something

Manhattan: I have sent innumerable written notices to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority regarding the unhighlighted and poorly lit steps at the 12th St. entrance to the IRT Seventh Ave. subway line in Manhattan. I know a fellow senior citizen who stumbled and fell on these very same steps and eventually died as a result. I hold on dearly to the banisters as I descend carefully, often missing my train. Before another accident occurs, I wish to draw this dangerous situation to the attention of the general public — to create pressure on the MTA to finally correct this problem.

Dina Perlmuter

Backsliding

Alexandria, Va.: There is irony in John Roberts citing “racial progress in America” in striking down a provision of the Voting Rights Act, as it was juxtaposed with the latest example of highprofile political incorrectness, Paula Deen, and the support she is receiving in her exposure’s aftermath (“Dead to ‘rights,’ ” June 26). Are you sure the country has changed, Mr. Chief Justice?

Karen Ann DeLuca

Word games

Bronx: I’m no Paula Deen fan, but I’ve had enough. What is accept- able? What are the rules? People can sing the N-word to sell records, and that’s acceptable. They can use it to address each other on a streetcorner. But if a white person says it, the world comes to an end. Maybe the word should be abolished altogether. Then we wouldn’t have these problems. Kelly Di Girolamo

Water safety 101

Staten Island: Re “Teen dead in lake on school trip” (June 25): This death is a terrible tragedy, and my heart goes out to the boy’s family and friends. Every summer we read of drowning deaths at beaches, lakes and rivers, often because young people don’t know how to swim. The mayor should make learning how to swim part of our schools’ core curriculum. Aubrey Jackson

Commentary about nothing

Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.: Can the Mets’ radio announcers get through at least one game without comparing something that happens to a “Seinfeld” episode? Boy, do I miss Bob Murphy. Steve Greagor

Sorry excuse

Staten Island: Ronell Wilson wants to live because he is now a father? When he killed Rodney Andrews and James Nemorin, did it ever enter his mind that they might have been fathers? That they had families they wanted to go home to? Let Wilson fry.

Susan Esposito