Keeping up with Caitlyn Jenner
Oceanside, L.I.: I have to think of all the suicides Caitlyn Jenner has prevented, not only because of the strength of her convictions, but also all the support that she is getting. May it give strength to others. Anthony J. La Land Brooklyn: With all due respect to freedom of expression and individuality, isn’t it a bit of a stretch comparing Bruce/Caitlyn Jenner to Jessica Lange, Brooke Shields and, gasp, Cindy Crawford? Shouldn’t we also include the trendsetters Cpl. Klinger, Tootsie and Uncle Miltie?
Robert Fiorello Massapequa Park, L.I.: Much newsprint has been given to Caitlyn Jenner’s recent transformation, but the much more insidious, dare I say dangerous, Kardashian story was in Monday’s Daily News: Khloé Kardashian was on her way to BookCon at the Javits Center. If the Kardashian girls can learn to read and write, can world domination be far behind? They must be stopped, at all costs. Mike Campisi
Jenner confusion
East Rockaway, L.I.: Sex changes are nothing more than evil science performed by the Dr. Frankensteins of the world. Greed and political correctness will not grant emotionally troubled and sexually confused people the help they really need. To those who think that Bruce Jenner’s sex change is a wonderful thing, I say, Igor, get a soul. Gene Philcox
Dishonorable discharge
Brooklyn: What an outrage to the entire country and our military that an officer of the Navy in dress uniform was refused entrance to the “swank” Standard Hotel. The nerve of this establishment for such action, especially during Fleet Week. The men and women in our military risk their lives each and every day for our freedom. The uniform of our military is worth so much more than any designer dress or suit.
Mary Strand
March out of step
Whitestone: As long as I can remember, our mayors have always marched in the Memorial Day Parade in College Point, Whitestone and Douglaston. Until de Blasio. Only Douglaston has that honor now. That’s OK. We had our vets and soldiers upfront for our flag-waving. We didn’t lose; we gained. God bless our forces one and all, young and old. We salute you with tears in our hearts. Sally De Felice
To the point
Staten Island: No stop-and-frisk . . . murders by guns up almost 20% and climbing. Shocker!
Lillian Pennino
Cop to it
Brooklyn: As predicted by myself and thousands of others, the anti-police policies put in place by the current mayor and City Council are driving shootings and homicide through the roof. These communities were warned this was going to happen. Some couldn’t have cared less; others wouldn’t listen. Gonna get worse, folks. Chris Barry
Ciao, de Blasio
Bronx: I am a proud Italian-American, but Mayor de Blasio has disgraced the good hardworking people of all ethnic backgrounds, and especially Italians. I have only two words for the mayor: “disgrazia ”and“disonore.”
Linda Ranallo
Honor Derrick Griffith
Brooklyn: Wouldn’t it be great if the Daily News started a fund-raiser to create a scholarship in the name of Derrick Griffith, and award him his Ph.D. (“CUNY dean was set to get Ph.D.,” May 14)? Michael J. Manzolillo
Bomber’s brain freeze
Plainfield, N.J.: Re Dr. Jay Giedd, who said Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev may not have been mature enough to understand the effects of his actions (“Boston bomber’s brain drain,” May 7): I suggest that all young men who were imprisoned before the age of 20 be evaluated to determine if they could understand the effects of their actions. Perhaps young men under 20 should not be entered into military service until evaluated to determine their maturity. It is too bad that Tsarnaev didn’t commit his crimes in Virginia, where he probably would have already been executed for the crimes he committed. Ora Bailey Hill
Tie the knot, not one on
Manhattan: New York allows 14-year-olds to get married if their parents and a judge consent to it. They can get married at 16 with only their parents’ consent, and at 18 with no parental consent whatsoever. And yet minors can’t purchase alcohol until they are 21, even if their parents have no issue with them buying booze. Insanely, two teenagers are deemed old enough to get married — but not to buy a bottle of wine at Trader Joe’s for their wedding reception. They aren’t mature enough for that, apparently. They can enter a wedding hall — but can’t go to a nightclub or a bar after the business at the wedding hall is done. In what world does this make sense? If you are old enough to get married and have children, you are certainly old enough to drink.
Agatha Jadwiszczok
Backseat driver
Bronx: To all outer-borough residents who have had problems getting a cab back home after visiting Manhattan: A few years ago, my wife and I left a Broadway show, hailed a cab and got in. After giving the driver our Bronx address, he said there was no way he was going to the Bronx. I made it clear to him that he was going to drive us home or to the nearest police precinct, where we could both explain the situation to the desk sergeant. He whispered curses all the way, but we got home safe and sound. We’ve done this on three other occasions, and it has always worked. Never give the destination before getting in and always put the cab number and driver’s name on your cell. This will help in case of a problem. The sad part is that most of these cab drivers live in the boroughs they don’t want to drive to.
Jose R. Roldan
A child’s champion
Ridge, L.I.: Voicer Nicolle Martinez wrote about the “dark side” of foster care. She is speaking the truth. I’m a foster parent and am afraid to give an example for fear of retribution. These boys and girls have two strikes against them before they even start out. An agency that is supposed to help these kids seems to do everything to make it harder for them. I hope for Martinez that someone from the agency she has to deal with read her story. And I hope the agency does what is right and gives her everything that she is entitled to. She sounds like despite all the cards stacked against her, she will fight on and make something out of her life. You’re doing great, Nicolle — don’t ever give up! You made me proud of you. Dennis P. Shivers
Free ride in foster care
Carmel, N.Y.: Nicolle Martinez is annoyed that she is not getting enough free stuff on the backs of working taxpayers. There are many working families out there that struggle to provide the same basic needs for their children. She states that she is fortunate enough to be headed for Columbia University
Track marks
next year. Wow, she’s got it tough. How about getting a job or telling us about something you do to give back to society. That may be an awfully short list.
Art Kiernan Tuckahoe, N.Y.: So “die-hard” fans are turning away from the Belmont races? So should everyone else. Racing horses are forced to participate using whips, shackles, spurs, drugs, electric prods, bucking straps and other instruments of torture and oppression. The Churchill Downs website alone lists literally hundreds of cases of injury and death to horses each year. What we do to animals under the guise of sport and fun is shameful. Kiley Blackman
Respect the deceased
Bronx: Recently, one of my favorite stars, Anne Meara, passed away. Last week in their column, Kathie Lee and Hoda mentioned Meara’s use of salty language. This was poor timing and unnecessary. If columnists choose to criticize someone who is living, fine, but respect should be shown to the dead.
Barbara M. Kearney
At the Alpo cafe
Central Islip, L.I.: Re “Pets at cafes? Grross,” June 1: I personally would rather sit in a restaurant with my dogs than with most humans. Humans are inconsiderate, greedy slobs. Thomas Sarc