Only some hate crimes matter?
Indianapolis: I am ultra-liberal, but after reading Shaun King’s article it seems to me he is trying his hardest to justify what these teens did (“Don’t use Chicago’s white assault case against Black Lives Matter movement,” Jan. 5). He repeatedly says basically, “Ya, but look what these white people did in Idaho and Emmitt Till, etc.” King’s not doing his race any favors by trying to justify what these people did. Furthermore, no favor is being done to the BLM movement (which is racist to begin with). Police mistreatment goes to all races, believe me. Why doesn’t King show real numbers on police shootings which show more whites than blacks killed by police by large margins. This ridiculous article does nothing for the fight against racism. It just tells black teens that it’s fine to kidnap, torture and shame a disabled kid because whites deserve it, because look at what they have done.
Chris Walker
Jacksonville, Fla.: The injustice is the inconsistent justice. By now, if this were a black victim, the Justice Department would have announced its intent to conduct an investigation to determine if this is a hate crime. Of course, this looks like a hate crime. Justice in America is blind to color — or, maybe it is not!
Ken Weitzel
Double standards
Rochester: If this were a case of four white teens going after a black teen, there would be so much uproar. As the tables are reversed, there is not. I wonder why? The President on down to the clergy are playing this off as a nothing. And it really is something. It is sad to say that lines are being drawn and if the young can’t get it through their heads that this is despicable, then America is in for a rough time.
Patricia Cherwonij
Racist royalty
Brooklyn: Shaun King is biggest racist out there. So, saying “f--k white people” and then torturing a kid isn’t considered racist? I am 100% sure if this happened to a black person and they said “f---k black people,” King would be jumping all over that and screaming “Racism.” This is why I, nor anyone I know, will never take anything he has to say seriously. He’s a biased, racist, disgusting person. Julia Gunol
It’s not about him
Glendale: Why is it that Shaun King starts out speaking about what that poor white kid went through as a result of some black kids — but then goes on to speak about his own troubles years ago (which was, yes, totally wrong)? Then goes on about Trump, blah, blah! Trump has nothing to do with it. God forbid if this had been a black teenager that was kidnapped and walked around like a dog, hit, spit on and who knows what. It would be all over the front page. News outlets would be all over it. Talk about reverse racism. Are any white people burning down their own neighborhoods in protest? No! Someone please tell King if you write a story about someone else’s tragedy don't go off into left field with things that have nothing to with the issue.
Anthony Fioravanti
No Palestinian justice
Kew Gardens Hills: An Israeli military court last week convicted an Israeli soldier of manslaughter for shooting an unarmed Palestinian terrorist after he had just stabbed an Israeli soldier in Hebron in March. How many Palestinians have ever been convicted by a Palestinian court for killing Israeli civilians? The answer is zero. Not only have the Palestinian terrorists who have killed thousands of Israeli civilians over the years not been charged with any crime, they have actually been honored by the Palestinian Authority while their families have been rewarded monetarily. Some partners in peace, huh?
Barry Koppel
What’s he done?
Sparta, N.J.: I wish Voicer Myisha Adams would point out one blessed thing that President Obama did for black people in his first four years that made them reelect him for four more years. To allow a party that stands for gerrymandering and black voter suppression and civil rights denial to take control of all three branches of government makes me ask, “How are your so-called ‘needs’ being addressed now?” I wonder how you’d feel, Ms. Adams, if the Daily News adhered to the policy that “if you don’t vote, you are part of the problem and not welcomed at the debate!”
Ronald K. Samuel
Literature over Peace
Brooklyn: Voicer Michael Hanahoe is mistaken — Bob Dylan was awarded a Nobel Prize for literature, not peace. President Obama was awarded the prize for peace. Maybe the Nobel committees got their wires crossed. Rob LaRose
Trump’s Folly
Cedar Grove, N.J.: With the emerging details of Russian shenanigans in our presidential election, as detailed by our own intelligence community, it is now plain that Trump owes his presidency to Putin. How is he going to repay that debt? By returning Alaska to the Russians?
Keith Biesiada
Remember the vets
Brooklyn: I believe, as many others do, in those who have fought to keep our rights intact, so we are able to go about our everyday business without fear of harm being done to our loved ones. Veterans come home from service to face inadequate health coverage, not knowing where their next meal will come from, many times homeless. They deserve better treatment. I hear they get government assistance, and yet I see so many of them finding it hard to adapt to society. I see many people who get food, housing, education and health assistance who are able-bodied; many just arriving in the U.S. get immediate assistance with no questions. I can only hope our new President revamps this process. It is about time to give fair treatment to those who fight to keep us free.
Joseph V. Comperchio
Blanket coverage
La Selva Beach, Calif.: On Jan. 11, there will be two events competing for media attention: Congressional hearings on cabinet nominations and Donald Trump’s long-delayed (and cunningly timed) press conference. Americans need the media to give full coverage and analysis of the hearings; no more than minimal coverage of the conference is demanded. Citizens will be watching the various media to judge the degree of their concern with cabinet choices which can change the quality of our future.
Janet Cowie
Political misdirection
Rockaway Point: If the Russians did hack our election process, what does that say about our security? I think this is all a ploy by Democrats to make Trump’s transition into the White House more difficult.
Regina Mangan
Vapid argument
Manhattan: No matter what august body decrees it, vaping is not smoking. But since there’s no logical reason for a ban on outdoor smoking, it is, at the very least, consistently illogical to have a ban on outdoor vaping.
Linda Stewart
Candles for Christ
Brooklyn: To Voicer Marion Hodgman: When we were little, my mom baked a birthday cake for Jesus. We did it on Christmas Day after dinner. We put candles on the cake and brought the Baby Jesus from the stable and sang “Happy Birthday” to Jesus. Now I have a granddaughter and we still do the same thing. After all, Jesus is the reason for the season. God bless you. Mary Ellen Becht
Sky-high prices
Brooklyn: I am a NYC Department of Education worker. I would like to write to all airlines as well as newspapers regarding airplane ticket costs during school breaks. They are double and in some instances tripled. We are only middle class people; we do not get Wall Street wages or bonuses. Many of us would like to visit family during this time because the holiday pricing is outrageous as well. How do they charge $300 and $400 a flight and then two days later $69? It gets worse every year. Please address this issue for us: Be our voice; so many of us would appreciate it