Iditarod race is doggone cruel

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With increasing public awareness about the treatment and conditions of animals used in various entertainment venues and recreational pastimes, it’s time the Iditarod was exposed for what it is: animal cruelty.

Dogs are exploited for monetary gain, which is nothing new. The conditions to which they are subjected, the injuries they often sustain, and their treatment by some owners should have turned off fans by the hordes, if we care about animals and their well being.

These creatures are not machines and have no voice or choice in their fate, but we do. We can refuse to contribute towards and subsidize their misery by not supporting these races.

We should ask ourselves how we would feel if our own companion animals were forced to endure what these dogs have.

Fight global poverty instead

Manhattan: President Trump’s address to Congress explained his intention to increase military spending and strengthen national security. This cannot effectively protect the U.S. from international conflict and terrorist threat and will not solve the current chaotic situation. Instead, increasing the international affairs budget is a better way to help promote development and democracy in currently unstable areas and thus help establish stable, developed, democratic regimes where conflict and violence rarely occur. If the President could increase the international affairs budget instead of increasing military spending, this problem of international conflict could be better addressed. Fighting global poverty is a more effective way to fight terrorism. Xiying Huangfu

Hearing loss is a business gain

Ormond Beach, Fla.: Regarding “U.S. adults with hearing loss projected to nearly double from 2020 to 2060” (March 2), I have two questions. Will hearing aid manufacturers price their absurdly overpriced instruments more affordably in response, or follow the pharmaceutical companies’ lead with a manic gouging binge? And second, will insurance conglomerates finally recognize hearing loss as an insurable disease severe enough to affect employment and offer appropriate coverage? Given corporate ethics, both questions are probably rhetorical. Tom Johnson

Kranepool’s not insured?

Lincoln Park, N.J.: I read the story in the Daily News about former New York Mets first baseman Ed Kranepool needing a kidney transplant. As a Mets fan (and human being), I am very sorry to hear this awful news. The story infers his medical costs will be “out of pocket” and he is preparing to auction off his 1969 championship ring and other memorabilia. How does he not have, at age 72, Medicare and a supplement like the rest of us? Keith Remland

Biden’s ugly family affair

Woodmere, L.I.: Former Vice President Joe Biden must be thrilled to learn that his son is hooking up with his daughter-inlaw. Ah, the joys of incest. A real classy move. Elaine Savino

No one should buy guns

Manhattan: I agree with Voicer Charlotte Dinowitz that mentally ill individuals should not be able to buy guns. In fact, no one should be able to buy guns. Buying guns should be illegal. The killing of innocent victims must end, and now! Our children need to grow up on safe streets, and not to be afraid to walk on the streets.

Amy Rosenfeld

Bikini model’s wrist slap

Howard Beach: So a bikini model runs a $2 million identity theft scam and only gets a slap on the wrist? If any one of us were to do that, we’d be facing mandatory jail time! But I guess she learned her lesson (snicker). Jairo Baez

Kaepernick is clueless

Barrie, Ontario: What has Colin Kaepernick done to support the victims of black-on-black crime? Far more victims are assaulted by people who look just like them. By supporting these victims, he would have to admit this fact. The site DNAinfo Chicago shows that the victims of crime are mostly black or Hispanic. Very few are white or Asian victims. So is Kaepernick going to face facts and admit what so many choose to ignore? Eileen Herbert

Kaepernick showed courage

Beijing: It’s not required to fall upon your career sword to be counted among the courageous and principled (“Colin Kaepernick a hypocrite as he ends national anthem protest now that he needs a new job ,” March 2). Colin Kaepernick performed his duty to his views and to country. He did so non-violently and clearly at a time when attention needed to be focused on what seemed to be an epidemic of questionable slayings. In fact, if Kaepernick sticks to only playing football from now on, he’s displayed more patriotic courage in one season than most of us in all our years. My hat’s off to him. Prof. William Poy Lee

Beijing Foreign Studies University

No fan of professors

Manhattan: College professors have too much idle time on their hands and are making a mountain out of a molehill. Why don’t they stick to fighting violent crimes rather than wasting time fighting Kellyanne Conway? And how is she a danger? (“Law professors seek sanctions against Kellyanne Conway over ‘conduct involving dishonesty, fraud,’” Feb. 27). Colleges charge ungodly tuitions to pay these instructors ridiculously high salaries for a low amount of work hours in return. I have known Ivy League professors and I know the sham. My husband and I broke our backs financially as we sent our four daughters to “elite schools.” Professors are having fun on the gravy train thanks to us. The system needs closer scrutiny. Paula Flaherty Yorba Linda, Calif.: I really like Abby Lee Miller and I am hoping for no jail time for her and that she is able to continue with her show “Dance Moms,” which I love. There is nothing else like it on TV to watch. Lisa Folenta

In general, Sessions is weak

Ozone Park: Our new Attorney General Jeff Sessions was intimidated by a question from our notoriously tough Sen. Al Franken. Gee, what would Sessions do if confronted with contentious, real-life situations? He should be gone, as his spine seems to be as weak as a sagging spring mattress.

Ray Hackinson

Francesca is a clueless sexist

New Fairfield, Conn.: Evan Grossman wrote an excellent, thoughtful, thorough rebuke to Mike Francesca’s views on the ability of women coaches (“Mike Francesa’s clueless, sexist rant about Becky Hammon shows how narrow-minded many in sports are,” March 2). It’s not as if women haven’t demonstrated their talents and abilities in every field imaginable to convince people they deserve a chance. It’s the same prejudice used to prevent African-Americans from becoming quarterbacks. What is Francesa afraid of? Join this century. Michael Galleano

Trump spews ‘fake news’

Raleigh, N.C.: In my opinion, President Trump criticizing Sen. Chuck Schumer is fake news (“President Trump slams ‘total hypocrite’ Schumer for past meetings with Putin,” March 3). Who cares what Trump says or thinks? Every word that comes out of his mouth, Jeff Sessions’ mouth, Kellyanne Conway’s mouth and, of course, Sean Spicer’s mouth, are flat-out lies. The Daily News prints this stuff as if they are being truthful. Having the responsibility of holding these people accountable, your publication is failing badly. Robin Grant

Bad News

Bellmore, L.I.: I’ve been buying and the Daily News since it cost three cents when The News had the largest circulation in the country. Articles were based on investigation and written without bias, just the facts. Commentary was on the editorial page. What happened to The News? Now it has become a scandal sheet, an arm of the Democratic Party with a falling circulation. At this rate, it wouldn’t be long before The News ceases to exist.

John J. Ferrante

Bad bank

Loren Holmes Woodhaven: I got a letter from JPMorgan Chase Bank that starting March 28, they will be charging a fee that begins at $18.95 to order checks. So low to middle income families without Chase’s Premier Platinum Checking will now be paying for checks. Is one of the biggest banks so in need of cash that it would start taking more from the low and middle class or is this to curb regular people from having accounts with Chase? I guess Jamie Dimon’s million-dollar bonuses must came from someone — why their loyal customers? For shame. Thomas Schineller