Keep Columbus, toss Melissa

West Harrison, N.Y.: Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito says that a commission should take a look at the statue of Christopher Columbus in Columbus Circle because of his alleged mistreatment of the native population he encountered. As an Italian-American, I am disgusted by this politician who condemns everyone who does not meet her socialist views. This is the same person who considers members of the FALN and Che Guevara heroes even though they are responsible for deaths of numerous innocent people.

I guess everyone who attends and marches in the Columbus Day Parade will be considered to be supporters of a racist, by her thinking. To paraphrase her own words, the despicable acts of the FALN and Che Guevara are repugnant and reprehensible, but I guess these words don’t apply to her heroes based on her ideology. Peter Creanza Lynbrook, L.I.: In 1492 Columbus sailed the ocean blue. He was a 15th century man and explorer. When he set foot on the island of Hispaniola, he discovered North America.

Did he look into his crystal ball and see that in the 17th century indentured servants and slaves would be brought to the New World? He was an Italian explorer funded by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella to find a trade route to India. He founded North America and proved that the world was indeed not flat. Let’s not revise history, deny history for a minority view.

We, as a country, are indeed on a slippery slope.

Thanks for nothing, Chris

Manhattan: I agree with Melissa Mark-Viverito that we should consider removal of the Columbus statue. After all, he is responsible for discovering Puerto Rico, which gave us her. We could do without her progressive opinions along with those of our mayor. Why don’t they turn their attention to some street names, i.e., the street named in Harlem after the criminals the Young Lords. Surely, our politicians have better things to do.

Randy Stiles

Awful person

Basking Ridge, N.J.: Look in a dictionary and see these terms: Racist, bigot, terrorist supporter, anti-American, agitator. You’ll see the image of Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito. She’s eyeing the statue of Columbus to be taken down. If anyone should come down in NYC, it’s her, a vile, hateful politician. And if de Blasio goes along with such garbage, he shames his Italian heritage! Richard Mac Dowell

Another barbaric practice

Rockville Centre, L.I.: I agree the statue of Dr. J. Marion Sims should go (“Melissa Mark-Viverito calls for removal of Central Park monument to doctor who experimented on slaves,” Aug. 21). However, I wonder if those protesting the statue of the gynecologist who operated on enslaved women “without their consent or giving them anesthesia” are aware ob/gyns in the U.S. continue to operate on humans without their consent or giving them anesthesia. I am talking Susan M. Carlucci about the 3,000 U.S. newborn boys who are strapped down on a daily basis for the unnecessary cultural procedure on their healthy penis known by the euphemism “circumcision.” I just went on a tour of Mercy Medical Center’s maternity wing and labor and delivery department, and the nurse in charge confirmed anesthesia for circumcision is entirely at the ob/gyns’ discretion and “several” or “some” (she refused to specify how many) use no anesthesia at all. She also agreed babies can pass out from pain. If you are outraged by a statue of a 19th century gynecologist who operated without patient consent and didn’t use anesthesia, why aren’t you outraged by 21st century ob/gyns who operate unnecessarily on boys’ healthy genitals without their consent and without anesthesia? This is a violation of basic standards of medical ethics and inflicts unnecessary pain and suffering. Sarah Rouse Cooney

Taskless force

Brooklyn: The idea that Mayor de Blasio wants a task force to take down statues is absurd. Why are we erasing history? History is to be remembered, good or bad, for a reason. While we are at it, take down Lady Liberty and all it represents. I hate to think if Washington never won back New York from the British. Or how about Colonial Williamsburg? Get rid of it! Oh, yeah, rename Columbus Circle! The list can go on. All this insanity this country has, and this is what people are worried about. Sad how the younger generation is being sucked into this madness, and knows nothing except for what they hear and read in the newspapers and TV. How about picking up a history book and decide yourself?

Cassandra Gramegna

Honeymoon is over

Whitestone: You know he was a misogynist and I was always offended how he threatened his wife and mother-in-law with violence (“Pow, to the moon, Alice!”), so it is high time Ralph Kramden’s statute gets removed from in front of the Port Authority Bus Terminal. Jake McNicholas

Ignored history

Manhattan: Every time I read that Trumpsters state that removing Confederate statues is wrong because it is part of American history, I’m floored! As a 60-yearold black man who was schooled in the ’60s, I remember studying history and wondering if black people even existed, except for slavery. There was no mention of the contributions African-Americans made to this country. People such as Benjamin Banneker, Charles Drew, George Washington Carver, etc., were never mentioned. Who knew what contributions were made by groups like the Tuskegee Airmen? Just another example of Trumpster hypocrisy.

Kevin Harris

Fewer commandments

Saratoga Springs, N.Y.: It looks like Judge Roy Moore might win the Alabama U.S. Senate seat special election — running on the platform of the Ten Commandments. I’m sure it never dawned on this dense man that the first four commandments are unconstitutional under the First Amendment, that Trump is the poster boy for adultery, stealing and lying, and that coveting is essentially the foundation of capitalism. This leaves not killing, and honoring your parents — a pretty short list to put in front of the courthouse. The Golden Rule is a much better inspiration.

Bob English

Blame voters, not God

Warwick, N.Y.: Voicer Wanda Lucci is a great example of why many no longer believe in Christianity. God did not give us Trump nor does He fiddle in our elections. It’s time you become a follower of Christ and stop being a “churchgoer.” Your delusion is showing. Lenise Rogers

Social Security reform

Hoboken, N.J.: Regarding William Lines III’s letter blaming President Obama for low cost-ofliving adjustments to Social Security, I would remind him it’s Congress that sets appropriations for Social Security, not the President. I would also like to point out it’s the Republicans running Congress who give their rich friends tax cuts while taking food from the mouths of people like Mr. Lines, retired Americans who worked hard for Social Security and Medicare. Jim Doyle ANDREW SAVULICH

MTA horsepower

Monroe Township, N.J.: Why not bring back Off-Track Betting to New York City and run it with businesspeople, not politicians? The profits should pay for much of the upgrades to the transit system. Dennis Kalos

Flushing the losers

Manhattan: The sorry state of the New York Mets can be summed up in two words — “the Wilpons.” This ownership group’s unwillingness to spend money in a big-market city is the root cause of this team’s malaise. You cannot sustain a consistent winner on the cheap. Unfortunately, the Wilpons have failed to learn this lesson. They gambled on the strength of young pitchers, while neglecting other areas, all in a desperate bid to save money. How did that work out? It is obvious that the Wilpons are not capable owners and will never achieve an iota of the Yankee standard and tradition. In closing, I say, “Please sell the team, because the fans deserve better.”

Nick Gatsoulis

Winner among losers

West Caldwell, N.J.: Just a note of thanks for the Mets tickets I won in one of your contests. The tickets were for Tuesday night’s game versus the Diamondbacks. Even though the Mets did not win, it was still a very nice evening and the seats were great. Thanks for running great contests; I enjoy participating and enjoy winning even more. Rosa daGraca