It’s time to close Rikers Island

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Brooklyn: This week, the City Council has the opportunity to vote yes on the land-use proposal that will build four modern, borough-based detainment facilities throughout the city. This system will make it possible for the hell on Earth that is Rikers Island to close. If one has not been detained there, then one may not understand that it is a soul-sucking environment which no human being should have to endure. It’s the most isolated part of New York City, with only one bridge to get on and off the island. This isolation has been the catalyst in creating the widespread corruption, inhumane conditions and general debauchery spearheaded by those in charge.

The only way to remedy this is to knock it all down and start over on land less remote. This will improve the environment of those who are detained and it will eliminate the isolation of both the detainees and those in charge. It will also improve morale and the mental health of the detainees as well as facilitate the much needed increase in social, career, educational and mental health services for the detainees, thus decreasing recidivism and improving lives as well as the community as a whole.

As a community leader for Vocal-New York, I, along with an entire group of concerned citizens, many of whom (including myself ) have been affected by the scourge that is Rikers Island, urge the Council to vote yes to the land use proposal that will ultimately close Rikers Island and allow New York to become a leader in this nation’s fight against the cancer of mass incarceration as well as an example to all as to how a once-abusive and corrupt corrections system can evolve into a true system of rehabilitation and healing. Eileen M. Maher

Different standards

Schenectady, N.Y.: Imagine if Hillary were the current president and did what this “president” has done in his term so far. She’d be in Attica. C’mon, Dems, show us you have a spine and rid us of this plague on our country.

Ron Goodman

Bleep bleep

Manhattan: Several of the 24-hour cable news shows have refused to broadcast live or taped Trump rallies at which he makes liberal use of profanity. I understand that they are concerned about the sensibilities of their viewers and possible problems with the FCC, but I think this is ill-advised. The American public should be exposed to Trump’s crass and unpresidential language. Censoring Trump is wrong on many levels. In particular, it has the effect of cleaning up his act. I do not think it is CNN’s or MSNBC’s role to clean up or in any way alter how Trump apparently wants the public to view him. No one, not even children, should be shielded from his unsophisticated and classless behavior. As for the

FCC, it would be paradoxical, to say the least, for the FCC to punish a news station for broadcasting unfiltered news made by its boss. In order for the American public to hold Trump accountable for obscenity-laced tirades, the whole country needs to see and hear him, not just his base who attend his rallies hoping to see and hear that nonsense. Steven Davies

Much appreciated

Brooklyn: Re “The real dirt on the Miracle Mets” (op-ed, Oct. 15): Mr. Robert Nason, thank you. Louis Scarcella

Family team

Valley Stream, L.I.: The article on the Miracle Mets written by Robert Nason brought tears to my eyes. I, too, am not a baseball fan. However, I was 16 the year they won and my father was a die-hard Mets fan. My dad accompanied my brother and his pregnant wife to a game in mid-July pitched by Tom Seaver. It was almost a no-hitter; there was unfortunately a hit off of Tom’s pitch in the eighth inning. My sister-in-law got so crazy my father exclaimed to my mom, “She is going to have that baby!” Sure enough, the next day my beautiful niece was born. Yes, of course, she is a die-hard Mets fan as well. Her first sentence was “Let’s go Mets!” Unfortunately, my dad passed away suddenly one week after her birth and never got to see the Mets win the World Series. Our family, however, watched every game in his honor. Thanks, Robert Nason, for writing such a wonderful article and bringing back memories that, although bittersweet, made my day. Darlene Enos

Grasping at straws

Bedford, N.Y.: Forced care can be a life-saver, for both the mentally ill person and his caregivers. My brother was severely mentally ill, and without medication he was dangerous. We (the family) were almost always able to talk him into taking his medication. Without it, he was terribly confused, delusional, paranoid and sometimes violent. Live for a few months with someone as ill as my brother, and then come back and tell me if we should be able to force treatment or not.

Katherine Flannery Dering

Hey, young’un

Forest Hills: Voicer Todd DeGennaro: If you don’t like the music WCBS and WPLJ play, turn the dial. This may come as a shock to you, but your generation is not the only one on the planet. I’m sure you think those of us who are not into whatever you want to hear played should just up and die and leave the airwaves to you, but most of us have a good 20 years left. So go find your safe space with your binky and your blankie, and stay the hell off my lawn!

Shout out

Linda Sperling Hicksville, L.I.: Re Voicer Todd DeGennaro’s letter: I agree, the same old songs are being played on the radio. That’s why I have been listening to Fordham University’s WFUV 90.7 for many years. When you hear a great old song that you haven’t heard in years, you can appreciate it. They introduce you to so many great new bands — lots of local bands — and tell you where you can see them live. Yes, it is public radio and you JAMES KEIVOM /FOR NEW YORK DAILY NE can become a member and enjoy the many perks of membership. They offer all kinds of music and you can stream it live too. The best DJ’s! Left of the dial forever! Enjoy!

Demon rum

Jeanne Lopez

Manhattan: Re “Death in the cards,” (Oct. 12): Please consider that alcohol so often triggers these shootings, which so often happen on weekends when there is more than just social drinking. Drinking is at the heart of so much violent and other aberrant behaviors which would never happen sober. So much is at stake besides the terrible loss of life. Attention must be paid! Bette Dewing

Business or pleasure?

Rockaway Park: Rosario Iaconis, in his lengthy deification of Christopher Columbus (“The whole world should honor Columbus,” op-ed, Oct. 14), left out one important point: Columbus’ journey was at the time, a business trip, and nothing more. Beth Kennedy