Johna Mackinnon News Today

The kids are alright — because they are right Lackawaxen, Pa.: In attempting to placate too many interests, the April 24 editorial “When protest turns to hatred” became a travesty. Its only truth lies in the sad recognition that antisemitism survives. But, except as a weapon of insult, that form of racism had little to do with the Columbia University protests, which are a response to the ...

Going green isn’t punitive building regulations Annapolis, Md.: Kudos to Councilmember Justin Brannan (“Albany must ease the shift to greener buildings,” op-ed, March 19) for suggesting ways to ease the ability of building owners to comply with the ambitious mandates of Local Law 97, which requires billions of dollars of conversions and retrofits of their buildings to meet emission standards ...

Manhattan: The case of Jordan Neely has struck me as an intersection of so many terrifying forms of injustice we see around us today: The intergenerational consequences of domestic violence; the way trauma puts people on a trajectory that is then propelled and reinforced by the systems around them (especially if they are Black); chronic homelessness and lack of mental health care; brazen vigilantism and extrajudicial executions, usually of Black men, with no (immediate) consequences; and the rol...

Ossining, N.Y.: Once again, worshipers of the former president either dismiss his crimes as nothing more than political attacks or spread fact-free accusations about the current president. Voicer Bob Pascarella, never missing a chance to worship at the altar, claims Donald Trump’s many legal problems and possible indictments are nothing more than folks wanting to get Trump.

Woodside: Re “State pols vote ‘yes’ on getting $32K pay bump” (Dec. 23): Looking at the bleak economic indicators on the Main Street for the affordability of daily groceries and basic necessities across the nation, I am astounded by the humongous salary hike New York state lawmakers have awarded themselves making them the highest paid legislators in the nation.

Floral Park: Re “ ‘Healthy’ rebuke to Eric” (Nov. 23): The Medicare Advantage plan is a health insurance model proven to foster corruption, offer fewer provider choices and place profit ahead of quality care by using prior authorization protocols to delay or deny services that doctors deem necessary.

Belle Harbor: So the mayor’s chief technology officer, Matt Fraser, somehow qualified for the very difficult-to-get NYPD pistol permit (“Adams aide with cop guards also packs a pistol,” Oct. 22). Applicants must prove that their work is dangerous enough to require special protection or have some other extraordinary reason to get the coveted concealed carry permit.

Manhattan: Every day when I was a young man back in the town called Central, in West Virginia, my Italian mother laid out chores for me and I had a paper route. In winter, there was homework to do. In summer, I was expected to attend Bible school (catechism). I didn’t have much spare time.

Smithtown, L.I.: Your article about the Sacco and Vanzetti case (“The Vanzetti knife, a family treasure,” op-ed, Aug. 23) was particularly profound given it was placed alongside The News’ editorial tribute to Dr. Anthony Fauci on his retirement.

Garwood, N.J.: This letter is in response to Voicer Robert J. SanFilippo: Thank you for your letter. It made me smile. I could not finish reading Dr. Andrew Wickline’s op-ed (“The right way to curb opioid abuse by Americans,” May 16) because I was laughing, too.