Readers sound off on love of country, Israel vs. Iran and a mayoral mandate

Where, oh where, have our American values gone?

Northport, L.I.: It offends me to see Americans continually being lied to by Fox News, Donald Trump and his conspiracy theorists.

The insurrection against the United States of America on Jan. 6, 2021, was based on lies that motivated a mob of white supremacists to storm the Capitol, where the business of the American people has been carried out since 1857. It shouldn’t be so easy to mislead so many into thinking that antisemitism, bigotry and misogyny are patriotic. In full view of the public, they spit on the Constitution and the rule of law, shamelessly injuring 150 of the U.S. Capitol/Metropolitan police and causing the deaths of five.

While parading around with the Confederate flag of slavery, these white supremacists attempted to harm our duly elected lawmakers because of their golden-calf-like idolization of a twice-impeached and four-times indicted ex-president who has no respect for American values. The First Amendment gives us the right to dissent, not to desecrate (or defecate in) our noble dome of democracy.

President Biden has brought dignity back to America while he’s been busy moving the country forward. We, the people, hold democracy in our hands this election year. If we let a mob of Nazi flag-waving white supremacists destroy our republic, we will forever live to regret it. From the mountains to the prairies to the oceans white with foam, we all must stand with America and help to guide her through this dark night of the soul with the righteous light of our true values. Our country deserves no less than our unyielding resolve to defend her. Peggy Smith

That’ll be the day

Dayton, Ohio: In “Iowa follows Texas folly” (editorial, April 15), the Daily News Editorial Board writes, “In lieu of this state-level usurpation, Washington needs to get together and, at long last, pass some immigration reforms.” That’s a great idea. Unfortunately, it is about as likely to happen as Donald Trump saying that, for the good of the country, he has decided not to run for president this November and he wants all his supporters to vote for Liz Cheney. Vic Presutti

The real snoozer

Woodstock, N.Y.: It is in keeping with the Orange One that he is forever guilty of projection. His childish nicknames, like “Sleepy Joe,” reflect exactly what’s going on with him. So, we should employ a nickname for him: Dozey Donnie! Perfect! Suzanne Hayes Kelly

Fear of others

Hoboken: To Voicer Regina Mangan: What exactly are you living in fear of? Hard-working immigrants looking for a better life? You’ve succumbed to the GOP rhetoric. What you need to fear is white American men with guns committing mass shootings, but you are too easily brainwashed by your conservative lawmakers to understand that. Joe Ewansky

Unholy hydra

Ridgewood, N.J.: The head of the snake — Iran — must be cut off if there is to be peace in the Middle East. Supporting its proxies, Iran has been able to attack Israel from Yemen, Iraq, Gaza, Lebanon and Syria. Without Iran, its proxies will be diminished. Ed Houlihan

Reckless reactionary

Bayonne: To quote your editorial (“Iran’s true promise of terror,” April 16): “Unless, of course, the hundreds of airborne weapons were designed to be intercepted… Under this unbelievable scenario…” But is it unbelievable? The horrendous Hamas attack of last October has exposed Benjamin Netanyahu as a fish looking for bait on a hook. Of course he had to react to the slaughter, abductions and worse of so many innocents. But rather than continue the process that repatriated a few captives, goaded by his bloodthirsty cabinet and his desire to avoid prosecution for his alleged misdeeds, he has gone on a rampage that will only encourage more terrorism and has retarded any progress Israel has made toward acceptance by its neighbors and the world writ large. Iran is playing Bibi for a sucker. Hopefully, he doesn’t take the bait this time! Marty Wolfson

Sinister slogan

Brooklyn: Fellow Voicers, I viewed with total disgust people in America screaming “death to America!” I find it beyond belief that I would hear that in my country. I believe it should entitle them to a one-way ticket to the nation of their choice, maybe somewhere in the Middle East where they would be with like-minded people — the ones who are addicted to hatred, bloodshed and perpetual violence! I am not a violent person, but if someone were to say that in front of me, they may wake up looking up! Jeffrey Kulikowski

Familiar take

St. James, L.I.: Leonard Greene can put a racist angle on any situation. In his O.J. Simpson article (“Simpson was probably guilty,” column, April 14), he quoted a prominent African-American attorney as saying, “It showed a Black man can buy justice like a white man.” This statement is abhorrent on multiple levels. Primarily, the notion that the wealthy can buy justice and the implication that all white men can buy justice. Greene could have used his platform to criticize why any person of wealth, regardless of color or creed, can “buy” justice. Additionally, the implication that all white people walk into court with high-priced attorneys and then walk out the door is not only untrue but irresponsible. He simply can not write a column without emphasizing that African-Americans are victims of virulent, systematic racism, even when an African-American is acquitted of double murder. Carmine E. Esposito

Dastardly departed

Brooklyn: It’s almost the 30th anniversary of the O.J. Simpson trial and media circus in which all those characters from the trial, including Marsha Clark and Kato Kaelin, made a mockery of the justice system. Judge Lance Ito set Simpson free, and got imitated on “The Tonight Show” by host Jay Leno, who had his dancing Itos on every day. Simpson’s trial for allegedly killing Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman went down as a sad comedy show because everyone had an opinion on who killed them. The media circus surrounding the trial was a riot, as he got away like Bernie Madoff made off with the money. Go figure. But Simpson is now resting. Hopefully, Goldman’s family will get reparations for his demise and rightfully get emotional peace. Raquel Hanon

Added impediment

Manhattan: Re “Bad form” (editorial, April 12): When I served as public advocate, my staff and I were able to make meaningful changes to help special education students, families accessing food stamps, children in the child welfare system and more. As a citywide ombudsman, I used the office to address systemic issues that New Yorkers were having with city services. Often, this work needed to be done quickly. When they are having problems with city services, New Yorkers should be able to come to their elected officials and find someone who will advocate for them. This is the work the public elects officials to do. Mayor Adams’ new policy requiring elected officials to submit a request form if they want to speak with agency commissioners or senior staffers in the administration will make city government slower, less responsive and less efficient. Betsy Gotbaum

Sum saturation

East Brunswick, N.J.: I see many ads on TV from various organizations asking for donations. In most cases, the amount requested is $19 per month. What is so special about this amount? Anil Pandit

Accountable accounting

Bronx: Voicer Joseph Minardi stated that Biden is wrong, that taxpayers should not pay to replace a bridge. I don’t think that was ever the plan. Determining the cause of the accident, and who is actually at fault, will take months at least. In order to expedite the rebuilding of the bridge, the government will cover the cost and recover those expenses from the party at fault. Here is a portion of what was stated: “Following the sudden collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, my message has been clear — we must focus our efforts on recovering the victims, bringing closure to those who lost loved ones, and ensuring that the American taxpayer is not held responsible for costs that any negligent, foreign-owned shipping company should pay.” Marc Menchise