Readers sound off on Memorial Day, NYC’s speed limit and the Daily Double

Today we remember our own lost fighting in wars

Brooklyn: Originally, Memorial Day was called Decoration Day. A day to remember those who died in service of the United States of America and other countries with the common understanding of liberty, freedom and human rights. Decoration Day derived from the Civil War, when flowers were placed on the graves of those who died in this country’s internal conflict. We recognize the red poppy as a reminder to remember. It was seen to grow on battlefields after war. Congress made Memorial Day a federal holiday in 1971.

Military deaths in wars for freedom: American Revolution, 25,000; WWl, 116,000; WWll, 405,000; Korean War, 36,000; Vietnam War, 58,000; Global War on Terror, 7,000. All have plus figures, as civilian deaths number in the millions. There are many National Cemeteries in the U.S. and some overseas. At the Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, there are 400,000 veterans and family buried there.

I ask that we remember those who died in war zones. There are many more who have died and are dying after returning from war. All veterans, their families and civilians need to be remembered. I propose one tenet: that peace is the best alternative to war, and communication throughout the world by “We the People” and mediators are necessary to reduce and stop conflict. There must be imagined peace, the goal to create peace, all through communication to overcome war and conflict.

In the present day, there seems much apathy and forgetfulness. There needs to be the discovery of harmony for peace with compassion and empathy. My thinking, prayers and respect are in remembering all who have passed on, and their service. Thank you. Louis Cohen

Lived by the sword

Wellfleet, Mass.: The so-called “Butcher of Tehran” died in a helicopter crash in Iran. What a shame. Mike Rice

Despicable

Glen Ridge, N.J.: If the intent of that disgusting, inhumane creep Cleopatra Morgan, who horrifically attacked and hurt that poor, innocent mini poodle, Rocket, was to be the most hated person in New York (and probably the world, if this gets around), then I’m sure that is the only thing she will ever be successful at in her miserable life. Francine Ferrara

Emergency commute

Holliswood: Re “NYPD radio encryption harms the public’s rights” (op-ed, May 22): Diane Kennedy and David Donovan whine that the NYPD encrypted radios with a 30-minute delay would prevent journalists from arriving at noteworthy events in a timely manner due to, among other things, traffic congestion. Please, take a bus or a train in this transit-rich city, just like us common taxpaying folks. Gregory W. Chupa

Communal space

Brooklyn: I am a member of one of the small clubhouses the mayor is closing. I’ve been going there for 13 years. It has helped me socialize, make friends and be more positive. I am very distressed that the city is closing the small ones in favor of large ones (300 members). I am very uncomfortable in huge crowds. The city needs more small ones, not less, for people with mental illness and especially for seniors like me. Penny Klein

Slow down

Bronx: Mr. Mayor: Please stop with the B.S. about NYC drivers driving too fast. We know why you want to reduce the speed limit from 25. The city is making a mint off drivers “speeding” at 35 miles per hour. So, you want to make more money by lowering the legal speed! The 25 MPH limit has already been a severe punishment to a city where people have been used to driving at normal speeds to get from point A to point B. We understand you want to make the roads safer but unfortunately, you political leaders keep punishing drivers regardless of what pedestrians do on the streets. Pedestrians have rules they never follow and most of the times are careless when they are out in the streets, and they never get punished for that. What are you going to do, make the speed limit 10 or 5 MPH? The city will look like a large parking lot! Aren’t we N.Y. drivers taxed enough to have to put up with driving in New York? Carmelo Burgos

No deaths that day

Massapequa Park, L.I.: Once again, the Voice of the People published mistruths about Jan. 6. No police officers were murdered that day. Voicer Adam Reich claims Trump only attended the funeral for NYPD Detective Jonathan Diller as a photo op and did not attend the funerals of five police officers killed on Jan. 6. Please name them. I bet you can’t. Raymond P. Moran

Failed businesses

Rockaway Park: I have often wondered how you can bankrupt three casinos. That seems almost impossible to do. Then there’s the university that the government required to give back all the money people paid, and the university to close. In addition, there was the helicopter company. What happened to that? I’m sure I missed a few other businesses. And the man who ran these companies that all folded? Donald Trump. How anyone with any common sense could vote for someone like that, I do not understand. If someone in your family did all those things, he would be ostracized. Yet, so many people fawn over Trump. Why? He is a total con man. If you think he is such a good businessman, how come all these companies failed with him at the top? Sharon Gabriel

Demographic shift

Bronx: I’ve lived in the Bronx my entire life of 71 years, but until I saw the Trump rally, I had no idea that almost everyone in the South Bronx was white. LOL. Randall Borra

Entrenched animosity

Williamsburg, Va.: Too many Palestinians have lost far too much to think they would ever forgive Israel, or that Israel would ever forgive the Palestinians. As long as those two entities live side by side, even with a Palestinian state, there will never be peace. Why do you think the other Arab countries want nothing to do with the Palestinians? They have become radicalized. They know the cause is hopeless but they want retribution and will support Hamas, which will reemerge in one form or another. Eventually, there will be another massacre of Israelis and the war will go on. Call Palestine a state or whatever, but Jews and Palestinians can not live side by side. Separation is the only answer. Either remove the Palestinians or the Israelis from the picture if you want peace, but leave the goats alone. They have suffered far too long being made into shawarmas. John Lemandri

Shades of discrimination

Bronx: Something has been bothering me. I have been noticing that on the network channels, the Black women who are anchors, or do the weather, etc. have been fair-complexioned. The Black men, on the other hand, can be as black as they come. One channel in New York recently hired a weatherman who is handsome, charming and dark-complexioned. If a woman of his color applied for that job, I have a feeling she would not get it no matter how qualified she is. Let’s be clear, I have absolutely nothing against these light, bright and qualified ladies. I am just asking in this year of our Lord 2024, why are the networks still practicing colorism? Why not give qualified Black women a chance in this market? Pauline Graham Binder

Ups the ante

Brooklyn: To Voicer June Lowe: As a diehard “Jeopardy!” fan, I heartily agree that host Ken Jennings has done a beautiful job of keeping the spirit of the show consistent with that of the late, great, beloved Alex Trebek — not an easy feat! However, I strongly disagree that the Daily Doubles “takes away some of the excitement of the game.” The contestant who is answering questions correctly and controlling the board is the most likely to find the Daily Doubles, so it is not random but rather part of the momentum of a successful player on a streak. Also, they still have to get the question right — when someone risks it all on a true Daily Double and loses, it’s pretty much game over! How do you not find that exciting? Katherine Raymond