Drones, LIRR infrastructure, health insurance companies

We see drones but not transparency

With all of the military resources and intelligence assets at our disposal, it is simply inexplicable that the American government is incapable of and/or unwilling to figure out the source and purpose of the deluge of drones descending upon the East Coast [“Hochul: Feds help in drone detection,” News, Dec. 16].

The apparent ineptitude of our leadership is simply stunning, not to mention its lack of transparency. No doubt potential adversaries are licking their chops and taking notes.

The shameful recent public appearances by Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and the robotic Pentagon press secretary, John Kirby, are both reminiscent of the “I know nothing,” nonsensical dogma espoused by the inimitable Sgt. Schultz of the classic television series “Hogan’s Heroes.”

One can only conclude that “Dronegate” is either a clandestine government-sponsored project, the purpose of which cannot be shared with the public at large, or worse, that we are led by perhaps an incompetent bunch of feckless bureaucrats, a truly sad state of affairs.

— Joel Reiter, Woodbury

As a retired senior radar operator with the Air Defense Command, I am well versed with this subject back to the 1950s. We say, “If you see something, do something,” but it seems no one is doing anything now, which might mean someone knows something but is not saying anything.

The ADC’s primary role is to identify every aircraft in our air space. If an object cannot be identified and has no IFF (identification friend or foe) transponder, then it must be intercepted and escorted to the ground. If there’s no response, it gets shot down.

— Mark Cassuto, Huntington

Why aren’t we shooting down the drones?

— Kristina M. Rus, West Babylon

Could drones be the answer to addressing the problems with aggressive driving? Tailgating, excessive speed, weaving through traffic and using HOV entry and exit lanes as passing lanes are constant daily occurrences.

Let’s reintroduce accountability for actions and behaviors in New York State. Put drones to good use.

— Tom Salvato, West Hempstead

Help our transit by following Pa. example

Any major metropolitan area with a robust economy is as good as its transit system “Infrastructure for LIRR now in ‘critical’ condition,” News, Dec. 9]. New York City remains the global economic center.

Our transit system is a major reason it works. Gov. Kathy Hochul has supported improving mass transit. Congestion pricing will help the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, specifically Long Islanders, with Long Island Rail Road infrastructure improvements.

While it is reassuring to see MTA spokesman David Steckel say, “What we can do is pick up the pace toward a state of good repair,” Hochul can help even more by providing urgently needed funding through the example set in Pennsylvania by Gov. Josh Shapiro, who is shifting highway funds to transit.

If Hochul truly wishes to be a leader in addressing climate change, she should shift a larger share of funding to mass transit.

Highways currently receive a much larger allocation, which seems in conflict with how we address climate crisis goals. President Joe Biden’s infrastructure law allocated at least $36 billion to New York for transportation, for roads or public transit.

Hochul needs to use more of these available funds to help assure the safety and future health of the MTA and the LIRR.

— Steve Rolston, Baldwin

Health care firms should spend wisely

UnitedHealthcare denied 32% of their claims in 2023, more than any other health care company. Currently, after the death of its CEO, Brian Thompson, it and many other insurance companies are spending money to wash their websites of their CEOs’ photos and names and to provide them with security for their protection [“How they’re building case vs. alleged CEO killer,” News, Dec. 15].

Instead of spending money this way, maybe the companies should try to understand why this murder happened and, more so, why many Americans are applauding it and making suspect Luigi Mangione a folk hero of sorts.

The insurance companies are clueless and should be spending money to fix their broken systems. They should spend money to look into their customers’ dissatisfaction. They should train staff better so they understand the system they are working for.

They should also stop spending millions of dollars on CEO and other executives’ salaries and bonuses and more on paying for the tests and surgeries that their customers need and whose premiums they are taking and spending frivolously.

Wake up, insurance companies, and spend money where it should be spent, on the people who are supporting your companies.

— Tracy Graziano, Greenlawn