Free speech, FBI, Southern State Parkway, Nunley's Carousel, and Zeldin's petitions

Free speech in moderation

A common problem with moments of moral clarity is they tend toward absolutism: “You are either for free speech or against it,” for example [“A moment of moral clarity on free speech,” Opinion, Aug. 18].

Our long history of debate over this issue cannot be so blithely dismissed. Our many limitations on speech, some by law and others by custom, are aimed at the common good of promoting tolerance toward the speaker; civil, respectful discourse; and persuasion over bombast and bullying.

Moderation, self-discipline, and a ”civil tongue” are the intended guides. Author Salman Rushdie behaved properly, his assailant did not. The Charlie Hebdo event is for the French to decide by their standards.

Cathy Young’s shift to describing progressives’ alleged “defection from free speech” seems disingenuous when “conservative” thought leaders like Steven Miller can proclaim racism a “false word” and Gov. Ron DeSantis can infuse, by fiat, propaganda into Florida’s school curriculum under some phantom called “woke.” The moral clarity needed here is to recognize that each freedom requires responsible application, and as we use it so may it be used against us.

— Brian Kelly, Rockville Centre

Threats to FBI mimic attacks on court

A letter writer states: “Various Republican congressmen and congresswomen have vilified the FBI and agents’ home addresses have been posted on social media. The FBI is on high alert as agents fear for their lives and their families’ lives” [“Trump and the FBI raid at Mar-a-Lago,” Letters, Aug. 17].

Let’s use the writer’s own words and simply replace a few to describe what has happened since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. It could read: “Various (Democrat) congressmen and congresswomen have vilified the (SCOTUS) and (justices’) home addresses have been posted on social media. The (SCOTUS) is on high alert as (justices) fear for their lives and their families’ lives.”

But I guess that didn’t bother the reader at all. Nor did it warrant much mainstream media attention, or even a reprimand to those who were doing the vilifying.

This is exactly why the tide has turned against the Democrat Party. Their hypocrisy knows no bounds.

— Priscilla Soumakis, Brightwaters

Zeldin needs to address petition fraud

It astounds me that Lee Zeldin’s campaign claims no knowledge of the 11,000 faulty signatures submitted on his behalf while attempting to gain the Independence Party line on this year’s ballot [“Dems: Fraud by Zeldin campaign,” News, Aug. 17]. This is a big deal. Does it show a lack of management skills on his part, or an attempt to win an election at any cost? Or both?

Zeldin has stood behind Donald Trump calling into question the validity of the last presidential election. Now we have to call into question the validity of his campaign.

— William R. Kearns, East Quogue

Everyone can ride on Nunley’s Carousel

It is certainly good news that Nunley’s Carousel is back for another “go-round” [“Back for another go-round,” exploreLI, Aug. 17].

It also would have been helpful to include that Nunley’s is a “carousel for all.” The venue is accessible to all, including wheelchair users. And the carousel itself has a ramp to allow wheelchairs to get on as well as a way to lock wheelchairs in place so that everyone can enjoy a ride.

— Roberta Rosenberg, Syosset

The writer is director of Destination Accessible.

Deadly road no tribute to McDonald

A section of the Southern State Parkway is dedicated to NYPD police officer Steven McDonald [“Fix the deadly Southern State,” Editorial, Aug. 14].

McDonald’s life was permanently altered in 1986 when he was shot and paralyzed while patrolling Central Park.

Years later, McDonald forgave the person who shot him. For some reason, our county politicians thought it would be a good idea to name after him a notorious stretch of the parkway known as “Blood Alley.”

McDonald deserves better.

I live in Valley Stream, close to Malverne where McDonald lived, and yes, there is a plaque in his honor at a small park. There must be a library or school that can be named for McDonald, or statue placed in Malverne. A hero deserves something better than having a treacherous section of one of the deadliest roads on Long Island named in his honor.

— Vince Sgroi, Valley Stream