LI traffic deaths, Matt Davies' JD Vance cartoon, Hempstead Town Councilman Christopher Carini's death
Christopher Carini, a Hempstead Town councilman, died at 49. Credit: James Escher
More than alcohol behind traffic deaths
Sadly, the tragedy at the nail salon that took four lives has moved off the front page. Unfortunately, we await the next headline. One story noted that 31% of Long Island traffic fatalities involve alcohol [“Surge in LI traffic deaths,” News, June 28]. That means 69% do not.
Does this frighten anyone? The aggressive driver, the one with road rage, the incompetent driver, they are responsible for a large part of the mayhem we see every day. Until we can expect that illegal driving will be punished, it will only get worse. Are we raising a generation that will follow in their parents’ footsteps? Anyone who drives regularly on our roads sees this behavior. It is time we wake up and look at ourselves in the mirror.
— Joseph N. Kennedy, Syosset
Vance cartoon was disingenuous
Matt Davies’ cartoon “Veep Debate” [Opinion, July 17] was typically disingenuous. He shows JD Vance debating himself — Full MAGA vs Anti-MAGA. Vance’s Anti-MAGA comments were made in 2015 and 2016, before Donald Trump became president. He saw Trump in action, and that his policies could work, and had a change of heart. One can change opinions over eight or nine years.
In the 2019/2020 Democratic Party debates, Kamala Harris implied that Joe Biden, among other things, was a racist. Yet, she eagerly accepted the vice-presidential slot in 2020. What was her quick epiphany? Would Davies have run the same cartoon for her?
— Gary Aronowitz, Plainview
Clarification: Harris did not call Biden a racist during a 2019/2020 Democratic presidential debate. An earlier version misrepresented Harris' point.
Councilman Carini’s death is mourned
I am shocked and saddened to hear about the untimely death of my councilman [“Christopher Carini, 49, Town of Hempstead councilman,” Obituaries, July 16]. Christopher Carini was always pleasant, professional and willing to help. He was a welcome presence at the Eagle Scout Court of Honors for Troop 96 in Wantagh when my son and other scouts were recognized for their achievement. His dedication to public service was valued and he will be missed.
— Robert Cheeseman, Wantagh
Clarification: Then-Sen. Kamala Harris implied but did not call then-Vice President Joe Biden a racist during a 2019/2020 Democratic presidential debate.
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