Pope Francis, school mascots, Santos sentence, judge's arrest, OMNY card

Local faith leaders honor pope’s words

As the Faith Leaders of Huntington, we mourn the death of Pope Francis “Faithful, world leaders bid farewell to Pope Francis,” News, April 27]. We particularly feel the loss of his messages of caring and compassion for vulnerable populations. His words and actions for migrants, care for the environment, and for LGBTQ+ individuals inspired us and reflected our own faith traditions.

He said that refusing to care for migrants “is revolting, it’s sinful, it’s criminal.” He wrote, “Never have we so hurt and mistreated our common home as we have in the last two hundred years,” but he offered hope: “Humanity still has the ability to work together in building our common home . . . Truly, much can be done!” He advocated for inclusion and offered healing to members of the LGBTQ+ community,

Francis lamented the “globalization of indifference,” the societal desensitization to pain and suffering, to humanity itself. Our traditions teach that every person is created “in the image of God” and that we are to “love the stranger.” Indeed, we are not to see strangers, but to understand we are all brothers and sisters.

We have been inspired by his life and will remember his teachings. We three clergy leaders along with 13 other local heads of Jewish, Christian, and Baha’i faiths commit to carrying his legacy forward.

— The Rev. Mark Bigelow, The Congregational Church of Huntington, UCC

— The Rev. Bob Smith, St. Hugh of Lincoln Roman Catholic Church, Huntington Stn.

— Rabbi Lina Zerbarini, Kehillath Shalom Synagogue, Cold Spring Harbor

Hypocrisy is clear in raising mascot issue

No matter one’s party affiliation or personal feelings regarding the mascot ban, one must see the irony and hypocrisy in the U.S. Department of Education investigating the ban [“Feds probing Regents’ mascot ruling,” News, April 26]. President Donald Trump has withheld billions of dollars from colleges because he says they are not following his diversity, equity and inclusion initiative. Isn’t that a violation of their civil rights?

The president wants to disband the Department of Education so the states can handle their education initiatives without federal interference. So, now, the federal government is investigating New York State’s ban on mascots, which has been upheld by the state courts. And a federal judge in Brooklyn dismissed a lawsuit challenging the policy. The hypocrisy is obvious.

— Paul Spina Jr., Calverton

Nothing underscores irony quite like championing “local control” while simultaneously having the president of the United States intervene in New York’s high school mascot debate.

A local issue is being turned into a national debate by the Massapequa school district. In the process, people are appearing more interested in headlines than doing what’s best for the students and community’s families.

People cannot advocate for “local control” while chasing political theater. Pick a lane.

And let’s not ignore the added absurdity of a president who wants to eliminate the Department of Education having that very department step in.

It is time to move forward, stop wasting taxpayers’ money on lawsuits, and focus on educating and protecting our children.

— Adam Dulberg, Massapequa

Santos should have had this happen, too

Former Rep. George Santos had his day in court [“Santos sentenced to 7-plus years in prison,” News, April 26]. I have only one question: Why hasn’t he been deported? He perpetrated a scam on the people who voted for him and laughed at the dignity of Congress. That is on top of all the charges of fraud and identity theft. Santos received his due process.

— Maria Luisa Candelore, Sayville

Judge arrest article needed more info

Sometimes, the way The Associated Press reports news, a reader can lose context. For example, in “FBI arrests Milwaukee judge” [Nation, April 26], an obvious question was not answered: Why was the undocumented man arrested?

Are we to conclude he was simply pulled off the street on suspicion of being undocumented, and that’s why the judge let him escape out a side door? A simple call to the prosecutor’s office would have revealed Eduardo Flores-Ruiz was being charged with misdemeanor assault for domestic abuse. Moreover, he had been deported and again had entered the country illegally.

— Arthur Mattson, Lynbrook

Flip phone users can try these NYC tips

Yes, the MetroCard will end, but there are two options for people without cellphones to access New York City transit “Smartphone owners might flip out over this,” Musings, April 21]. Tap a credit card or get an OMNY card that links to a bank account and automatically refills. Both are way easier than the MetroCard.

— Gene Frey, Merrick