Outrage over Trump shooting; school district reserves, Beryl

The attempted assassination of former President Trump is an abhorrent act that challenges our democracy [“Trump OK after shots at campaign rally,” News, July 14].

Political violence and vile rhetoric directed at some affect us all, as proved by the attacks on police officers on Jan. 6, former Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband Paul, and now Donald Trump.

Our nation was founded on the principle of e pluribus unum — out of many, one. Our differences should be civil, then embraced, discussed, and voted on.

We all need to relearn this lesson before it is too late.

— Clifford D. Glass, East Rockaway

Assassinating former President Donald Trump is not the answer to ending wickedness in the world, and attacking current President Joe Biden verbally with endless charges of ageism is not the answer to healing the troubled soul of our broken, battered, and bruised nation.

Let us all pray for the soul of America, and not stray into the deadly, jagged-edged politics of hatred, bitterness, and pure evil.

— The Rev. Arthur L. Mackey Jr., Roosevelt

You are right to call for moderating political rhetoric and changing the gun culture as ways to quell political violence [“We must quell the violence,” Opinion, July 15].

But gaining consensus on what big, bold steps to take seems impossible at this point. So what to do? Doing nothing isn’t acceptable. I propose these small, attainable steps as examples of what every American can do daily that, cumulatively and over time, can change our political culture.

Don’t shout at those you’re disagreeing with and don’t direct obscene language at them; those behaviors anger opponents and make them focus on how you’re delivering your message rather than on the message itself. Model respectful behavior for your children, and teach them to respect authority even as they disagree with it. Put strong sanctions in place to prevent verbal assaults on sports officials. Convince school boards to fight against the movement to weaken the teaching of social studies. Question your elected officials about their position on gun control. Talk to people with whom you disagree.

A little bit, every day, by everybody.

— Joseph Darrigo, Miller Place

In the aftermath of the assassination attempt on former President Trump, editorial pages across the country are offering their reflections on political violence. It is welcome. Unfortunately, your effort falls short.

What we need is self-reflection, not pontification and detachment. You start off fine by recognizing that everyone has responsibility but then focus on Republicans.

What I am doing and what Newsday’s editors should be doing is considering what we say.

I am taking a hard look at myself. If the editorial board of Newsday isn’t willing to look inward, too, then don’t bother offering hollow statements like this.

— Chris Dillon, Centerport

I believe it’s time for the media to cool its rhetoric. It’s impossible to constantly call Trump a Nazi, Hitler, Mussolini, a threat to democracy, and someone who must be stopped and be surprised at the assassination attempt.

— Howard Lindenauer, Oceanside

In his speech to the nation from the Oval Office on Sunday night, President Biden’s call for unity and civility would have been most impactful had he followed his own advice [“Biden warns about political violence,” News, July 15]. Unfortunately, Biden’s campaign has been guilty of casting outrageous personal attacks upon former President Trump calling him “Hitler,” “a threat to our democracy,” “a fascist,” “a racist,” and “MAGA extremist,” among other things.

For the good of our country, there is a dire need for the political rhetoric to be toned down. Rather than cite differences in policy and what each candidate for office will do to improve life for Americans, vitriolic personal aspersions are cast against opponents which can result in what happened in Butler, Pennsylvania on Saturday.

Donald Trump was less than a fraction of an inch away from a tragic death. Violence is never a solution for political differences. Let the people decide who should represent them in the peaceful manner prescribed in a democracy.

— Frank M. Marlow, Huntington

Secret Service falls short

Isn’t it reassuring that our elected members of Congress can find the time to be outraged at the failure of the Secret Service and demand to know what failed and why? I suspect the Secret Service is well aware it dropped the ball and really doesn’t need congressional hearings to tell it that [“Secret Service probes how gunman got close,” Nation, July 15]. On the other hand, I, as a taxpayer, am outraged that these same members of Congress continually fail to do the jobs for which they were elected, namely to govern. Perhaps if they spent as much time and energy fixing their dysfunction, we might find that this democracy actually works.

— Thomas Atkinson, Hauppauge

I am very concerned with the way the Secret Service reacted to the gunman’s activities prior to trying to assassinate ex-President Trump. This shooting could have been prevented. Something broke down with their security. Changes must be made so this never happens again.

— Martin Blumberg, Melville

Guns are a problem

Is anyone surprised that a shooter with an AR-15-style rifle fired at the former president [“Trump OK after shots at campaign rally,” News, July 14]? You can trace this attack back to lax gun laws enabled by a dreadful Supreme Court decision, to state laws allowing virtually anyone to own military grade weapons, and finally to Trump himself who asked faux militias to “stand back and stand by.”

The only surprise here is that the MAGA rhetoric has resulted in an attack on its leader. It was less a surprise than an inevitability.

— Ken Elliser, East Meadow

We are supposed to be civilized Americans who do our political business in a voting booth with ballots, not bullets.

I would like to believe that this shooting will open some eyes and change some minds. Alas, I am not that naive. When in 2017, then-House Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) was shot on a ballfield, he redoubled his calls for less gun regulation.

In the wake of the near-assassination of Donald Trump, I do not expect anyone on the GOP side will suddenly call for gun control. It will be the Democrats who do that — as they always do, as they should do, as we all should do.

I’m not sure what the answer is, but one thing I do know, it’s not more guns.

— Ted D. Gluckman, Rockville Centre

I don’t expect that former President Donald Trump or the Republican Party will reconsider how easy it is for any unskilled person to gain access to the assault weapon I used as a combat soldier when I served in the military.

— Robert Mays, Freeport

Long Island school districts’ reserves

For 14 years, Lawrence school district teachers have been working under an expired agreement. Despite this, we have provided our students with the highest quality education without so much as a thank you from our board of education. We have been told time and time again that the district does not have the money to reach a fair contract with the Lawrence Teachers’ Association.

As Newsday has reported “NYS: 19 LI districts beyond legal limits on reserves,” News, July 9], Lawrence has reserves equal to 7.36% of its budget. This shows the district has the means to fund a reasonable contract but chooses not to.

We all know the cost of living on Long Island has risen to record heights. For 14 years, we have not received a cost-of-living increase. We have been forced to do more with less. The programs the superintendent boasts about cannot exist without dedicated teachers. It’s time the Lawrence board of education acknowledges our hard work.

— Rachel Kreiss, Long Beach

The writer is president of the Lawrence Teachers’ Association.

Beryl leaves trail of misery

Living in southern Texas in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl must be tough “Frustration in hot Houston as city reels after Beryl,” Nation, July 10]. These folks face extensive cleanup and many have had no power in a heat wave. This is disturbing and bleak.

The fact that Beryl was the earliest Category 5 storm to form in the Atlantic is startling. It is strong evidence that dangerous climate change is here now and ramping up.

In New York, we passed the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, an aggressive plan to mitigate climate change. Unfortunately, some of its goals have not been reached.

The West is broiling. Beryl fiercely barreled through the Caribbean. Our polluted atmosphere is screaming! New York and the rest of the world need to aggressively mitigate our dangerously disrupted climate.

— Alden Pearl, Valley Stream