Readers sound off on anti-ICE protesters, sacrificing Ukraine and consumer boycotts

For protesters, consequences serve a purpose

Manhattan: Re “Anti-ICE Poles Speak Out” (December 1): I am a lifelong Democrat and veteran of Vietnam War protests, sit-ins/demonstrations, and the occasional bit of civil disobedience. If I stopped cars from driving like the protesters did on Canal Street last week or if I sat in a middle school and effectively shut it down, I was prepared to be arrested and charged for my crimes. I have never been arrested. However, if I had been, I would have proudly gone through the system and received my Deferral for Dismissal (ACD), my small fine, a day or two of public service, or my outright dismissal. If I stood before a judge, I was prepared to proudly and publicly admit what I had done and why.

What I didn’t expect was for my own political leaders to shout that I should be released without any charges simply because they thought my cause was just. Perhaps these leaders have been exposed to MAGA for too long, watching them construct two separate rules of law: one for those with them and one for those against.

Democrats yearn for dynamic new leadership. To determine who is worth pursuing, a few minimum requirements must be met: excellent English reading and comprehension skills, a love of the U.S. Constitution, and an understanding of what is meant by equal justice under the law. They might start by explaining how the First Amendment right to “peacefully assemble” to present grievances depends on the nature of your grievance.

If I refuse to accept the selfish ignorance of MAGA followers, I certainly won’t accept it from my own political leaders, who should know better. Steven Fromewick

The law is the law

Sunnyside: Regarding “Putting the Pressure on ICE” (Nov. 30): I know which way the Daily News leans, but can’t we show just a little support for federal law enforcement officers who are simply enforcing a 73-year-old immigration law that Congress passed long before President Trump? As for the protesters, protesting is a right we should all cherish in this country. But need I remind you and others that any interference with federal agents in the performance of their duties constitutes a federal crime? Brian Michael

Fight club

Manhattan: Top Democratic senators are uniting to oust Sen. Chuck Schumer as Senate Democratic leader, and it’s not a moment too soon. Led by Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, and joined by more moderate but equally determined voices against President Trump’s overthrow of Congress to establish authoritarian rule, they call themselves Fight Club. Senators Chris Von Hollen, Chris Murphy, Brian Schatz and Corey Booker, all outspoken, joined the effort. These are leaders who filled the void left by Democratic inaction, characterized by Schumer’s weak leadership. It’s time we had fighters in Congress to stand up to Trump’s deep injustice to most Americans, while billionaires kowtow and claw for Trump’s favor and enrich themselves at our expense. Diane Christophe

Everything is horrible

Bronx: Trump has 34 charges against him. He’s a criminal. He never paid his taxes. It eliminates Medicaid, SNAP and Social Security, affects school programs and affects the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Trump is racist. Now he wants to build a $300 million ballroom. People need housing, not a ballroom. And it cuts our health programs. This man is sick. Marlene Francis

Perpetual distress

Bronx: This American will fly my American flag upside down until this punk Trump leaves the White House. I can’t believe this rat got away with it like he did on January 6, 2021. People died because of him. This piece of trash should be in jail, not the White House. Trump is a traitor. Doris Festante

Sycophantic state

Morristown, New Jersey: When Trump won the presidency, a new regime had to be put in place. The cabinet, one of the most important bodies of American governance, was composed not of independent thinkers or seasoned public servants, but of loyalists fashioned in its image. The authenticity has disappeared. Instead, we see bullying, boasting, and gaslighting, because that is what Trump rewards. They lie even when the truth is obvious. They know there will be no consequences. What is most troubling is the arrogance – acquired not through knowledge, experience or skill, but through proximity to power. When asked a legitimate question about their responsibilities, they might as well shrug their shoulders and respond, “What he said.” This is what happens when elections are treated like reality shows rather than solemn civic decisions. Elections have consequences. And we live them. Pete Begley

The guy to consult

Los Angeles: In the voice of Katherine A. Moloney: Why is Jared Kushner at the Ukraine-Russia negotiating table? The answer is simple: Kushner is the point man to get the dirty hands of the corrupt Trump Organization and his family on Ukraine’s precious resources. Amélie Bissonette

Capitulation

Londonderry, NH: The proposed peace plan to end Russia’s devastating war in Ukraine gives Russia the impetus to wage future war to expand further west into Europe. Russia would retain the land it occupied during the invasion, a fifth of Ukraine. And Ukraine should reduce the size of its army, agree not to join NATO, and not allow NATO troops on its territory. Ukraine would receive a guarantee from the United States for its security protection, but the United States guaranteed this protection in 1994 if Ukraine agreed to disarm its nuclear weapons and send them to Russia. Ukraine complied and Russia invaded Ukraine in 2014 and 2022. This reminds me of the Munich Agreement signed by Neville Chamberlain and Adolf Hitler, which included the ceding of part of Czechoslovakia to Hitler in exchange for his promise not to expand further into Europe. Hitler subsequently occupied a large part of Europe. Donald Moskowitz

Black Friday

Manhattan: While news anchors breathlessly covered the start of the Thanksgiving shopping season, many Americans opted to stay home on Black Friday and offline on Cyber ​​Monday. Protests such as the “Mass Blackout,” an economic strike against big business from November 25 to December 2, and “We Ain’t Buying It,” a boycott of Trump administration backers Target, Home Depot and Amazon, led participants to expand their economic power by avoiding the holiday spending frenzy. Big business openly bribed Trump for favors while the American people watch in horror as corruption and cruelty increase all around us. The removal of our disposable income is more than a symbol. We want to harm the bottom line of these companies to show them that the power of their customers is greater than the profits they receive from the administration. Let’s support small businesses, buy from local arts and crafts makers, or donate to good causes. Brooke Pierce

Sound a warning

Brooklyn: When I was growing up, anyone who owned a bike put a horn or a bell on it. I am very supportive of licensing, licensing, and insuring all motorized, electric, and other vehicles and their drivers. But until then, every vehicle must be required to have a horn or bell, and operators must at least have a whistle. Perhaps pedestrians and other drivers could be warned that a vehicle traveling at high speed is approaching with no intention of slowing down or yielding the right of way. L. Veneroni

Time has caught up

Manhattan: It’s amazing that two rap moguls from the East Coast-West Coast rap wars of the 1990s, Diddy and Suge Knight, are in prison. I grew up in that era and saw how much it cost the lives of rappers Notorious BIG and Tupac Shakur. Plus, Diddy is lucky the judge didn’t take his life. He abused women, had power and ripped off his artists during his time at Bad Boy Records! Cassie is not innocent. She participated in the ravings when she could have said no, but she didn’t deserve to be beaten. So, Diddy, you reap what you sow. Enjoy losing your freedom. You are still responsible for taking Notorious BIG to Los Angeles, risking his life after Tupac’s death on September 13, 1996. Sean Felder

Go further

Brooklyn: Why don’t you make the newspaper font smaller and the shadows lighter? This way, no one will be able to read the articles and comics, and you can stop printing this garbage altogether. Robyn Sandberg