Readers sound off on tunnel funding, NYC unions and online safety

Gateway delay was a blow to the eyes

Manhattan: It’s great that work can now resume on the Gateway Tunnel project after Manhattan federal judge Jeannette Vargas ended the Trump administration’s funding shutdown last October (“Tunnel Remitted $30 Million,” Feb. 14). Work on the project ceased on February 6 due to lack of funds and around 1,000 workers were laid off.

Lawsuits were filed by New York Attorney General Letitia James and New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport. They argued that a new rail tunnel was needed under the Hudson River since the existing 116-year-old tunnel was in dire need of repairs.

Around 200,000 passengers pass through the tunnel every day. This situation probably influenced the judge’s decision of February 6. On Thursday, February 12, the deadline expired for the Trump administration’s appeal request.

The reason President Trump cut off funding was based on his opposition to DEI – diversity, equity and inclusion. This position was expressed by White House budget director Russell Vought last October. Trump and his team say workforce diversification harms the integrity of a project. This anti-DEI sentiment, which aimed to quash the Democrat-led project, was very insignificant, as was Trump’s attempt to put his name on Penn Station in exchange for funding. Darryl P. Miller

Anti-gay

Saugerties, NY: So President Trump, the orange man from Queens, has once again ordered the removal of the Pride flag. There are many, many other queens who see things differently. Terry Lanigan

Friendly Takeover

Bronx: New York State or New York City should purchase the Stonewall National Monument. Problem solved. Kevin Harrington

Politics is the proof

Cincinnati: The Big Apple electorate reflects what’s happening elsewhere: polarization. Hizzoner should help heal the wounds, some of which are caused by his own reckless statements and lack of compassion toward specific constituents. Many of his constituents are young and, like Japanese botanists who intentionally stunt the growth of trees, lack the knowledge needed to understand a bustling metropolis. They react to simple socialist solutions as if they have never studied 20th century political ideology. In this way at least, the mayor follows the path of Socrates in corrupting the young. Winning by rallying the naive and ignorant is one thing, but administering a thrilling monster is a greater challenge. He’s smart enough to do it, but election hemlock awaits him if he fails. Paul Bloustein

Union broken up

White Plains, NY: Regarding “The Best Way to Build New York” (“Affordable Housing, Not Luxury Units,” “Streamlining Environmental Rules,” editorial, Feb. 15): Using the point/counterpoint format to confront how to build New York ignores the skeleton in the closet of New York construction, namely union costs. Streamlining regulations and combining luxury and affordable housing are both fair and achievable demands, but failing to recognize unions and the resulting costs are unrealistic. New York will never resolve this dilemma as long as unions control the industry. A path free of union obstruction is the only way to achieve fast, cheaper and innovative construction projects that comply with regulations and produce housing that is both luxurious and affordable. However, politicians fear the voting power of unions, and tenants, landlords, and supporters are often union members and align with unions. Chris Lee

Real character

Davis, California: Unaware that his microphone was on during a news show break, Jesse Jackson used a crude slang reference to express his desire to cut off Barack Obama’s testicles. When Jackson learned that “The O’Reilly Factor” was going to air his comments, he quickly apologized. Compare Ben Carson, who at age 33 was named director of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins University, becoming the youngest doctor in the country to hold such a position. Born into poverty, he was raised by a single mother who constantly encouraged him. There is no trace of his prejudiced or rude remarks towards anyone. Be careful who you accept as a role model. Julia Lutch

Less deadly

Bronx: Families often call for help for a mentally ill family member and the call results in police shooting or killing that family member. The police are not responsible because an individual charging with a weapon presents a mortal and imminent danger. People with mental illness are often unable to follow police instructions and drop the weapon. One possible solution would be to equip police with heavy metal nets that could be thrown at the person charging with a weapon other than a gun. This alternative may be crude, but wouldn’t it be better than killing the person? The disturbed person is not an animal, but shouldn’t every means possible be used to avoid taking a precious life? Health workers can be helpful on site, but they are not trained to handle such dangerous situations. Gilbert M. Lane

The point remains

Bronx: Letter from spokesperson Michael Abbey demonstrates how statistics can be manipulated. He’s right that illegal immigrants make up about 4 percent of the state’s population. But according to Amnesty International, only 10% (legal and illegal combined) constitute its prison population. This still doesn’t change the fact that the overwhelming majority of those who rape and/or murder were born here, and that the overwhelming majority of illegal immigrants work hard for poverty wages while committing no crimes. Richard Warren

Secure online

Watervliet, New York: I recently read the article “Government Takes Steps to ‘Protect Our Kids’ From the Danger of Social Media” (January 6). I support Hochul’s plan to create more protections for children online. As a preteen who enjoys online gaming, I want to feel safe from people who might harm children online. As a Scout, we do our best to uphold the Scout Oath. Part of the oath is to remain physically strong, mentally alert and morally upright. This oath, to me, means taking care of myself and always being prepared. It’s hard to be prepared to stay safe online as a child because adults who should know right from wrong use online games like Roblox to trick children and make online games sometimes scary. Hochul’s plans for online safety align with the Scout Oath because the rules will make me and other children safer online. Nolan Sprague

Inclined standards

Springfield Gardens: Since 2015, the United Nations General Assembly has condemned Israel 187 times, approximately three times more than the combined total of all other nations. After recently massacring thousands of peaceful protesters, including shooting demonstrators in their hospital beds, Iran was elected by the UN to serve as vice chair of the UN Commission for Social Development. China, which imprisons human rights activists in Hong Kong, persecutes Uighurs, has killed hundreds of thousands of Tibetans and committed genocide against Falun Gong, is a member of the UN Human Rights Council. The United States should stop funding this immoral cesspool. Ebere Osu