Readers sound off on Trump’s rallies, dropped Ukraine aid and saving bees

Trump’s talent on stage creates a dark current

Dartmouth, Mass.: Donald Trump should have been a stand-up comedian. He missed his calling, as he is never boring before his MAGA audience as he spews brilliant comedic insults, denigrations, whining and revenge.

His audiences alternate between provoked anger at his targets and ridiculing hilarity about their perceived enemies.

Having mastered the one-liners, he has never had to analyze or familiarize himself with true facts about any issue, as he intuitively understands that which will engage their allegiance and prompt their donations to his coffers. Even if his statements lack all credibility, they have great comedic value.

No previously revered politician, president or war hero is spared his eviscerating and insulting comments. Destroying all respect for the government, the military, the judiciary, the FBI and the Department of Justice, all that remains for them is to place their trust and money with him.

Rarely has a national figure engaged such fealty and attention for such a long period, and despite well-documented criminal indictments. The more beleaguered Trump becomes, the more intensely his supporters lose faith in previously respected American institutions, leaders and representative democracy, and the more they clamor for more rallies and public appearances. Laughter and ridicule alleviates the inadequacies of their lives.

Trump may very well join the pantheon of great comedians, but never that of U.S. presidents. Betty Ussach

Imperiled

Brooklyn: Gen. Mark Milley is worried for his family’s safety after Trump stated that “in times gone by, the punishment would have been death!” And why does Milley feel threatened? Because Trump’s followers are psychotic and violent. They don’t believe in democracy, they believe in bullying anyone who isn’t in lockstep with them. Let’s face it, Trump can’t be allowed back into public office. Bob Gomez

Good one

Staten Island: Bramhall’s metaphor of Sisyphus and Trump some weeks ago was absolutely perfect! Douglas Baker

Too late

Brooklyn: Why was alternate-side parking suspension initiated at approximately 10:20 a.m. on Friday — so late, since where I live in Coney Island, alternate-side parking begins at 9:30 a.m. and ends at 11. I left at 9:30 a.m. in the heavy rain because I stupidly followed the 311 advisement that alternate-side parking was in effect. Additionally, I found myself trapped on the flooded Belt Parkway going west for hours, and was made to exit on Cropsey Ave. After this, I spent several more hours trying to get to the Bay Parkway where I finally made a left turn, only to find a police car blocking access to the shopping area. This was just insane and caused an even greater hazard! Mayor Adams needs to get his act together. The streetsweepers hardly ever come anyway, and in an overpopulated area where parking is limited, this is a completely unfair nuisance! Joy Tschupp

Support safety

Brooklyn: I agree with Voicer Tom Rice about safety. Cycling groups are against licensing bikes. Riders need to respect the rules of the road, especially pedestrian safety. Yet they don’t seem to be in favor of licensing and continue to violate the rules. I wrote about this recently so I am glad to have support. Penny Klein

Know your role

Wilkes-Barre, Pa.: I love Aaron Judge and consider him a role model. However, I agree with Mike Francesa that Aaron should not delve into Yankees personnel decisions. Let Brian Cashman, who has made some bad moves lately, and Hal Steinbrenner decide. Matt Engel

Dictator enablers

Jersey City: As a proud RINO Republican (Republicans Insisting on New Options), I am outraged that the price the radical right-wing members of my party demanded for not shutting down the government until Nov. 17 with the latest temporary funding bill was cutting off aid to Ukraine, aiding Russian dictator Vladimir Putin in his war of aggression! Those who see history repeating itself as these people’s intellectual forbearers greenlit Hitler’s aggression across Europe are not wrong (these people even shamelessly adopted the old xenophobic slogan “America first”), but that these self-styled conservatives are now doing the bidding of a dictator is genuinely mind-blowing. These people are not only trying to destroy our country’s care for its own people with budget-killing tax breaks for their billionaire friends, but are now an active threat to world peace. They must be stopped. John Esche

Allies betrayed

Utica, N.Y.: What a disgrace it was to cut off aid to Ukraine in order to resolve the Republicans’ scheme to shut down the government. Surely, the Ukrainians are now feeling the same sense of American betrayal that the Kurds felt in Syria under Trump, and Putin is again joyful. We suppose we should be grateful that President Biden’s $16 million federal disaster aid was kept in, because we know Republicans would prefer to put money only into tax cuts for the obscenely wealthy. Many people say the Republicans don’t have a policy platform and that they don’t stand for anything. We disagree. Republicans stand for taking away rights and for harming the most vulnerable people, both here in America and across the world. While we sadly understand the lemming-like submission of MAGA cultists, we are astounded that any thinking, compassionate American would ever vote for a Republican! Jeff and Joan Ganeles

Disrupters

Tarrytown, N.Y.: It is fascinating to hear from Voicers talking about Biden driving this country off a cliff. I guess if record-low unemployment and battling inflation better than most of the world’s countries is a disaster, then yes, he is steering us off the proverbial cliff. Your MAGA loonie cabal of Matt Gaetz, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Lauren Boebert and others are the ones that pursued a government shutdown that would really steer us off the cliff. Praise them when your Social Security check is disrupted, things we rely on are halted and they drive this country into an unnecessary recession. But sure, blame Biden for the MAGA idiots who want nothing more than to hurt us economically. Adam Reich

For the children

Snohomish, Wash.: Millions of American children wonder if they will have food to eat or a place to sleep. The last census showed that child poverty more than doubled. Congress needs to focus on the job of making sure this child abuse by government comes to an end. Make a call to let your representatives know you are waiting for action that makes a difference for children, like passing the American Family Act. This and other equity initiatives can help all of our children have a brighter future. Willie Dickerson

Pulling the strings

Terre Haute, Ind.: Nancy Pelosi has been curiously and suspiciously quiet these past months. That means she’s up to something no good. Allegedly, Hakeem Jeffries now commands the title of House minority leader. Don’t believe he’s anything other than its titular head. Pelosi, in the wings, continues to direct political policy on behalf of the Democratic caucus as its actual powerbroker. And to those who are so foolish to opine otherwise, there is a bridge in Brooklyn for sale at 40% below market value. What’s more horrifying is the prospect, should the Republicans blow it again as they did in 2022 with their stupidity and weak congressional candidates, whereby in 2024 the Democrats regain the House, Pelosi would stand to once again regain the speakership. What a terrifying thought! Earl Beal

Save the bees

Glen Oaks: Please, Gov. Hochul, do it for the bees — and all of us humans! Signing the Birds and Bees Protection Act will strictly limit the use of neurotoxic neonic pesticides that kill off pollinators and other species, cause ecosystem collapse in waterways, are increasingly present in our bodies, and are linked to widespread harm to people, especially to our brains and central nervous systems. Think cognitive problems, autism-like symptoms and memory loss. The governor wants to appease farmers who don’t seem to be convinced by in-depth evidence that this toxic stuff can easily be replaced by safer and more cost-effective alternatives, and don’t seem to realize that pollinator extinction will destroy agriculture. Republican upstaters aren’t going to vote for you, Gov. Hochul, even if you give them the gift of continuing to poison all of us. Please do the right thing and sign the law. Kanwaldeep K. Sekhon