Readers sound off on war, learning to read and David Muir’s suits

Investment in destruction may be the end of us

Flushing: History is studied by the conquests of some group over another. We stupidly glorify the men who led the conquests, and without much emotion quote the numbers of people killed. The human suffering, the loss of limbs, the burnt flesh and the killing are accepted as normal.

In ancient times, humans rushed at each other with clubs and stones, then with metal swords, then guns, then with tanks and airplanes, and now with nuclear weapons. Armies were invented, walls were built and battles were fought on battlefields, sparing the women, children and buildings. In the American Civil War, Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman used the idea of destroying the enemy’s ability to support a war, thus weakening their armies in the field, and he did so with his march to the sea in Georgia. He destroyed anything that could be used to support the Confederate army.

In World War I, the trench was invented (replacing the wall), then the tank. The first airplanes were used for reconnaissance and dropping handheld bombs. That gave birth to primitive air battles. In World War II we really got good at killing, and women and children became fair game. We killed each other with sophisticated tanks and bombing raids that leveled cities and their inhabitants. Then we came up with the ultimate invention of stupidity: the nuclear bomb.

Is anything above something to be proud of? We keep getting better at killing each other. Will we ever learn to settle our differences peacefully or are we someday going to remove the human race from the face of the Earth? John Procida

Subtle bias

Kew Gardens: In your editorial “High-mindedness and hypocrisy” (Dec. 15), your newspaper unprofessionally used the word “gleefully” to describe Hamas’ mindset on Oct. 7, which is a subjective, pejorative and demonic description. Most readers know that your newspaper would never publish an editorial that claimed Israel is gleefully bombing Gaza, resulting in the deaths of 19,000 civilians, of which 70% are women and children. There is nothing gleeful about that conflict, on either side. Glenn Hayes

Downward spiral

Penticton, British Columbia: The first casualty in violence is truth! In the Holy Land, the Muslims and Jews are in a violent death struggle, while the Christians are handing them the ammunition and bombs stamped “Made in U.S.A.” As a result, 8,000 destroyed Gaza children will be able to join the ancient King Herod. The terrorized Gaza survivors being herded back and forth in the mud by bombing threats is similar to the cat terrorizing a half-dead mouse before devouring it. What is shocking is that a people who survived the Holocaust are led by Benjamin Netanyahu into the horrific, genocidal, ethnic-cleansing Holocaust of Palestinians. This uncivilized strategy is destabilizing the world and will have far-reaching and cursed consequences. Joe Schwarz

Grammar slam

Whitestone: Re “City looks to alter how students are taught how to read” (Dec. 15): That was the headline of an article in the Daily News. Shouldn’t it have said, “City looks to alter how students are taught to read”? Purrhaps sumbody shuduv proofred it befour it wuz printid? P.S. It’s “supposedly,” not “supposably”! You’re welcome. Robert LaRosa Sr.

Regressed reading

Kew Gardens: So NYC is going to look at how students are taught to read because they’ve discovered they can not read on all grade levels. This did not happen overnight. Twenty-five years ago, New York state introduced English Whole Language, which eliminated phonics, diagramming sentences to identify parts of speech. Most schools eliminated reading teachers. With all the testing data in front of them, year in and year out, why did it take 25 years to realize their program was not working? Someone was well paid to write that curriculum that has set back generations of students. Children and their parents no longer read. Jeff Pullen

Needed legislation

Astoria: There is a bill to license and insure e-bikes in the city. Any politician who votes against this obviously doesn’t care about the safety of citizens in this city. They are concerned that migrants have to make a living. Do it legally, get licensed and insured. Worry about if one of these bikes hits someone and injures them and the driver doesn’t have insurance. Who takes care of the injured person’s bills? Wake up, politicians, protect the people who voted you in. Anthony Gigantiello

Useless

Bronx: I have seen the comments about some of the crossword puzzles. Friday’s puzzle on the lower right of page 25 hits an all-time low. The clues and all of the numbers are totally illegible, too tiny and too fuzzy to read. The Spot the Difference puzzles usually on that page are also too small to see. Marc Menchise

Outdated info

North Bergen, N.J.: It’s bad enough that the Daily News has possibly the worst entertainment coverage in the tristate area (if you can call it that) but c’mon, editors, please stay up to date! In the On Broadway section (Dec. 14) you have a list of “current” Broadway shows, and on that list are four shows that have been closed for weeks! Reporting is supposed to be fact-checked, timely and accurate, but apparently that doesn’t ring true in this instance. Here’s hoping for some re-edits in the coming edition. Bob Eagleson

Armchair managing

White Plains, N.Y.: I totally agree with Mike Lupica when he strongly says Steve Cohen and his pile of chips has to sign Yoshinobu Yamamoto, assuming he’ll sign for the most money. He has to make us Mets fans forget about the Wilpons. He also has to sign Pete Alonso to a long-term contract. He’s our homegrown All-Star power hitter. He should be treated like David Wright. No more of these trade rumors. Cohen let Jacob deGrom go, which could’ve been the right move with his injuries. If they sign Yamamoto and they don’t win next year, then I’d be fine. One more thing: Expecting Brett Baty and Mark Vientos to be the answer to third base for 2024 is wrong based on their 2023 performance. Go get Justin Turner, the All-Star, who they let go. Jeff Gold

Bad plan

Campbell Hall, N.Y.: “NBC Nightly News” on Dec. 14 carried a piece on the large number of hospitals that are dropping Medicare Advantage plans due to the fact that they deny coverage for needed procedures and are costing the hospitals millions of dollars. Some are closing their doors, forcing people to look elsewhere for their treatment. This is what the city is trying to force its retirees into instead of our Medicare. What happens to us if our hospitals refuse to accept the Advantage plan? Please do not let this happen. James C. McGovern

Wardrobe update

Bronxville, N.Y.: ABC News’ David Muir is a highly respected and astute anchorman who is paid millions. Why is he always dressed as if he is going to a funeral? I’m sure ABC can afford a new wardrobe for David, being that he wears the same suits and ties over and over again! Just saying. George Garcia

Trash TV

Richmond Hill: When will the TV-watching public come to their senses and realize that the reality TV shows that are flooding the airwaves are as real as professional wrestling? How many lowlife, inbred, unemployable losers can we stomach to watch? I can’t wait ’til they go back to writing and producing real entertainment. Robert Clolery

Words of encouragement

Providence, R.I.: Voicer Michael J. Gorman says, “After a record youth turnout for young voters in the 2020 presidential election, fewer young voters plan to vote in 2024 (less than 50%), according to a new poll of young people.” Here is a message to these non-voters: The future can give you a violent bump / Your torpor could stick us with four years of Trump / So shake off your doldrums and get off your rump / And don’t let us be a political dump. Felicia Nimue Ackerman