06-05-2025
Readers sound off on a dark-horse president, the civil service and food stamp rules
Fishkill, N.Y.: It was chaos and confusion at the yearly Kentucky Derby. It began early as four horses from the President Trump stables — 'Retribution,' 'Day One Dictator,' 'Putin's Puppet' and 'Shakedown' — were found to be using a banned substance, cod liver oil, and were disqualified. Later, two other horses from the same stable, 'Musk's Mess' and 'SignalGate One,' were also disqualified for failing an equine cognitive test.
The strange day continued as the prohibitive favorite, 'Inside Trader,' was disqualified at the starting gate for accepting bribes to throw the race and simultaneously betting on the 100-1 long shot, 'Terrible Tariffs.'
Once the race began, spectators were treated to an epic race that ended in a three-way photo finish. 'I Told You So' nosed out both 'Stagflation' and 'Empty Shelves' for the win. Seconds later, a hysterical protest from the Trump stables claimed that some fish tattoos found on the horses proved they were involved in criminal activities in the fisheries industry in Greenland. The race director, Pam Bondi, agreed and declared the next three finishers, 'Incompetent Cabinet,' 'DOGE Kids' and 'Chainsaw,' to be the new winners. The crowd was justifiably angry, protest ensued and the Trump stable was accused of intimidation and cheating, but Bondi declared that there was no need for an investigation.
Meanwhile, back in his stable, 'I Told You So' was seen munching on a carrot and wondering if this Greenland place was in the newly discovered Gulf of America. He daydreamed about the good old days when things were predictable, normal, happier — and honest! Gerald Browne
Manhattan: Did your paper know that the Kentucky Derby was Saturday? Could have fooled me. There were no charts or a write-up of the horses that were running, whereas that other newspaper was spot-on. In addition, that other paper had the racing charts published every day like The News used to have, which has caused people to read that other paper. Jeanette Pecora
Brooklyn: Donald Trump wants to replace all government jobs and give them to the private sector. That is a terrible idea. There is a reason that the civil service emerged. For quite a number of years after the founding of America, there were very few government jobs. Even the police and fire departments were not run by the government. If you did not pay for fire protection, your house would be allowed to burn down. The same applied to the police departments. Jobs went to people not because of merit, but were either bought or given as political favors. If Trump is successful, there will be a return to the bad old days. Alan Podhaizer
Jamaica: 'And will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.' So, did Trump have his fingers crossed on the Bible? Does he realize it's the Constitution that allows him to live the lifestyle he's accustomed to while, as president, denying the same to U.S. citizens? I'm talking about the men and women who were blatantly fired from their jobs without notice, left unable to provide for their families, and not rehired. Cutting and stopping funding for people who need help to live and stay well. Ruining the retirement funds of people who can't afford to wait the time it would take to recover, thus destroying their plans for a lifestyle they hoped to live happily. I heard this man take the oath — for the second time — and he's saying on national TV that he doesn't know what he swore to? Carol Grant
Manalapan, N.J.: Now that Trump wants a 'big, beautiful military parade,' he should look the part. How about a snappy uniform with shiny brass buttons, some impressive-looking medals and maybe a sword hanging from his belt. As commander in chief, it's time to show what a warrior looks like. Too bad he missed his chance in Vietnam. Joe Fontanelli
White Plains, N.Y.: When a teacher, of all people, posts on social media that she wants Trump dead and it isn't taken down right away, that borders on criminal, in my opinion. And when no liberal stations tell their viewers about it, that is in my opinion a great injustice to their viewers, and very poor journalism. Joan Cocurullo
Linden, N.J.: John Stuart Mill said, 'Bad men need nothing more to compass their ends than that good men should look on and do nothing.' Florynce Kennedy put it more bluntly: 'The biggest sin is sitting on your butt.' John Kenneth Galbraith said, 'Politics consists in choosing between the disastrous and the unpalatable.' Because too many people chose to sit on their butts and do nothing rather than vote for an admittedly unpalatable candidate, America now has a disastrous president. We've had bad presidents before, but never a disastrous one. I hope we survive him. Ron Jackowski
Bronx: Well, white America, you finally got what you wanted. Say hello to your president, the second coming of Adolf Trump. Say goodbye to your democracy! Not to worry, there is a white knight somewhere among you who will rid the world of the orange menace. Time will tell! Robert Adams
Penticton, British Columbia: It was written that when the U.S. Congress threw truth to the mob during Trump's second impeachment trial and he was released, Congress and the nation would be cursed, and so it was. The Evil One and his demons work through Trump and his cowed appeasers. They consider the world's turmoil, Pope Francis' passing and the Easter season the perfect moment for complete spiritual and secular world domination. The Evil One's devilish plan: coronation of a prince of darkness. Voila: Pope Trump! Joe Schwarz
Long Island City: I won't forget singer Paul Anka when he sang 'Let Me Try Again.' I remember well how it changed my life. So, I'm glad that Mayor Adams asked Trump to pardon him. Adams wants to upgrade his resume to show that he cares about New York City and won't be known as Mayor 'Do Nothing' Adams. Let him try again! Steve Chaddock
Somers, N.Y.: Zone tolling is becoming a sign of the times, figuratively and literally. We need a bold, Broadway-style, technologically savvy and intelligent sign for New Yorkers that includes the number of vehicles in the zone that day since 12 a.m., the amount in fees collected that day, and the total in fees collected since congestion pricing was implemented. Start with the basic numbers and add/adjust as needed, real-time and live. You have the data. We have the billboard space, maybe even sponsors. Transparent and apolitical. Not for online, for on the street. Dan Hecht
Syosset, L.I.: Let me understand. We all seem to agree that it makes sense to require high-tech IDs as a condition for flying. Important safety considerations are at stake, which I guess easily outweigh the inconveniences imposed on travelers from all backgrounds. Pretty obvious, no? Yet, we can't seem to agree that it makes sense to require any kind of ID from everyone in order for them to exercise the (apparently less significant) right to vote. Is voting for people who will run this country unimportant? Or are there other considerations at play? Drew Oringer
Manhattan: Do you know that in the U.S.A., people on food stamps are not allowed to buy warm/hot foods? Only cold. Why? The government still gets paid in the same dollars. Sounds to me like cruel and definitely unusual treatment. R.B. Brandel
Yaphank, L.I.: Do the right thing, change the Gov. Mario M. Cuomo Bridge back to the Tappan Zee Bridge. The Cuomo name means lies, corruption and stupidity. By the way, that description also applies to our current governor and the mayor of New York City. Richard Angione
Manhattan: Can't wait to read Kristian Winfield's erudite June columns on the New York Knicks. Susan A. Stark
