Readers listen to the American flag and attack Rafah and the AI camaraderie

The stars and stripes fly for all our freedoms

Bronx: After demonstrators were cleared from the City College of New York, school employees and some high-ranking members of the NYPD removed a Palestinian flag and replaced it with the American flag that had been taken down by demonstrators. This action of proudly flying our flag, which should never have been taken down and replaced, has drawn negative comments from Joo-Hyun Kang, the director of an organization advocating for police reform.

Furthermore, this person claims that this is an act of propaganda and questions why police officers do this. I can tell you why they are like that. This is the United States of America and no flag flies in place of or over ours when the space is shared. Our flag is a symbol of our freedom – freedom that people have fought for and died for. This freedom gives Kang the right to speak freely and disparage actions taken to fly our flag.

It was accepted that free speech, whether on X or by flying a flag, would be tolerated by some, not all. If city council members and organized groups can protest and disagree on social media, why can’t everyone? If the so-called people who have made negative comments about council members’ political leanings complimented them or agreed with them, I wonder if they would raise their voices to be punished for it. I do not think so.

Remember, this is America, and despite our differences, our flag reminds us of what it took to be who and what we are. Nancy Reilly

It does not work

Camden, NJ: Graduation ceremonies are meant to acknowledge a monumental milestone in a person’s life (“Columbia cancels graduation,” May 7). Not everyone can afford the opportunity to pursue higher education. It is incredible that an act against humanity in another part of the world could have such a profound impact domestically. Wayne E. Williams

Shared responsibility

Purchase, NY: Palestinians support Hamas as their ruling authority, and we all know that Hamas is an evil terrorist group responsible for killing babies and committing numerous other atrocities. While it is unfortunate that the Palestinians must suffer the consequences of their ruling authority’s endless drive to wipe Israel off the map, that is exactly what is happening to a people led by a terrorist group. Similar and worse things happened to the citizens of Hiroshima and Nagasaki when the Japanese government refused to surrender during World War II and the United States dropped atomic bombs on these cities. Conclusion: What happens to this world when people protest in support of a terrorist organization and completely ignore the heinous atrocities it has committed? Marlene Danoff

Stubborn official

Chicago: I don’t know what the protesters on campus are trying to accomplish, but it won’t change Benjamin Netanyahu’s mind. If Israel’s autocratic leader doesn’t listen to his own people, let alone President Biden and the UN, what makes anyone think that unrest on American soil will have any impact on Israel – especially if Netanyahu is allowed to remain in power? Isn’t it obvious that no one is telling the recalcitrant Prime Minister what to do or not to do? He’s Donald Trump, but with a Hebrew accent. One gets the feeling that his greatest concern for Israel’s future lies in the complete annihilation of Hamas, and if that can only be achieved by wiping out Gaza, then so be it. It appears that there is only one solution to the conflict, and that begins with the removal of Netanyahu, followed by equal protection for Palestinians and Israelis. Bob Ory

Final result

Highland Falls, NY: President Biden is now on the verge of saying out loud the silent part(s) regarding Israel and Gaza. This “final attack” on Hamas is nothing less than part of an Israeli plan to depopulate Gaza through terror and massive civilian casualties. First they prevented any retreat into Egypt by taking Rafah. Now Israel wants to use 2,000-pound U.S.-made bombs against perhaps 2,000 Hamas fighters surrounded by a million civilians. There is no “targeted” weapon in the world that is precise enough not to cause massive civilian casualties. Since the survivors no longer have a place to stay, they have to move on. The United States, which has bombed more countries than anyone else in the last 80 years or so, has long used air power to rescue troops and enforce its will. If Israel wants to do the same, Biden says it can do so with weapons it makes itself. Joe Cyr

Low blow

Brooklyn: Is there anything that prohibits Bramhall’s insensitive remarks about the sad possible diagnosis of RFK’s brain problem? All for laughs! Be ashamed of your perverted pleasure. Ron Goldman

Background binary

Brooklyn: Your Honor, Judge Steve Harvey, I’m sure by now you know that there are other races besides black and white. Let’s break the ice and give them a chance to make a few bucks on your Family Feud show! Bill Glassman

Cold country

Shaftesbury, Vt.: Knicks guard Josh Hart made it clear he has no use for Indiana. He said he would never set foot there if he didn’t have to and that he wasn’t an “Indiana guy.” I happen to agree with him and can tell you about the time we were stranded in Terre Haute. Our car needed a fuel pump and no one stopped to help us or drive us to the parts store. They locked car doors and were afraid of us. They’re still living in the Dark Ages or something. Really unfriendly and hostile towards strangers. I don’t know why anyone would want to live there. Tom King

Cash withdrawal

Great Neck, LI: The MTA proposal to charge the annual Five Boro Bike Ride a fee to use the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge is just another MTA cash grab, just like the attempt to steal sponsors of the annual 26- To tax mile marathon runners in New York City. Why isn’t the MTA trying to reduce more than $1 billion in excessive employee overtime per year and $700 million in tax evasion? Let the MTA Office of Real Estate lease 31 empty storefronts in Grand Central Madison and nearly 100 more at various NYC Transit, Staten Island Railway, Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North stations. Larry Penner

Increase security

Brooklyn: The increasingly unpopular congestion charge can be redesigned to make it more popular and useful. I propose that 10% of the revenue from this price tax should be used to increase funding for public safety. I think the public would be much more accepting if they knew that some of the revenue goes toward hiring more police officers and improving road safety, not just against criminals but also against reckless drivers with more red light cameras and redesigned streets . Do we have to use the Second Ave subway? really extend it when ridership has fallen by 50%? However, we need to improve safety on the subways. Robert Mascali

Imaginary friends

Scarborough, NY: I read that people are making friends with artificial intelligence, presumably to combat the so-called loneliness epidemic. This reminds me of five year olds playing cowboys or drinking tea with their imaginary friends. And then they grow up. Thomas F Comiskey

Lukewarm statement

Medford, LI: Many bizarre things are happening in this lawsuit over alleged hush money payments. In 2018, Stormy Daniels signed a statement denying any sexual relationships with Donald Trump dating back to their alleged tryst in 2006. Why doesn’t the public prosecutor see this as a problem? Why would they call them to testify when they know the defense has this testimony that completely destroys their credibility? It reminds me of what a famous boxing promoter said under oath in the 1990s when he testified in court: “Yesterday I lied, today I’m telling the truth.” The promoter was laughed out of court! Additionally, regardless of the alleged sexual relationships, Daniels signed a nondisclosure agreement after accepting a $130,000 payment. So she signs the non-disclosure agreement and blabs about the supposed rendezvous, violating the non-disclosure agreement? If there is a victim here, it is Trump! Luana Dunn