The kids are alright — because they are right
Lackawaxen, Pa.: In attempting to placate too many interests, the April 24 editorial “When protest turns to hatred” became a travesty. Its only truth lies in the sad recognition that antisemitism survives. But, except as a weapon of insult, that form of racism had little to do with the Columbia University protests, which are a response to the genocide waged against the Palestinian people, which is “horrendous” but not a “lie.”
Israel, if any religious state should be allowed to exist, at least should not have been established where Jews were given political power over a Muslim majority. So, in principle, the pro-Palestinians are correct that Israel should go. But in the real world, the Zionist state is not going anywhere, so the Arabs need to get together with the Jews and figure out a solution. Ideally, that solution would enable both Israelis and Palestinians to travel anywhere within the former Mandatory Palestine.
Although it may be an affront to self-determination, the Palestinians’ apparent preference for decentralized, tribal government is not going to work, so the UN should reinstitute a mandate over the territory allocated to them until they are capable of self-governance. Paternalistic, but unavoidable. Israel should pick up the tab for reconstruction.
Students, especially those of privilege like Columbians, should have the opportunity to express moral outrage, since they may not get another chance to do so. But they should realize that the university is no longer a student-teacher enterprise. It’s just another corporation, so it may lose donors, and sushi may have to be removed from the dining hall menu. John A. MacKinnon
Classless
Bronx: I totally disapprove of Benjamin Netanyahu’s scorched-earth destruction of Gaza. What Hamas did was horrendous and inhuman, however, Netanyahu’s response of killing at least 30,000 Gazans, mostly women and children, is equally deplorable. This brings us to the protest at Columbia. Freedom of speech does not include threats of violence, intimidation or infringing on the rights of students who want to attend classes in a quiet learning environment, which they so costly paid for. As a retired teacher and administrator, I did not give up on disruptive students, but I made certain that they did not prevent learning for students who came to school eager to learn. Where was the collegiate uproar when genocide was happening in many African countries? Gilbert M. Lane
Intro to protesting
Whitestone: The anti-student protesters may have trouble wrapping their minds around this, but people protest when they feel that their own leaders are not listening to them, not when anybody anywhere does something they don’t like. President Biden arms Israel and Israel kills civilians, so students protest their government’s policy, as well as their school’s investments in weapons manufacturers. What the hell kind of influence do you think college kids in America have over Hamas leadership? Figure it out! Adrienne Langone
Uncivil disobedience
Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.: To Voicer Blake Fleetwood: You draw reference from the 1968 protests at Columbia to address today’s protests. You state: “Peaceful protests and free speech are the hallmarks of American tradition.” After two or three days of protesting in 1968, the president of Columbia invited the NYPD onto campus to stop its destruction. The first sign was a hanging sheet calling us pigs. I was told of, but did not see, the burning of an American flag. As we entered the campus, we were pelted by bottles. Once inside, I saw the destruction to equipment and furniture, rooms with small fires, etc. I was one of the pigs (detectives — pride, integrity, guts) investigating a group called Students for a Democratic Society (Mark Rudd, who would evolve into the bombmaking Weathermen). You and I were both there, yet our memories differ as to a peaceful protest. Randy Jurgensen
It’s on them
Williamsville, N.Y.: Voicer Steven Davies misrepresents Israel’s goals and methods in Gaza. It will take many years to denazify the civilian population of Gaza, which is among the most antisemitic peoples on the face of the Earth; and contrary to Davies, there were no expectations that the IDF would be hailed as liberators in Gaza. Davies is addressing his concerns about destruction in Gaza to the wrong party. Hamas chose to embed terrorists and their infrastructure in civilian areas, and all resultant destruction in those areas is therefore the fault of Hamas. Daniel H. Trigoboff
Robotic
Pine Plains, N.Y.: Do we have any proof that President Biden is actually a living human being? Watching his pathetic performances on TV, he seems to be a robot, and a primitive, low-tech one at that. Joseph McCluskey
Unpleasant odor
Brookfield, Conn.: I’m at a loss. I don’t know what’s more ridiculous, Voicer Kevin Hanley’s letter or the fact that you printed it. Not enough intelligent letters that day, I guess. Kevin, if the only fault you can find with Trump is some intestinal distress, you might as well vote for him. Biden’s problems are much more serious. And if noxious odors concern you that much, please close your mouth. I can smell it from here. Fred Schoeneborn
Internal corrosion
Hammonton, N.J.: It’s a tough call to figure out who is trying the hardest to destroy America. Certainly, China and Russia are threats, but our own government is proving to be the most destructive. We are being invaded but give money to Ukraine to secure its border. Taxpayer dollars are being given to illegal aliens. Border Patrol is understaffed, but the IRS has expanded to milk citizens as much as possible. We have a choice in November to pick the hated orange man who secured the border or the likable old man whose puppet master will continue to ignore the illegal invasion of this nation. Unfortunately, judging by all these college protests, there are plenty of people who want America destroyed and will vote for that likeable old man, bringing this country to bankruptcy and poverty. William Cook
No more negativity
Brooklyn: That carrot-top mistake of a human being has caused havoc in every facet of the words “life and being” that is imaginable to anyone with common sense. Aren’t we all fed up and tired of seeing, reading and hearing all of his repetitious babble in this continuing saga? It’s time to be done with him. Wake up, U.S.A. It’s time to see some bright sunshine and smiles. Marilyn Kanarick
Uncounted accomplishments
San Francisco: To Voicer Doug Weinberg: Well, Doug, San Fran smells like the B.S. that you are shoveling. You conveniently glazed right over the Infrastructure and Jobs Act, which is creating thousands of good-paying jobs and getting infrastructure repaired where it’s desperately needed, which the former orangutan president promised but never delivered on. Yeah, talk is cheap. Then there is the CHIPS Act, which I’m guessing you don’t know of. This will have most microchip production done in the U.S. again, producing jobs. And you probably think nothing of gun safety legislation because those of your mindset apparently think we should live in the Wild West. Gun safety is a major issue to the majority of Americans. So, Doug, stick to your position and follow the orange maniac wherever he leads you by the nose. Have a nice day! Jimmy Layton
Crowd control
Edgewater, N.J.: Our last president cries that he can not get a fair trial in our midst because he makes us all deranged. Then he appears at photo-ops that seem to be staged by bodega owners, among a few construction workers, and at the tragic funeral of a beloved police officer; and he tells us that people love him everywhere. So, which is it? Jay K. Egelberg
A real shot
Holliswood: Voicer Mary Caggiano is a big fan of TV character Barnaby Jones and his ability to shoot his criminal adversaries in the shoulder. Mary, newsflash: It’s a fictional TV show. Actual police officers are trained to aim for center mass, typically the torso, for a number of reasons: increased accuracy, stopping power and a reduced risk to bystanders. Just saying. Gregory W. Chupa