Uninsured riders put everyone else on the hook
Brooklyn: While stopped at a red traffic light on Flatbush Ave. in my Honda Accord Sport, a hefty young man on a gasoline-fueled, two-wheeled light motorcycle (euphemistically called a “scooter”) rammed into the rear of my car, going at a full clip, oblivious to traffic at a full stop ahead. He went over the handlebars and wound up on the pavement with bleeding injuries to his right hand and arm.
I called an ambulance for him and the police for both of us. Turns out that he was not licensed, the light motorcycle bore no license tags, was unregistered and uninsured. He was issued two citations by the police. The other occupant of my car and I were unhurt. However, my car’s rear bumper needs to be repaired or replaced, which will cost well more than $1,000. Since I have no recourse to get the damage he caused paid for by an insurance company other than my own, I’m out the collision deductible specified in my auto insurance policy, regardless of no fault of my own.
Virtually all of NYC’s thousands of bicyclists, motorized bicycles, powered scooters and light motorcycles are unregistered and uninsured, and largely driven by unlicensed operators. This chaotic situation is the result of the city, state and national bicycle lobbies obstructing the passage of laws that would require licensing, registration and insurance coverage for these unskilled road menaces who largely obey no vehicle traffic laws. If you are a responsible motorist, you must know that you will be screwed and liable should one of these kamikaze knuckleheads crash headlong into your car, or body. Stan Rosenson
Rattled
Astoria: I live on 21st St. and 34th Ave. When cars with these extra-loud mufflers go by and when they stop at lights or just pass by, my windows vibrate in my building, and I live on the fifth floor. Please, traffic enforcement or agency that takes care of quality of life, install a decibel meter to help us here on 21st St. Anthony Gigantiello
Solid track record
Brooklyn: Randy Mastro was the best, most efficient deputy mayor of operations during the great Mayor Rudy Giuliani administration. And I, as a regular citizen, believe he deserves to get the position as the city’s top lawyer. Francisco J. Castillo
Through the mud
Little Egg Harbor, N.J.: I just can’t believe what they are putting Randy Mastro through when he is really worth much more than any one of those taking him apart. He is such an asset for any entity he is involved with at any time. He will fight for whoever hires him with all his strength and knowledge. He is loyal to those he works for and is brilliant in his knowledge of law. The only thing that could be creating any of these objections that I can see is that he is not a minority. Who is now showing their bias against this knowledgeable man just because he happens to be white? Rose S. Wilson
Profound ‘toon
Whitestone: Yes, Voicer Janine Schettino, I too was so touched by the beautiful “Pearls Before Swine” comic strip by Stephan Pastis last Sunday. I lost my husband in May and I kept it to help me along the way! Thank you, my dear Stephan. Marlene Torino
Messing with religion
Richmond Hill: It keeps happening again and again, Voicer Anthony Mignone. “The Argyle Sweater” on Monday and on Wednesday, “Between the Lines.” Christianity is disrespected once more. Making fun of the Three Wise Men following the heavenly star that brings them to the stable in Bethlehem, where we Christians believe was the birthplace of Jesus, the only begotten Son of God. As you correctly stated, it’s fine to make light of someone’s sacred beliefs as long as it’s about Christians. But be sure to use the correct pronouns and terminology these days. Joseph Napoleone
Just dumb
Somerset, N.J.: With Donald Trump saying Joe Biden is the worst president in U.S. history, Kamala Harris is the worst vice president in U.S. history, Harris has a very low IQ and Nikki Haley is a birdbrain, I wonder if Trump realizes how stupid he sounds. Arthur Bressler
Sick and tired
Howard Beach: Are you tired? Tired of wars that are costing America billions, sick of the poor economy, fear of America being attacked by some foreign country? Then vote for Donald Trump in November. Let’s bring America back to being great again! For the last four years, we have foreign countries laughing at us, the middle class practically eliminated and no money to fix our homes or go on vacation. I’m so sick of gas prices, food prices and everything on the increase except our income. See what’s happened to America in the last four years. When will it stop? When Trump wins! Vote Trump! Do it like your life depends on it, because it does! Nick Di Pasquale
Waiting for influence
Redondo Beach, Calif.: If Trump is elected, there will be a parade of the world’s biggest autocrats to the White House. John Chevedden
Bottom of the barrel
Bronx: How crass and disrespectful of Trump to try to use the sacred ground of Arlington National Cemetery as a prop for his campaign. He has shown his total disrespect for our soldiers who have been wounded or killed in war by calling them “losers” and “suckers,” as he did Sen. John McCain. He is sidling up to the families of the troops who died in Afghanistan on the day the U.S. withdrew, a sad day that Trump had a hand in orchestrating. I don’t know why the Democrats are reluctant to speak about that. The disrespect continues with the hillbilly bully JD Vance telling the vice president of the United States to “go to hell.” Never in all the years I have lived in beautiful America have I seen such horror. Trump makes Nixon look like a piker. Pauline Graham Binder
Uncalled-for callout
Scranton, Pa.: Kamala Harris can go to hell, said JD Vance, clear as a bell. He said she criticized Trump’s photo-op at the veterans’ cemetery. She did not, despite Vance’s verbal dysentery. If you believe anything he says, I have a bridge in Brooklyn I’d like to sell. Vin Morabito
Miseducated
Monroe, N.J.: Once again, the Republican vice presidential candidate has spoken of his distrust of childless women. This time, he has identified a particular group. Teachers across the nation are getting their classrooms ready for opening, purchasing supplies, charts and additional teaching tools out of their own pockets for their “children.” Vance is “disoriented” by childless teachers and questions the “brainwashing” of children by them. He also mentions the president of the American Federation of Teachers, Randi Weingarten, as one of these dangerous “non-parent” teachers. As a teacher and successful administrator for many years and a stepmother for as many years, I am appalled at these statements. In addition to math and reading, teachers teach their children compassion, caring, patience, critical thinking and fairness. Perhaps Vance should go back to school to learn these valuable lessons. Katherine A. Moloney
Disgrace
Brooklyn: Suddenly, people are beginning to question if Nancy “Pantsuit” Pelosi had something to do with the President Biden bailout. The week prior to his replacement, he said he would quit only if God told him to. Pelosi is a vindictive individual who embarrassed herself, her party, those of Italian heritage and the whole U.S.A. when, as House speaker, she tore up the copy of the State of the Union address President Donald Trump had given on TV in front of millions of viewers. The press played this down, but can you imagine if Speaker Mike Johnson had done the same thing this year to Biden? It would have been unforgivable. Pelosi showed herself to be a no-class individual — in Italian, a real “gavone.” She is a disgrace to herself, her Italian heritage, America and the political party she belongs to. Dominick Delasandro