LETTERS: Howard Dean, aggressive driving and more

Dean is bad choice for commencement

My wife and I will be attending our daughter's commencement ceremony at Hofstra on May 16. We struggled to give her a terrific education, and have waited for this day for many years.

This week, I received notification that Howard Dean will be giving the commencement address. Howard Dean? Really?

Howard Dean has been one of the most divisive, bitterly partisan political figures in recent memory. He has engaged in blatantly hateful speech directed at not only his political opponents, but at American citizens who do not share his political beliefs (roughly half of us). His own party has repeatedly chastised him for his over-the-top, mean spirited, and hate-filled rhetoric.

Don't the graduates and their families (all of them) deserve an address from someone who exemplifies and understands the joyful, congratulatory and optimistic occasion that this day should be? Instead, we get a political attack dog.

Any fair minded person should be offended at the selection of this man. It is grossly inappropriate for what should be a purely joyful day.

Brian Ordelheide

Calabasas Hills, Calif.

Aggressive driving needs constant focus

Unreasonable speed, passing a red light, tailgating, unsafe lane changes, unsafe passing, failure to signal, failure to yield the right of way . . . all this according to Nassau County Police Commissioner Lawrence Mulvey constitutes "aggressive driving" .

My question is, why is there an occasional crackdown on this type of behavior, when this is what goes on on our roads every day, day after day without fail? This type of driving has to be eliminated and an "occasional" crackdown just doesn't do enough to make that a reality.

Mike Baard

Merrick

Require road test for license renewal

I totally agree with the Safe Teen and Novice Driver Uniform Protection Act . Unfortunately, many of the accidents we read about involve young drivers. However, I strongly feel that laws should be stricter regarding drivers licenses for any age.

The only necessity to renew your current license is to take an eye examination; however, other factors should be considered, including physical ability, mental ability and age.

My 78-year-old mother finally decided she should stop driving due to her physical and mental condition. She stopped driving on highways about seven years ago, and walks with a walker. Her license was renewed without a problem.

I think new laws should be enforced to protect all drivers, not just the new young drivers. Perhaps a new road test every five to 10 years, depending on age.

Barbara Fraser

New Hyde Park