Bethpage mosque, Trump, protests, federal cuts, Fire Island lighthouse

Mosque debate not about race, religion

Kudos to Randi Marshall for visiting the mosque in Bethpage, as Town of Oyster Bay officials have also participated in its events over the years [“Familiar feeling at Bethpage mosque,” Opinion, Oct. 8]. She is mistaken in suggesting that traffic and safety concerns are not at the heart of the dispute over the proposed new mosque in Bethpage. They are. Newsday ignored that in just one year, more than 4,775 red-light violations occurred at this intersection.

Even more troubling is Marshall’s characterization of some Bethpage residents as racist — a false and unfair claim. The mosque has operated peacefully at this same location for nearly 30 years without interruption or protest. The current debate is not about religion; it is about the scale of the new project and the adequacy of parking to ensure safety and quality of life for all who live and worship in the community.

— Frank Scalera, Malverne

The writer is Oyster Bay Town attorney.

Trump sees protests through wrong lens

In the past several months, I have taken part in several local rallies/protests involving displeasure with President Donald Trump’s policies and agenda.

I have found all these protests peaceful and empowering. In fact, the event planners I encountered made clear statements about their commitment to peaceful and nonviolent actions and that violence of any kind will not be tolerated.

I am concerned about how Trump has distorted peaceful protesting by deeming those opposed to his policies as violent, unpatriotic, domestic terrorists, and the enemy within [“Protests against immigration policy at offices of 3 LI reps,” News, Sept. 19].

To me, the president has fostered an aggressive atmosphere toward those who oppose his agenda, implying that protesters have hostile intentions and are a threat to public safety. Routine events are depicted as major threats to civic order.

Law enforcement officers on Long Island have always been present at these events I attended. Their presence is welcome, and protesters feel reassured that they will intervene if there are any threats to public safety.

On the other hand, Trump, characterizing protesters as lawless rioters, has threatened to use and has used federal law enforcement officers against those who oppose his agenda.

— Carol Krupinski, Plainview

Cuts hurt, deprive struggling Americans

These past few months, we hear a lot of rhetoric about cutting federal departments and federal programs to save tax dollars [“Long closure could inflict unprecedented pain on LI,” News, Oct. 15]. Something we all can find appealing. Yet, these cuts take jobs from Americans. These cuts take food, education or health from struggling Americans. None of these cost cutting measures are caused by illegal immigration. It is happening to Citizens of the USA. We must ask ourselves, with all the savings we should be accumulating, have we really benefited from these savings. Unless you’re in the 1% of Americans who got steep tax breaks, most Americans are no better off and with the rising inflation possibly worse off. The real question is why we cut benefits that help Americans across the nation like health insurance subsidies, food subsidies and programs like special education, yet the tax savings we supposedly are getting don’t reach the average Joe. Instead, we have billions to send to help Venezuela, Israel and the Ukraine. Not that those causes aren’t worthwhile but I for one would want my tax money to first go to help fellow countrymen and our veterans before bailing out foreign nations.

— Paul Spina Jr, Calverton

Rolling meals and rolling layoffs

So, DoorDash plans to use Dot the robot to deliver food “DoorDash unveils delivery robots,” LI Business, Oct. 6]. Besides the logistics of delivering food using busy streets and bike lanes, more delivery jobs for people trying to make a living will go away, too.

— Judy Riccuiti, Farmingdale

Volunteers help keep lighthouse open

Yes, many attractions like the Statue of Liberty are closed because of the federal government shutdown [“Teddy’s house is closed, but lighthouse is open” News, Oct. 11]. But a lot of attractions are kept open, like the Fire Island Lighthouse. It’s still open seven days a week because of the more than 100 volunteers who show up to keep it viable. My wife and I are proud to be two of those volunteers.

— Lou Maggio, Islip Terrace