Biden on democracy, reckless drivers, SBU, and sloths

Biden speech incurs blowback from right

It has been hard for me to watch the Democrats these past six years. One attack after another, all trying to remove a political opponent by trying him in the media, but Thursday night’s speech by President Joe Biden tops them all [“Democracy is ‘under assault,’  ” News, Sept. 1]. Calling anyone who voted for former President Donald Trump a threat to democracy causes me to think that Democrats are guilty of the accusations they have made against Trump.

How am I a threat to democracy in this country? By believing in secure borders, right to life, that God made male and female, believing in a capitalist society? What would the media say if Trump made a speech like the one Biden made?

 — Bruce Poulos, Massapequa

President Joe Biden’s prime-time speech was just a free campaign speech to help his party in November. It was inflammatory, to say the least. I say that far more Americans from every background and belief reject the woke ideology than accept it. Biden is not helping this country come together. He is helping it become more fractured.

 — Judy Riccuiti, Farmingdale

Show no mercy to reckless drivers

Enough is enough [“Crack down on road horrors,” Editorial, Aug. 31]. I propose that, in the interest of justice, public safety, and the rights of decent, law-abiding people to not have their lives ruined or ended by irresponsible, uncaring law-breakers, as soon as any reckless driver (drunk or sober) is found guilty of injuring or causing the death of any innocent person, or destroying their vehicle, home or storefront — through speeding, running red lights or stop signs, going the wrong way, distracted driving, rear-ending or head-on colliding with another vehicle, hit-and-runs, etc. — such menaces to society shall receive long prison sentences. Limit the time to ruin lives of additional victims.

 — Richard Siegelman, Plainview

There’s been a huge increase in reckless driving the past few years and a noticeable drop in enforcement. I often drive on the Seaford-Oyster Bay Expressway, and it’s not uncommon for another driver to blow past me doing at least 85 miles per hour — no exaggeration.

You now have to constantly be looking in the rear-view mirror and watching for some speedster coming up fast behind you who will cut you off. The Southern State Parkway has been called dangerous, but it’s actually not if you abide by the traffic laws.

The solid white lines with signs that say “Stay in Lane” are there for a reason. The speeders/weavers are the ones creating the danger.

I love the idea of having camera surveillance. Road rage affects all of us, not only from the danger aspect but higher insurance rates, too.

 — Andy Bonomo, Seaford

SBU tech center gives us a major boost

America’s shift to clean, safe, reliable renewable energy is being made possible at Stony Brook University’s Advanced Energy Research and Technology Center [“Clean energy revolution,” LI Business, Aug.  28]. There, wind and solar power are being tuned to their highest possible utility, and the development of utility-scale batteries independent of flammable, difficult-to-procure lithium is well under way, along with masses of every type of green innovation.

There’s no progress toward the public good without committed and major public investment. Only through the new federal Inflation Reduction Act and the state’s ambitious climate goals under the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act can our clean energy goals be realized.

At the same time, the technology center is giving a major boost to the Long Island economy, spinning off job-creating businesses that will grow right here in our community.

 — Debra Handel, Shoreham

Two opposing views on sloth attraction

I’ve taken my three grandchildren (ages 21, 12, and 10) to Sloth Encounters in Hauppauge, and they were awestruck [“Sloth attraction ticketed,” News, Sept. 1].

There is something magical about communing with a wild animal. The sloths appear well cared for and tame — they’re raised in captivity — and I doubt they’d be better off if forcibly relocated elsewhere. The 12–year-old said the experience changed her life. I doubt she’ll be another Jane Goodall, but she’ll probably be committed to saving the rain forests, which sure do need saving.

The animal advocates who seem to know what the animals want should bring their children and grandchildren to have a look.

 — Robert S. Bobrow, Hauppauge

Kudos to John Di Leonardo, president of Humane Long Island, and the legislators and volunteers from all the teams bringing awareness to the public regarding this sloth “exhibit.”

Did the dollar signs blind Larry Wallach, the federally licensed animal exhibitor?

Let’s hope that a watchful eye is kept on the outcome for these beautiful sloths and that they are rescued by a reliable sanctuary.

 — Donna Goddard, Holbrook