Remedy courthouse indecent conditions, Congress should retire at 75, more housing
The Alfonse M. D'Amato U.S Courthouse in Central Islip. Credit: Newsday/John Paraskevas
Remedy courthouse indecent conditions
A fog of questionable ethics is seeping across our nation, including the courthouse in Central Islip. For months, rhetoric against immigrants has been widespread and largely false. These people are neighbors, workers, and parents. They invest socially and financially in communities where they live.
Erron Anthony Clarke, a Jamaican native, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement without due process in subhuman conditions at a federal courthouse [“Central Islip federal judge demands answers on Long Island ICE detainee’s treatment,” News, Dec. 20].
These actions have been reported in countries undergoing coups. It is unacceptable that right here in our community, ICE is willfully ignoring the directive of a federal court judge, and people who manage the Central Islip facility are willfully ignoring unsanitary and inhumane conditions.
More people need to speak out to stop this practice and restore humanity and decency to what is at its core an indecent situation.
— Elise Antonelli, Babylon
Congress: Retire at 75 as bishops do
The Vatican mandate for retirement for bishops at age 75, such as New York’s Cardinal Timothy Dolan, serves as an example for Congress [“A new bishop to lead NY Catholics,” News, Dec. 19]. This rule is designed, among other reasons, to ensure a smooth transition and so the successors dedicate energy to their role.
These guidelines should be adopted by Congress, whose focus often seems to be more on perpetual tenure and the exclusion of fresh ideas and perspectives that new members would bring to the table.
— Clifford D. Glass, East Rockaway
This is one way to create housing
New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani will be moving into Gracie Mansion [“Mamdani to throw party,” News, Dec. 22].
At least he’s starting to fulfill his promise to help people get affordable housing by giving up his rent-controlled apartment.
— Judy Riccuiti, Farmingdale
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