Former Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano and his wife, Linda...

Former Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano and his wife, Linda Mangano, arrive at federal court in Central Islip in January 2019.

  Credit: James Carbone

Needless battles keep focus off students

The editorial "School elections show LIers care" [Opinion, May 20] noted that many districts rejected hateful and incorrect rhetoric regarding how schools teach race and sexuality and that "thankfully, more often than not, truth and inclusivity won over falsehoods and division."

Unfortunately, in Connetquot, the incorrect rhetoric and falsehoods won handily despite the Connetquot Teachers Association's strong efforts to inform the community of its concerns and the potential impact on students. The winner ran a strong campaign backed by political organizations and the Suffolk County Police Benevolent Association. Politics ran deep in this election, and the winner was elected based on her political affiliations. Many teachers and administrators are concerned about the outcome because they believe that national political agendas will control curriculum, limit academic freedom and/or deny marginalized students their right to be treated in an inclusive and equitable manner.

It is profoundly unfortunate that we have to fight these unnecessary battles that take away from focusing on the real reason that board of education candidates are elected -- to help students, teachers and the community to be their best and for all to feel included and treated equitably.

Brad Lindell, Miller Place

The writer is vice president for negotiations for the Connetquot Teachers Association.

Embrace ingredients of a blended America

Cathy Young's op-ed "Racism is real -- so is multiracial America" [Opinion, May 19] reminds us of "the reality of white supremacy in American history." It exists in conflict with the Declaration of Independence statement "that all men are created equal."

A diverse society is not a novel concept. Diversity takes many forms -- language, religion, race, culture, gender, economic status. I grew up thinking of myself as diverse. I am an example of the "old diversity," a mixture of several nationalities and cultures: Swedish, English, Irish, Scot, French Alsatian, and Italian. All white. Yet there was discrimination and conflict between and among these groups. My ancestors were part of the "melting pot," the experiment of coming together to form a new American identity. But we all had one thing in common -- whiteness. Today's diversity comes in many shades of color, many seemingly more unfamiliar cultures and religions. It is more difficult to "melt" together. A popular metaphor describes our modern diversity as a "tossed salad." We see the individual ingredients, but they come together to make one healthy, delicious salad. As Americans, that should be our goal -- to come together, to blend, to embrace and appreciate the individual ingredients that make up our healthy, robust and diverse America.

Victor Caliman, Kings Park

Manganos have been free too long

Former Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano and his wife, Linda, are seeking freedom ["Mangano asks to keep freedom," News, May 21]. They have had freedom too long already. The jury, whose lives were interrupted, found them guilty. The Manganos should serve their time and stop wasting the court's time and taxpayer money appealing for a new trial.

Linda Mangano says she wants to rebuild her life and witness the birth of their first grandchild. Well, she should have thought about that before committing crimes.

If my husband and I committed the same crimes that they did, we would already be in prison.

Virginia Schnappauf, Ridge

Former Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano accepts no responsibility for his actions. Of course, he complied with his conditions and surrendered his passport. He had no choice, or he would end up in jail sooner than June 13. In fact, he continues to blame others for his crimes. His wife, Linda Mangano, lied to the FBI along with other charges. Both just want to enjoy their luxury chairs, hardwood bedroom floors and financial gains. I’m sure other guilty people would also love to see their grandchildren born, children graduate, marry, etc. They have been given  a lot of leniency these past three years. It’s time for them to do their time.

Wendy Johnson, Centereach

Seven decades later, the past is present

George Santayana said, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."

Georg Hegel's less famous quote, roughly translated, is, "The only thing we learn from history is that we learn nothing from history."

I was reminded of the wisdom of those quotes after reading Newsday's May 15 supplemental section, "The great storms of Long Island: The Christmas weekend blizzard," recalling Dec 26, 1947 to Jan 2, 1948.

Two articles from the 1940s sounded very current:

1) A Democratic president expressing frustration over recalcitrant Republicans in Congress to do more to combat inflation.

2) Frustration and anger over the short supply and high prices of gas and home heating fuel.

As America finds itself with these two problems decades later, it seems to me that the adoption of solar and wind energy can address these issues. But a failure to do so only confirms the wisdom of both philosophers.

Raymond Boivie, Kings Park

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