Zeldin, Trump and EPA; students as civic teachers

‘Green new scam’? This is a red flag

The insidiousness of mercury emissions in our air is that they are hidden and unnoticeable to our eyes and sense of smell. They are neurotoxins that impact developing brains and contaminate ocean food chains.

Nevertheless, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin announced the finalization of a rule to repeal the 2024 amendments to the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards [“Zeldin, Trump rail against past rulings as EPA takes action,” News, Feb. 13]. This action, described as revitalizing “big, beautiful coal,” loosens restrictions on mercury and other toxic heavy metals from coal-fired power plants. He characterized the rollback of such fossil fuel rules as a victory against the “green new scam.”

I believe this is not what most people voted for, and it is not acceptable to informed citizens who are no longer fooled by public servants’ empty promises.

— Charles A. Perretti, Setauket

Lee Zeldin’s hypocritical reversal on important initiatives like the “endangerment finding” and regulations to better protect our drinking water, air quality and other environmental concerns is hugely disappointing and dangerous considering his current position as EPA head.

Global warming and climate change are existential threats to our planet and public health. Zeldin’s abandonment of his principles and conviction demonstrated during his time as a congressman to secure his loyalty to President Donald Trump is terribly disappointing.

Eventually, he will be held accountable when Trump’s misguided attempt at authoritarianism crashes and burns and the seismic tsunami that will follow grabs them all. In the meantime, Americans will suffer as our air and water get dirtier. “Make America heathy again” was just another lie.

— Frank Dody, Jericho

Lee Zeldin’s selective attention to certain local issues reflects the Trumpian pattern: tending to matters that protect his own local backside while policies under his national watch inflict broader harm “The two sides of Zeldin,” News, Feb. 22].

The Trump Cabinet cabal’s penchant for power and position transplants principle and integrity. Many in the Cabinet have appeared to benefit personally while the public, so-called “regular Americans,” are left to bear the consequences.

The disgraceful and shameful conduct Trump decries does not reside with the Supreme Court. It lies squarely with Trump and the circle that enables and profits from his leadership.

— Robert Detor, Port Washington

There are no “two sides” of Lee Zeldin. Long Island voters were duped by Zeldin’s boyish charm and superior gaslighting gifts. He was always a far-right extremist who put personal ambition above the best interests of Americans. His fealty is to the rich and corporations.

There seems to be no tactic out of bounds for Zeldin.

— Steven Lupo, Shirley

Students now civic engagement teachers

Kudos to the Long Island high school students organizing walkouts to protest U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement [“LI students staging walkouts against ICE,” News, Feb. 23].

These students know their Constitution (signs included “ ‘We the people’ means everyone”), their history (“Immigrants Make America Great,” “Protest today so you don’t have to hide your family in the attic tomorrow”), and their rights and responsibilities (“ICE melts under resistance,” “Fight ignorance not immigrants,” “Fund education not deportation”).

It’s hard to witness masked federal agents acting violently and with impunity toward innocent people, terrorizing witnesses with their unlawful, immoral actions, including killing citizens; assaults on citizens’ exercising right to assembly and speech; pointing guns at peaceful observers; detaining young children; and breaking into cars and homes without warrants.

The rising up of informed, active and resilient citizens in Minnesota and Long Island provide a model of how to conduct ourselves in a democracy whose leaders know and care less about the Constitution than do these students.

Long Island songwriter and activist Harry Chapin said, “To know is to care; to care is to act; to act is to make a difference.” These students are making a difference and have become our civic engagement teachers.

— Andrea Libresco, Mineola

The writer is director of the Minor in Civic Engagement at Hofstra University.

Patients deserve to have fit therapists

As a retired licensed clinical social worker, I was saddened to read about the therapist sentenced for trading in child pornography [“7 years for LI therapist,” News, Feb. 21]. The defense lawyer argued that Renee Hoberman’s career was an example of a healthy way she processed trauma that she had experienced in life and said it was a way his client helped kids dealing with hardships she experienced.

There is no way this woman was qualified to be of professional help to anyone. My sadness is for the clients she did treat.

As therapists, we are entrusted with the care of the mental health of our clients. This is a profound responsibility, and it is our duty to be mentally fit for this job. Someone who is locking herself in a car to smoke crack cocaine and binge on child pornography is unfit for the profession.

It is clear she needed help, but placing her clients at risk is inexcusable. I hope her clients do not lose faith in the healing power of competent therapy and get that help if it is needed.

— Linda Durnan, Wading River