Put homeless atop America's priorities

I was saddened while reading "A life of motels, shelters" [News, April 20]. Arya Ranganathan's situation is a microcosm of so many other single people and families facing housing insecurity here in Nassau County, a wealthy area. She didn't choose homelessness or to not afford child support.

Life happened, and the county Department of Social Services is attempting to assist her and those like her, spending millions of dollars a year for motels. But it's still not enough, and it's not working well for anyone. These people need stability and safety, and the county needs to come up with a better plan.

If we can afford to keep spending at least a billion dollars a day these past several weeks on the war with Iran, why can't there be affordable, adequate housing options for those in need?

To move a mother and her several children from shelters, to motels, and back to shelters again, when they need stability is unconscionable. This needs to be addressed right here on Long Island to protect those who find themselves in vulnerable situations.

We need to put America first, and our homeless and hungry should be at the top of our list.

Barbara Gilman, Old Bethpage

Taxpayers shouldn't pay killer's expenses

It is good that 33 years after killing the first of eight women, Rex A. Heuermann finally admitted to committing these horrific acts ["Heuermann's 4-day killing ritual revealed in TV doc," News, April 23].

Payments to him or any relatives for any TV documentaries should cover his living costs for life in prison. Taxpayers should not have to pay his expenses.

John Wolf, Levittown

My dissatisfaction is growing with the disproportionate amount of coverage about Rex A. Heuermann. Was it necessary for Newsday to put him on the cover once again on Thursday? While the Gilgo Beach murders are undoubtedly significant, the constant barrage of articles is a grim distraction from the pressing issues currently impacting Long Islanders and our nation.

At a time when Americans are struggling with severe economic instability and the weight of global conflicts, the news cycle should prioritize substance over sensationalism. We do not need a daily reminder of the cruelty of which some individuals are capable. What we need is reporting that fosters a sense of hope for the future.

Robert K. Ponzi, East Patchogue

I am sick and tired of seeing headlines about the Gilgo Beach killer. This has been going on for years.

Although I feel for the families, I'm more concerned with what is happening in this country and the world. Those are the headlines I'd like to see, ones that affect all of us.

Sherri Levinson, Great Neck

‘No new wars' has had a real about-face

In various ways, readers wrote that Iran was a dire threat and that the war is necessary ["More views about Trump and the pope," Letters, April 17]. One called Iranian ideology "pure evil," and another called Iran a "terror threat and a clear danger."

I'm curious how this dire, evil danger didn't come up once during the presidential election campaign only a year and a half ago while "no new wars" was a central campaign promise of candidate Donald Trump.

These readers and many more seem to be OK with a reality that is 180 degrees different from what they voted for not that long ago.

Robert Emproto, Huntington

I have no problem being a good supporter of President Donald Trump and a good Christian. Did the letter writers who criticized Trump's remarks about Pope Leo XIV ever say a word when then-President Barack Obama was treated like a messiah?

In Iran, tens of thousands of protesters were killed, some in hospital beds, and I heard crickets from liberals — and Trump's comments are the problem?

Michael Appice, Westbury

When a reader writes, "It's oxymoronic to simultaneously be a good Christian and a Trump supporter," he unwittingly mimics Trump's style — brash and judgmental ["Trump's pope attack doesn't help LI GOP," Letters, April 16]. Few Trump supporters likely care for his unnecessary and frequently impolitic remarks.

Trump supporters, though, did not vote for the most well-mannered candidate. The presidential election is not a beauty contest but rather one about competency. On that basis, Trump occupies the office according to the will of the majority.

Alan F. Steinke, Massapequa