Hungarian election good for democracy

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, one of President Donald Trump's favorite autocratic leaders and role models, lost his reelection [“Hungarian PM ousted," World, April 13]. Trump endorsed him, and JD Vance actively campaigned for Orbán as recently as Wednesday in Budapest.

The endorsement was not unexpected and relatively harmless, but for Vance to go to another country and actively try to affect an election is inappropriate. This follows Vance's previous visit to Europe when he insulted our allies, specifically Germany, by lecturing as though they were small children who had lost their way.

I am thrilled that Orbán's orbit, which was also favored by Russian President Vladimir Putin, is out and the attempt at outside interference was blunted.

John Darr, Port Jefferson Village

Sunday was a great day for democracy. Viktor Orbán, the dictator for 16 years who destroyed Hungary's democracy, was crushed in the country's election. More than 77% of eligible Hungarian voters cast ballots, a great reminder that voting matters.

Less than 60% of eligible U.S. voters participated in the 2020 and 2024 presidential elections and less than 40% in the midterms. This is evidence that when enough citizens vote, casting ballots can change results.

Jeff Goldschmidt, Stony Brook

Congratulations to the people of Hungary for taking back their country and government. I hope Donald Trump and this country's right wing are watching.

Bob Horsham, Ridge

Harrison deserves credit in Gilgo case

All those named in the article "Heuermann admits to eight Gilgo Beach killings" [News, April 9] indeed deserve proper credit. Another important name, though, should have been included: Rodney Harrison, former Suffolk County police commissioner. Harrison insisted on including the FBI in the task force he formed with the county district attorneys, sheriff's department, and state police.

Harrison brought attention to a case that had been unsolved for many years and put it at the forefront of the public's attention. He was essential in bringing Rex A. Heuermann to justice.

Susan Osowiecki, Franklin Square

Support police when they do right thing

A judge's ruling left me wondering why police bother doing their jobs when the court system will not back up their actions [“Ex-NYPD cop gets 3 to 9 years for fatal crash after cooler toss," Long Island & NYC, April 10].

Erik Duran, then an NYPD sergeant, threw a cooler at a person who is alleged to have sold drugs to an undercover police officer. The suspect tried to flee on a scooter. Judge Guy Mitchell said that Duran should have let the suspect flee and he "could've been captured another day." Really? Why not also buy him dinner? The judge was OK with an alleged drug dealer getting away?

Two persons' lives were changed that day, and one was doing his job. I feel bad for both families, but justice was not served here.

George Szarmach, Huntington Station

Easing coal ash rules will affect all of us

Do Republicans not breathe the same air as Democrats? Do they not drink the same water?

Why would anyone agree to easing regulations so important as having clean air and water? [“Easing coal ash disposal rules eyed," Nation & World, April 10.]

I am disgusted with every elected official regardless of their party.

Susan Scharf, Flushing, Queens

Deeper look needed into hospital ratings

Kudos to the eight local hospitals given high patient safety ratings [“8 LI hospitals rank high for safety," LI Business, April 11]. However, these ratings may be misleading.

First, the sampling used by the Denver-based information company included only people on Medicare and Medicaid. In general, this is about 20% of the total U.S. population. That leaves out about 80% mostly younger people.

Second, data reported was reviewed from 2021 to 2024. Since then, conditions and safety standards at hospitals may have changed, for better or worse, making the ratings less reflective of today's reality.

Alan Goldman, Port Jefferson Station

Housing plan would add stress to area

Many Baldwin residents who live near Grand Avenue should be opposed to this new housing plan [“New housing planned for Baldwin," LI Business, April 10]. Two major apartment buildings have already been built between Sunrise Highway and Merrick Road in the past two years, causing a strain on infrastructure, roads, and traffic patterns.

This new housing would only exacerbate the problem and increase overcrowding on an already stressful Grand Avenue parking situation.

Parking is limited for future retailers, and this real estate group is getting undeserved tax breaks that would put an extra burden on all residents.

Celeste Romano, Baldwin