Using National Guard now is hypocritical, more

National Guard use now is hypocritical

President Donald Trump’s use of the National Guard to deal with immigration protests is the ultimate hypocrisy [“Trump is deploying 2,700 Marines to LA,” News, June 10]. He sat on his hands on Jan. 6 when rioters attacked police and trashed the U.S. Capitol. Now he calls in the National Guard?

Apparently, the cause for protest determines whether it’s legal. That’s not quite in sync with the Constitution. It is a blatant attempt by Trump to usurp the power of individual states and to suppress any protests to his immigration policies. Autocracy, anyone?

 — Mary Negra, East Setauket

I’m all for political cartoons, expressing frustration and idiocy for a few laughs or outrage. But the June 10 syndicated cartoon [Opinion] appears to push a false narrative of the protests in Los Angeles. The cartoon does not provide the proper context for the mostly peaceful protests going on there.

Donald Trump is elevating tensions in our country and causing chaos while trying to pass a bloated budget bill. He has sent the National Guard and Marines against the wishes of California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta. That is piling on a tragedy in our country.

Meanwhile, some Republicans falsely claim violent videos and photos from other protests are from L.A.

 — Elizabeth Lerner, Massapequa

No Regents exams? Diploma is a trophy

Eliminating Regents exams will turn a high school diploma into the equivalent of a participation trophy [“Keep HS graduation standards high,” Editorial, June 8]. These exams ensure that districts are at least offering the same education across district lines.

The education gap will only become wider without the accountability that these exams provide. The current system is not perfect, but at least it offers a means of ensuring that curricula are consistent.

As a teacher, I believe it is unfortunate that the state Board of Regents is choosing to eliminate a system that has served us so well for generations while replacing it with a far less rigorous and subjective set of criteria. We need alternate pathways not in place of rigor but in addition to it.

It is unfortunate that the decisions of a few people so far removed from the classroom will ultimately affect the education of so many.

 — William Wickes, East Williston

Yes, schools are in education ‘business’

James Tomeo, Elwood school board president, said, “We’re in the business of education” [“School budgets up for revote,” Our Towns, June 9]. Indeed, that’s what Long Island schools have turned into — a business, and what a big business it has become.

When a school budget doesn’t pass, why are the first things on the chopping block cuts to student services, educational programs, supplies, arts, music, and extracurricular activities? Why is it that administration is not cut back?

Let’s talk about the large salaries of school administrators. Does each school district really need a superintendent, an assistant superintendent, a superintendent of business, an assistant superintendent of business, a superintendent of education, and on and on?

School is for educating children, not for lining the pockets of administrators. Is it teachers’ well-earned salaries that affect the budget increases or is it the administrative excess at the top that needs to be cut back?

— Catherine Kennedy, Seaford

Public should not pay for charter schools

Private charter schools are a great alternative to existing public schools supported by our tax dollars [“3 new LI charter schools proposed,” News, June 4]. But the public must not be burdened with covering a private entity’s costs. If you choose to opt out of public education and send your children to private schools, you should pay for your choice, not taxpayers. This is currently the case with parochial schools and prep schools. It should not be different for charter schools.

— Peter Hellermann, Huntington

Mangano’s sentence has new perspective

Former Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano wants his 12-year prison sentence to be put on hold [“Mangano wants high court to review case,” News, June 10]. Can one conclude that he received an excessive punishment in light of what is happening to our system of justice?

President Donald Trump was convicted of several felonies and avoided punishment. He avoided trial in other cases. He has used his presidential power to pardon people of serious crimes. He pardoned those who attacked the U.S. Capitol and threatened the life of then-Vice President Mike Pence. Trump called these convicted people political hostages. People who have fleeced innocent people of their life savings have received lesser sentences than Mangano.

 — John Boughal, Bayport