Poll on American values, anti-vaxxers, PBA vax suit and more

In search of our better angels

The nation’s deep political divisions were highlighted by the Siena College national survey ["Poll: Americans share values, divided on issues," News, Oct. 24]. What is the antidote to this rancor? It’s listening carefully to learn what those on the other side believe and how they came to their beliefs, and it’s speaking honestly and courageously our own "truth" with respect and civility.

As a member of Braver Angels, a citizens group uniting "red" and "blue" Americans in a working alliance to depolarize America, and as a leader of the organization’s Long Island Alliance, I know this isn’t always easy. But it’s worth the effort.

We bring "reds" and "blues" together in dialogues on difficult topics — abortion, vaccine mandates, racial disparities, etc., emphasizing our shared American values. These programs have helped restore trust and even affection across the political divide.

Yes, forces threaten our democracy — social media and politicians who are elected by stoking division — but Abraham Lincoln’s words, before the Civil War, point out both a warning and path of hope: "Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory . . . will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when again touched . . . by the better angels of our nature."

— Herb Lape, Huntington

One question in the Siena survey asked whether "much of the mainstream media is fake news." Yes, some in the media are responsible for perpetuating false news. One news network, in particular, bombards viewers with malicious  stories all day.

They cause fear, anxiety and unhappiness. People don’t know what to believe. Yet these media people are not held accountable for what they say. They have to prove nothing they imply, suggest or tout as fact.

The only thing we can do is educate ourselves. Learn the facts and judge for ourselves. We shouldn’t listen to newspeople who have their own agenda, which usually is to sell commercials, get ratings and leave America to mistrust and hate.

— Mary Rossi, Holbrook

I am astonished that while there was significant — and justified — discussion of the ruckus concerning the 2020 presidential election, there was absolutely no mention of the equally divisive 2016 election when the Democrats accused former President Donald Trump of colluding with Russia to "steal" that election.

I think the tone of our suspicion of our national elections goes even further back to the fiasco between former President George W. Bush and former Sen. Al Gore. More attention should be paid to the security of our elections. This might diminish both sides’ accusations. 

— George Cumberland, Holbrook

Conflicting ideas prevent equality

While I can believe that Democrats and Republicans support the "core values of liberty, equality and progress," a problem still exists stemming from conflicting interpretations of those concepts ["We can collaborate again," Opinion, Oct. 25].

If one party will only recognize marriage as a union of a man and a woman while the other includes same-sex partners, there is no equality. When one party sees people who don’t abide by traditional acts of "patriotism" and then verbally attacks them, there is no liberty. And when one "news" source and myriad conspiracy theory sites fuel the beliefs of one party, there is no "critical, independent thinking."

— Wendy Schack, East Williston

NYC PBA vax suit raises several questions

Mandated COVID-19 vaccinations have received consensus approval by almost all medical experts and scholars. Nurses and other frontline worker unions have accepted and even praised this edict. Now, however, the New York City Police Benevolent Association has lost the first round of its suit to block this mandate ["NYPD union denied halt in city vaccine mandate," News, Oct. 28].

Are police officers a special breed? Do they possess more rights and virtues than all other professions and civilians in such medical emergencies? Apparently, they believe they do.

John Segovia, Sayville

These anti-vaxxers create more questions, too

Anti-vax protesters recently forced Barclays Center to briefly shut its doors before a Brooklyn Nets game ["Barclays Center forced to keep out protesters," News, Oct. 25]. Don't they realize that, without vaccines, there likely would be no games held at Barclays Center to protest?

Can't they comprehend that the COVID-19 pandemic is an existential event, and that countless more people would almost certainly have died and our economy would have collapsed if not for, out of civic duty and plain common sense, a good majority of Americans have been vaccinated?

Do they not understand that, without the vaccines, many if not most of us would still be sheltering in place, locked down inside our homes, too frightened by the deadly virus to visit restaurants and social gatherings, much less sporting events?

Edmund Fountaine, Oakdale

And where are the answers to these questions?

We now live in a country where you apparently can't ask questions or question authority. I'd like answers to these questions: Why are citizens losing their jobs for being unvaccinated when more than a million undocumented immigrants have entered our country with no COVID-19 testing? Why can "my body, my choice" apply to abortion but not the unvaccinated? Why are companies with 100 employees vaccine-mandated, but companies with 99 aren't? Why did Congress give themselves a vaccine exemption when they're fighting exemptions for others?

Why are children mask-mandated when no random study was done that supports it? Why are therapeutics used successfully around the world yet not promoted here? Why is natural immunity from getting COVID-19 mostly ignored while one Israeli study shows it  provides better protection than vaccines? Why hasn't President Joe Biden given a press conference in two months whereas former President Donald Trump eventually took questions almost daily? To me, the answer to these questions is simple: Democrats want control, from local government to the presidency, with cradle-to-grave entitlements. I believe their motto is "Rules for thee but not for me, no questions needed."

Craig Boyer, Bayport