Oscars slap, ATVs, and an LI project idea

Traumatized by an Oscars slap — really?

Amy Schumer, Wanda Sykes and many other celebrities say they were traumatized by Will Smith's slapping Chris Rock at the Oscars ["Schumer: 'Traumatized' by Oscars violence," flash!, March 31]. Really? Let them talk to the Ukrainian people who are carrying the stretchers with the bloody and dead children and pregnant women. Let them talk to the doctors and nurses who held the hands of dying COVID-19 patients whose family members were not allowed to be with them in their final moments. Let them talk to first responders who every day rush to catastrophic fires, deadly car accidents and murders.

These are life-altering traumatic events. Will Smith slapping Chris Rock is traumatizing? It’s time for the so-called celebrities to get out of the bubble they are living in and get a life reality check. Hopefully, they won’t be traumatized.

Wayne Weingartner, Westbury

Chris Rock made a cruel, insensitive, insulting “joke” about Will Smith’s wife’s medical condition, which she cannot help. When Smith saw how hurt his wife looked, he became infuriated. Impulse took over and he ran up and slapped Rock. Did anything happen to Chris Rock for insulting and hurting Smith’s wife? No. Not only did Rock not apologize to Smith or his wife for hurting her feelings, but he appeared to become some sort of national hero. His show's ticket prices went sky-high, and his career is doing better than ever.

Smith, on the other hand, strongly and tearfully apologized to the motion picture academy and eventually to Rock. He also punished himself by resigning from the academy. Who knows how this will affect his acting career?Now, the academy will decide about other punishment.

Enough is enough! How much punishment can one man take, considering it was Rock who started this whole thing in the first place.

Toby Kramer, Oceanside

Comedians like Chris Rock and the late Don Rickles are bullies. They hide behind their jokes at the expense of others, and although people might laugh, it is hurtful. I don’t agree with Will Smith hitting Rock, because violence begets violence. I am not particularly a fan of Lady Gaga, but she showed class and respect for Liza Minelli in presenting the award for best motion picture. People need to think before they speak and choose kindness every time.

Kay Prainito, Levittown

As an American, I am embarrassed and ashamed ["Slapping back at Will Smith's actions," Letters, April 1]. Countless Ukrainians are being killed daily, and millions of refugees are fleeing for their lives. Mothers and children are separated from their husbands, sons, fathers and brothers who gallantly fight on. Cities are getting flattened by Russian bombs! Ukraine literally is being scorched.

The world is watching an apocalypse in Ukraine while also viewing our ongoing sick fascination with ridiculous media coverage of the Chris Rock and Will Smith obscenity at the Oscars.

Linda Strome, Manorville

Taking action on ATVs a welcome move

The Suffolk County Police Department's decision to crack down on dirt bikes and all-terrain vehicles on public streets is a welcome and wise decision for all ["Suffolk cops in ATV crackdown," News, April 2]. Too many times I've seen wise guys on Montauk Highway veering in and out of traffic, or congregating at a local service station revving up their machines as they prepare to head out on another weak attempt to imitate Marlon Brando in "The Wild Thing." They seem to enjoy intimidating other drivers and have a smirks on their faces that I'd just love to remove. Their reckless driving and behavior does not belong on a public road that they don't share, but think they own. "Crush all the ATVs," I say. Or at least give the riders an open field somewhere out east where they can live out their childhood fantasies without endangering other people. The lives saved could be theirs or innocent victims.

Andrew Martorano, Lindenhurst

'Next big thing' is track and field site

Randi F. Marshall [Opinion, March 31] asks, “What’s Long Island’s next big thing?” There is nothing bigger needed than an indoor sports facility in Nassau County. There is no indoor sports facility in Nassau for high school track and field, even though it is one of the country's largest sports.

All winter, Nassau high school meets take place at St. Anthony’s High School in South Huntington. Some meets last as late as 11 p.m., when teams from western Nassau begin their trek home. College meets are staged at The Armory in Manhattan and Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex in Staten Island because no other viable facility is closer.

Using St. Anthony’s is expensive. Nassau taxpayers are paying for the use of a facility in Suffolk County and for busing teams there.

Looking for a use for the former Sears property in Hicksville? Look no further. In addition to track and field, such a facility could accommodate other indoor sports as well. It can be available for high schools, colleges, clubs, seniors and youth programs. It can host trade shows.

We have been advocating for such a facility for decades, and this should be our "next big thing.”

Susan Polansky, Plainview

The writer is the New York State rules interpreter for the Section VIII Boys Track & Field Officials Association.