Pelosi attack, credit card fees, Jones Beach shows, and more

After Pelosi attack, unity is needed

It’s time for decent elected officials to stand side by side, Democrats and Republicans alike, and say that the political attack on Paul Pelosi, the 82-year-old husband of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, is the final straw in allowing misinformation and conspiracy theories to fester in the minds of individuals [“Pelosi attack exposes some extremist truths,” Opinion, Nov. 3].

And it must be done without “buts” and “what-about-isms.” It needs to stop now before someone gets killed.

I realize it is difficult to avoid continuing the finger-pointing about where demonization began and which party is at fault, but that is exactly why it must stop now or it will continue and become deadly.

There are many decent and loyal Americans in both parties who could put an end to these conspiracy theories and debunked allegations.

— Jim Kiernan, Holbrook

How has a certain segment of this country sunk so low as to make fun of a man who was attacked in this own home? Because he is a politician’s husband whose wife is a member of the opposite political party? The disgusting jokes that have popped up, especially one from the son of a political leader, are lower than low.

No matter what side of the aisle you are on, we should all be shocked about this attack.

Every person should denounce this behavior. I am sure there are other crazed followers who will see this and think it is OK to attack politicians. Would it be so funny if it happened to someone in their family?

Perhaps this will be a wake-up call that this has gone too far, but I have little hope. I am becoming embarrassed to say I am an American, and I am a Daughter of the American Revolution.

— Karyn Rhodes Dornfield, Westbury

When Rep. Steve Scalise (R-Louisiana) was shot in 2017, House Speaker Paul Ryan said, “An attack on one of us is an attack on all of us.” Democrats made no jokes about it, and there was no campaigning off this terrible incident. Congress was unified in support of Scalise.

Sadly, we can’t say the same about the attack on Paul Pelosi.

While a few prominent Republican politicians voiced their disdain, others showed a lack of compassion for the Pelosi family. Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, Louisiana Rep. Clay Higgins, Virginia Gov. Ted Youngkin, and Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake made distasteful jokes about a man almost killed by someone who spouted lies and conspiracy theories posted by Republicans.

This growing lack of empathy and sheer disregard for those who disagree with them is sad.

— Robert Broder, Stony Brook

What happened in Nazi Germany in the early 1930s apparently is happening around the world and in the United States [“All students should see Holocaust series,” Letters, Oct. 6].

The lies, the conspiracy theories, the antisemitism and attacks on minorities, the intimidation and threats against our political leaders and election workers, and the actual violence.

The attack on Paul Pelosi is a perfect example of how our democracy is going astray. First, the violent attack against him for political reasons, then the aftermath of lies and jokes from those running for election. And the horrid conspiracy theories being spread on social media.

We must stop this hate before it destroys us.

— Jeff Goldschmidt, Stony Brook

Credit card firms are double-dipping

Credit card fees are no different from the fees tacked on to purchase tickets to a sporting event, concert or show “Credit card fees hurt small businesses,” Opinion, Nov. 4].

I pay ticket-ordering processing fees, and I do all the work. My hair salon stopped taking credit cards and my auto repair shop allows me to use a personal check. Since I prefer not to carry large sums of cash, I reluctantly absorb the credit card punishment fee when there is no alternative.

My complaint is with the credit card and merchant processing companies. They are double-dipping, charging fees to the consumer and the merchant for the same service. It’s a money grab, and consumers and merchants are caught in the middle.

I discontinued credit cards that carry a privilege fee and use cards that offer rewards. It’s not much, and the card companies don’t care. I expect credit card fees and stopped looking for a poorly written sign.

Reporting a merchant to the attorney general won’t make the fee go away.

— Howard Lev, East Meadow

The recent run of businesses to put a surcharge on paying with a credit card is simple greed. The fees paid to the credit card companies have always been part of doing business.

Since there is no way for me as a consumer to fight this latest show of greed, I can apply the only alternative I have — I won’t patronize the business. I have already told the owners of two local businesses that I will not return.

— Jim Cleary, Floral Park

Jones Beach shows need a face-lift, too

I was thrilled to read about the “Jones Beach Theater face-lift” [News, Oct. 22]. Now, if only some entertainment would be geared toward an older crowd and/or families. I once enjoyed summer musicals with my parents and husband.

— Vera Galante Anderson, New Hyde Park

For motel owners, justice is delayed

So, let me just recap the situation that’s been going on at the Sayville Motor Lodge, according to federal prosecutors [“Owners of motel indicted,” News, Nov. 3].

For 38 years there has been a blighted, questionable property thriving on Sunrise Highway.

From 2014 to 2018, a sex trafficking business was conducted there.

For the past eight years, a narcotics enterprise has been thriving there, allowing dealers to sell drugs in rooms and people to get high on heroin, cocaine and crack in public view.

It took law enforcement eight years to build a case. Should we all finally jump for joy? It’s no wonder that, for many, our confidence in government has been shattered.

Justice delayed is no justice. We the people deserve much better.

— Karen Sheerin, Islip