Political rhetoric, online betting, settlements, and more

It's the truth: Voters are 'sick of the slime'

Dan Janison is being too conservative in his assessment of the political pollution we find ourselves mired in right now ["Rancid rhetoric pollutes our politics," Opinion, April 8]. The "noise pollution" is difficult to ignore because the news media won't let us ignore it. It's a large percentage of what they report. The news media thrive on drama and conflict in their quest for ratings or readership.

The now-inoperative plea from Michelle Obama to "go high" "when they go low" was woefully misinterpreted by Democrats in their messaging. They can go high and hard. Democratic National Committee chairman Jaime Harrison and the rest of the party's hierarchy do not seem to have understood this.

Voters are already "sick of the slime." That's shown in the usually decreasing turnouts that most elections generate. The 2020 election was an aberration because of the anxiety voters had regarding former President Donald Trump.

The political system needs a total overhaul. Sadly, neither the politicians nor the news media would want that. Elected officials' main concern is their next election. 

Denis O'Driscoll, Westbury

I'll get in line right behind Dan Janison. The voting public needs to rise up and say, "I'm sick of the slime." At 70, I do not remember a time when politicians (and people in general) were so uncivil and contentious toward each other. It's reminiscent of the movie "Network," in which the anchorman said, "I'm as mad as hell and I'm not going to take this anymore!" Perhaps we just need to be a kinder and gentler people. The writing has been on the wall for years. "I'm sick of the slime!"

Frank Setteducati, Bridgehampton

Taking a gamble with online betting

I am now in my 50s and supported legalizing sports gambling in New York. My theory was that the state would have sports betting at local convenience stores, like selling lottery tickets. Just hand over a $50 bill and place a bet on the Knicks, Jets, Yankees, etc.

Instead, the state signs a lucrative deal with online sportsbooks [“Let’s see where NYS betting dollars go,” Letters, Feb. 18].

The state takes 51% of the profit and has no risk. But did the state think about the consequences? Maybe a little — they did persuade the betting companies to advertise the risks and dangers, as well as provide services to help those who become addicted. Do we need to promote another bad addiction?

Even worse, this is allowed online and can be unleashed on our children.  They could be in high school or college, many not of legal age to gamble, but might find nefarious ways to do so.

The state is greedy to have allowed online gambling to happen. It’s the new pandemic — watch out!

Michael Weiner, Smithtown

Settlements should be accounted for

When the federal or state attorney general sues wrongdoers, such as tobacco, bank or drug companies, there are frequently large cash settlements of billions of dollars ["LI towns in opioid cash suit," News, April 7]. The public expects the funds to be used to compensate the injured parties or be deposited in a general fund.. This does not always happen.

The funds are first paid to the attorney general's office. The law is not clear on how the funds are to be used. Furthermore, there is no procedure for the public to learn how the funds were used. There should be a public accounting of the distribution of the funds, and there should be laws clarifying the current practice.

Lawrence Donohue, West Islip

Camp's 'glamping' involves many factors

Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts is certainly a beautiful, wooded site. As the grandmother of a teenager who attended the camp several summers a few years ago and as a visitor to the site, though, I wonder if officials have  sufficiently considered all the factors involved in overnight "glamping" ["Art camp revises 'glamping' plan," Our Towns, April 7].

For example, consider lighting in the camping area, ensuring clean bathrooms with working toilets and showers, collection of garbage, and maintaining paths. Will there be a communal campfire?

If so, where will campers be allowed to have them?  People will have to be hired to supervise at night.

How many people “unaffiliated with Usdan” will want to go through the process of applying for camp “membership”?

It must be remembered that Long Island has other campgrounds and many other daytime places to enjoy. By the time they take care of everything, there may not be much left of the scholarship fund.

Eleanor Krebs, Farmingdale