Qualified immunity, DST and Ukraine

I was disappointed in Newsday’s guest essay presentation on qualified immunity ["Keep cops protected from lawsuits?" Opinion, March 13]. Newsday let both sides mischaracterize the law. This does not help inform the public.

One side said that qualified immunity "shields rogue police officers and other public officials from liability" ["NO: Qualified immunity should be abolished"]. This is 100% wrong. The other side discusses "Holding government employees to strict liability for the consequences of their decisions, which routinely occur in unpredictable environments" ["YES: Qualified immunity must be preserved"]. Who is calling for "strict liability"? Nobody.

Qualified immunity as a law is fine — rogue cops are held liable, and good-faith decisions are protected. The devil, of course, is in the details of individual cases. As seen through the eyes of the local community or law enforcement, a judge’s decision or a jury’s decision might seem unfair.

There might be much to bash about individual case outcomes, but I do not see anything to bash in the law itself.

— Karl Silverberg, Central Islip

Again? Year-round DST isn’t a good idea

Once more, Congress is considering keeping daylight saving time all year ["Science is clear: Stay with DST," Editorial, March 15]. We need to put a stop to this nonsense. It’s been tried, and the conclusion is that it is a bad idea. Congress apparently has a short memory.

This is a reminder to those who do not know history (and therefore are in danger of repeating it): In 1973, during the gas crisis, Congress had the "brilliant" idea of remaining on DST all year. It is not as bad on Long Island, for instance, as it is for those living on the western end of time zones. Sunrise for them is up to an hour later than here.

Congress rapidly admitted its mistake and did not renew this fiasco. (At least they had the wisdom to make it only a 16-month experiment that needed renewal if successful.)

Congress now seems to want to repeat its mistake.

— Edward Schwartz, Dix Hills

I was a high school sophomore during the first oil embargo in 1973, when the country remained on daylight saving time throughout the winter. I used to walk to school in the dark. That was not the safest situation. Furthermore, we used more energy in the mornings because people rose in the dark to start their days and turned lights on. We should keep things as they are now. Moving our clocks ahead and back is not that difficult.

— Jerry Romano, Bellmore

Ukraine and the United States present a stark contrast in courage and patriotism ["Zelenskyy plea: ‘I call on you to do more,’ " News, March 17].

While Ukrainians, led by a strong, gifted president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, are fighting for their lives and their democracy, our own democracy was, and continues to be, attacked from within, especially on Jan. 6, 2021.

The tragedy in Ukraine is Russia’s doing, while America only has itself to blame. While it breaks my heart to watch as one man, Russian President Vladimir Putin, causes such horrific death and destruction, I am disheartened by so many Americans who pretend to be patriots but are wrapped up in their own flag of power and self-interest.

From what I see, Ukraine is all about "us," while for many Americans, it’s all about "me." That puts our democracy on soft footing. So while we watch Ukrainians fight for their freedom, let’s remember what that had meant to those who have fought for our freedom. I think we conveniently forgot.

— Bob Bascelli, Seaford

Russian President Vladimir Putin is testing the resolve of NATO to protect Europe against his threats. His boldness and arrogance are made more dramatic because the West appears to fear his threats.

If Putin is mentally disturbed, there is the distinct possibility that he will use nuclear weapons regardless of NATO’s response. I thought he already would have used the nuclear option since it has been three weeks without victory against a much weaker nation.

If he is of sound mind (as I think he is), he would never carry out his threat to use those weapons. If NATO doesn’t act, Europe will fall one nation at a time. If NATO acts to defend Ukraine, Putin will likely back off and declare victory just to save face.

Putin is very aware that there will be no winner in a nuclear conflict. In the meantime, innocent Ukrainians are dying. Something must be done and done quickly.

— Michael Zisner, Bethpage

Almost all of us feel the harsh effects of inflation: higher prices for food, gas, home heating oil, etc. And now, with the devastating attack on Ukraine by Russia, it will get worse.

America needs to restore its energy independence. We should rely on U.S. energy, as well as energy from allies. This can be done without eliminating long-range plans for reductions in carbon emissions and climate initiatives. We just have to be smarter. Americans are facing financial hardships, and this makes our country weaker.

We are witnessing how a weaker America affects world events, and Ukrainians are paying the ultimate price for our weakness and inept strategies. Turmoil in Europe 80 years ago led to a devastating impact on the world. We need to restore control before current events lead us to the same outcome.

— Ted Kiladitis, St. James

An editorial asserted that paying more at the pump "will be considered a tough sacrifice and not a charitable contribution" ["Ukraine needs all of our help," Opinion, March 8].

Yet if we consider our sacrifice being in solidarity with the people of Ukraine, we can look at our paying more for gasoline as an act of charity.

It is heartening to read that there has not been much reported grumbling or self-pity about rising oil prices ["Gas prices set to hit record highs," News, March 8]. However, as one person said, his concern is for "low-income people who have to cut into their budgets for groceries and other necessities to pay for gas." We can assist. Cut demand for fuel by eliminating unnecessary trips and also donating to charities.

— Eileen Toomey, Huntington Station

May we never lose sight of the brave journalists who risk their lives to inform us of what is happening in the world. They are protectors of democracy. Without these truth-seekers, freedom would be lost. In honor of those journalists who have sacrificed their lives in Ukraine, I am forever grateful.

— Diane McGuire, Northport