Arguments over fatal shooting of Renee Good

I am amazed by the assertions that Renee Good was murdered without cause [“Renee Good’s fatal shooting,” Letters, Jan. 13]. We live in the greatest democracy in the world.

The way to handle disputes is via elections and the judicial system — not by obstructing armed law officials. Good apparently believed she could disobey instructions of law enforcement.

Good participated in violent disobedience which unfortunately resulted only in more violence. She should have used her American rights to peacefully demonstrate, vote in the upcoming elections, and support judicial review of the government’s policies to effect policy changes.

Good’s actions were impulsive and reckless — she had legal options in front of her, as do all Americans, to oppose the government. Her irresponsible actions brought tragedy to her and to her children that she left behind.

Violent actions almost always result in violent reactions. Peaceful political and judicial protest is available to every American, and people must choose wisely in a democratic society.

— Nathan Begelman, Atlantic Beach

The federal government is increasingly abusing power by limiting any investigation of the tragedy in Minnesota. It is amazing that President Donald Trump wants to protect protesters in Iran yet defends this shooting of a protester in the United States. Is there no end to the outrageous action of a gestapo-like force in our own cities?

People are being harassed in U.S. cities simply because of the color of their skin. Is there no conscience in our government, in our leaders? Even if you support the president, can you not see how wrong this is?

I realize the stock market is up and many Americans are more interested in how their 401(k) portfolios are doing rather than how many people are living in fear right in our own communities.

There will be celebrations during 2026 to recognize the 250th year of our country. The president says he wants to “Make America Great Again.” I know America has done great things, but right now it feels as if there is not much to celebrate.

— Donald Elliott, Ridge

Propogandists have long believed that if you “repeat a lie enough times, most will believe it.” Suffolk Republican Party chairman Jesse Garcia employed this maneuver by saying that Democrats encourage “hostility toward those enforcing the law” [“LIers protest over ICE killing in Minn.,” News, Jan. 11].

Admittedly, some Democrats embraced “defund the police” after the George Floyd killing in 2020. We may hear “defund ICE.” But it is brutal tactics that provoke such out-of-bounds responses.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has been a federal agency since 2002. It should focus on deporting the worst of the worst, not an honors college student, or a deli operator, or high school students. Some 74% of those it has recently seized have no criminal records except crossing the border without documentation, a misdemeanor.

There was little opposition until ICE’s tactics led to killing U.S. citizens or keeping brown and Black people away from their schools, churches, and businesses. Hearing Kristi Noem, secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, pronounce the innocence of every ICE agent whatever the circumstance causes one to wonder whatever happened to sacred American principles of fairness and due process.

It’s not surprising that Garcia’s political response repeats the lie that all Democrats oppose law enforcement.

— Jim Morgo, Bayport

I’m 72. When I was in my teens, I opposed the war in Vietnam and took to the streets to voice my opposition along with thousands of other like-minded people. The ranks of those protesting were filled with bright, young people — enthusiastic in their opposition to our government’s actions overseas.

When I read Sunday about the Long Island protests, I could not help but notice the ages of the protesters in the accompanying photo. They were probably the same people who took to the streets in the late 1960s. Some may have brought their children or grandchildren, but I doubt that the young people would have come on their own.

What has happened to the current younger generation? Where is their sense of civic duty and their backbone to stand up to oppression? Where are the protest songs flooding the airwaves and music streams?

Wake up, children! This is going to be your world in a few years.

— David Ardam, Commack

I spit out my coffee laughing when I read the headline “Executions have stopped: Trump” News, Jan. 15].

I naively believed he was addressing the ICE shooting of Renee Good.

— Marybeth Bevan, West Islip