Senate's Jack Smith hearing, National Grid
Sens. Eric Schmitt, seated, and John Kennedy display a sign regarding former special prosecutor Jack Smith during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Sept. 29. Credit: Getty Images North America/Chip Somodevilla
This is the Senate, not a locker room
I feel compelled to comment on the exchange during the recent hearing between former special prosecutor Jack Smith and Sen. Eric Schmitt [“Who was the real ‘dirtbag’ in this case?,” Opinion, Oct. 1]. The senator’s accusations were totally inappropriate and demeaning, and doubly so because it was a televised public hearing. These are the halls of Congress, not a locker room.
In a legal context, accusing Smith of perjury was a bridge too far, especially when the senator had cited the wrong basketball game Smith had attended. Schmitt represents Missourians, and his state’s nickname is “Show Me.” The debacle could have been avoided had he heeded that advice.
Younger generations will look to their elders for ethical and moral standards. Yet these elders have set the bar so low that we cannot criticize the younger generation, as they will merely be reflecting their elders’ behavior.
— Alan Gilbert, Port Washington
National Grid deal is fit for a piggy bank
I was excited to read that I could qualify for a discount on my National Grid bill now that the requirements have changed and eligibility has expanded to cover more New Yorkers “See if you qualify for $500 utility discount,” News, Sept. 16].
I completed the online form, which took more than 20 minutes. Uploading my proof of income was a chore.
The next day I received an email stating that I qualified for a discount at Tier 9. I went to the National Grid website with high hopes to view the discount, and I was elated until I scrolled down and saw that I would get a $1 credit each month for 18 months. I am going on vacation with my savings.
— Keith Malsky, Manorville
WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO JOIN OUR DAILY CONVERSATION. Just go to newsday.com/submitaletter and follow the prompts. Or email your opinion to letters@newsday.com. Submissions should be no more than 200 words. Please provide your full name, hometown, phone number and any relevant expertise or affiliation. Include the headline and date of the article you are responding to. Letters become the property of Newsday and are edited for all media. Due to volume, readers are limited to one letter in print every 45 days. Published letters reflect the ratio received on each topic.
