Thoughts on assassination try

I was born during President Dwight Eisenhower's administration [“Charge of attempted Trump assassination," News, April 28]. Here is a partial list of the victims of assassinations, attempted assassinations, or foiled plots in my lifetime: Presidents John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., Gov. George Wallace, Malcolm X, and Medgar Evers.

Clearly, this is not one side facing violence. People on all sides have been targeted.

Add to this list the murders of a heartbreaking number of children in schools, who don't have the Secret Service there to protect them. Neither do our relatives, friends, and neighbors going to worship or to buy groceries.

For a few moments in a ballroom, a large group of politicians felt the fear that 5-year-olds have felt in the classroom, hearing gunshots and crying and praying they don't die.

Do you think any government officials will finally realize we have a problem with guns in this country? No, I don't think so either. They'll blame the media, the right wing, the left wing, the building, mental health problems — anything but weapons. I find this horrifying.

Roberta Comerchero, Commack

The editorial states that a White House ballroom is unrelated to the horrible attempt on Donald Trump's life Saturday night [“Insecurity after a new close call," Opinion, April 28].

I beg to differ, as the new ballroom would secure all officials, domestic or foreign, who are attending an official event. The Hilton was lax in securing the premises, and Secret Service should have demanded the hotel be shut to outsiders before Saturday night.

Joanne Russo, Garden City

Doesn't anyone pay attention? Donald Trump would not have been any safer in his big new ballroom because the White House Correspondents' Association dinner is not held at the White House. The president was not the host, just an invited guest. The dinner is hosted, and always has been, by the White House Correspondents' Association.

MaryEllen Scherer, New Hyde Park

Kimmel's 'joke' merits canceling his show

Jimmy Kimmel's so-called joke about first lady Melania Trump having "the glow of an expectant widow" was beyond classless on his ABC show last week [“Trump calls for ABC to fire Kimmel," flash!, April 28]. Is it a coincidence that a crazed person only two days later tried to assassinate the president and Cabinet? Violent language from both sides of the aisle has to stop.

I don't agree with everything the administration says and does, but words have consequences. ABC should immediately cancel Kimmel's show. This is just another example of his unfunny and classless ideology. Hopefully, the company's new CEO will take responsibility. The First Amendment protects free speech, but it is not a license to incite harm or wish cruelty, especially on public forums like TV, radio, and newspapers. Where have common sense and decency gone?

Jerry Trapani, East Islip

Well, Jimmy Kimmel finally jumped the shark.

Rob Ryan, Long Beach

Zeldin shows he's not looking out for LI

Unfortunately, the answer to Adrienne Esposito's question "How does weakening PFAS drinking water standards ... [reduce] PFAS exposure?" is that it doesn't [“The EPA cannot backtrack on PFAS," Opinion, April 28]. But it does comport with President Donald Trump's support for corporate profit over the public good. Lee Zeldin, the Environmental Protection Agency administrator, has exposed he does what he needs to do to get by. He's sacrificing Long Island's health for his own well-being.

Robert Detor, Port Washington

Put state troopers on more of our roadways

State trooper enforcement on the Southern State Parkway should not have an end date of June 12 or any other date [“Don't reduce points for driving violations," Letters, April 28]. This welcome enforcement, though, should also apply to all of Long Island's parkways, the Long Island Expressway, Seaford-Oyster Bay Expressway — and Sunrise Highway, too.

In recent days, while driving on the Southern State, I have seen more police presence. But on Monday, while driving westbound, I spotted four cars in a pack zigzagging very close to other cars, including mine. I'm surprised they did not hit any other cars and cause an accident.

This is why I have a dashcam. Just in case, I'll have this all on video.

Chris Inguanta, Valley Stream