We can’t afford opulence with so many in need
Brooklyn: I never thought I would, but I watched my first boxing match recently. As I watched and heard the announcement about Jake Paul’s million-dollar pair of shorts covered with diamonds, I had a gut reaction that will stay with me the rest of my life. I thought, “Did this person with so much influence over young people just say he is wearing a pair of million-dollar shorts?”
As a teacher, I immediately thought of my many students throughout the years. I have watched some wearing the same sweatshirt over and over — not because it was their favorite, but because it was their only one. These kids might sport tattered sneakers, the only pair they have. They don’t have the privilege of taking pride or happiness in them. It is merely footwear, nothing more. But Paul, an influencer, was wearing a million dollars on his body, showing flashy indulgence to kids watching this fight? Kids who don’t have basic things in their world. I worry about the message that sends.
I know firsthand what it is like to dig deep into my pocket to help a child in need. I have tried to make small changes, like fairy lights for napping children (when one could not fall asleep otherwise) or a toy bracelet for a little girl who broke hers and cried. Hell, I took socks off my own feet and gave them to a kid who had dance club and needed them. I wonder if Paul would consider putting those million-dollar shorts to good use. Maybe auction them and donate to city schools for the children of tomorrow? Jennifer Sambone
What’s the point?
Huntington, L.I.: Both the Giants and the Jets are on TV Sunday at 1 p.m. Maybe there is a cornhole match to watch. Leonard Stevenson
Keep the tree
Brooklyn: Re “The tree at Rockefeller Center is due an update” (op-ed, Dec. 4): I respect Anne Korkeakivi’s opinion, but I disagree. Tradition is important. It gives us an anchor, something to look forward to. With so many problems in the city, it’s nice to know that the tree will be there to celebrate the holidays and hope for the future. Enhance our parks with new trees. Don’t take away this bright spot in Midtown. Vito Labella
Nothing new
Staatsburg, N.Y.: In your editorial “Biden’s unpardonable clemency” (Dec. 3), you give the impression that President Biden has now opened the door for Donald Trump to pardon any felon he likes with impunity. Do you think whether Biden pardoned his son or not would have any effect on Trump’s selections for pardons? It doesn’t look good to pardon a friend or relative? Have you looked at his criminal buddies he pardoned in his first term? How about his daughter’s felonious father-in-law, who not only got a pardon but is now a candidate for U.S. ambassador to France? Given that Trump is clearly trying to weaponize the DOJ and FBI against his “enemies,” can you really blame Biden for trying to protect his son? Daniel Elderkin
Worthy of sympathy
Bronx: I fail to understand why so many folks are upset about Biden pardoning his son. I didn’t hear this much when Trump pardoned Steve Bannon, Michael Flynn, Roger Stone, and Paul Manafort and his other miscreants. He is promising to pardon the Jan. 6 insurrectionists and calls them “patriots.” But Biden pardoning his son is a major crime, according to some. It sets a bad precedent, say others. Biden is a good man who put the U.S. back on a good footing over the past four years. Has he made mistakes? Absolutely! But no one has ever mistaken his love for his family and his support for Hunter. Loving an addict is difficult, heartbreaking and infuriating, as any friend or relative of such a person can tell you. Having that addict living in the spotlight of politics adds another level of anxiety. I commend Biden for taking measures to prevent harm to his family. Claudette Mobley
Protective parent
Chester, N.J.: Trump’s nominee for the FBI, Kash Patel, not only has a list of “enemies” from his 2023 book but stated that he would go after the press for suppressing the lies about the 2020 election being rigged. Matt Gaetz, before he withdrew from the attorney general nomination, said he wouldn’t go after Trump’s enemies “immediately.” Pam Bondi, the current nominee for AG, indicated that she would go after prosecutors who went after Trump. Hunter, who would have received the plea bargain offered to him (later withdrawn) if his last name was not Biden, would likely be pursued by Trump’s lackeys as a lesson to those who oppose Trump. Hunter would likely spend his life in jail just to keep opponents afraid. Biden had no choice. Any father in his position would do the same. David J. Melvin
Give him a break
Bronx: It is with great amusement that I watch so many Democrats and others clutching their pearls ever so tightly and crying crocodile tears over Biden pardoning his son. What was he to do? Let his son spend time in prison for years while the MAGA insurrectionists are released from prison as soon as Trump takes the oath of office? Trump pardoned a bunch of people, not the least of which was his daughter’s father-in-law. Yes, Biden said he wouldn’t pardon his son, but he is right to change his mind after seeing the unfairness of it all. It would have been malpractice and pure idiocy for the president not to. The way some Democrats have treated this man after all the good he has done for America is an outrage. Pauline Graham Binder
But not your guy?
Matawan, N.J.: Though Biden claimed he wouldn’t pardon his son, he was totally justified in doing so before he left office due to the fact that the Republican-led persecution of his son (for illegal activities) was to embarrass the Democrats. A convicted felon, Trump, was able to manipulate the justice system to avoid being prosecuted for his crimes (including the fact that he was impeached twice). Trump promised to pardon the Jan. 6 cop killers and other demonstrators (not patriots) who threatened to overturn the 2020 election and overturn our democracy. What will the N.Y. Post and Fox News Trumpsters have to say about his pardoning those people, who he wouldn’t stop from continuing their rampage? The door swings both ways. Robert Wyshynski
Pardon-happy
Valley Stream, L.I.: Voicer Tom Ascher points out that Biden thinks he is above the law. Seriously, Mr. Ascher? I don’t know who you voted for in November, but I’m betting it was some guy who wears a lot of facial bronzer. You seem to have forgotten the list of miscreants that good old Trumpy pardoned on his way out the door — which, by the way, he didn’t do with any grace or class. Most of them were friends and family, like Roger Stone, Charles Kushner and Steve Bannon, all convicted felons. Trump granted 143 pardons and commutations. He also wants to pardon most of the J/6 felons who were convicted of their crimes. So, you tell me, Mr. Ascher: If you were the president and your son was convicted of a crime, and you had the power to pardon him, would you do it? Vince Sgroi
Projection appointees
North Bergen, N.J.: Why does it seem that in light of Trump’s various selections to fill important cabinet posts, he is trying to show the Democrats what a Deep State government should really look like? Irving A. Gelb
Policy push
Brooklyn: Trump has made more progress toward securing our borders in the few weeks he’s been president-elect than President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have made in four years. Biden and Harris are guilty of gross negligence of their responsibilities at best, or deliberately and maliciously contributing to the deterioration of our country at worst. The only worse thing they could have done is move to Beijing and start a fan club for Xi Jinping. At least that way, we’d know whose side they’re on. Josh Greenberger
