If getting mad led to the American presidency, then Ron Paul would become president (“Get Mad, Mitt,” PostScript, Oct. 16).
Anger doesn’t play well in American politics. Herman Cain didn’t rise in polls because he raised cane; it’s because he believes in America and gives people hope, much like President Reagan.
Reagan wasn’t an angry man. He also believed in what America stands for. Because he did, he accomplished remarkable things, like winning a war without firing a bullet.
Gary Schwartz, Fort Lee, NJ
Misled on layoffs
To accuse the City Council of rewriting history and then to portray Finance Committee Chairman Domenic Recchia as an idiot is beyond the pale (“A Councilman’s Lament,” Editorial, Oct. 16).
Recchia, Education Committee Chairman Robert Jackson and more than a dozen other City Council members believed they, like the nearly 700 other Department of Education employees who lost their jobs, had been misled about the possibility of job cuts throughout the summer.
In a typical bait-and-switch defense, city officials who could not reach an agreement with the municipal unions to tap into our funds accused our union of refusing to negotiate.
The DOE never accepted our numerous requests to discuss the budget and staffing for the 2011-12 school year. Rather, we were called in one week before the start of the school year and told of the layoffs.
Despite our best effort, including offering furlough days and reduced hours, we were told it was too late.
With the DOE having played the City Council and my members as fools, you have courageously added insult to injury by calling those who would seek the truth “idiots.”
Santos Crespo Jr., President, Local 372, Manhattan
Hear here, Mike
Mayor Bloomberg claims that the issue with wheelchair-accessible taxis is that passengers are farther away and they cannot establish a dialogue.
Why isn’t this an issue in London? It can be overcome by using a mini-loudspeaker and an induction loop.
We need to understand that disability rights are human and civil rights.
Janice Schacter Lintz, Chair, Hearing Access Program, Manhattan
Mr. Muzzy’s hood
“Chelsea Shelter Disgust” (Oct. 18) is a gross misstatement of the facts.
We’ve been providing homeless housing in our new Chelsea facility for months, and our transition has progressed smoothly and calmly. Many of our neighbors have said this to your reporters and others.
Crime is down in the neighborhood since our occupancy, and we provide excellent housing and services for those in need in a secure environment.
And in every neighborhood in which we operate, we have always been, and will continue to be, a good neighbor.
Muzzy Rosenblatt, Executive Director, BRC, Manhattan
Tent City, USA
I want to thank Occupy Wall Street and the mayor for bringing to my attention that city parks are open for camping.
Instead of going to the Adi-rondacks next spring, I will be setting up my tents and gear in one of the beautiful and free parks in New York City.
David McKerrow Jr., Newport