Readers sound off on NFL marketing, fiscal year 2024 and reelecting Trump
NY Daily News·Jason Hanna/New York Daily News/TNS
Voice of the People, New York Daily News
7 min read
NFL officiating feels driven by sum’thin else
Manhattan: I am writing in regards to the overall lack of integrity that has spread through the game of football like a cancer, no doubt as a byproduct of the general decline in ethics throughout the overall population. Specifically, I refer to the growing belief among many fans that the game is rigged to produce the outcome the league feels will produce the most marketable and profitable product.
This was on display last week in the matchup between the Jets and Chiefs. The off-putting hype and focus on Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce (to the point of fawning) sent a clear message of what outcome would produce the happy ending the league wanted — a Chiefs victory with excessive camera cutaways to the adoring princess reveling in the joy of her paramour’s conquest. When that outcome began to face the threat of a Jets upset, the panic became evident with the reluctant double-pump, and very late flagging, by rookie official Frank Steratore of Jet “Sauce” Gardner for a holding call during a very physical game-long battle with Chief Marquez Valdes-Scantling. It was exceptional in that this was part of a mutually physical standard of play established for the entire game, and very late in that if the infraction was for holding, why did Steratore only begin to double-pump his arm to throw the flag after the Jets’ Michael Carter intercepted the pass, which was floated and well beyond the receiver?
It was as if Steratore was in a state of panic at the prospect of a Jets upset of the fairytale story that had been promoted ad nausea to the buildup of and during the game. Ricardo Ducasse
Slowpoke
Brooklyn: I walk faster than Giancarlo Stanton runs and I’m 71. Release him — it’s worth it to eat the rest of his contract and give young rookies a chance. Stanton looks like the Tin Man trying to run to first base. He’s never healthy and has never played a full season. William Somma
Worth a mention
New Hyde Park, L.I.: How about some minimal boxing reporting? Some of us can not afford pay-per-view and rely upon the print media for information. The Canelo Álvarez-Jermell Charlo match was labeled “fight of the year.” I realize that interest in boxing has declined. Nevertheless, it is not dead, even though the days of Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, etc. are over. There are still some old guys like me and probably a few young ones who treasure the sweet science. A modicum of coverage from your publication would be appreciated. John Macklin
Self-destructive
Bayside: All this talk about the conditions on Rikers Island makes me wonder, as I always have, why people commit crime in the first place — only to be subjected to an awful place like jail. It simply makes no sense. How is it worth it? Do crime? How dumb is this? Very dumb, if you ask me. Sarah Alboher
Generous extension
Manhattan: Why wait until March to require all businesses to use rat-proof trash bins? It just gives the rats extra time to wreak havoc. I’m sure they appreciate it. Albert Johnson
Grid gouge
Little Neck: I live in a co-op. The streetlights on 63rd Ave. between 251st St. and Marathon Parkway have been out for more than four months. Emails and calls to Con Edison and 311 have not resolved the issue. Local Law 97, effective Jan. 1, 2024, was a discriminatory and unaffordable mandate that requires that many of our living standards go green. The electrical grid can’t even keep the streetlights on now. What happens when the boilers, heat and electricity go down? Seniors like myself are doomed! The powers that be need to get their acts together quickly or there will be a mass exodus out of New York City and state. Robert A. Cecere Jr.
Displaced persons
Park Ridge, N.J.: I just saw on the news that homeless men in a shelter in NYC are being forced out of this shelter so migrants will have a place to stay. While these men are supposed to be relocated to another shelter, they had to be out of this shelter immediately and didn’t know where they were going. Let’s take care of our own first. This flood of migrants can’t continue. We just can’t support it. Steve Ostlund
Dereliction in duty
Great Neck, L.I.: The annual federal government process for adoption of a new budget reminds me of “Stuck in the Middle With You” by the band Stealers Wheel. The words “Clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right, here I am stuck in the middle with you” sum up Washington chaos and gridlock. Both Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy share the blame for not passing the next 2024 fiscal year budget on time. Adopting 2023 funding levels failed to begin a return to pre-COVID-19 expenditures. This is needed to deal with our $33 trillion and growing national debt. There is no additional funding for securing the border. This is needed to preserve our national sovereignty. Rep. Jamaal Bowman claimed he accidently pulled a fire alarm believing it would open a door, adding fuel to our ongoing financial crises and lack of congressional credibility. Larry Penner
Skewed reality
Yaphank, L.I.: When did our legal system and news organizations get bought out by the liberal Democratic Party? I am a proud Donald Trump supporter, and in no way did he try to overturn the 2020 election results. The results were believed to have been tampered with. Millions still back Trump and every day, Joe Biden and his fellow Democrats are ruining this country with stupid and foolish economic, immigration and foreign policies! Richard Angione
Response poem
Bronx: To Voicer Felicia Nimue Ackerman: Looks like Biden’s about to fall / He finally realized he needs the wall / He sees in the road he’s hit a bump / by not abiding the rules of Trump / turning America into a dump / Like a true liberal, pretzel logic is the rule / proving always that they are misled by fools. Ross de Marco
Substantial allegations
Manhattan: To Voicer Frank J. Perry: Trump is not being persecuted in a witch hunt by the left to stop him from running for and winning the 2024 presidential election. Rather, he is being prosecuted for allegedly committing crimes. He is not above the law and is being treated like any other person in this country who is charged with breaking the law. Moreover, as to the events of Jan. 6, not only did he incite a violent insurrection at the Capitol, but he did nothing (except maybe eat a Big Mac while watching it on TV) for three hours afterward. As commander-in-chief and head of this country, he should have immediately given orders and called in the National Guard to stop the riot from escalating. Instead, he did nothing. Is this really the kind of person we want to have leading our country in 2024? Chana Schwartz
Hard to believe
Monroe Township, N.J.: I have lived long enough to see both Democrats and Republicans serve as president. One thing in common among all of them was a love of this country. How can my fellow Americans support someone who has called for the disregard of the Constitution, failed to accept the will of the people in election results and to allow a peaceful transfer of power, called for the execution of a decorated chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, stolen top secret documents and shared some of them with foreign nationals (including sharing detailed information about nuclear submarines with an Australian businessman) and at the same time wildly points the finger everywhere except at himself? Never in my wildest dreams did I think this could happen in America, land that I love. Long live our democracy. Steve Bellish
Fairytale politics
Hope, R.I.: Mother Goose-step to the polls. America is Toyland. Trump is evil landlord Barnaby. QAnon are the bogeymen. We are Laurel and Hardy, and Generation Z, they’re the wooden soldiers. If you care about saving Bo Peep and/or our democracy then let’s get those suckers all wound up and set them marching to the polls! Arthur Stanley Hayek
