Posing as a populist is a centuries-old trick
Edinburgh, Scotland: Why is it so easy for the greedy and powerful to keep the poor and powerless looking sideways and down when searching for entities to blame for chaos and crashing economies? Simply, it’s the ancient magicians’ trick of “look over there” while conning the mark.
In 1381, after rebel leader Wat Tyler was murdered, King Richard II made what we’d recognize as a Faragian/Trumpian pact with the peasants — I’m one of you, follow me — then betrayed them and continued enjoying huge royal privilege, wealth and power. Oddly, it seems as easy to play the masses today.
Recently, I had a depressing interaction with an acquaintance who legally migrated to Britain from a predominantly Muslim country and who is fully onboard the whole Reform U.K. anti-migrant, anti-Muslim runaway train. I tried to explain that the rabid racists draw no distinction between legal and illegal migrants (Nigel Farage recently stated that he wants to go after legal immigrants) because the only way with hatred is to double down and then triple down. I imagine similar scenarios within the U.S. Latino community.
The masses who voted for Brexit and President Trump continue to be those most harmed by the results, so out comes the age-old playbook of blaming scary foreigners — while liberal politicians fail catastrophically to seize the narrative. But there’s a more dangerous element with Trump/Farage. Like Heath Ledger’s portrayal of the Joker in “The Dark Knight,” they’re happy burning it all down. In understanding this traumatic turmoil, that is where decent folk need to start. Amanda Baker
He’s back
Bronx: Jimmy Kimmel vs. DJT. David and Goliath 2.0! Good for you, Jimmy. Rome had the power of the mob. America now knows that it’s her people who have the power. Onward and upward. Pamela Butler
Obsessive focus
West Hempstead, L.I.: Wouldn’t it be great if talk show hosts did not talk about and make fun of our president every day? Democrat or Republican, the president should be off limits to hosts. We need to respect the office. I believe they are inciting anger across America. It’s dividing this country, and all it takes is one lunatic to kill the president. There are a million other things to talk about and make us laugh. Frank Feeley
Speak freely
Greenburgh, N.Y.: I hope that the billionaires, members of Congress, media barons, university presidents and law firms that are bowing to Trump and kissing his ring take a lesson from Kimmel and not be afraid to speak out and be critical of the president when they think he is wrong. It’s our only hope if we want to save our democracy and preserve the First Amendment. Thank you, Jimmy and ABC, for fighting back and highlighting the importance of free speech. Paul Feiner
Bold humor
Huntington Station, L.I.: I subscribe to four major newspapers: the Daily News, Newsday, The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. Each offers something different and important. I’ve been observing the way The News and Newsday present the political comic strip “Doonesbury.” Whenever Garry Trudeau aims his pencil at the president, Newsday will not print that strip. They substitute a strip that makes no reference to Trump or anything that might put off some readers. I’m only aware of this because I start every Sunday morning with “the funnies” (a throwback to my youth). Last weekend, both comics referenced the Emmy Awards, but Newsday left off the first two panels because it stated that jokes on the broadcast had been “approved by the White House.” The Daily News continues to have the guts to print something that might offend readers! Nancy Macri Kennedy
Display of ignorance
Staten Island: As I watched Trump address the UN, I felt something I never want to feel again while my president speaks before the world: humiliation and mortification. This is not about being a Democrat or a Republican. It’s about being an American who wants our country represented with dignity on the global stage. Instead, the world saw a spectacle. The president mocked climate efforts as a “con job,” told fellow nations that their countries are “going to hell” and congratulated himself on ending “seven unendable wars” — a claim already shown to be misleading. The UN podium has historically been used by presidents of both parties to advance American leadership and moral standing. Tuesday’s speech was combative without strategy and boastful without credibility. Watching the reaction of other delegates, it was clear: America looked diminished, not elevated. Robert Zuckerberg
Can’t hear
Smithfield, R.I.: Well, we nearly deaf people may be looking at an immense blessing. The latest news is the first lady couldn’t hear anything at her husband’s UN speech. All I can say is: Melania, please do something about the horrid quality of U.S. hearing aids! The background noise defeats their purpose. You will be the perfect person to advocate for us! God bless you and your little dog, too, Melania! Bring it, girl! Thanks in advance for all the help! Stephen De Falco
Undiplomatic deal
Manhattan: Considering the amount of tax revenue lost by the exemption of foreign diplomats, I think that after 80 years, it’s time for some other nation or city to enjoy the benefits of hosting the UN. Also, those of us living downtown were supposed to have an exemption from the congestion tolls. It’s somewhat of a shock that diplomats are exempt. We only get that if we file a tax return and have E-ZPass (which costs money), otherwise we must pay $9. Living in a development by the South Street Seaport, we have seen no beneficial reduction in traffic as the continued closure of Park Row (some 24 years after 9/11) and the flood of Uber and Lyft continue to inundate our area south of the Brooklyn Bridge. John Ost
Scarcely helpful
Port Jefferson Station, L.I.: To Yasser Salem (“Mamdani’s grocery plan fights food insecurity,” op-ed, Sept. 24): There is no way that five stores will make any impact on the food insecurity you describe. That’s one store for every 1.6 million New Yorkers — big whoop. You also contradict yourself when stating that most people do not have cars or transportation to stores beyond a half-mile from their living quarters, yet you used your family and your yellow station wagon as an example. You had a car and yet you use that as an example of why people can’t get to a food store. You also imply that a store making a profit is a bad thing. How perfectly socialist, certainly not a capitalist point of view. Take your ideas and quietly go away — and take Smiling Man with you. Bob Cavaliere
Emergent leader
Brooklyn: In the midst of Charlie Kirk’s memorial service, a new hero arose, but it wasn’t Charlie. He was a rising star in politics, and his willingness to debate controversial issues inspired many. He lost his life doing what he loved. But does that make him a hero? One becomes a hero for what one does, not what happens to them. At his service, his devoted wife Erika did become a hero. Despite losing the love of her life and the father of her two children, she forgave his killer “because it was what Christ did.” Uttering those words must have been incredibly difficult. Erika also immediately took on Charlie’s role as the leader of Turning Point USA, another difficult task. Her forgiveness — and her willingness to assume the mantle of leadership — were things she chose to do. They didn’t just happen to her. She made herself a hero. Tom Rozinski
Even older
Bronx: Your AP boilerplate article on the new “Downton Abbey” movie said, “Downton Abbey was a kind of grand spinoff to ‘Gosford Park.’ ” This was much too late. The “Downton Abbey” series was a noble spinoff to the super-popular “Upstairs, Downstairs.” Too many plot similarities to neglect this — the courtly lord, his attractive and intelligent wife, two grown children, their own manor, although much smaller than the castle in Downton. “Gosford Park” preceded “Downton Abbey,” but “Upstairs, Downstairs” certainly preceded the long-lived “Downton Abbey,” and both series featured their downstairs staff, vital to each program. Marc Sawyer