Readers sound off on foreign aid, no snow and low-rank leakers

Monroe, N.Y.: While the tragic state of Ukraine has slowly fallen out of the news cycle, the deaths and destruction have continued. The U.S. and other NATO countries have come together to support Ukraine, with the U.S. providing $3.9 billion in humanitarian aid and $46.6 billion in total military aid. Even with this, it is important that we continue to support Ukraine through this period and that the U.S. uses its global influence to be a leader in this effort.

As an advocate for The Borgen Project, a non-profit organization that works to make global poverty a focal point of U.S. foreign policy, I have spent a great deal of time researching the benefits of alleviating global poverty on national and international levels. There is a common misconception that by giving resources and support to other countries, the government is taking resources from Americans. Only 1% of the federal budget goes to foreign aid and does not greatly impact the funding for national issues. However, it is clear by the rampant disease, famine and poverty globally that we must more effectively fund foreign aid. The U.S. spends $683 billion on national defense while spending only $13 billion on humanitarian aid. We can better support the people of countries like Ukraine and aid them not only through military efforts, but against the increasing spread of famine and disease.

Rep. Pat Ryan, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Sen. Chuck Schumer and other New York representatives have publicly expressed their commitment to supporting Ukraine. It’s wonderful to see our state siding with this cause, but the rest of Congress needs to follow suit. Hailey Lanari

Centereach, L.I.: North Korea’s missile tests, as well as China’s plans against Taiwan, show that it is more important than ever for the U.S. to strengthen ties with Japan, South Korea and other allies in Asia. Japan and South Korea have served as longstanding allies in the region for decades. It is imperative that our government takes further measures to strengthen ties and cooperation with them in order to deter any future disasters. Joseph Stallone

Elmont, L.I.: When will airlines understand that they can’t have it both ways, serving alcohol on flights and not having unruly passengers? Noel Hall

Manhattan: I live on the Upper West Side and enjoy going to Central Park. Now that the weather is getting better, there will be more people visiting the park. I have two things I would like to see enforced. The first is bicycles. There is a roadway inside the park for the bikes. I have noticed that too many people enter the park riding instead of walking bikes into the park. There are children and seniors walking and it is dangerous for the bicyclists to ride on the same paths. The second problem is dogs. I thought the law says to leash them. Apparently, the owners don’t care. I would like to see more signs and enforcement for bike riders and dog owners to obey the laws. Pedro Espino

Maspeth: During the winter months, I repeatedly heard TV weathermen saying that it’s February — where’s the snow? Why do they ask that question? To me, snow means potholes, damaged tires, rims and mufflers, manhole fires, slips and falls, car accidents and the cost of shoveling snow. If you don’t remove it, you are ticketed. Heart attacks occur when shoveling. Frenzied shoppers go for food, salt, shovels, etc. The corrosion of property, stranded motorists, limited use of our automobiles, reduction of parking spaces, difficulties getting to our jobs, the trash piles up, freezing pipes that burst — shall I go on? Keep the snow in the mountains and on the slopes. We don’t need it in the city. Joseph Kurtin

Kew Gardens Hills: Re “Suspected defense-doc leaker hit with espionage charges” (April 15): As a former Air Force officer who held a top-secret clearance during my military service (1964-68), I’m appalled by this huge security failure. How does a National Guard airman with just two stripes on his sleeve gain access to some of our nation’s most sensitive information? Jack Teixeira is the latest example of low-ranked troops who betrayed their country. His predecessors include Senior Airman Reality Winner (three stripes) and Army private Chelsea (or Bradley) Manning, who both served prison sentences for leaking information. No one below the rank of staff sergeant in the Air Force, Army or Marines, or petty officer second-class in the Navy, should have access to highly classified data. They are generally too young, inexperienced and immature to act responsibly. It’s time to raise the bar for security clearances. Our military leaders must shape up or ship out. Richard Reif

Manhattan: I love how shocked everyone is that Justice Clarence Thomas broke numerous laws to take millions of dollars in graft from a billionaire. Did none of you read the Declaration of Independence? It says all judges are meant to be corrupt. That’s the whole design! Did it not set off any alarms when you were ordered to call judges “honorable” or “justice”? You only do that kind of overcompensating if you are doth protesting too much! It’s the same reason we are ordered to stand when these public servants enter a room, like they are dictators. In what way are judges more honorable than school teachers, traffic cops or waitresses? Larkin Novak

Bergenfield, N.J.: Any politician who wants to change parties should resign and run again for the position. They should not do so while in office. This is gerrymandering without an election and should be against the law. Jack De Lucia

Aiken, S.C.: Rep. Jerry Nadler should be in prison, not representing the city of New York at the judiciary hearing being held by Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio (“House GOP’s dopey march on DA Bragg,” April 18). When Nadler and his cohorts said they had evidence that Donald Trump colluded with Russia during the Muller investigation and lied, they obstructed justice and interfered with a formal investigation and should have been brought to justice. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, on the other hand, admitted he went after Trump 100 times and ran on that one thing to be elected to office. Bragg has stalked, harassed and committed domestic terrorism against Trump and his family. Terrorism is the use of terror and intimidation to gain one’s political objectives. Trump and his family would never have suffered for years if the true criminals were charged for their criminal acts. Gregory J. Topliff

Brooklyn: I appreciate the fact that Voicer Daniel Correa read my letter and responded to it in a civilized manner. However, he missed the point of my letter. It is not whether I believe Donald Trump committed any offenses that warrant conviction. That is up to our judicial system and a jury. I was commenting only on the vicious attacks on judges, district attorneys and their families by Trump and his allies. Calling them animals, enemies of America and threatening their lives must be condemned and dealt with severely. There is no place in American government for people who act like that. Alan Podhaizer

West Hempstead, L.I: To Voicer Bruce Farrell Rosen: 1) The majority of Israelis voted for judicial limits. It’s up to the parties to decide them. The U.S. Congress regularly overrules Supreme Court decisions. 2) If the ruling is based on an interpretation of a statute, the legislature modifies the statute to allow for the required or wanted result. 3) Israel courts expanded their jurisdiction. Even Yair Lapid and the Labor Party endorsed similar changes. They just don’t want the center-right writing it. 4) Israel, like England, Canada and Australia, has a government dominated by the legislative wing. There is no equivalence in power. In Israel, without a constitution, there are no real checks and balances. In England, the judiciary cannot overturn a legislative act. So please, it’s fine to be concerned, but please stop parroting legal rubbish. It isn’t the end of democracy at all. Samuel J. Mark