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Sound Off to the Editor

To the editor,

After Coke O’Neil lassoed the doomed ewe running through the streets in Sunset Park in an effort to escape its slaughter (“Sheep on the lam in Sunset Park,” Oct. 16), he stated how terrified and anguished the animal was, as well as how sad and traumatizing it was to see two men claiming to be the owners roughly handling the “hogtied the bleating beast” and dragging it into a van after he handed the animal over to these men.

In the same breath he claims, “If I had to do it all over again, I would,” although his young son was a vegetarian. It brings me back to the days of old when men were men, and simply strong enough to do the right thing.

The ewe should have been given a reprieve, something that is customary when an animal escapes its own imminent slaughter. O’Neill should have asked for certification that these men owned the animal, that they can legally slaughter it, and where they got it from. No, Coke O’Neil just said it was traumatizing to watch an animal be treated so roughly, but so be it, he’s proud to say he’d do it all over again.

Gone are the days where one could count on men who did the right thing. We just have “yes” men now, and a lot of suffering.Riley Burke

Fishkill, N.Y.

Education 101

To the editor,

We are absolutely right in complaining about co-locations in our public schools (“Panel approves charter school co-locations despite pleas from parents, teachers, students,” online Oct. 17).

Instead of giving reasons to the Department of Education to keep public schools intact, we need to offer it alternative solutions.

Let’s look at the vision of the Department of Education. Teachers are being trained and supported in the use of technology as a way to make our schools digital ready. That includes collaboration with external partners to create pathways for students and their future, including the American Museum of Natural History, Apple, Artsy, Beam Center, BRIC Arts Media, and the Brooklyn College Community Partnership.

It’s time for our local schools to take a proactive approach of their own. Let’s talk about the Adopt a Middle School Initiative that has been proposed by Deputy Brooklyn Borough President Sandra Chapman. Last February, she met with representatives from public middle schools and professionals from businesses, organizations, and higher education. The purpose was to create public and private partnerships to improve education, and better prepare our kids for college and career readiness. This approach is exactly what is needed in offsetting co-locations in our schools.

If the Department of Education wants to fill a void in your school, let’s give them the need that will benefit the parents, teachers, and students. The writing is on the wall, but we have to read it to understand it.Scott Krivitsky

The writer is a teacher at PS 188.

Who cares?

To the editor,

Just wondering why letter writer John Hynes found it necessary to tell us he was a “gay man” (“Equine abuse,” Sound off to the editor,” Oct. 18). It had absolutely nothing to do with the subject of his letter.

I don’t care what he does in his personal life, but now we all know, don’t we?

Straight people do not go around announcing their preferences. Neither should gays. Nobody cares. Nobody. It’s just annoying.Diane Hunt

Bay Ridge

Bam-n-Jo

To the editor,

Joanna DelBuono, I just wanted to let you know I enjoyed your article about Obama on the front of a flag (“Not for Nuthin’”).

Better than on the face of a dartboard the way he’s going!Ira Wolfe

Brooklyn

No ‘Hynesight’

To the editor,

Brooklyn District Attorney Hynes is making a terrible mistake in pursuing the Republican-Conservative ticket in November despite his loss as a Democrat (“Incumbent lawman resurrects himself as a Republican,” online Oct. 4).

He cites the low turnout, but the same could be said of the race for mayor and public advocate. The voters are completely fed up with the Democratic Party and the Republican Party Coalition that uses the Board Of Elections in providing unequal presentation on the ballots. This makes it confusing for voters.

You can write in someone on the ballot as a write-in, thus bypassing his party affiliation or you could write in the name of any person you feel will represent you.

As someone who worked during the primary and runoff elections, I suggest voters read the propositions at home or on the wall prior to entering voting booth to avoid long lines.

Also read the voter guide for information on key issues, your poling site, and your election district.Allan Feinblum

Midwood

Cheers, ‘Standing O’

To the editor,

Thanks for the mention of our scholarships in your Standing O column (“Standing O is standing tall for Ridge merit scholars,” Oct. 18).Bob Adamski

Bay Ridge

Chapter and verse

To the editor,

Martin Adelstein must have been visiting a Sheepshead Bay Library in an alternate reality from the one I have used (“Reader tosses book at award-winning S’head Bay library,” Sound off to the editor, Oct. 11).

Before the conversion to self-service computers and before the storm, I had frequently made use of this library. There was never a foul smell, and the library staff was always friendly, courteous, and helpful.

I had never seen the reading room dominated by homeless drop-ins nor was I ever menaced by anyone. I had always found this library to be very homey, comfortable and pleasant. Sarah Vogel

Seagate

To the editor,

I have stayed out of the libraries for sometime, because of harassment. I come from a Russian and Polish background, and a few years ago a Hispanic library staff reprimanded me, instead of the Hispanic adolescents creating a ruckus. It was clearly discrimination, and the culprits relished my frustration.

When I requested extra assistance from the Russian library staff behind the desk, I was sometimes greeted with a surly response. Amy Kaye

Sheepshead Bay

Vital rehab

To the Editor:

Assemblyman Cymbrowitz (D–Sheepshead Bay) is doing his community a disservice by preventing the First Steps Alcoholism and Drug Rehab clinic to open in Sheepshead Bay (“State regulator backtracks and blocks new clinic location,” online Sep. 25).

This type of substance abuse is widespread, and there are many people in this community who would benefit. Some people say the clinic would bring crime and homeless people. This is wrong. Addicts rob people to get drug money, and alcoholism causes homelessness. The clinic would reduce these things.

Jerome Frank

Coney Island

Senate horse trading

To the editor,

Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, along with our New York Sens. Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, were all correct when asking for a straight up or down vote to reopen the government and raise the debt limit.

Buried within the bill was a $147,000 death benefit to the family of late New Jersey Sen. Frank Lautenberg. His family is worth more than $50 million. How many other amendments were buried in this bill which have nothing to do with reopening the government and raising the debt limit?

This is a clear example of why we need means testing for all, including members of Congress who benefit from various government programs, such as Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, and ObamaCare.

It is an old Washington parlor trick to allow senators and congressmembers to amend basic bills with language that benefits their own special interests. It is horse trading between the leadership and members to obtain their votes for the basic bill they may not support.

If Sens. Reid, Schumer, and Gillibrand are all serious about reform in Washington, let them go pass future legislation with straight up or down votes, without adding amendments.Larry Penner

Great Neck, N.Y.

Tabby toys

To the editor,

Are you always buying toys for your kitty cat? The toys can be quite expensive. Here’s an idea that won’t cost any money and you’ll be recycling instead of discarding good stuff.

Save a bunch of the dry lint that you remove from your clothes dryer and stuff the lint into an old sock. When the sock foot area has enough to puff it out, add a smidgen of catnip to the lint and tie the top of the sock into a knot. My cats love it. Cost? Zero.

Joan Applepie

Mill Basin