The retail lobby’s selling us out to DHS

Manhattan: Re “Organized retail crime can be stopped” (op-ed, Aug. 8): A coordinated effort from the retail lobby across the country and in New York openly advocates for the Combatting Organized Retail Theft Act, or CORCA. While organized retail theft is a problem, the solution shouldn’t require the retail lobby to sell out Americans to DHS and ICE.

While CORCA claims to address a legitimate concern, the bill does little to prevent or reduce shoplifting or cargo theft. It would significantly expand DHS’ authority to collect, analyze and share personal data of U.S. citizens, providing few meaningful civil liberties safeguards and limited accountability. The person who decides which data gets shared with DHS will be handpicked by the director of ICE. This comes at a time when ICE, with its masked agents, continues to be responsible for unimaginable tragedies. Supporters ask Americans to trust them that DHS won’t use this vast trove of data for harm. I know I speak for many New Yorkers when I say: We will not simply trust them.

Knowing that the bill is indefensible on its merits, the retail lobby is urging Congress to sneak it into the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), a must-pass legislative package. A broad coalition of more than 130 civil rights, criminal justice reform and immigration groups are asking lawmakers to reject CORCA. Now it’s up to Democrats in the Senate to do so.

Brian Meegan

Disenchanted

Selden, L.I.: What’s happening to Puerto Rico is a shame. “La isla del encanto” — Luma Energy is leaving half the island without any lights. Then there is scarcity of water. Meanwhile, they’re leaving broken water pipes everywhere. President Trump should remove their people. They’re creating a famine all over the island.

Hector Delgado

His economy

Massapequa, L.I.: Since our current White House resident is so fond of attaching his name to everything, shouldn’t we call the price increases on his watch “Trumpflation”? I should explain that I removed the “in” from inflation and just added his last name. Clever or dumb?

Paul Pepe

Timeless words

Seaside Heights, N.J.: Today marks the 705th anniversary of the death of Dante Alighieri, Italy’s “Il Sommo Poeta” — the supreme poet and author of “The Divine Comedy.” By elevating the language of ordinary people into great literature, he helped establish the linguistic and cultural foundation of a united Italy. For generations of Italian immigrants to New York, that heritage became an enduring bridge between the old world and the new. But Dante’s message belongs to everyone. His journey through Hell, Purgatory and Paradise reminds us that the path toward a better place often begins by confronting darkness. His words, “Segui il tuo corso e lascia dir le genti” — follow your own course and let people talk — remain remarkably relevant. Perhaps this anniversary offers an opportunity to welcome Dante’s spirit back into our public life: innovation, imagination, inspiration and intensity.

Igor La Manna

Safety first

Amelia, Va.: Common Sense Media does more than reviews. It trains reviewers to flag “mild peril”: a shove, a scary creature, a jump scare in media made for children or teens. Kids get scared. A bad night of lingering fear is real. But that’s not the same kind of harm as abuse, a violent home, untreated parental mental health problems or a teenager with nowhere safe to go after school being pulled toward drugs or gangs. We already have G, PG, PG-13 and R, plus similar age systems for games and television. Those systems should be accurate and well run. But the evidence of life-changing harm from abuse, violence, instability and neglected mental health is overwhelming. Keep the age bands. Put child-focused money and professional time where the consequences follow a child after the screen goes dark.

Robert Hammonds

Disproportionate reality

Staten Island: Re “The NYPD is still over-policing Black and Latino men” (op-ed, Aug. 16): It’s not that our NYPD is over-policing Black and Latino men. It’s because they are the ones committing most of the crimes.

Fran Bocignone

Data mine pollution

Geneva, N.Y.: I’ve had generally favorable feelings about Gov. Hochul’s administration except for one critical action she has taken. I live on Seneca Lake in the Finger Lakes, and her decision to allow the continuation of Greenidge Generation’s pollution of the lake at Dresden resulting from its Bitcoin mine is atrocious. I think that almost all residents who live on or near the lake are dead set against Greenidge continuing to operate, and per her actions, possibly expand into an AI hyperscale data center. It has to make voters wonder what quid pro quo might be involved. Whatever benefit Hochul might receive from her decision will certainly result in the loss of a substantial number of votes in the region. Her decision to allow the continuing pollution of the largest and deepest of the Finger Lakes is a huge mistake.

Sam C. Bonney

Unseemly

Massapequa, L.I.: Thousands of family members and friends gathered Friday at Ground Zero to remember and mourn loved ones lost in the 9/11 attacks. It was a solemn day for most people who attended. As the names of the fallen were being read, Mayor Mamdani and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez could be seen sharing a laugh. Really? What in God’s name is wrong with you people? If that wasn’t bad enough, Hochul and Sen. Chuck Schumer were seen slithering away before the ceremony was finished. Do us all a favor and don’t show up to any solemn event if you can’t act appropriately or if you don’t intend on staying past the photo-op! You’re all a bunch of phonies. The families of those heroes deserved better.

Michael J. Greaney

Improper attendance

Clearwater, Fla.: It was bad enough that Mamdani was present at the 9/11 ceremony after many New Yorkers begged him not to attend. But to carry on smiling and laughing with Ocasio-Cortez during the somber ceremony as many were weeping for their loved ones who perished 25 years ago is a slap in the face to every attendee. It’s apparent that Mamdani and AOC are immature, ignorant of how to conduct themselves and lacking refinement. And just imagine, AOC may be thinking of a presidential run in 2028. Wake up, New Yorkers. It’s time to vote both of these feckless leaders out of office. New York needs some common-sense leadership.

JoAnn Lee Frank

Taxpayer-funded

Brooklyn: Mamdani is using $70 million of taxpayer money to fund city-run grocery stores. The city-subsidized stores will put numerous legitimate grocery stores out of business, of course. Not to worry — the mayor will then use millions more in taxpayer dollars to give grants to the hard-working people he put out of business. As an unindoctrinated citizen, I find it very hard to comprehend the “warmth of collectivism.”

Frank Congiusta