Climate deniers can\u2019t deny orange skies<\/p>\n
Brooklyn: It has become standard summer news that massive wildfires affect thousands of people who\u2019ve never experienced them before (\u201cMore than 250,000 flee wildfires<\/a>,\u201d July 26.) Starting in 2024, it has been us in the Northeast who see annual orange skies and are warned against going outside. And now Europe.<\/p>\n Is there anyone left who doesn\u2019t know that the planet is heating up way too fast? Oh, that\u2019s right \u2014 the Republicans led by the Great Orange One himself. Talk of climate change is a \u201cconspiracy.\u201d For 40 years, Big Gas and Oil have thwarted efforts to transform our energy system from fossil fuels to renewable energy. Republican dedication to the interests of the 1% (and their campaign contributions) has held us back from developing cheap, renewable energy that would be under local control because corporations simply can\u2019t capture billions of dollars from modalities like solar, wind, geothermal and weatherization. Instead, we have the cruel absurdity of President Trump imposing tariffs on Canada as if its wildfire smoke were under the personal control of the Canadian prime minister.<\/p>\n With their claims of conspiracies and control of the wind, the Republicans have become the party of magical thinking. But where will even the super-wealthy go when the planet is burned to a crisp? There\u2019s no magical solution.<\/p>\n Becky Plattus<\/p>\n Call in their debts<\/p>\n Sag Harbor, L.I.: Bravo to Reps. Dan Goldman and Tom Suozzi for their articulate defense of our state\u2019s Climate Change Superfund Law (\u201cShield N.Y.\u2019s Climate Change Superfund Law<\/a>,\u201d op-ed, July 28). The law authorizes New York to bill oil and gas corporations $3 billion a year toward mitigating environmental damage caused by fossil fuels, which is an estimated $140 billion. That $3 billion is less than a 2% interest payment on a debt of $140 billion. Moreover, the law counts only environmental damage, not harm to our health from increased respiratory diseases and other impacts of breathing air polluted by fossil fuels. All 26 New York representatives in Congress should demand that the fossil fuel industry begin paying down the gargantuan principal it has accumulated over the past seven decades.<\/p>\n Stephanie Doba<\/p>\n Sullying with his name<\/p>\n Plainview, L.I.: As narcissistic, shameless, disrespectful and disgusting as Trump putting his name on the Kennedy Center was, his current efforts to also get his name on New York\u2019s Penn Station will pale in comparison to the future Donald J. Trump Lincoln Memorial!<\/p>\n Richard Siegelman<\/p>\n Post-pandemic\u00a0pursuit<\/p>\n Brooklyn: Dr. Anthony Fauci refused to answer questions at a Senate hearing, taking the Fifth Amendment, so he could very well face criminal charges. From the beginning of the COVID pandemic, he gave false information and guidelines to follow. Many businesses were ruined and many lives were lost. It\u2019s only right that he face charges in court. This should also go for then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who forced businesses to shut down or follow ridiculous guidelines when open, then had the nursing home scandal when thousands of elderly people people died. He shouldn\u2019t be exempt from prosecution either. There should be accountability for both men who played God.<\/p>\n Joseph Comperchio<\/p>\n Ignorant inquisition<\/p>\n West Orange, N.J.: It\u2019s a very dark time in this country when those in charge are bent on destroying the reputation of a man dedicated for decades to saving lives. This is truly a war against science and civility by cruel people in a ridiculous revenge frenzy. Dr. Fauci, I thank you, my family thanks you, and yes, this country thanks you. God bless you.<\/p>\n Miriam Sheff<\/p>\n Gleeful retaliation<\/p>\n Jacksonville, Fla: Did anyone notice that bleach-blond Fox News mouthpiece sitting directly behind Fauci? While each Republican sheep committed a virtual public hanging of the accomplished Fauci, Laura Ingraham smirked each and every time a Republican lambasted him! One Republican senator proclaimed that more COVID deaths occurred under President Joe Biden than the outgoing Trump. That\u2019s true, but only because COVID started to explode in early 2020, when Trump cluelessly said it would \u201cdisappear when the spring flowers begin to bloom\u201d!<\/p>\n Carl J.C. Hafner<\/p>\n Doctors disagree<\/p>\n Manhattan: To Voicer Mason Blake Pimsler: I was surprised to see a doctor actually endorse Medicare Advantage. Due to my health issues, I see several specialists in addition to my primary care doctor. None of them endorse Medicare Advantage. None think it is better than regular Medicare. You gloss over the prior authorizations that Medicare Advantage forces people to go through. The denial of care that leads to has killed people. I hope I never get to a point where Medicare Advantage is my primary insurer.<\/p>\n Richard Simon<\/p>\n Partners, not programs<\/p>\n