Help us to alleviate the suffering of millions<\/p>\n
Manhattan: In New York City, it\u2019s hard to stay in touch with nature. My favorite slice of nature is the little community garden around the corner. I like to spend time with hens who live there, feeding them berries or just watching them collect twigs to make a nest. However, whenever I spend quality time with my girls Rosie and Amelia, my mind turns to millions of birds in this country living much worse lives. This Giving Tuesday, I encourage you to think about these birds as well. Right now, roughly 150 million egg-laying hens live in battery cages. These dirty wire cages are so tiny that hens can\u2019t spread their wings for most of their lives.<\/p>\n
For three years, I have been volunteering with The Humane League. Most of my work has a simple goal: end battery cages. How do we accomplish that? The organization convinces major global food companies to adopt animal welfare standards, and it advocates for change through state, local and federal policy. Last month we had a huge victory, convincing the sandwich giant Subway to end battery cages in its supply chain for good. Because of massive victories like this, a nonprofit called Animal Charity Evaluators estimates that The Humane League helps 12 animals for every dollar donated.<\/p>\n
Due to cold weather, I\u2019ll be spending less time with my friends in the garden this winter. But our work to end cages does not slow down. On Giving Tuesday, please consider donating to The Humane League. Every gift, no matter how small, moves us closer to a better world for innocent animals like Rosie and Amelia. Andrew Souther<\/p>\n
Uplifting message<\/p>\n
Huntington Station, L.I.: To Voicer John Di Genio: Thank you for your beautiful letter about the holiday lights in our amazing city. Different beliefs and different traditions with the lights of hope and joy in all. You made my day, and many others\u2019 day, I\u2019m sure. Bless you, sir. Nancy Macri Kennedy<\/p>\n
Bridging differences<\/p>\n
Madison, Wis.: At a time when there are heightened religious tensions in various parts of the world, Pope Leo XIV\u2019s visit to Istanbul\u2019s Blue Mosque is a great step in promoting unity among all people. People must set aside their differences and embrace peace and harmony. There are many voices on social media trying to divide people based on race, religion and skin color. Therefore, it is highly necessary for globally respected religious leaders like Pope Leo to build bridges for people of different faiths to unite. Pope Leo\u2019s visit to the Blue Mosque in Turkey brings together the two largest religions in the world, Christianity and Islam. The visit symbolizes the global need for religious liberty and sends a message that we must all coexist in peace and harmony. Tawsif Anam<\/p>\n
Sanctity denied<\/p>\n
Grafton, Wis.: The return of the body of one Israeli hostage<\/a> is national news in the United States. But what about the thousands of Palestinian children whose bodies lie buried beneath the rubble in Gaza, and whose mass graves are unceremoniously slated to become construction sites under President Trump\u2019s 20-point peace plan? Is there an answer\u00a0other than racism that explains why Palestinian lives are worth so much less? Terry Hansen<\/p>\n Draining drumbeat<\/p>\n Rego Park: Re \u201cMamdani\u2019s legal deceit on Israel<\/a>\u201d (editorial, Nov. 30): Your paper has become another right-wing rag. You might as well merge with the New York Post. I\u2019m so sick and tired of your Editorial Board constantly either directly accusing Zohran Mamdani of being antisemitic and\/or insinuating that his opposition to the terrorist Benjamin Netanyahu\u2019s slaughter of Palestinian children, women and men means he is anti-Jewish! Give it a rest! You know it\u2019s a lie! I guess you believe that the 33% of Jewish voters who backed Mamdani are antisemitic as well. I am cancelling my subscription in the New Year. Richard D\u2019Cruz<\/p>\n Coerced creation<\/p>\n Kearny: Israel\u2019s birth was not as universally endorsed as your predictably pro-Zionist editorial suggests. While two-thirds of the UN members who voted in 1947 cast ballots in favor of the establishment of a Jewish state, it fell short of clearing that threshold for the total membership, 11 of which abstained or didn\u2019t vote, wishing to neither give in to American pressure to vote yes nor incur its wrath by voting against. That the decades of chaos, oppression and death that followed this plot to transfer Europe\u2019s Jewish populations onto Palestinian lands came from an American-led effort largely backed by the banana republics in its own backyard, its European and Pacific allies, African colony (Liberia) and apartheid South Africa is entirely in keeping with our long history of failed ventures that last far longer than they have any right to. If there\u2019s one thing America is good at, it\u2019s never admitting it was wrong. John Woodmaska<\/p>\n Ordered to murder<\/p>\n Manhattan: There seems to be some back-and-forth on the statements by our U.S. senators regarding the following of, in the military, what might or might not be considered an immoral\/bad order. Voicer Greg Ahl mentioned the tragic deaths at Kent State University as an example of following morally questionable orders. Who gave that order to fire? Historically, I am sure there are plenty of bad orders, more than enough to go around. A few that come to mind are the murderous orders given at Wounded Knee. How about those orders at My Lai? More recently, let\u2019s look at the orders to kill survivors in the water<\/a> after a recent attack on an alleged drug boat in the Caribbean Sea. Do you think those events were worth moral investigation before action? Don Cerrone<\/p>\n Family rep<\/p>\n Monroe, N.J.: Someone please explain to me why presidential son-in-law Jared Kushner is at the negotiating table between Ukraine and Russia? Does he now work for the State Department? Did Congress approve his position and involvement? Is he checking out future interests for himself and his father-in-law? I doubt it is for his knowledge in international policy. It\u2019s certainly not for his interest in the American people. Like father, like Trump\u2019s sons, I guess. Katherine A. Moloney<\/p>\n Wining & dining<\/p>\n Charlotte, N.C.: It\u2019s curious to hear that the Trump empire isn\u2019t profiting from the G20 at his golf resort next year. It sounds like the resort is providing everything for free to the summit and the guests. The accommodations are free, the food and drink will be free. No one attending is paying for anything out of pocket, as the organization is underwriting everything from the kindness of its heart. Just another Trump lie as the Trump empire lines its pockets, yet again at our expense. Barbara Haynes<\/p>\n Cost-blind analysis<\/p>\n