Without infrastructure, electric vehicles cannot take off
Plainview, LI: I bought my electric vehicle with the best of intentions. I wanted to do my part by reducing pollution and adopting new, greener technologies. Rising gas prices were another factor, and I was excited about the prospect of a smoother, quieter driving experience.
However, my experience over the past two years has led me to reconsider. The promise of electric cars, while admirable, doesn’t hold up to the practical realities of everyday life. Here are the main reasons I’m saying goodbye to my electric vehicle: The constant worry of running out of battery on long trips has led me to change or cancel my travel plans multiple times. Even a short trip can be a logistical headache, especially when a quick detour can add 45 minutes or more to the charge. Finding an available charging station is often a nightmare. Stations are often full, out of service, or occupied by people leaving their cars plugged in while they enjoy a two-hour dinner. I’ve even witnessed frustrated drivers fighting over turns. Some local governments refuse to approve new charging stations, further compounding the problem. Charger availability is often limited, especially outside of major cities. Rural areas are poorly served and until infrastructure catches up, the dream of hassle-free long-distance travel in an electric vehicle remains a dream.
I still believe in the promise of electric vehicles and their potential to reduce emissions. However, we need better solutions to the problems that are preventing their widespread adoption: mandatory charging stations at gas stations, automaker support for home charging, charging stations in residential and commercial buildings, and solar-powered backup systems. Hossam Maksoud
Who is this guy?
Carle Place, LI: I have nothing against Taylor Swift, but if she never dated Travis Kelce, we wouldn’t be getting her brother Jason Kelce thrust upon us at every opportunity. Did he cure cancer and I missed it? Rudy Rosenberg
Pride before the fall
Camden, New Jersey: Ten years ago, we were all so proud of Sean Combs, aka P. Diddy. Howard University extended his invitation to deliver the 2014 commencement address. Diddy was proud to be awarded the honorary doctorate. It was a true tribute to a NYU alumnus who had achieved success before he even finished his undergraduate degree. He had attended this elite institution of higher learning, historically known for its many remarkable and prominent Black Americans who have contributed to the social impact of America. Even Vice President Kamala Harris is an alumna of this highly ranked university. How could Combs have been so wrong? There are bad people everywhere. I really want to hear his song of redemption. Wayne E. Williams
Depth of Depravity
Hallandale, Florida: You would think that after 11 months of torture, Israel would finally be able to ease the daily massacre of civilians in Gaza, but no, it has become a ritual success, even extending its carnage to the West Bank. They have razed 92% of the schools, depriving 625,000 children in Gaza of an education. Aside from American university students, why are a plurality of Americans so totally aligned with this government, regardless of party, to subsidize Israel in committing such barbaric, inhumane and unbridled massacres? Have we become so desensitized to such evil, partly as a result of our mass gun culture? Of course, the American and international media will not dare to publish this. Sid Sussman
Familiar Scapegoat
Beacon, NY: A certain charlatan and con man who boasts of being an enemy and threatens to take revenge on anyone who does not submit to him has recently launched a preemptive strike – unprovoked and indefensible – against a particular ethnic/religious group, namely the Jews, whom he claims will be responsible when he loses in November. That is, all Jews, without exception. He is no doubt hoping that his armed supporters will exact his revenge on them. In the average United States, there are vast areas where people only hear one source of information, predictably right-wing. For example, the less informed voters may not know that their hero’s son-in-law is Jewish and his grandchildren are being raised Jewish. One wonders how this scenario will play out. Will his daughter and children have to flee the country? N. Binnis
Rise of the far right
Forest Hills: To journalist Frederick Robert Bedell Jr.: Regarding your “proud support” for Donald Trump and his vice presidential pick for the White House on Election Day, you mentioned the alleged second assassination attempt on the Republican presidential nominee, but you failed to mention that all of that rhetoric came from his side of the stick, not the Democrats. Have you forgotten how vile Trump’s rhetoric is to his perceived political enemies? Have you forgotten how he has threatened judges, witnesses, and others at his various criminal and civil trials? He infuriates his supporters at every rally they attend. Have you not read journalist Michael DeSouza’s letter that says it all: “Real Republicans know Trump is bad for all of us.” Ron Gersh
Let them lead it
Greenburgh, NY: A suggestion for the upcoming presidential and vice presidential debate: Instead of having the moderators suggest questions to the candidates, give each candidate the opportunity to ask their opponent any questions they want. Trump and Harris should be given the same number of questions and should be given the same amount of time to answer them. The same process should be used for the vice presidential debate. This would make the debates more interesting and issue-driven, and would also highlight the issues that both candidates consider important. The moderators’ only role would be to make sure that the two candidates do not shout at each other and that they are given equal time to speak. Paul Feiner
Incitement to murder
San Francisco: Regarding the election, Voicer reporter Jimmy Durda suggests, “Let’s put both parties in the White House. That way, whoever wins becomes president; whoever comes in second becomes vice president. That way, both parties are forced to work together.” That may sound reasonable, but think about it for a moment. If Harris wins and becomes president and Trump becomes vice president, how long will it take for Trump or one of his allies to assassinate Harris so Trump can become president? That’s not a practical solution. Sorry, Jimmy. Jimmy Layton
Crisis averted
Brooklyn: What would your life be like today if Donald Trump had served a second term? Take a moment to reflect on all the chaos, corruption, and fraud of the first Trump presidency. President Biden has restored dignity, sanity, and honor to our government. We cannot risk another Trump presidency. Where would we be today? Anne Slamka
Rejected
Kew Gardens: An individual applies for a job at your company. You realize that this person has worked for you before and was such a failure that you fired him. In addition to his poor past performance, he now has a criminal conviction, other pending charges, and a propensity for associating with criminals and other sordid characters. Rather than waste your valuable time, you toss his resume in the trash. This is how incompetent candidates are usually treated. Glenn Hayes
Criminalized criminal
Fort Worth, Texas: You know what’s hilarious? Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton recently announced that it’s illegal for any convicted felon to register or vote in the 2024 presidential election, meaning that if Donald Trump lived in Texas, he could go to prison for voting for himself. Sharon Austry
Predator Power
Sayville, LI: The political party that wants to assert authority over the reproductive health of sexual abuse survivors is led by a man convicted of sexual abuse in a jury trial. Can you imagine anything more disgusting than that? Michael Hooker
Safe in some states
Spotswood, NJ: I just saw a political ad in New York that is a complete lie! Republicans do not have the power or votes to ban abortion nationwide. It is impossible. It is up to the states to decide, so New York can abort all the babies they want. Tom Scott
