Readers sound off on silent fireworks, electric carriages and retirees’ health care

Fireworks don’t have to cause the harms they do
Manhattan: Fireworks may be fun for some, but for many they cause great injury, both physical and mental, and even death. According to CBS News, 11 people ages 11 to 43 died using fireworks last year, and there were 10,200 fireworks-related injuries reported by hospitals.
Fireworks trigger serious mental health consequences like PTSD, which is a distinct risk for veterans and homeless people. While we can shut our doors and try to drown out the noise, people living on the street cannot escape this assault on their senses. Babies and young children who have no idea what’s going on are traumatized by the loud noises.
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People watch the Macy’s Fourth of July fireworks in New York, Tuesday, July 4, 2023. (Yuki IWAMURA/AP)
Possibly the worst victims are animals. Their hearing is far more acute than humans. Dogs hear twice as high a frequency range we can, deer two and a half-times, and cats triple. Sounds at 85 decibels or louder are damaging. Fireworks range between 150-175 decibels and can cause temporary or permanent deafness in humans. Can you imagine what it does to animals whose hearing is so much more acute than ours?
This must change. In 2015, the town of Collecchio, Italy, mandated the use of silent fireworks. Cities throughout Europe, the U.K. and Canada are selling silent fireworks. Here in the U.S., Costa Mesa, Calif., and Jamestown, R.I., are doing the same. It’s time for New York to catch up and be a leader, not the follower we always seem to be. Give a damn! Silence the noise! Kathy Nizzari
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Humble roots
Manhattan: According to the caption for the picture accompanying “Anti-anthem is off key” (column, July 9), singer Jill Scott “kept Francis Scott Key’s original tune, but altered the lyrics.” However, Key set his lyrics to the existing tune for “The Anacreontic Song” a.k.a. “Anacreon in Heaven,” a.k.a. “the drinking song.” Richard M. Morse
Dissenting ditty
Glendale: I never thought I would write in agreement with columnist Leonard Greene on something, however, I agree with him 100% on his taking Jill Scott (whoever she is) to task for degrading our National Anthem. Last week, I heard her rendition and I can only say that it was a disgrace. If American citizens such as Scott do not like the conditions in this great country, there are many citizens who would gladly help them leave it. Remember, America may not be perfect but it beats all of the alternatives. I expect if this letter is printed, I’ll get some pushback. However, in the end, those who criticize this country are all talk and will stay. Thomas Murawski
Sticker price
Manhattan: I’m a stoner, and every time I’m in a grocery store buying food, I think, “Let’s get crazy and buy some Wheat Thins or Chips Ahoy or other snacks and munchies” until I see the price. I then go buy yummy ramen noodles for 50 cents instead. Of course, even if I was rich, I would not pay those prices because it’s about principle. The intent is to gouge Americans who are already on thin ice. Roger Stoneham
Ongoing dispossession
Bronx: To Voicer C. Weissman: Perhaps if Israel would stop usurping Palestinian land, the Palestinians would stop attacking Israelis. Richie Nagan
Conscious choices
Brooklyn: The mentally ill are hardwired for self-preservation. They know exactly who won’t hurt them. They profile, and they don’t want to be arrested, either. Lisa DeSantis
Choose compassion
Manhattan: Thank you for printing Elizabeth Forel’s opinion piece on June 27 (“NYC must end its shameful carriage horse trade”). Maybe a referendum on banning carriage horses would be the best way to go as long as a majority of City Council members choose to ignore the will of voters and pander instead to those with strong self-interests. Ryder was a poor, elderly horse whose records were falsified to make him appear to be younger than he was. He most likely suffered a great deal before his tragic accident and ultimate death. Unfortunately, Ryder’s situation wasn’t unique. Carriage horses have been forced to work in extreme weather conditions, sometimes without concern for their hunger, thirst, health conditions or age. The bill introduced last year in the City Council to switch to horseless electric cars was a fair one born out of compassion for both the suffering horses and the drivers. I hope those members of the City Council who have yet to sign on to it will reconsider their choice. Jacqueline Raven
Gateway drug
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Central Islip, L.I.: Stupid government! Keep allowing cannabis shops to open. Pot’s legal today, cocaine tomorrow. Our government is on drugs! Thomas Sarc
Celebrate the right
Bronx: Challenge certain people with thoughts and opinions they find objectionable and you can expect nothing more than personal insults, vindictive and banal rhetoric and unfounded accusations. But wait — healthy, robust and constructive dialogue, and yes, criticism, is the American way. It’s called free speech. Sadly, some people just can’t handle it — liberals like Voicer Gary Butler, for instance. Bob Pascarella
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Healthy skepticism
Massapequa, L.I.: Voicer Michael Gold asked if I saw the riots on Jan. 6. Mike, did you know that here in America, as citizens, we have a right and a duty to question our political leaders as well as the outcomes of any and all elections? There is nothing wrong with that. What’s wrong is when one party tries to enforce its beliefs and views on the entire country and shut down anyone who disagrees with them. Enjoy your Kool-Aid, Mike. Tom Ascher
Downgrade
Boynton Beach, Fla.: I am a retired Board of Education librarian. The health care I have now, which is Medicare and a supplement, is wonderful. All my doctors take this plan, no problem. The insurance company supplement allows the doctor to do his job. The new plan that the city wants to stick us with is awful. Doctors don’t like it and won’t take it. We are getting older, need more care and therefore need the good health coverage we have now and that we have had for years, which was promised to us when we entered our profession. So please report accurate information and realize what the city is trying to do to their retired seniors. Ruth Vidomlanski
Already covered
Jackson, N.J.: I’m retired after 22 years of service to the city and am permanently disabled. We were granted funding years ago that covers the 20% the city pays to a supplemental insurance plan for us as promised upon our retirements by contracts. The promise was made when we were hired with a lower salary base than any private sector paid their employees for the same work and positions. Currently, many retirees have GHI Senior Care, which covers the 20%, and our traditional Medicare covers the 80% to pay for our health care. Some need to take out additional coverage from their own pockets but do not complain, as we understand some things may need extra care. However, that being neither here nor there, we do not want our traditional Medicare taken away from us to suit the administration and union leadership’s needs due to their huge mistake using funds they had no right to use. Kathy Napoli
Bumbling Bombers
Bronx: Re “Bombers’ hitting coach out in midseason shocker” (July 10): Methinks the Yankees fired the wrong guy. Also, shuffling guys in and out of third base and left field is like dating two people — make a decision. Denis Buckley
No such charge
Bronx: So now Voicer Raymond McEaddy has proclaimed that Daniel Penny is lying by saying he was trying to “calm” the situation. McEaddy has instead proclaimed that Penny is guilty of intentional murder. Funny — even the Manhattan district attorney didn’t charge him with that. McEaddy should rush to Alvin Bragg and demand to be immediately appointed to his office. Certainly, Penny made the decision when he woke up that morning that he was going to kill someone that day. Yup. I only hope that someday, McEaddy finds himself in a similar horrible situation as Penny and makes the decision to help — only to find himself condemned by others of similar biased, fact-challenged, hate-based conclusions as himself. Eric Cavaballo Callvado