This charade is a stain on our society’s values

Sayville, L.I.: The latest release of Epstein-related documents highlights the troubling decline of our nation’s integrity. These files, managed by the U.S. Department of Justice and Attorney General Pam Bondi, are heavily redacted, yet they inadequately shield the identities of vulnerable victims, revealing names, contact details, and even explicit photos. The DOJ attributes this lapse to a “technical or human error” and has since removed the offending information, but the damage is irreversible. Believing this was a mere oversight is naive; notably, no errors seem to expose any potentially guilty parties.

With an estimated 1,000 victims, the mishandling of this sensitive information may deter others from stepping forward. The federal government appears to wield its power against numerous victims of sexual crimes. It’s hard to fathom that even a small fraction of Americans would oppose justice for these victims and the prosecution of those responsible. Alarmingly, it seems that 45% of the populace might passively accept the obstructions to justice, potentially because their political affiliations overshadow their empathy. Do these individuals not have loved ones they feel compelled to protect?

We are witnessing a regression into a state akin to a police state, a situation too dire for mere words like “shame” or “ignominy” to capture. Michael Hooker

Aider & abettor

East Meadow, L.I.: After observing Pam Bondi’s conduct during the House Judiciary Committee’s examination of the Epstein files, one conclusion is unavoidable: Bondi is to President Trump what Ghislaine Maxwell was to Epstein. Richard Skibins

The facts remain

Bronx: In response to Voicer Charles T. Compton: The criminal acts of rape or murder by migrants represent a fraction of this population. The majority of such offenses are committed by individuals born here. This small fraction does not justify deporting the vast majority of migrants who are law-abiding and work tirelessly for minimal wages. Moreover, federal agents unjustly seized Alex Pretti’s licensed, undrawn firearm, subsequently restraining and fatally shooting him. That is unequivocally murder, regardless of attempts to rationalize it. Richard Warren

An era worth shedding

Manhattan: Regarding the editorial “Water-shed moment” (Feb. 8): While outdoor dining is a sound idea, its implementation must be sensible. The enclosed structures, a temporary measure during the pandemic to facilitate social distancing, are unnecessary now. New Yorkers aren’t inclined to dine outdoors during the colder months. We need a practical approach where restaurants can apply to set up tables, chairs, and umbrellas on sidewalks. City Council Speaker Julie Menin aims to overhaul the outdoor dining program, but it must be done wisely to progress rather than regress. Carrie Tassa

Be freer

Manhattan: Mayor Mamdani suggests free bus rides for all during the five-week World Cup soccer tournament this summer in New York. It seems he’s a little cheap. I suggest free room and board for all at Gracie Mansion, the mayor’s home; free first-class airfare to NYC for all on El Al airlines; free cashmere suits for all at Bergdorf Goodman; free concerts conducted by Leonard Bernstein at Carnegie Hall; perfect weather every day; free lectures by Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu on the history of the Middle East in Central Park every night, served with falafel, shawarma and Diet Coke — at no cost, of course — and I suggest that the mayor have his head examined. Priceless! Gil Lederman

Missed one

Bronx: Voicer John Macklin writes that the AP article on the death of Mickey Lolich (“Lolich, Tiger hero of ’68 Series and ex-Met, dies at 85,” Feb. 5) should have included Lew Burdette’s performance, winning three games in the 1957 World Series. But Macklin is wrong. Apparently, he didn’t see that the article clearly states: “Since Lolich, only Arizona’s Randy Johnson in 2001 has won three games in a World Series.” The AP article is also wrong, however. Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto won three games in last year’s World Series. If you look before Lolich, there are nine pitchers who won three games in a World Series since 1903, including Bob Gibson in 1967. Bruce D. Campbell

Extend a hand

Glendale: It’s extremely rare that I agree with a Daily News editorial (“Mamdani snubs Archbishop Hicks,” Feb. 9). However, one of the necessary secrets to becoming a good or great leader is communication. The editorial had virtually nothing to do with religion. It had to do with reaching out to one of the many groups that will be ruled by Mayor Mamdani. If a leader can’t communicate, he’s doomed right off the bat. Outreach is critical. To the critics: Catholics make up a large part of the city — supposedly, about half of the population. Mamdani showed leadership (and guts) when he made it a point to meet with Trump at the White House. Not wanting to meet with those who disagree with you will only divide us further. Thomas Murawski

Momentary glory

Manhattan: Hotels, towers, art centers, demands for train stations and airports to carry his name — just when you think there are no limits to the vanity of this man, Trump never fails to disappoint. Joseph Stalin, having climbed to the top over a pile of bodies the size of which the world had never seen, had portraits, statues and even cities named after him. He wanted his legacy to last forever. But as we all know, “forever” lasted about 20 years. De-Stalinization was quick and brutal, with history having the last say — a lesson guaranteed to go unlearned. Louie Russo

Off his rocker

Penticton, British Columbia: Common American charity demands that the American patient — President Trump — be immediately removed and institutionalized. The Mad Monarch of Mar-a-Lago is ridiculed worldwide as the babbling fool and face of Satan whose venom is deadly and far-reaching. Yet, greatest is fear of his dementia-wrapped power. Joe Schwarz

Drop the T

Plainview, L.I.: The Trump-ordered Pride flag removal at the Stonewall Inn is no surprise given last February’s deletion of the “T” from “LGBTQ.” Therefore, the logical next step would be to also delete that letter from his own last name. And it’s not my doing that the word “rump” is defined in multiple dictionaries as “rear end,” “backside,” “buttocks,” “the last or inferior part,” and even “ass.” Richard Siegelman

Free to fly it

Sunnyside: It was good to read about the Pride flag being put back in place at the Stonewall National Monument. However, it was distressing to read that some protesters “tried to pull down the American flag” and that some of them also “chanted at the pols to yank down the American flag, too.” Don’t these protesters realize that gay and trans people are treated better in America than anywhere else? John Francis Fox