Bad Bunny performed unity for our divided U.S.

Forked River, N.J.: Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime performance was a vivid illustration of the evolving American dream. A decade ago, Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio was just another young man in San Juan, juggling grocery bags and uploading his tunes to YouTube. Fast forward to Super Bowl Sunday, and he stood as a beacon for Puerto Rico, sharing their narrative on a global stage. His performance carried a message of positivity and cultural pride. Behind him, the giant declaration, “The only thing more powerful than hate is love,” resonated deeply. In the face of national division, Bad Bunny’s symbolic gesture of a football labeled “Together we are America” spoke volumes.

Conversely, Turning Point USA’s halftime offering featured Kid Rock, known for the controversial song “Mandatory Statutory,” which trivializes inappropriate relationships with minors. This theme of questionable ethics echoes among figures in President Trump’s circle. Trump himself criticized Bad Bunny’s show as “disgusting,” questioning the comprehensibility of his lyrics. Meanwhile, Republican Rep. Randy Fine, akin to a persistent irritant, suggested deporting Bad Bunny despite his U.S. citizenship.

These halftime acts portrayed two contrasting visions of America. Which vision resonates with you? My choice aligns with Bad Bunny’s, where love triumphs over hate, a sentiment that feels refreshingly inclusive. Although I struggled with Spanish in school, I do remember the perfect word to describe Bad Bunny’s performance: “wepa” (wow). Jim Hughes

Lurid lyrics

Suffern, N.Y.: In my view, Bad Bunny’s act fell flat. While millions are Spanish speakers, offering an English simulcast could have been inclusive. Yet, the content of his performance was undeniably explicit. Considering the young viewers, the lyrics crossed a line into inappropriate territory. This reflects poorly on Bad Bunny, Jay Z, who oversees the halftime lineup, and the NFL commissioner. Glen Benjamin

Foreign origin

Massapequa, L.I.: Claims from MAGA circles that the halftime show was in a foreign language, not English? Seriously? Paul Pepe

Inaccessible

Delhi, N.Y.: Amidst the uproar over the halftime show, two significant oversights concerning the deaf community went largely unnoticed. Despite being introduced, the ASL interpreters for “America the Beautiful” and “The Star-Spangled Banner” were not visibly present during the performances. Their absence raises questions about whom they were signing for and why they weren’t featured in the typical on-screen box. Additionally, many new commercials aired during the Super Bowl lacked captions, a recurring issue that marginalizes the deaf and elderly communities. It seems a missed opportunity for advertisers who should aim to engage all audiences. Arthur Martello

Display of contempt

Brooklyn: I watched the last two days of congressional hearings and there was clearly a difference in the way they were conducted. Rep. Andrew Garbarino ran a fair but tough hearing. A strict time limit was observed and questions were left unanswered, unfortunately. However, it wasn’t on a partisan basis and there were no personal attacks. However, the hearing involving Attorney General Pam Bondi was the total opposite. She refused to answer basic questions, refused to stop when her time was up on multiple occasions and made numerous personal attacks on the questioner. She really showed contempt for Congress. The hearing should’ve been stopped due to her behavior. It really says volumes that Trump doesn’t condemn her. Alan Podhaizer

Ruse made real

Manhattan: About 30 years ago, the GOP developed a campaign point called “noncitizen voting” and have tried in every election since to clobber the Democrats with the notion that they’re letting wild numbers of undocumented people into the voting booth. It’s baloney. But in the face of increasingly likely ignominious 2026 defeat, the GOP is demanding the so-called SAVE America Act’s radical voting restrictions as the price for meeting Sen. Chuck Schumer’s and his caucus’ demand that ICE simply follow normal law enforcement rules. The GOP is obeying Trump and Stephen Miller’s heartless deportation quotas by clinging to maintaining an unvetted, untrained bunch of ICE agents increasingly hated by Americans. Even Republican districts are rejecting the rapid buildout of ICE detention facilities in their communities. Schumer and the Democrats should demand more and not settle. Cut ICE’s $75 billion and reallocate it to Medicaid and other critical programs. Jennifer Cable

Easy reading

Brooklyn: I love your new, larger typeface. It’s so much easier to read! Beth Dunn

Still striking

Manhattan: Patients at Mount Sinai and Montefiore hospitals can breathe a sigh of relief. Their devoted nurses are returning after a month of picketing in the cold for their demands for patient and nurse safety. Apparently, only NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital is holding out. Safe staffing simply means there are enough nurses to make sure patients get the care they need, crucial symptom changes aren’t missed, and pain medication is adequate. And of course, nurses also need protection from violence. I’ve been on the picket line supporting the nurses at NewYork-Presbyterian’s main hospital at 168th St., and it’s clear how critical these issues are to them. As one of millions of New Yorkers who respects their skill and dedication, I fully support the nurses’ demands. Mary McGrail

Preserve & restore

Manhattan: The Feb. 10 op-ed “Build a better Penn Station by moving Madison Square Garden” supports Grand Penn’s plan to rebuild the Garden across the street, where the Hotel Pennsylvania once stood. It is difficult to locate an explanation of how that one block can accommodate an arena that currently occupies two blocks. If one of three plans will be selected in May for the new Penn Station, I think it better be one that improves both the functioning and aesthetics of Penn Station (Grand Penn’s plan evokes, but does not replicate, the magnificence of the 1910 architectural masterpiece, which was allowed to deteriorate and ultimately be demolished in 1963), while maintaining the present Madison Square Garden, which has achieved iconic status and is still great at nearly 60 years old. Jeffrey B. Freedman

Missing mention

New Hyde Park, L.I.: Your Feb. 5 article reporting the death of Mickey Lolich (“Lolich, Tiger hero of ’68 Series and ex-Met, dies at 85”) suggests that only he and Randy Johnson won three games in a particular World Series. It fails to mention that Milwaukee Braves starter Lew Burdette won three games in the 1957 World Series against the Yankees. As a lifelong Yankees fan, I recall my disappointment as the Braves won that series in seven games. Nevertheless, the Yankees came back in 1958 to beat them in seven games while beating Burdette twice. Burdette’s accomplishment in 1957, however, shouldn’t be ignored. Lou, I got your back. John Macklin

Terrible timing

Bronx: Why did the Mets and Francisco Lindor wait the entire winter to find out he needed surgery? Why, why? Ralph Canzone Sr.