Readers sound off on the insurrection, DeSantis’s ambitions and animal abusers

Brooklyn: I’m imploring the media to stop calling the storming of the Capitol a riot. It was not a riot. It was a coordinated, chaotic assault on a building that housed the democratically elected members of a government of 330 million citizens. That’s 4.25% of the population of the planet, more than the combined populations of the five biggest countries in Europe (Germany, the U.K., France, Italy and Spain). Had these seditionists located the vice president, there is a strong possibility that he would have been hanged by the neck. If the same thing happened in another country, would you call it a riot?

I’m from Ireland. I remember what it’s like to grow up hearing daily news reports of sectarian killings. I also survived the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center on 9/11. I took my camera and walked all over lower Manhattan. The biggest terrorist attack known to mankind had occurred less than 24 hours earlier. I stood less than two meters from George Pataki, Rudy Giuliani, Bernard Kerik and (I believe) a senator from Florida. Thank God I had a camera and not a bomb or a gun. I could not comprehend that a country of such military might was still unaware of the danger that existed on its doorstep. Twenty years later, nothing has changed.

The danger exists in our midst. It existed in Russia, Germany, Vietnam, the Congo, Argentina, Azerbaijan, Turkey — and in Ireland. The danger exists in New York City, Washington, Miami, Los Angeles, Houston, Chicago, Boston and every hamlet of this magnificent country. This was an assault on every man, woman and child’s sensibilities. This was not a riot. Brian Kerrigan

Brooklyn: To Voicer Earl Beal: The subpoena for “once-Vice President Mike Pence” may be groundless, fallacious, frivolous and whatever other words you can use to describe it, yet I’m wondering when Pence will stand up as a decent, moral American citizen and do the right thing by this country. We want to know why our Capitol and our democracy was assaulted. If he wants to hide behind a technicality and not stand up for this beautiful nation of ours, so be it. It speaks volumes about his character. Stay hidden for good. That’s one less coward in our government to worry about. What’s it gonna be, Mike? Jeffrey Harkins

Freehold, N.J.: I had a really bad dream last night — a nightmare, no doubt. I dreamt I was married to Marjorie Taylor Greene. Scary! John Carrig

Greenacres, Fla.: This phony Ron DeSantis, with all his lies, is becoming a nightmare. The one thing everyone should understand is Tallahassee is 80% Republican in the Florida House of Representatives and Senate. He gets whatever he wants. Taking on Disney is the biggest joke. I could do what he did with his supermajority. He’s a dictator who is taking his governing playbook from all the dictators that have ever ruled. The man is an Italian and his relatives came through Ellis Island, but he won’t admit it. I’m a transplanted New Yorker. I lived through Nelson Rockefeller, Hugh Carey, Mario Cuomo and George Pataki. This guy is worse than all of them. He has everyone running scared down here. It’s becoming a police state. This guy is dangerous. All the conservatives praising this tyrant better be careful because he’s got his own little police force to come after you. And I was worried about Donald Trump. Bob DeJohn

Flushing: American seniors “woke” up! This guy (DeSantis) is after your Social Security checks! Saul Grossman

Babylon, L.I.: My twin sister Susan Marie Davniero passed away on Jan. 8, but her written words can still be read. She wrote this years ago, but it would still be appropriate: “March is Women’s History Month. Let us recognize the accomplishments of women in history who left this world a better place than they found it. They paved the way for women today to take any path in life. Women of yesterday were early pioneers pursuing new frontiers in all fields — business, education, arts and science. They foresaw a better America for women. I applaud them. We’ve come a long way, baby!” Laura Bowman

Manhattan: Delightful to see your women’s history insert, such a valuable resource (“Illuminating women’s history,” March 1). I’ve saved it for my classes as a useful learning tool. However, may I suggest that next year you consider profiling a different woman each day in March? Or at least put together several with great accomplishments. Ruth Bader Ginsburg (from Brooklyn), Elena Kagan (Manhattan), Sonia Sotomayor (Bronx) — all from New York! All on the Supreme Court. Surely they all deserve to be written about? Dorothea Dix, Frances Perkins, (the) Mrs. Caroline Astor, Gertrude and Gloria Vanderbilt, Nellie Bly, Fannie Brice, Geraldine Ferraro, Betty Friedan, Martha Graham, Peggy Guggenheim, Letitia James, Ethel Merman, Edna St. Vincent Millay, Grandma Moses, Constance Baker Motley, Lea Michele, Beverly Sills, Bess Myerson — the list is endless! And that’s only those born in New York, not those who got famous here but came from elsewhere. Keep up the good work! Susan Addelston

Glen Ridge, N.J.: To the piece of dirt Paul Verite, who beat his 10-week-old puppy to death: I wish you the same fate that you incurred on that poor, innocent baby — which is a long, painful death, if the gods are listening. You are a despicable human, and I use the term human very lightly. Francine Ferrara

Hempstead, L.I.: Re “Man beat 10-week-old puppy to death, say prosecutors” (March 1): This story about unimaginable torture (Espy died “by a seizure brought on by the head wound” after almost all of her ribs were broken) demonstrates that there should be a one-year mandatory minimum jail sentence for murderers of companion animals, particularly cats and dogs. The law should be changed to throw the book at them. These criminals are detested in prison, that’s why they should go. Leslie Feldman

Norfolk, Va.: Animal abusers are cowards and bullies. They take their issues out on vulnerable beings, and many are repeat offenders. If the man accused of repeatedly beating a trusting, defenseless 11-week-old puppy named Espy is convicted, he needs the book thrown at him, including maximum jail time and a ban on contact with animals. If you see or suspect someone is harming an animal, please contact authorities before it’s too late, as it was for Espy. Melissa Rae Sanger

East Meadow, L.I.: Seeing that Michael Valva’s trial is resolved and his fiancé Angela Pollina’s trial is in the courts now, when is the third trial planned for the Child Protective Services person who checked on the Valva boys? Jeff Tuck

La Jolla, Calif.: I love the Mets but their television broadcasts are becoming unwatchable. Their booth is generally regarded as the best in baseball. Gary Cohen must have taken all the accolades to heart — he won’t shut up. He has turned into Mr. Yuck-Yuck. Now everything turns into a joke or ridiculous aside. Mr. Cohen, please take it down about 20% or take your act to the Sunday amateur night at The Improv. Jeff Prescott

Scarborough, N.Y.: “Dilbert” comic strip writer Scott Adams was removed from the Daily News and several other newspapers, and rightfully so, after publicly engaging in a racist rant. Yet, in Manhattan, a street was named after Black Muslim leader Elijah Muhammad, who unabashedly preached hatred of white people for decades. The double standard is ludicrous. Thomas F. Comiskey

Brooklyn: We should take advantage of George Santos’ talents. We should pay him to go to Russia and B.S. his way into the Russian government. We could use a high-level spy in the Kremlin. Josh Greenberger

Saratoga Springs, N.Y.: Daylight Saving Time commences next weekend. Time for the semi-annual caterwauling about sleep deprivation, brain fog and calls for congressional action. See you all again in November. Bob English