Readers sound off on veiled antisemitism, patriotic songs and faith-based activism

Brooklyn: Univision Radio, a large Spanish-language broadcaster, recently sold 18 of its radio stations to a group headed by Stephanie Valencia and Jess Morales Rocketto, two Democratic activists. The purchase was funded by an affiliate of George Soros.

In Miami, the transaction has caused outrage among a large number of Cuban listeners because one of the stations, WAQI, known to listeners as Radio Mambí, is a station known for its hard-right, Republican-oriented programming. It was sold to Latino Media Network. Its Cuban listeners fear that its far-right programming will be converted to a more moderate, Democratic-leaning format and that they will lose their hard-right megaphone.

What is so concerning that it prompts me to write is that in their daily broadcasts, the stations’ commentators have taken the position that the purchase is a leftist conspiracy in which a wealthy Jew, Soros — who many Cubans view as a far-left liberal or worse, a communist — will turn the station into a platform dedicated to bringing socialism to South Florida. Keep in mind, most Cubans became exiles because of Communist dictator Fidel Castro, whose policies they fled. Democratic progressives are equated with socialists or communists on Radio Mambí. For them, the paymaster for this socialist takeover is Soros. The antisemitic implication of the on-air rhetoric is clear.

The Florida Republican Party stands to benefit most by placing the blame for their loss of the platform on liberal Democrats and the Jewish funder of the Latino Media Network’s purchase. This undemocratic, antisemitic attack needs to be exposed and publicly condemned. Rachel Goldberg

Amityville, L.I.: Oh, what a tangled, evil web we weave. Gov. Ron DeSantis voted against the federal aid package to help Superstorm Sandy victims. When the shoe was on the other foot, the fit was tight. His chosen method of dealing with the migrant fiasco could have been handled diplomatically. As the leader of his state, he has to know that karma is a b—h. Barbara Reynolds

Ledyard, Conn.: Dear Marjorie Taylor Greene: I know trying to reach you is futile. You have your mind and your hate for and prejudice against more than half the nation’s people solidified. Go ahead and keep pushing for an unconstitutional national divorce (“Marjorie trash talk spurs ‘Civil War’ trending,” Feb. 21). The Chinese and Russian governments love that rhetoric! A divided country? “Fantastic!” they say. Weakened federal government? “The easier we can invade and conquer!” Our country (and your constituents) get nothing out of your service but sound bites on every podcast and right-wing interview. What a waste of everyone’s time that could be spent on helping our nation grow. I don’t know which will be worse for you, that you will grow old and realize how destructive your ignorance has been, or that you won’t. Lisa Allen

Wappingers Falls, N.Y.: I read that President Biden felt self-conscious that his last name didn’t end in “-ski.” He said this when meeting with Polish President Andrzej Duda. I have a suggestion: Perhaps he should change his name to Joe “Butt-in-ski,” and his problem should go away. Stan Siekierski Sr.

Old Bridge, N.J.: To Voicer Richard Simon, regarding the arrogance of the deficients who support their nutjob, dumb Donnie: Always remember that none are so blind as those who will not see. Trump supporters are not only blind, they are unbelievably ignorant. Janet Cecin

Carle Place, L.I.: So Aaron Hicks says baseball “wasn’t fun” for him in 2022. Boohoo. Imagine how Yankees fans felt having to watch him hit .216 last season while making $10 million. Rudy Rosenberg

Manhattan: To Voicer John Procida: It’s clear you are a patriotic and trusting person, but I believe others took advantage of your trust. Following long-time practice, there were performances of patriotic songs at the Super Bowl, finishing with the official national anthem. This year, the other songs were “America the Beautiful” and “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” The latter was written in 1900 as a tribute to President Abraham Lincoln, whose birthday fell on Super Bowl Sunday this year. At the event, it was described only by the title I mentioned. The next day, the conservative outrage machine began their attacks, calling it a Black song. Yes, the song was nicknamed the “Negro National Anthem” long before the adoption of the “The Star-Spangled Banner” as the official national anthem in 1931. In 1900, the term national anthem meant any patriotic song. This beautiful tune goes by another title: #627 in the Southern Baptist Hymnal. No one has ever accused the Southern Baptists of being excessively “woke.” Kurt Vorndran

Brooklyn: Hats off to Voicer Charles Michael Sitero: Your letter was a breath of fresh air. There’s no question things were better back in the day. As far as sports goes, forget about celebrating a game-winning touchdown. Today, they celebrate after every tackle. In the political world, don’t hold your breath for a leader to say they were wrong and move on. Today, all they do is point fingers and lie. Years ago, you fought with your hands — today it’s knives and guns. As far as accepting defeat and being the better person, forget that, too. Youth coaches push young kids far too much and take all the fun out of it. They want to win more than teach children and let them have fun. It’s nice to know there are a few of us left who remember how it was and how it should be. John De Angelo

New Rochelle, N.Y.: Mayor Adams and the MTA are on the right track, suggesting that social media is one of the main drivers of the massive uptick in subway surfing over the past several years (“Death is latest in disturbing 400% increase in people riding outside train cars,” Feb. 22). While this dangerous and often deadly activity has been an issue for as long as trains have existed, the prospect of having their daredevil exploits splashed over the internet has made it even more attractive. This puts even more teens in danger. However, there is also an opportunity here for Adams and the MTA to use social media as an ally. Hamza Mohamed, 15, survived a fall from an R train, though he lost part of his right arm. Why not enlist him to explain to his peers the dangers of subway surfing? Teens may be more willing to listen to someone their own age and stop their stunts after seeing what could happen. Charles Seaton

Manhattan: Thank you so much for endorsing the generous offer of houses of worship to host immigrants and asylum seekers (“Holy help,” Feb. 18). Thank you even more for urging the mayor to support and promote the plan. It is wonderful to report that there are volunteers of every background stepping forward to help these individuals with clothing donations, with a food and clothing supply program at Port Authority Bus Terminal run by an all-volunteer group called Team TLC, which I work with, and with shelter opportunities and legal support. And it is tragic to report that neither the mayor nor anyone in the administration has acknowledged and praised these volunteer efforts or engaged with them to maximize quality support to our newest New Yorkers. Ruth Messinger, former Manhattan borough president

Middle Village: In response to your editorial “Paying for those raises” (Feb. 21): There are a couple of things people do not realize. Health insurance is not actually a benefit for city employees. Because municipal jobs pay significantly less than private sector jobs, the reason people choose to work for the city is for the free health insurance. It is a tradeoff — either have a higher salary now and pay for your medical coverage, or have a lower salary and get health insurance. It balances out. But if we lose our preferred health benefits, why would anybody take a city job? A similar example is that building superintendents often get to live in an apartment rent-free. That is part of their compensation, the same way health insurance is part of ours. Lee Rottenberg