Palm Springs bomber’s pro-death insanity and more: Letters to the Editor — May 25, 2025

Pro-death insanity

As the dust literally clears from the Palm Springs terrorist blast on May 17, we can see yet another example of the plague of madness that is sweeping not only our society but the world (“ ‘Pro-death’ bomber,” May 19).

A new Ted Kaczynski-like social psychotic has crawled forth from the pseudo-academic ideological swamp to do his harm.

As Kaczinski raged against modern technology, Guy Edward Bartkus raged against life itself. Why? Because life brings with it suffering and eventual death. Clearly, the “joy and happiness” part did not figure in Bartkus’ estimations.

His idea was that the unborn as well as the unconceived have a right to consent to their births and conceptions. And he was willing to be martyred to vindicate that right. From what hole can such madness emerge?

There seems to be a social contagion of such madness sweeping people up. I think it is rooted in a hyper-narcissism that’s increasingly indulged by our society.

Stanley M. Rubin, Fresh Meadows

Anti-Israel NYU

It is simply outrageous that New York University allowed commencement speaker Logan Rozos to finish his divisive ­anti-Israel speech (“Grad goes off script,” May 18).

It is even more outrageous that some of the faculty on the dais rose to applaud him even after he sat down.

Therein lies the problem. These young, impressionable minds are being taught in a supposedly elite university by a bunch of biased, incompetent idiots who should be let go.

Last year, I had the privilege of attending my granddaughter’s NYU graduation, and the then-grad speaker made a very similar anti-Israel diatribe and was allowed to finish and applauded, much to our disgust and dismay.

My family and I, along with about 30 others, made a statement by walking out in the middle. Will NYU ever learn and put a stop to this inexcusable, disgusting behavior?

Seymour Srulowitz, Englewood, NJ

Babbitt payout

There’s one thing we all need to remember about the tragic death of Ashli Babbitt (“$5M to kin of Babbitt,” May 20).

The Jan. 6 insurrection wasn’t caused by Lt. Michael Byrd or any of the other brave police officers who were defending the Capitol that day.

It was caused by President Trump, who encouraged his far-right supporters to storm the Capitol in order to stop the so-called “stolen” election.

Therefore, if anyone should pay the $5 million to the family of Ms. Babbitt — an Iraqi war veteran — it should be Trump and his far-right supporters.

John Francis Fox, Sunnyside

Minneapolis’ pain

After reading the story on the aftermath Minneapolis is facing, I was heartbroken (“Time hasn’t healed his wound,” May 17).

We all, no matter what race, agreed that what happened to George Floyd was a heinous and serious crime. However, to leave the city of Minneapolis in total disarray is a disgrace.

Protesters from all over entered that city and destroyed it. The residents were left in a burned-downed, looted and chaotic situation. Some residents were killed or beaten.

The Floyd family was rightly compensated; Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation got cash, too.

The city got money to rebuild, which residents say they haven’t seen. Everyone is sitting pretty, except the people of Minneapolis. They are losing their businesses and their homes. So very sad.

Lorraine Fittipaldi, Apollo Beach, Fla.

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