Islip doesn’t want its future going to pot

The writers of “LI is battleground for cannabis policy” Opinion, April 29], who stand to profit from such expansion, characterize legitimate community concerns as “misconceptions” while providing little substantive evidence beyond promised tax revenue.

Concerns about increased crime, youth access, and declining property values are not misconceptions — they are facts that communities across the country have experienced following cannabis legalization.

The claim that Nassau County residents are “forced to rely on the illicit market” is disingenuous. Cannabis delivery services advertise on television, bringing products directly to consumers’ doors.

While proponents tout tax revenue for infrastructure and education, they conveniently omit that significant portions are increasingly directed toward substance abuse treatment programs to address growing needs stemming from expanded cannabis access.

I applaud Nassau County officials for their decision to resist cannabis expansion into their communities. Their leadership demonstrates that local governance remains the cornerstone of Long Island’s identity and success.

The writers suggest it’s “time for Long Island to come together” and embrace cannabis retail for job creation. However, these positions are not the intellectually stimulating, high-paying jobs our communities need — they are jobs designed to help “make people high.” We should instead focus on attracting industries that strengthen our economic foundation through meaningful careers.

The Town of Islip is not interested in becoming a “pillar of economic growth” on the backs of our children and their future. So many fields like life sciences, technology, health care and more enhance rather than compromise our communities’ character.

— Angie Carpenter, West Islip

The writer is Islip Town supervisor.

Why is Trump in this NY mascot fight?

President Donald Trump is boosting the Massapequa school district’s mascot logo fight [“Trump again backs Massapequa in mascot fight,” News, April 30]. Why?

Amityville High School already had to drop its picture of a chief and its longtime Warriors logo and have it renamed Hawks. Likewise, East Islip High’s Redmen mascot was visually changed.

Why is Trump so emphatic about this? Supposedly, he has more important things to do.

— Camille Morselli, Islip Terrace

As a retiree, I’m worried that the mascot name changes are going to make my already high school taxes go up even higher. How much will it cost schools to change all the sports equipment, signs and other items to comply with the name changes? I haven’t had a child in school in over 20 years, yet my taxes keep going up.

Why should I now have to pay more when so many other important issues are going on that would improve our way of life on Long Island, like road safety and fighting crime?

— Kevin Mullen, Holtsville

Donald Trump and others miss the point about the controversy surrounding the Massapequa school district logo.

It doesn’t matter if the athletic teams portray a Native American as the noblest warrior of all. As long as the word “mascot” is attached to the logo, it will remain offensive.

— Robert Lowery, Wading River

Bishops’ endorsement backfired on Church

I read with sadness the essay “Catholic bishops end refugee government work” by the Most Rev. Timothy P. Broglio, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops [Opinion, April 9]. It recounts the long-standing tradition of Catholic support for people fleeing violence and oppression. Unfortunately, due to the Department of Government Efficiency cuts, this vital work is ending.

What Broglio failed to acknowledge is the bishops’ indirect responsibility for this outcome. By endorsing President Donald Trump and urging Catholics to follow suit, they helped pave the way for policies marked by cruelty and a disregard for human dignity.

Aside from abortion, many clergy ignore other right-to-life issues such as immigration, social services, gun control, and environmental protection.

In stark contrast, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Brentwood peacefully protested these harmful cuts in early April. No clergy joined them.

Much of the Church hierarchy, like many Republican politicians and white-shoe law firms, remains silent in the face of injustice — seemingly unwilling to challenge Trump’s agenda.

The golden rule of the Trump administration seems to be: “Do unto others a hundredfold worse than what was done to you.” Perhaps the bishops should have been more mindful before casting their votes — and urging others to do the same.

— Jim Hickey, Westbury

Harvard is different from some colleges

A reader compared Harvard University to Christian colleges “Don’t put Harvard in a different class,” Letters, April 30]. Hillsdale College in Michigan, for one, receives no money from any government agency and therefore is free to pursue its own policies on how it conducts itself. I am confident that it welcomes all students regardless of race or religion. Did anyone see any protests coming from its campus during the past few years? I think not.

— Joanne Russo, Garden City