'No Kings' rallies and Santos' pass

It is no surprise that Jesse Garcia, the Suffolk County Republican Committee chairman, was unhappy bearing witness to the widespread disapproval of the current administration at Saturday’s “No Kings” rallies “LI ‘No Kings’ rallies draw thousands,” News, Oct. 19].

To classify the “No Kings” events as “nothing more than a public relations campaign by Democrats” is ironic. And referring to the millions who came out all across Suffolk County, New York State, our country, and the globe as “paid protesters” is not factual and entirely misses the point.

No one came out to profit. We came out to save and protect our federal programs, personal freedoms, civil and voting rights and even the rule of law. We came out in collective opposition to health care cuts, escalating immigration raids, the prosecution of perceived political opponents, and government overreach. We came out because we needed to do it, like our Founding Fathers at the Boston Tea Party. And look how that turned out.

— Cindy Clifford, Riverhead

I wish Jesse Garcia would tell us where millions of “No Kings” protesters can sign up to get paid. I’ve been protesting injustice since the Vietnam era, and I still haven’t received my first check. Instead of spouting tiresome falsehoods, he and our Republican representatives would do better addressing the concerns of their constituents.

— Daryl Altman, Lynbrook

It was a nationwide tantrum dressed up as revolution. Once the cameras shut off, what did they achieve?

— Charles J. Brown, Levittown

After attending a “No Kings” rally, it felt so good to know that I’m not alone in feeling how unhappy so many others also feel about what’s happening in our country. I felt inspired and hopeful for the future for our democracy. Thanks to the millions of people showing up Saturday, I think we’ll be OK because we the people will decide our future, not some wannabe dictator.

— Ann Leahy, Wantagh

Ex-rep’s sentence diminished by his exit

In 1863, in President Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, Lincoln made no mention about the benefits of the soldiers’ sacrifices being limited to the political party in power [“Santos freed, justice betrayed,” Editorial, Oct. 20]. There was no mention of a requirement to agree with the president or his being responsible to only those who voted for him. The “people” meant every citizen.

We are now engaged in another war about whether our nation and democracy will “long endure,” whether the well-being of all the people will be considered equally. Whether the judicial system will be applied equally to all or whether the letter and spirit of the Constitution will be respected. Whether the freedom of the media will be maintained, the right to assemble peacefully will continue, or whether the most qualified and dedicated will be chosen to assist in governing.

The survival of our nation depends upon truth, dedication, self-sacrifice, cooperation, and, yes, even humility. These are qualities not well represented today by our president or our Congress.

— William J. Bennett, Huntington

The American ideal of justice for all seems to have been turned on its head.

President Donald Trump’s supporters, including former Rep. George Santos and those who stormed the Capitol, get full pardons or commuted sentences, but those that oppose him get charged with crimes that are difficult to prove and for minor offenses.

When Santos pleaded guilty to wire fraud and identity theft at his sentencing, Judge Joanna Seybert told him that “words have consequences” and that he “got elected with [his] words, most of which were lies.” So, did he deserve a commuted sentence?

— Richard Westley, Bay Shore

As a Donald Trump supporter, I have not always agreed with some of the president’s policies. George Santos was a disgrace to our country’s politics, and releasing him from the prison sentence he deserved sets a terrible precedent. Santos had a laundry list of bad and illegal deeds and should serve his time and repay the victims.

Instead, as we see with many lawmakers who go bad, he gets a pass. And this is why average Americans are disgusted and frustrated with today’s politics. At the end of the article “Santos: No restitution unless required” [News, Oct. 20], Santos’ saying that if “Trump had pardoned Jesus . . .” was a disgusting comment. Santos is everything Jesus teaches us not to be.

— Martin Stevens, Centerport

Donald Trump has left no doubt that, for him, the notion of equal justice under the law is meaningless. Instead, his guiding principle is government of Trump, by Trump and for Trump and his allies, both nationally as well as those here on Long Island.

Anything less than a condemnation in the strongest possible terms by Trump’s allies of his commutation of Santos’ prison term shows either that they are not appropriately nauseated by Trump’s making a mockery of the justice system or that they are intimidated by the fear that, at some point, his judicial or political vengeance might be directed at them, too.

— Chuck Cutolo, Westbury

I agree that George Santos should have stayed in prison, but I do not recall such a loud media discourse about former President Joe Biden’s pardons as his term ended. Let’s be above the fray and root out injustice by all politicians.

— Gene Scanlon, Southampton

Looks like George Santos found one last sucker.

— Mike Ferguson, Malverne