Civility at Ryder Cup, bad drivers, Gaza conflict

Sports need civility, not shameful antics

It was so exciting for the Ryder Cup to be at Bethpage Black golf course this year. It was an event that so many looked forward to attending. However, the way that the crowd treated Rory McIlroy and his wife and even other European attendees in the crowd is so embarrassing for America “Apology for fan actions,” Sports, Sept. 30].

Whatever happened to treating others as you would like to be treated? Our societal norms of behavior seem to be eroding at a rapid pace. We need to take a look at ourselves and be better, be kinder and set an example for our children to treat others with respect. Competition is best experienced by being good sports.

— Kathleen Augello, Wantagh

Those attending the Ryder Cup had the opportunity to put to rest the stereotype of New York sports fans acting inappropriately. Well, the behavior of more than a few “fans” not only reinforced this stereotype — on a world stage — but inspired the European team.

I have played golf on Long Island for over 40 years, often with strangers. Golfers as a group are respectful and encouraging. I suspect that those who crossed the line with their misbehavior do not golf on a regular basis.

— Chris McNulty, Port Washington

I was shocked by the fans who attended the Ryder Cup and behaved so disgracefully. Cheering favorite players is one thing. The fans’ boorish behavior toward the Europeans was uncalled for.

The vulgarities expressed by fans, some of whom may have imbibed too much, should all have prompted immediate ejections. What an embarrassment. What if the PGA refuses to hold future events on Long Island’s famous golf courses? Look at what that would cost our economy.

— Arthur French, Wainscott

It was a great win for the European team fending off a fierce U.S. comeback.

As an American, I am ashamed over the crude, classless behavior of the American fans. There’s no excuse for abuse and language to be directed at players or their families. No wonder many in the rest of the world hate us.

— Bob Horsham, Ridge

An 18-year-old college freshman can sink two game-winning foul shots with hostile fans screaming, cursing and waving behind the basket.

Another college freshman can hit a 50-yard field goal with thousands of fans trying to distract him.

So, why can’t a professional golfer sink a putt if someone in the crowd is talking to a friend?

And why can’t a professional tennis player serve an ace if someone in the crowd sneezes?

Can someone please explain the sociology and psychology of athletes and spectators.

— Bill Toumey, Long Beach

Bad drivers spared as we’re endangered

Michael Dobie spends his column enumerating what all responsible drivers on Long Island already know about those whose reckless behavior endangers all of us, and he notes that “we need to address it” [“Bad driving alarming on multiple levels,” Opinion, Sept. 28]. Newsday has been addressing reckless driving for years, and it has only gotten worse.

Newsday will run a story about a driver who has been convicted of driving with a license that has been suspended 15, 25, or 35 times. Obviously, this is not a deterrent to a person who will not only continue driving but continue driving in a reckless manner that attracts the attention of the few police who patrol our roads.

Whenever there is a fatal collision, the responsible party often was driving with a suspended license or no license at all, and only then does the judicial system enact any meaningful punishment.

— Stephen Sullivan, West Babylon

Conflict judged unfair as hostilities persist

Many people and governments are calling for all sorts of sanctions against Israel for the heinous crime of wanting to avoid being destroyed [“Some agreement to end war,” Nation & World, Sept. 30].

War is not a respecter of any group or nationality. When one entity attacks another with the stated purpose of destroying it, attacking the most vulnerable, the first entity should not be surprised when there is retaliation.

In 1947, when the U.N. General Assembly voted for the partitioning of the Mandate for Palestine, the Jewish residents accepted the vote. The Arabs did not.

Since 1948, there have been many attempts to destroy Israel by war and terror — 1967, 1972, 1973, 1982, 2006, suicide bombers, two intifadas, and the current fighting, which began

with the Hamas-led attack on Oct. 7, 2023, that killed about 1,200 people and took about 250 hostage.

Currently, Hamas still holds a number of hostages, not all alive.

Various governments and international organizations are showing antisemitism by holding only Israel to account. We must find some way of talking and listening to each other before we destroy our planet.

— Lawrence Levy, Rockville Centre