Readers sound off on post-war allies, Trump photos and public service accountability

Brooklyn: To Voicer Tim Higgins: Gen. George Patton’s recommendation after Germany surrendered in 1945 to rearm the German Wehrmacht and join it with the Americans and the British to attack Russia was absolute madness. It would have had no support among the war-weary soldiers and civilians of the Western Allies, who viewed the Russians as valued and heroic allies.

The battle-hardened Red Army in Europe numbered about 7 million men versus 3 million for the Americans and British, many of whom had seen little or no combat. The Wehrmacht had been largely reduced to a demoralized mass of teenagers and old men, many of whom fled the Eastern Front out of fear of being captured by the Russians. The horrible atrocities committed by the Germans in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe were just coming to light and rendered unthinkable any thought of allying with these war criminals to backstab our ally, who had sacrificed millions of lives in the war.

Moreover, Higgins forgets that Imperial Japan had not yet been defeated when Germany capitulated, and was vowing to fight to the death. Joseph Stalin had agreed to join the Americans and British and declare war on Japan three months after the war in Europe ended, and he did just that. Apart from the other reasons I provided, going to war against the Soviet Union while a still-powerful Japan remained undefeated and defiant would have been lunacy. Dennis Middlebrooks

Scranton, Pa.: Sadly, the individual — apparently a Black man — who carved swastikas in various locations in Queens has no idea of what the Nazis thought of Black people (“Swastika rampage in Queens,” March 24). They were considered sub-humans, on the same level as Jews, Gypsies and all Slavic peoples. Also sad is his apparent lack of knowing the history of the civil rights movement’s early years. Many Jewish people supported and fought for equal treatment for African-Americans back in the 1950s and 1960s. Bigotry is assisted by a lack of knowledge of the past. Victims of racism should know better than to practice it. Tom Mielczarek

San Francisco: Saddened to learn of the death of Israeli stage and screen actor Chaim Topol (“ ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ star Chaim Topol is dead at 87,” March 10). His iconic portrayal of Tevye in the 1971 film brought the sepia photographs of the shtetls of my ancestors to life! Stephen A. Silver

Bronx: Alan Dershowitz’s whining op-ed about Trump being unable to receive a fair trial (“Can Donald Trump get a fair trial in Manhattan?” March 24) is beyond absurd. It is far more likely that one of 12 New Yorkers on the jury supported Trump and will refuse to convict him. The odds of getting a unanimous vote to convict such a controversial figure are very slight. As for Dershowitz’s complaint about being ostracized for defending his constitutional rights, his frequent appearances on right-wing hate radio station WABC certainly make it appear he is being disingenuous concerning his feelings about Trump. David Fisher

Wilkes-Barre, Pa.: So Trump has a baseball bat pose intended for Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. That makes sense, he’s a swinger. Matt Engel

Croton-on-Hudson, N.Y.: Does the Daily News have any pictures of Donald Trump smiling? If not, I’m sure the New York Post will sell you some. Peter McKenna

Jamaica: Trump has corrupted the minds of Republicans in the Senate and House of Representatives. They have lost all morals. Gov. Ron DeSantis is nothing but a mini-me Trump and he is taking Florida backwards when it comes to people’s lives. Truly sad what is happening to the world today. God bless and help America! Charlene Black

Manhattan: Please let MAGA come to Centre St. in Manhattan. Let them get firsthand knowledge of why the NYPD is the premier law enforcement department in the country. Not only will the protesters not enter any of the buildings, but Sanitation will be cleaning their blood off New York City streets. NYPD is not the Capitol Police or the D.C. Metro Police. NYPD doesn’t play! Andre Carl Jones

Far Rockaway, N.Y.: To Voicer Charles Michael Sitero: It is easy to see that you have lifted a talking point from the Ron “DeMented” playbook. Let me make something perfectly clear to the readers — you have never picked up a teacher’s manual or a copy of the NYC Scope and Sequence, which provides standards for the subject areas. What you want to accomplish is the whitewashing of American history by deleting the history we are doomed to repeat. Students need to take and pass exams to gain entry into college and other higher learning institutions. Without this knowledge, they are doomed to ignorance, let alone failure. Please stay in Florida and keep Ron DeMented there with you. Ora Reed

White Plains, N.Y.: What a pleasant surprise to finally see figure skating included in your sports calendar. I hope an article on the World Figure Skating Championships in Japan will follow. Arigato. Randi Bernstein Feigenbaum

Geneva, N.Y.: The Daily News grandly posts the men’s NCAA brackets after a round of playoffs. Great. I’ve not seen the playoff brackets for the women’s NCAA playoffs. How ‘bout equal print? Rick Schroeder

Floral Park, L.I.: I can’t agree more with the many Voicers who’ve written in — drop the comic strip “Grand Avenue” from your funnies section. It’s neither funny nor witty. And while you’re at it, please drop “Argyle Sweater” and “Between the Lines.” Both are a waste of space and not at all entertaining. As worthy replacements, I’d like to suggest “Calvin and Hobbes,” “The Far Side” and “Dick Tracy.” These are among the best and sure to renew reader interest. Angelo Vetrano

Brooklyn: The COVID-19 time is over ― no need to have home- or hybrid-working crews. No need to wear face masks. Most importantly, no need to have in place the rat attractions occupying sidewalks and public curbs. It’s time to return to normal life, and the voters should pay attention to the negligence and incompetence of most of our elected representatives. Francisco J. Castillo

Bronx: To Mayor Adams: The rats live and reproduce underground. That’s where you have to exterminate them, not outdoors. D. Borras

Monroe, N.J.: I’m a Municipal Labor Committee member, a union representative and an NYC Medicare retiree. If the city pays for secondary medical insurance for Medicare retirees, I’m guessing it must cost way less than active members, who need city medical insurance 100%. Why would the city force us into a plan nobody wants? How much is really being saved? What’s next, doing the same to the actives? Richard Russo

Margate, Fla.: As a member of DC 37, Local 371, I turned down many managerial promotional opportunities in order to remain active in my union. Municipal unions are dead in NYC. Not only are they forcing sick and elderly retirees into a Medicare Advantage program, but 49 locals and the DC 37 president did not show up for a training on the proposed Medicare Advantage program. I am no longer union. Mike Quill and Al Shanker are rolling over in their graves. Donna Sherman

Manhattan: Every day, I’m stunned by how many public servants refuse to do their job and answer tough questions from the press or taxpayers. And they all do it (even my man Bernie won’t answer many tough questions from his employers). Just as the mainstream media has had to sue the government to get public records that can’t be hidden from us, they should do a class action against politicians of both parties and the police for normalizing this. Heck, use RICO, because this is organized crime by all definitions. The press has the muscle and the lawyers to stop this mafia madness. Americans die every day from all this obstruction. You should also ask every state attorney general to explain how it’s not obstruction and fraud and see them dance. Roger Stoneham