Readers sound off on plastic foam, gas delivery charges and Todd Blanche 68%
By Voice of the People84%
7/17/2026, 7:00:39 AM
BS Summary: This article contains 34 faulty reasoning types, including Indoctrination, Hasty Generalization, and Post Hoc (False Cause), with Negativity Bias as the most egregious example at 24.1% saturation with 277 hits. Analysis detected 2,343 faulty-reasoning hits from 1,151 analyzed words, generating a BS Score of 61.5% and a BS Rank of 68% (5,601 of 17,022 articles). This article is worse (more manipulative) than 67.10% of the article peer group.
Brooklyn: It is now Plastic Free July, a time dedicated to ocean protection and activism in the face of pollution, climate change and many other threats to a healthy ecosystem.
Unfortunately, the New York State Legislature adjourned for the year before passing the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act, which would’ve curbed the production of single-use plastics, supported public health and banned some of the most toxic chemicals in plastic packaging.
With state legislation off the table for now, action at the federal level is still possible and much needed.
Plastic foam, also called expanded polystyrene, threatens our oceans and our health.
It’s used for single-use plates, cups, takeout containers and packing materials.
It’s both lightweight and brittle.
Because plastic foam is so light, when it breaks apart, the tiny pieces can easily be carried far and wide by wind and water, making it one of the most common forms of plastic pollution found in U.S. rivers, lakes and marine environments.
According to a national poll of U.S. registered voters released by Oceana in 2025, nearly 80% of U.S. voters support national, state and local policies that reduce single-use plastic foam.
The Farewell to Foam Act in Congress would help address this problematic plastic.
Ask your federal lawmakers to phase out plastic foam by cosponsoring this legislation.
Gail Tierney
Accord, N.Y.: I’d like to ask you to advocate in one of your editorials for Columbia University opening the gates on Broadway and 116th St., and Amsterdam Ave. and 116th St.
When I’m in that part of town, I like buying lunch and sitting on the steps in front of Low Library to eat it, especially when the weather is nice.
It reminds me of when I was a student.
Frank Lancellotti
Manhattan: Liat Olenick reminded us how climate change is making life unaffordable (“Why Democrats must talk about climate,” op-ed, July 13).
It’s plain as day on my gas bill.
I’ve been living in Manhattan and paying my Con Ed bill for 55 years, but only yesterday noticed that Con Ed charged me $1.93 for the gas I used last month and $38.67 for “Total gas delivery charges” — 19 times more than for the gas itself!
These are the costs of maintaining and expanding natural gas infrastructure, which we should be replacing with electricity — preferably renewably generated — to both stem climate change and save money for ratepayers.
A future electric induction oven will free me completely from the gas meter.
Thanks to Local Law 154, every NYC resident in new apartment buildings will be free from costly and unhealthy gas heating and appliances.
Thomas A.
Caffrey
Manhattan: As New York faces increasingly hot summers, protecting older adults must be a shared responsibility.
Extreme heat can become dangerous, especially for people living alone, managing chronic health conditions or unable to afford adequate air conditioning.
Cooling centers are essential.
They provide safe, accessible places where older adults can escape dangerous temperatures, connect with neighbors and receive information and support.
But our responsibility can’t begin and end when a heat advisory is issued.
New York’s older adult population is growing, and our city must invest in the infrastructure that allows people to age safely and with dignity.
That means expanding affordable and supportive housing, strengthening home- and community-based services, and ensuring older adults can remain in the neighborhoods they know.
At JASA, we serve more than 40,000 older New Yorkers and their families each year, and we see how stable housing, social connection and reliable services improve lives.
Gayle M.
Horwitz, CEO, JASA
North Bennington, Vt.: It’s a real problem to forget your address and password.
The computer or phone won’t work and you’re stuck and out of luck.
Where in the world are you and how can you get back to your old self?
You’ll have to get tested for dementia and Alzheimer’s.
Through testing, imaging and a doctor’s exam, treatment can begin.
You can join the Alzheimer’s Association.
You can get the help you desperately need.
You’re not lost anymore.
Get tested!
Tom King
Spotswood, N.J.: I’m very happy that FIFA fans are learning what a great country the United States is, but they also need to learn that Sunday’s final game is in New Jersey, not in New York.
Tom Scott
Bartlett, Ill.: Players union boss Bruce Meyer has taken issue with Major League Baseball’s “Level the Playing Field” TV ads, stating that they’re “trying to convince fans” of the need for a salary cap.
Here’s a news flash for Meyer: We’re already convinced.
The sport is not competitive and hasn’t been for a long time.
The richest teams grab the best free agents and most of the playoff spots every year.
Consequently, MLB’s tag line “Make It Fair” rings true — and loud.
A salary ceiling and floor are sorely needed.
You need both to restore competitiveness.
I won’t spend another penny on MLB until they’re implemented, and I’m certain I’m not alone in this thinking.
Glenn Bischoff
East Meadow, L.I.: To Voicer Michael Eddy: I may not be one of your softball buddies, but I’m a long-time Yankees fan and agree with your consensus regarding Giancarlo Stanton.
If I was manager for a day, I’d borrow a wheelchair and roll him out of the stadium so he doesn’t hurt himself.
Jeff Tuck
Manhattan: To Voicer James Quinn: I agree that you never said President Trump was good or bad.
Every aspect of Trump, personally or as the leader of our country, is beyond any reasonable definition of “bad.
” I never mocked Trump, as you claim.
All I did was point out the problems our country is facing — the economy and war — that are a direct result of Trump’s gross mismanagement of the office of the president.
Like the declining group of MAGA voters, you claim to stand by your vote for Trump.
That’s your right, even though your choice has more than been proven wrong.
Moving forward, what do I have to offer?
To vote Democratic in the next election.
The last three Republican presidents have left the country in the economic and war-ravaged mess that is the standard Republican modus operandi.
A Democrat will have to clean up the mess.
Ivan Vasilyevich
Brooklyn: I was watching the Todd Blanche hearing and one thing is clear: He’s not qualified to be attorney general because of his inability to understand the meaning of a document he signed in the Trump vs.
IRS case that resulted in sanctions against government attorneys, as well as a ruling that it was never a real case.
In fact, the agreement allows Trump and his family the right to be safe from any future investigation.
The agreement is clear, yet Blanche denied under oath what any person who could read English would say is obvious.
Alan Podhaizer
Analysis
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