Readers sound off on the Thanksgiving Day Parade, turkey pardons and a convict prez-elect

Giving thanks for NYC’s world-class tradition

Camden, N.J.: In my adult life, I continue to enjoy watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. For many years, I’ve enjoyed having the best seat for such a traditional festival of floats and bands. I’m not a native New Yorker, but that doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy one of the most productive public processions in the world, produced and put on in New York City.

For some, perhaps it’s Santa and Mrs. Claus who are the highlight of the parade. For others, perhaps it is any one of the gigantic balloons. For others, it just might be one of the marching bands chosen to participate in the annual tradition. As for me, I love a parade.

Traditionally, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade always comes to a conclusion with a spectacular eye-high kicking performance by New York City’s very own Radio City Music Hall Rockettes. Being a Rockette is perhaps every little girl’s dream. New York City is the hub for the world’s most prominent dance line organizations. Stepping into the holiday season, seeing the Rockettes continues to be a major event for such a holiday spectacular. They are that great American performance holiday dance troupe. They are quite splendid to watch. Seeing them conclude the annual event continues to be thrilling.

Yes, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is truly a special day of visual display, whether one is in the comfort of their home or standing on the parade route. Wayne E. Williams

Thanks for the thoughts

Sanford, Fla.: A hearty Thanksgiving to all my fellow Voicers! Thanks for all the thought-provoking and anxiety-producing views expressed each day. Thanks for my inspired chortles, expletives, nods of approval and “amens” while I’m reading your opinions of the world each day. Thanks for being part of the modern equivalent of the “Olde Towne Square.” It makes our world a better place. A big thanks to the Daily News for the opportunity to read and express our opinions to each other. I look forward to reading every Voicer letter daily, and the well-balanced portfolio of selected opinions and editing by the Daily News staff. My one hope: We all love this section — add more letters if possible. Bruce McMenemy

Season of uncertainty

Manhattan: I am grateful for many things (as we all should be), but as I look at the world around me currently, there is a great deal to be concerned about, and gratitude is not a word I would use to describe this concern. I think about where we are today, ready for Thanksgiving with all the love and trimmings, but when I think about turkey, all that comes to mind is, “Our goose is cooked.” Don Cerrone

Heartwarming thanks

Garwood, N.J.: “Mutts” is my favorite comic strip. Mooch, Earl and the critters are adorable. I like the charming scenery with the change of seasons, too, and it’s the only one I’ll turn my newspaper upside down for. Thank you, Patrick McDonnell. Happy Thanksgiving to all. Joan Tully

Protect birds

Manhattan: Every year before Thanksgiving, the president who is currently in the White House will pardon his turkeys. President Biden did his final pardons Monday on Peach and Blossom. During every season, hunters are out there to kill different types of birds, which are good for pest control and seed dispersal. They protect our ecosystem and help it run smoothly. We need to find a better way to save more. Alan Lehrer

Lend a hand

Brooklyn: To Voicer Charles Adrian O’Connor: I was planning to write to the Voice of the People like I usually do. I was going to write that today is Thanksgiving. My letter was going to express that we should be thankful for what we have. Most are fortunate to have basic housing, food, etc. For those who don’t, I urge people to step out of their comfort zone and reach out. I live that way, I don’t just preach. I can’t understand why you are counting the races of an audience at a play. The two musicals you went to, “The Outsiders”  and “The Book of Mormon,” didn’t have the rainbow you wanted. I’m not sure what the point of your letter is. To me, it’s you trying to be negative. It’s time for you to roll up your sleeves and help someone, not count heads at a very expensive play. Happy, healthy Thanksgiving to all. Mariann Tepedino

Softer power

Manhattan: Daniel Penny says he didn’t mean to kill Jordan Neely. Another murder of a Black man got big media coverage: the suffocation death of George Floyd. Unless Penny was living in a cave during that time, he can’t claim he didn’t know that choking someone can kill them. Neely was homeless, stressed by mental problems, hungry and must have been very weak. Penny is an ex-Marine and appears fit and young. Penny could have held Neely in place until authorities arrived. The best would have been to give Neely some money and tell him, “Go get something to eat” instead of treating him like a monster. S.D. Rosenbaum

Threat of death

Brooklyn: I am very concerned in regard to all of the recent violent crimes that have been occurring. I would appreciate it if all levels of elected officials come together and consider reinstating the death penalty, which was abolished in New York in 2007. Or consider putting a referendum on the ballot in the next election period and have the people vote on it. I feel that if it comes back into law, it will be a deterrent to stop the violent and vicious crimes plaguing our city. Patrice Perticone

Clueless crossword

Jamaica: I look forward to the TV Crossword everyday in the Daily News. It is the reason I actually buy the newspaper and don’t subscribe online. I have to agree with Voicer Gene Speroni on bringing back Jacqueline Mathews for the crossword puzzles. Ricky Cruz is absolutely awful at providing clues, and most of his references are from shows that are on streaming services. Many people who are completing the crossword puzzles probably aren’t looking at anime to know what the most popular one is. Know your audience! Drop Cruz and bring back Mathews. Melanie Williams

Revert

Franklin, N.J.: To Voicer Gene Speroni: I totally agree. I wasn’t paying that much attention to there being a new writer. However, I was wondering why these seemed so much harder and, like you mentioned, don’t make any sense. I used to enjoy doing the puzzle but don’t anymore. I agree, please bring back the older writer or someone who makes sense. Kathy Konecke

White makes right?

Amityville, L.I.: If Al Sharpton was convicted of 34 felonies, he would be under the jail. Dozier Shellman

Untouchable

Rockaway Beach: Move over, John Gotti, there’s a new “Teflon Don” in town! Barbara Yahle

Wacky wokeness

Easton, Pa.: Everyone seems to have their knickers in a twist over Donald Trump’s picks. Over the past few years, it’s been like “The Twilight Zone”: a secretary of defense who entered the hospital without telling anyone; a male pediatrician who became a woman and an admiral; a mayor who went on maternity leave for two months without giving birth; a guy with lipstick stealing women’s luggage and actually wearing the clothes he stole in public; a guy who said our southern border was secure when millions of people walked through it. I could go on about Kamala Harris and President Biden, but I won’t. There’s so much more. Years from now, un-woke historians will be shaking their heads. Barbara Cusano

Opposite ideologies

Great Neck, L.I.: Inauguration Day is the same day as Martin Luther King Day. It is beyond ironic, in my humble opinion. What would the iconic Dr. King think about where America is today? I wonder. Nadine Feingold

The end

Patchogue, L.I.: Regarding the presidential election of 2024, all I have to say is: United States of America, July 4, 1776 — Nov. 5, 2024. RIP. Lynda Welsh