Phil Donahue’s death, Letters

RIP Phil Donahue

The passing of Phil Donahue marks the loss of a pioneering television icon who reflected the nation back to itself and brought us together on challenging issues of our time (“TV legend dead,” Aug. 20).

Rising from a working-class, Irish-Catholic family in Cleveland, Phil started as a radio station assistant in college before revolutionizing television and shaping national discourse.

He was a trailblazer in live daytime talk shows, facilitating honest and open conversations that influenced hearts and minds.

Phil’s insatiable curiosity and acceptance led him to view every guest as deserving of interest, fostering understanding and portraying fellow Americans, not adversaries.

Throughout his remarkable TV career and countless daily dialogues, Donahue guided the national conversation and appealed to our better nature.

He will be deeply missed.

Paul Bacon,

Hallandale Beach, Fla.

Sick of arithmetic

Another public school failure is evident in the decline in test scores due to the new curriculum (“When Math Lessons Don’t Add Up,” Editorial, Aug. 19).

Instead of searching for a new curriculum to solve the math proficiency issue, why not return to the basics that yielded better results?

If the Department of Education truly prioritizes students, they should explore successful math curricula in charter schools with higher proficiency rates.

Aside from the cost of failing to educate students, how much is each unsuccessful new curriculum costing the city?

This is just one example of many.

Why are teachers delegating their responsibilities to students?

There are questions that demand answers.

Eileen Corr,

Brewster, Mass.

Pizzeria thuggery

A pizza shop worker is fighting for his life as the culprit may be released on his own recognizance (“Fighting to live,” Aug. 22).

When will there be consequences for such egregious behavior?

Each day, we witness a recurring pattern: brazen individuals committing heinous acts and being set free.

We must observe how this scenario unfolds.

Continuing to elect leftist politicians will lead to such outcomes.

Kevin Judge,

Naples, Fla.

Phoney phones

Efforts to ban cell phones in schools in the United States and Canada are underway as cell phone usage has become uncontrollable (“No cells in class, eh?” Aug. 18).

However, this ban may not be effective.

Even though US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy advocates for warning labels on social media due to their addictive nature, such labels may not deter users.

Many parents I’ve spoken to believe that if they don’t allow their children to use smartphones, they will fall behind their peers.

As a parent, I understand this concern.

Children need exposure to technology.

Banning cell phones may not be the solution.

Several parents and teachers are against this prohibition.

Anant Nagpur,

Ottawa, Canada

Trump back in NYC

Barron Trump has announced his decision to attend college in New York City without specifying which institution (“Barron heading to a ‘NY college,’ ” Aug. 21).

Regardless of his father’s identity, one might wonder why Barron did not consider Trump University?

Oh, that’s right, the university closed down after facing legal challenges for illegitimate business practices.

Kreg Ramone,

Manhattan

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