The Issue: Gov. Hochul and Alvin Bragg demanding fixes to New York laws hobbling prosecutors.
It’s utterly ridiculous to see Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and Gov. Hochul standing wholeheartedly behind a push to stop letting criminals loose (“Kat backs plea to stop letting criminals loose,” Feb. 1).
It is beyond transparent that these two are merely playing to the new political climate.
Glenn Ramanauskas
Staten Island
The Legislature, City Council, former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and others share a lot of the blame for crime in New York.
But we all remember Bragg’s “Day One” order refusing to prosecute many crimes.
By contrast, the entire system in New York City was very diligent in inventing felonies to pursue President Trump.
What they are doing now is like the proverbial “rats abandoning a sinking ship.” The national culture is changing. Soft-on-crime policies are becoming political poison.
That’s why Bragg and Hochul are suddenly noticing the problem.
Joseph Grassi
Port St. Lucie, Fla.
Are you serious with a headline about letting criminals go free in New York? Your paper didn’t complain about President Trump essentially escaping accountability after being convicted by a jury of his peers.
Raymond Mangano
Brooklyn
After reading the statistic that 62% of cases are dismissed in New York, I was reminded of a dictum attributed to Martin Luther during the Reformation: “Sin valiantly but believe more valiantly.”
The religious reformer wasn’t encouraging more sinfulness. But if it continued to occur, the consequences would not be serious, as you could depend on God’s forgiveness.
Similarly, New York’s justice system seems to be extremely forgiving. With there being no punitive consequences in these cases, there’s no incentive to alter bad behavior.
Frank Brady
Yonkers
Why now, Hochul? Did a little birdie tell you New Yorkers are fed up with the leftist nonsense of freedom for criminals?
Or is it because in the next election cycle you’re going to be ousted for your incompetence?
Kevin Judge
Naples, Fla.
The Issue: Cardinal Dolan’s call for President Trump and Congress to pass school-choice legislation.
I find it hypocritical that Cardinal Dolan is supporting school choice when he continues to close Catholic schools (“Kids deserve chance to rise,” Feb. 1).
My daughter taught in a Catholic school for 11 years. The school had full enrollment, the teachers had all signed contracts for 2020 and Cardinal Dolan closed her school.
How dare he promote school choice when his first action to raise money is to close Catholic schools! Catholic schools cannot get good teachers to work, as there is no guarantee you will have a job next year.
Cardinal Dolan is correct that “kids deserve a chance to rise.” Unfortunately, they may not get that chance from him.
Patty Pogeweit
Pearl River
I wholeheartedly agree and support Cardinal Dolan in calling for legislation to give American parents educational opportunities through school-choice funding.
One question, though: What Catholic schools will still be open when the legislation passes? He’s been closing them at breakneck speed.
Christopher O’Keefe
Manhattan
It is a crime that Catholic Charities via the diocese of New York can provide finances to abet the influx of immigrants, but not for Catholic schools to stay open. Cardinal Dolan should be ashamed.
Raymond Robertson
Ocean Township, NJ
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