Empty watchtower
Was it really a smart idea to fire over 2,000 prison guards with no way to replace them (“NY’s Prison Crisis Isn’t Over,” Editorial, March 12)?
It’s not exactly a sought-after job, and their concerns over working conditions were reasonable. Instead of giving them what they asked for and keeping them on the job, now what? Bring in the National Guard?
Aren’t they already on the subways? It seems Gov. Hochul has only one solution for everything: budget-busting overtime pay and the National Guard.
Carol Meltzer, Manhattan
Menendez misery
I was relieved to read that Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman has decided to oppose reconsidering the Menendez brothers’ sentence (“Bro way, guys,” March 11).
Given his reputation as a competent former assistant US attorney, I had little doubt he would see through the smokescreen created by the brothers and their misguided supporters.
However, I’m disappointed that Hochman left the door open for reconsideration if the brothers “come clean” after decades of lies. They committed a horrendous crime and should be held accountable. The Menendez brothers should serve their full prison sentence — for life.
Mitchell Schwefel, Barnegat, NJ
Tesla reversal
Tesla cars were once the biggest rage in liberal enclaves like San Francisco and New York City (“Teslas on fire in Seattle,” March 12).
The cars present no gas problems (or guilt) and charging them was the best thing ever and safe for the environment. Everyone wanted a Tesla and Elon Musk was a hero.
Now, following Elon Musk’s political transformation, people are burning charging stations, attacking Tesla showrooms and destroying cars. Musk has become a deeply polarizing figure and widely unpopular.
Well, the way I see it, the Democrats are a party of haters and hypocrites. They bought the cars, remember?
Lorraine Fittipaldi, Apollo Beach, Fla.
Climate realities
I was troubled by the recent article quoting Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s dismissal of climate preparedness as “climate change crap” (“No climate ‘crap’: Heg,” March 10).
He seems unaware of the massive burden climate-driven extreme weather is placing on his department’s budget.
The Pentagon has already spent over $11 billion rebuilding bases damaged by hurricanes and typhoons. These are documented financial impacts that come straight out of the Department of Defense budget. Rising sea levels pose additional risks.
The National Defense Strategy explicitly recognizes climate change as a security challenge. Military planners aren’t politicians; they are responding to real-world data to protect the country.
When the secretary of defense dismisses climate preparedness as “crap,” he isn’t just ignoring science — he’s ignoring strategic reality and putting our military, our bases and our national security at unnecessary risk.
Frederick Hewett, Cambridge, Mass.
Crime softies
I couldn’t agree more with your editorial on Bronx DA Darcel Clark’s approach to criminal justice (“Darcel Clark’s Dim Denial,” March 13).
You could just as easily substitute Alvin Bragg or any other liberal district attorney for Clark. Their philosophy only results in more crime in the communities they are meant to serve.
Mike Klarman, Branford, Conn.
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