The Issue: Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie opposing a bill to crack down on convicted shoplifters.
Michael Goodwin argues that state Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie is a political imbecile for saying that punishment is not a deterrent to shoplifting (“Nothing ‘deters’ Heastie’s lunacy,” Michael Goodwin, April 3).
Heastie would be an imbecile if he really believed what he said.
But he did not get to be speaker by being a political imbecile.
Goodwin was more on the mark when he said that Heastie was a Marxist.
From the Marxist perspective, shops are capitalist exploiters of the masses and it is only just that the masses take back what their exploiters have taken away from them.
There is a reason Marxism destroys economies, and a reason the government in Albany is bringing economic ruin to the economy of New York.
Gamaliel Isaac
Manhattan
New York Assembly Democrats are responsible for much of the decline in quality of life in this city. When deodorant and toothbrushes are getting locked up instead of shoplifters, there’s clearly a problem — and Heastie’s to blame.
Similarly, as farebeating becomes rampant, state leaders dismiss it as a crime of poverty.
Progressive rhetoric has become dangerous to everyday New Yorkers.
James Long
Queens
Heastie’s refusal to consider a bill that toughens penalties for shoplifters is deplorable, but not surprising.
He also helped pass New York’s Raise the Age law, which made it more difficult to prosecute minors in criminal court, because studies show teenagers’ brains are not fully developed.
But perhaps it is Heastie’s brain that still has some developing to do.
Richard Reif
Queens
The New York criminal-justice system exists to protect society, punish offenders and rehabilitate criminal defendants.
If properly administered, it should also serve as a deterrent against criminal behavior.
The system in New York accomplishes none of these things.
Rather, it facilitates and actually encourages criminal behavior.
Speaker Heastie and his legislative cronies must realize this.
But they are reluctant to admit they are wrong.
John Kapica, Carmel
The Issue: The recent actions of judges in two cases against former President Donald Trump.
As a practicing trial attorney of 46 years, I am willing to bet Mike Davis that his putative “complaint” against US District Judge Reggie Walton for criticizing former President Donald Trump will go nowhere (“Anti-Don judge courts trouble,” April 3).
It is yet another attack on judges by Trump.
Of course judges can be wrong, which is why we have appeals courts.
However, Walton is absolutely within his rights to call Trump out for his disgusting attempts to put judges and their families in danger.
Here’s a tip, Donald: Stop committing crimes and you won’t find yourself in the situation where you have to comment on the actions of judges — problem solved.
And, if Manhattan Judge Juan Merchan gets to the point where he has to incarcerate Trump because of his antics, it likely will be well deserved.
Louis J. Maione
Manhattan
It’s time to abolish the liberal gag order (“Another court gag order on ‘hush’ defendant Don,” March 27).
There is a First Amendment right that protects freedom of speech.
Trump should be able to speak out about the treatment he is receiving from the radical leftist judges.
Trump is simply defending his honor and should not be silenced.
JR Cummings
Manhattan
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