Ensuring a Rikers right to vote
Manhattan: Contrary to the tone of your Oct. 27 article “Jailbirds granted absentee ballots as they await trial under new City Council bill,” the distribution of absentee ballots to innocent people who are eligible to vote is what we should be doing in one of the most progressive cities in the U.S., especially when the law entitles them to have access to the polls.
These “jailbirds,” as you refer to them, are our neighbors, friends and family who are subjected to the brutal and inhumane conditions of Rikers Island, much of which has been reported by your own publication. Over 80% of the population in our city jails are detainees and are innocent until proven guilty and almost all of these people are black and brown. The reach of the U.S. Constitution does not end at the bridge to Rikers.
In addition, many are there simply because they can’t afford to post bail. Those who can afford to do so are at home, where they are welcomed at the ballot box.
That everyone living on Rikers Island should retain a voice in the democratic process should be welcomed by a society desperately seeking a solution to suffering caused by mass incarceration. Those harmed by the criminal justice system’s failings are exactly the people we must turn to now for help solving this crisis.
As partners in the #CLOSErikers campaign, we know that that those closest to the problem are closest to the solution. Your paper should be invested in upholding our democracy and more thoughtful in the way you describe our fellow New Yorkers. Justine M. Luongo, Legal Aid Society Glenn E. Martin, JustLeadershipUSA
Mort’s the man
Ossining, N.Y.: Thank you, Mort Zuckerman, for demonstrating to your readers the perils of a Trump presidency — and of Trump himself (“The intolerable Donald Trump,” Oct. 30). Yes, there are reservations about Hillary Clinton, but I, too, believe that she has the proper temperament to bring us together and work through the deep partisan divides this election has brought to the surface. I believe the U.S. will pull together in this time of need. The consequences are grave if we don’t. That’s the message opinion columns need to send. And you’ve done just that! I was quite impressed with your voice. Gary Montesano
What does Mort know?
Gibsonia, Pa.: Mort Zuckerman and every other gasbag “journalist” in America have done nothing but dump on Donald Trump for months. While I concede he is no Abe Lincoln, I can say with some pride he ain’t no Hillary Clinton. That is why I’m gonna vote for him. This election is not so much about voting for a candidate; it’s more about voting against a candidate. You must think that a self-aggrandizing, unprincipled, egomaniacal, loudmouthed, lying, dissembling, duplicitous, conniving, two-faced, bribe-accepting witch is the right choice for America. You’re wrong! You see, she really thinks the rules don’t apply to her or that lying adulterer she’s married to. So far, she’s right! But that will change if she loses the election. The very thought of her fat behind going to a federal penitentiary is heartwarming. So stop telling the American voter what to think or how to think. Keep your opinions to yourself. M. R. Boyd
Mort’s misguided
Wheaton, Md.: So Mort Zuckerman dislikes Donald Trump. Does he like Hillary Clinton better? Somehow, Trump’s means of making money and using the system to survive does not offend me as much as my elected officials using the offices I elected them to on their own behalf and forgetting about mine. Trump, a businessman, was rightfully out for himself — as a businessman, he was not pretending to be Mother Teresa. The Clintons, elected to take care of the people, took care of themselves. Get over yourself. Clare Dinnocenti
The Mort the merrier
Harrington Park, N.J.: I want to thank Mort Zuckerman for his column and the Daily News in general for leading the fight against fascist and misogynist Donald Trump. You all have nailed it, and I only hope the rest of the country is listening to New York’s (and Trump’s) Hometown Newspaper. Who knows him better? Marsha Boer
FBI gets it right
New Hyde Park, L.I.: Hillary Clinton got exactly what she deserved (“Fed mad bomber needs to resign,” editorial, Oct. 31). She is the only person responsible for the situation she finds herself in. She and her team destroyed 33,000 emails after a congressional subpoena, destroyed electronic devices with hammers, had laptop computers go missing and had everyone on her team either forget all facts associated with the case or plead the Fifth. Attorney General Loretta Lynch should come in and take over the investigation? What a joke! She was completely compromised the second she had a clandestine meeting with Bill Clinton for 40 minutes on the tarmac in Phoenix! The American people have the right to know. To withhold reopening a FBI investigation of one of the candidates until after an election is totally wrong. Anthony Garcia
Comey convenience
Great Neck, L.I.: How convenient that as soon as the Republican leadership in Congress states that they want to conduct numerous investigations of Hillary Clinton, FBI Director James Comey (a Republican) states in a cryptic letter that he is looking at “something” in “some emails” from “somewhere” in order to give them cover. I was considering the Republican running for Congress from my district, but I now see that all the GOP wants is to investigate rather than legislate. Thus, I will vote Democratic for Congress. Eliot Gonshorek
It’s personal
Brooklyn: I cannot stomach either Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton, but it’s alarming to see how The News is on a crusade against Trump and anything or anyone that might help him. Now it’s “Comey must go.” He was OK when he didn’t indict Hilary, wasn’t he? Maybe his hands were tied and he now wants to do a thorough job. What is apparent to me is that News Publisher Mort Zuckerman has a personal vendetta against Trump, probably from some past dealings. Or maybe Hillary promised to make Zuckerman an ambassador when she’s elected. Michael Massa
Weiner problem
Whitestone: Anthony Weiner is being blasted by people all over, believing him to be narcissistic, a pervert full of himself — and the list goes on and on! I certainly do not agree with the scandalous behavior of Weiner, but it also appears that he possibly cannot help himself! Issues of a mental nature may be the precipitating factor now happening to this sad individual, and possibly has been of long duration. We can empathize with Huma Abedin and others, while still hoping that Weiner’s problems will eventually be solved for the good of all! Lenore Brooks
Forgotten victims
Carmel, N.Y.: October is dedicated to victims of domestic violence: male, female, adult, child — all who suffer. Little recognition is given to the collateral victims, those law enforcement officers who are called to respond to these vicious crimes. Many are injured, some are killed. They and their families also become victims of domestic violence. The better terminology should be “social” violence. It is a cancer among us. Susan McCormack
Derailing perverts
Breezy Point: To Voicer Ibrahim Abdul-Matin: I actually got sick to my stomach (in addition to becoming enraged) after reading about your wife’s experience on the Q train. I don’t think a pack of monkeys would decide to pleasure themselves (you used another term, which I was surprised The News printed, but I’m glad they did) on a train in public. First of all, there should be a uniformed police officer on every train, regardless of the cost to the city. Deduct money from welfare moochers to pay for them if necessary. If I were in your shoes, I would take off from work if I had to, just to ride the train with my wife for a week or two. Throwing one of them in front of a train, or cutting his “thing” off, would get you thrown in jail, but I would drag one of them by it to the cops. John Carberry
Ashen tenor
Kearny, N.J.: On Saturday afternoon, the Metropolitan Opera House was evacuated because an audience member was seen sprinkling a suspicious substance into the orchestra pit during intermission. It turned out the substance was human remains. A witness heard the man say that he came to the opera house to honor his friend and mentor by spreading his ashes. He obviously was seen because he spread the ashes too “largo”; he should have been more “allegro”! Kevin Dale
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