Thanks for your excellent editorial (“Balance for the Court,” Editorial, Nov. 11).
With the untimely passing of Judge Theodore Jones and the imminent retirement of Judge Carmen Beauchamp Ciparick, Gov. Cuomo has the opportunity to restore integrity to the Court of Appeals, which was severely compromised in 2009 when Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver’s inept and unfit childhood crony, Jonathan Lippman, was appointed as the chief judge.
The true administration of justice is the cornerstone of our democracy, which is best accomplished by erudite, tenured and diverse jurists, and not by a political hack masquerading as one.
New York deserves the best. Gov. Cuomo is on the clock.
Charles Compton, The Bronx
Ride the GOP train
The sad state of New York is becoming perilously close to the old Soviet Union, in that one-party rule rules the roost (“Mayoral Buzz for Lhota” Editorial, Nov. 12).
The New York Republican Party isn’t much of a party. Indeed, it’s teetering on irrelevancy.
MTA Chairman Joe Lhota has almost performed magic in restoring the waterlogged transportation system.
He has shown himself to be a first-rate leader.
Boy, does the Republican Party in New York need a leader, and so does the state.
Gary Schwartz, Fort Lee
One and the same
Rich-bashing is no less bigoted than any other form of discrimination (“Blaming Park Ave.: Ch. 13’s Rich-Bash,” Ira Stoll, PostOpinion, Nov. 10).
All bigotry disregards the character of the individuals who are being insulted and focuses instead on facts that are irrelevant to how they conduct themselves or what they choose to do.
Tibor Machan, Orange, Calif.
Elmo’s battle
A disturbed young man lied about sexual abuse, and a respected gay man’s photo was plastered all over the press as an accused predator (“‘Elmo’ Kid’s Fuzzy Past,” Nov. 15).
With great courage and determination, Kevin Clash took a leave from his job as the voice of Sesame Street’s beloved Elmo to defend his innocence and integrity. Thankfully, the truth prevailed, and Clash has been exonerated, though the experience has surely left him deeply scarred.
The accuser tried to ruin an innocent’s man’s life, perhaps for monetary compensation, and he should now pay the consequences for his false charges.
Laurence Mitchell, Manhattan
Two-term duds
Victor Davis Hanson’s speculation about second-term debacles is nothing more than a sop to defeated and demoralized Republicans (“The Second-Term Curse Strikes,” PostOpinion, Nov. 15).
Among presidents who have suffered second-term scandals, only Richard Nixon and George W. Bush were actually hurt by the supposed shaming effects.
This is because the media came at them from all sides.
If anyone thinks Chris Matthews & Co. will move against President Obama, I have a time-share in North Africa you might be interested in.
Even if the MTV generation could be persuaded that Benghazi even mattered, Obama can always stall until another killer storm arrives. Then he can go for a walk with New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and the problem’s solved.
Keith Gordon, Milton, Del.