Sanction North Korea to shreds

Santa Fe, N.M.: I can only hope that the retribution for the egregious death of Otto Warmbier is swift and sure. This horrible tragedy resulted from no more than a college prank, leading to the death of a vibrant, loving and intelligent young man. I can only imagine the suffering endured by his family and was brought to tears by their description of the peace that had come over his face, even in a coma, as he realized that at last he was at home.

As a nation, we really need to put the screws to North Korea with every imaginable sanction, worthy of how you would treat a bunch of psychotic despots at the head of any government. In the meantime, we in New Mexico send our prayers and our deepest condolences to his grieving family. Stephen Fox Chandler, Ariz.: I want to send my condolences to Otto Warmbier’s parents, having followed his story only since I became aware of his transport home last week in a coma. My heart breaks for them, and I remain sad about another American civilian who lost her life in Asia, Kayla Mueller. Both sets of parents were kept wondering what had become of their adult child after being captured.

It makes one wonder what could have been done by the American government at the time of their capture. Kayla’s parents here in Arizona and Otto’s parents in Ohio were supposedly advised not to interfere with supposed attempts to free their loved one. Were there really any attempts made by the Obama administration to secure a safe return? Neither of these young adults were returned safely.

Anyone with a child or loved one in foreign countries, in any position, must be vigilant in prayer and reconsideration of how safe they are.

JoAnn Street

Kim Jong Deux

Manhattan: What the hell does President Trump have to do to get impeached? Join the North Korean army. Al Pollock

Two faces of evil

Brooklyn: Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump are two of a kind. They lie to get what they want, and they are bullies who pick on and hurt people who can’t fend for themselves.

Charles R. Clouden

Table game

Brooklyn: What a sickening sight to see all those sycophants sucking up to President Trump during his cabinet meeting. How humiliating. Have they no shame?

Nancy D. Bennett

Eenie meenie

Katonah, N.Y.: Hmm, whom to believe, James Comey or Donald Trump? Tough choice. A man of integrity or a known fabricator of the truth. But it’s not Trump’s fault. Lying is in his genes. He lies instinctively, reflexively and habitually. So he’ll face no moral or ethical dilemma and have no compunction about not lying under oath before a Senate committee. The man has no moral compass. I didn’t say anything that isn’t true — unlike him.

Gregg Cunningham

How convenient

Troy, N.Y.: Another pass for Barack Obama! He now breaks 49ers receiver Jerry Rice’s alltime record. While Hillary Clinton was under FBI investigation for classified emails, Obama’s Attorney General Loretta Lynch had a 30- to 40-minute private talk in her plane with Bill Clinton. Lynch instructed then-FBI Director James Comey not to use the word “investigation.” Use “matter.” M.F. Visk

Bill Clinton hit snooze

Somers, N.Y.: Alex Jones has made the headlines for his conspiracy theories, in particular about 9/11. Here’s one that is really not a conspiracy theory. What caused 9/11? Bill Clinton. After 9/11 and the U.S. retaliation, Osama Bin Laden was quoted saying, “I didn’t think the U.S. would react as they did.” Rewind back to 1993 and he World Trade Center truck bombing by terrorists. What was Clinton’s response? He called the cops and then hid under the bed.

Alfred D’Alessandro

Dems the pits

Middletown, N.Y.: Once again, Democratic women did not disappoint the American people. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand dropped the F-word twice and Rep. Maxine Waters screamed for President Trump’s impeachment instead of concentrating on black youth crime, unemployment and education. It’s a disgrace what is happening in this country. Make no mistake: it will continue. The goal of all Democrats is not advancing the people and our safety; it’s about their power and ending Trump’s agenda. Unless America says “enough,” nothing will get accomplished.

Maureen McGuigan

Dead and buried

Brooklyn: To Voicer Allen West: While I agree with much of what you wrote, one part is way off base and heartless. You said: “There are around 33,000 deaths by gun each year. However, suicides make up about 22,000 and about 500 are accidental shootings. That leaves only about 11,200 homicides by guns each year.” Only 11,200 homicides? How would you feel if one of those 11,200 people was a relative or friend of yours? The 11,200 dead had families and friends, I’m sure. Think before you write something so unfeeling and stupid.

Jim Nelson

Star power

Brooklyn: It’s really enjoyable to see a budding superstar in New York without all the baggage.

Jim Mooney

What goes up

Manhattan: District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. was in the news recently as an outspoken critic of efforts to reform the law governing gravity knives. Can somebody tell Vance that all knives are gravity knives? Justin White

For whom the toll tolls

Staten Island: Do you realize that if we go back to two people in a car on the HOV lane and a twoway toll for the Verrazano Bridge, the traffic on the Staten Island Expressway would be great, because all the trucks would be gone and there would be more people traveling in the HOV lane? That would make traveling much better for all.Grace Lutrario

War on home front

Brooklyn: Memo to Mayor de Blasio: I’m writing for all homeowners, not just the senior citizens and World War II vets like myself who are on a fixed income. We’ve received our property tax information. Thank you for your City Council members’ pay increase. Thank you for your terrible work on schools and above all public housing. I am white and wanted to visit my friend who had come home from the hospital. He is black, was a U.S. Marine and lives in the Marlboro Houses. He told me not to come because it’s too dangerous to visit. Maybe he was right: The next day someone was shot and killed in his building. Now he can’t go out because there are no facilities for an electric wheelchair. Thanks, mayor.

Salvatore J. Polichetti

Support our vets

Oakland Gardens: What a disgrace! Everyone was confident that after the Senate voted 100-0 to confirm David Schulkin to head the Department of Veterans Affairs, our vets had finally been blessed that the right man had been chosen. Hopes were high that his intentions to expand the “Choice” program that allows vets to access care in the private sector when the wait for care at VA facilities is more than 30 days or they have to travel more than 40 miles, would finally grant them another option. Unfortunately, all hopes were dashed when he told Congress he plans to end the Choice program. Both Sens. Bernie Sanders and Patty Murray vowed to fight any programs that placed vets in civilian medical care. Hypocrites! It’s time to flood Washington with calls to make leaders aware of their duty to do the right thing.

Thomas and Constance Dowd

Bilingual boondoggle

Brooklyn: Herman Badillo set up a program for children who spoke other languages to learn English. It was supposed to last for two years. Now children have this program starting in first grade and it still continues in high school. Why? It’s a waste of money. Why not open programs at night where parents can learn English?

Josephine Costa

No-go Mets

KYODO/REUTERS Bronx: To all those die-hard idiotic Mets fans: Give it up already. Your team is garbage. Two championships in 54 years — that is quite an accomplishment. On the other side, the Yankees are so far superior to the clown Mets, it isn’t fair. The Mets can only dream they would be as good as the Yankees. The Yankees have more talent in their toenails than the Mets have in their entire bodies. Mets fans, go away!

Leo Barta