Two blue teams mourn a hero
Hackensack, N.J.: This week the New York Rangers lost one of their most cherished icons. No, he never laced up a pair of skates or wore the blue shirt in an NHL game, but his legacy will forever be etched into the history of this prestigious franchise. The passing of Detective Steven McDonald has left an empty place, which may never be filled, in our Rangers family’s heart. Forget, just for a moment, Brian Leetch and Mark Messier and even Eddie Giacomin — McDonald was one of the bravest, toughest, selfless heroes to ever grace the Garden ice.
The Rangers have always been a class organization, and I recommend that the Madison Square Garden management also show some class and compassion. It should honor Detective McDonald by placing his NYPD badge number and name on a banner, and hang it high in the MSG rafters among the legends from the Knicks and the Rangers. A fitting tribute to a great man who made you proud to be a Rangers fan. RIP, Steven. Carl Sartori to pull their children out from the middle of school terms, while he insists that his wife and child stay in the city to avoid any such inconvenience. Such a double standard. Sad. Forest Hills: Voicer Michael Pravica claims there is no evidence that Russia was involved in influencing the U.S. election. So all of our combined intelligence agencies who have risked and at times given their lives in service of this country are not as reliable a source as Donald Trump or Vladimir Putin? Yonkers: As a former Parole Board chairman appointed during the Pataki administration, I met with Judith Clark on several occasions. As a parole commissioner, I interviewed thousands of inmates, and I can say without hesitation that no one is more suitable for release than Clark. She is totally remorseful for her actions of 35 years ago, sincerely regrets her decision to participate in that terrible crime and mourns for those who lost their lives and for their families. She has turned her life around and dedicated herself to helping other inmates do the same. She will only benefit society as she has done for others in prison. I applaud the courage and compassion shown by Gov. Cuomo and urge the Parole Board to follow his example. Greenwood Lake, N.Y.: Gov. Cuomo, of all the people in our prison system who deserve clemency, Judith Clark should be at the bottom of the list. The donations you received after the Kiryas Joel veto, in which you ignored the rest of the residents and local politicians’ concerns, leave me asking the big question: How much did you get this time? Staten Island: Urban terrorist Judith Clark deserves to serve her full prison sentence. Gov. Cuomo cites her two college degrees; her tutoring of prisoners and her remarkable transformation as reasons to commute her sentence. Moreover, he says when he met her he got a sense of her honest soul. Gee, that sounds just like former President George W. Bush, who looked into Vladimir Putin’s eyes and saw an honest soul. Clark snuffed out three decent lives and ripped their families apart. So what if she became a goody two shoes in prison. Sure, she got an education. Sure, she might have helped other prisoners, if that is true. She can cite those attributes when she meets her Maker. Those three men whose lives were cut short by Clark didn’t get their chance to bloom and show their “honest souls.” Easton, Conn.: I grew up in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn (“A oui bit Andrew Theodorakis rude,” Jan. 1). I have been to Paris many times. Jeannette Settembre’s ignorance speaks for itself. Big deal she can say “hello” and “thank you” in French. Imagine being a foreigner visiting New York and asking any waiter to translate the menu and prices for you. Better yet, walk into Macy’s or Bloomingdale’s and speak French (or anything besides English!) and see what happens. You are visiting a foreign country expecting to be accommodated in your home language. Typical spoiled American. Do yourself a favor — stay home and visit Florida. No wonder we are shunned abroad. Paris: So sorry my French fellow citizens Jeannette Settembre met during her visit in Paris were not up to the task to host correctly our American friends. I always hate when I read about bad manners and attitude issues from the French in general and Parisians specifically. One day, I helped out a couple of Australian backpackers who were struggling to find their hotel. I showed them on my phone the location and even called the place to make sure their booking was OK. After I did that, the grateful Australians asked if I was really French since they assumed no French would have taken the time to help them nor be able to speak English! Next time, I hope you’ll cross the path of nice Parisians. There are a few, I can assure you. Bonne année to you!