With legal pot, how about inmates?

Malone, N.Y.: I am currently an inmate in a New York State prison, serving a term of five years plus three years of post-release supervision (eight years total) for possessing 20 pounds of marijuana. I was sentenced in January 2019. This is a harsh sentence because it falls on the eve of recreational marijuana legalization in New York, one of a number of states experiencing a paradigm shift with the now more socially accepted use of marijuana, its byproducts, and its medicinal values. New York legislators are now in session with marijuana legislation at the top of their agenda. So, if, and when, marijuana becomes legal, what happens to individuals such as myself?

It costs the state roughly $40,000 a year per inmate, not including post-release supervision, to accommodate nonviolent felons. When the state controller’s office reviews the millions of dollars allocated for non-violent inmates, how can any sort of fiscal responsibility be justified? How much of the projected millions of dollars in revenue realized from the taxation of recreational marijuana sales will be used to incarcerate non-violent felons?

Seems counterproductive if you ask me. But who am? Just some inmate I guess!

One thing is clear

Manhattan: Bob Mueller carefully presented his views and each side has chosen its own interpretation of his comments. For the Republicans, the consensus is that it is now a closed situation. For the Democrats, increased calls for impeachment. Reduced to the bare facts is the conclusion that Russia did interfere with the election, and it is up to Congress and our judicial system to make sure it never occurs again.

Civics lesson

Brooklyn: I am 64, and I never heard Richard Nixon or Bill Clinton accuse Leon Jaworski or Ken Starr, respectively, of “treason” for investigating them. And yet, President Trump thinks Jim Comey and others are guilty of treason for investigating him. Article III, Section 3 of the Constitution states: “Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort.” Trump says he likes to nominate judges who will “strictly” interpret the Constitution. Mr. President, have you ever read the Constitution you took an oath “to preserve and protect”? Apparently not.

Trump’s in town

Staten Island: Trump’s denial at a press conference recently in Tokyo that Kim Jong Un’s North Korean government fired any test missiles off in violation of international treaties can mean only one thing: Our clown boy president is angling to open up a hotel in Pyongyang.

Common ground

Rockaway Beach: Donald Trump says he is “the most transparent president, probably in the history of the country.” For once, I agree with him. You can see right through him.

Where is the love?

Manhattan: I just don’t understand all this hate. These past six months I have read about so much hate — Hasidic Jews being attacked just because they are Jewish, Muslims being assaulted. It’s all wrong. Haven’t we learned anything from our past? When the Irish first came, or the Italians, or even the Germans, people assaulted and belittled them. This has got to stop. We are Americans. This shouldn’t happen in our country. They don’t learn this hate in school. I am convinced they learn this in their homes. Parents have to teach these kids tolerance for everyone. My sainted mother used to tell us “No one tapped you on the shoulder and asked to whom you would like to be born to.” These people have to be caught and held accountable.

Say no to Cuomo

Manhattan: A fourth term for Gov. Cuomo? No, absolutely not! He has done nothing to stop the MTA from raising fares and he just implemented a plastic bag fee on us. It’s bad enough Mike Bloomberg pushed to run for a third term as mayor, but Cuomo’s pushing for a fourth? There will still be no improvements under his laws and, the scarier part is, New Yorkers who have been too much in the comfort zone might vote for him for a fourth term. When will this city ever vote for someone honest for a change?

Mind the gap

Ridgewood: To Voicer Felix Baez: I empathize with you. I have been told by a retired transit employee that buses and trains will wait if they’re ahead of schedule. They can get in trouble, as it can be seen like a bus is skipping stops for example. So we have to wait and risk being behind since they’re ahead of schedule. I was on a bus that was at a bus stop for five minutes since they were ahead of schedule. Just once I’d like for the MTA to consider us to be on time. We have schedules to follow too.

The ‘h’ word

Brooklyn: I really enjoyed watching ABC’s live version of “All in the Family” and “The Jeffersons” last week. However could someone explain, intelligently, why the n-word was bleeped out yet “honky” remained in the script? Does sensitivity only go one way these days? I understand the marginalization of an entire race, and why the n-word is inappropriate, however an insult is an insult regardless of the level of impact. In this age of extreme political correctness, sensitivity needs to be shown to everyone.

Family ties

Old Bridge, N.J.: Are Chris Johnson of the Jets and James Dolan of the Knicks related to each other in some way?

Dark humor

Manhattan: If Voicer Mary Stewart thought that the Irish Potato Famine board game on the “The Neighborhood” was “sick,” she should use her Google Machine to check out Jonathan Swift’s “A Modest Proposal” from 1729!

Misplaced logic

Lindenhurst, L.I.: The business community is exercised about the possibility that the new underwater natural gas pipeline won’t be approved (“Approve this natural gas pipeline,” Op-Ed, May 29). One argument is that cleaner gas will save us from the evils of burning oil. But natural gas, obtained through fracking, gives off methane, a more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide. The writers call on us to wait until renewable energy becomes available. How will we get renewable energy without current investment in an all-renewable grid, in solar rooftops, geothermal heating and offshore wind? That’s where the jobs will be, and where the money should go.

Punish them

ISTOCK Floral Park, L.I.: The animal who beat up the Lyft driver caught on video cam should get at least 25 years in prison. We need to have judges tough on crime to stop this type of behavior. Massapequa Park, L.I.: Way to go, Alex Trebek. Miracles happen all the time, and you’re one of them. I’m also a survivor of cancer and I know that feeling. Thanks be to God.