Kids' threats, DWI, college debts and voting

Judges must handle kids' threats smartly

As a parent of a teacher in the Westbury school district and a longtime resident of Westbury, I am outraged that a judge would not only release a student who made a serious threat to our high school but did so with no bail [“Arrest in Westbury threat,” News, June 2].

Not releasing the individual would prevent him from buying firearms, and he would have to cooperate in a psychological evaluation. Released on bail, he should be electronically monitored but stopped from attending school until he was evaluated and recommended to attend.

The judge believes this student should be returned to a school even though he just made threats to shoot one up? Really? Does the judge not realize this person can obtain a gun illegally? Does the judge believe the student will make himself available for evaluation? I find the judge's orders absurd. Many people speak about mental health as a concern along with gun control, and I agree. How about judges also taking responsibility and harshly penalizing those who attempt -- and in many cases succeed -- in hurting or murdering our children and teachers.

Paul A. Giordano, Westbury

DWI solutions aren't easy to come by

A reader offered simplistic solutions to end the scourge of DWI incidents “If convicted of DWI, lose license forever,” Letters, June 2]. As a former drivers education teacher for more than 30 years, I have discussed this issue many times in class.

Taking away drivers’ licenses from those who already do not follow the law doesn’t work. They drive anyway. How would we stop them? We read about many unlicensed drivers being apprehended, and those are only the ones who get caught. Ask any police officer.

Lifetime revocation, if it worked, would also bring undue financial hardship to the offender’s family as collateral damage. Maintaining a job to support one’s family would likely become problematic.

Taking cars away usually doesn’t work. Many drive other cars, sometimes ones that don’t even belong to them.

Jail? They’re pretty full and pretty expensive. Do they successfully rehabilitate these offenders?

I know the problem but not the answer. I just know that what we’re doing now isn’t working very well.

Paul Pepe, Massapequa

Debt? Ask colleges to give students refunds

If President Joe Biden wants to forgive student debt, he should have these overfunded and rich colleges give students a refund for selling them degrees many will be unable to use to get a job ["Alternatives for student debt," Letters, May 31]. Why should the taxpayer underwrite these students while colleges continue to profit on our dime? Take the problem back to its root.

Frank Grunseich, Deer Park

For democracy, voting not a big sacrifice

Ukrainians are fighting and losing their lives to keep their democracy [“West to send Ukraine more, better weapons,” News, June 2]. With our democracy at stake, all we have to do is go to the polls and vote for candidates who support democracy. It's not much of a sacrifice.

Gail Blair, Ridge

Three billionaires spend $55 million each to joyride in space to the International Space Station while women and children are getting slaughtered in Ukraine. How do these individuals look at themselves in the mirror? Why not pool their collective space funds and build a hospital, or a school in a needy area, or maybe pay to drill new water wells for people with no access to clean water. The ego of people who post pictures on social media of their “Trip to the Stars“ while people are barely recovering from the economic loss from the COVID-19 pandemic is disturbing.

James Fitzpatrick, Kings Park

Rosy picture of unity is only a pipe dream

Steve Israel displayed an unrealistic assessment that the recent redistricting will promote centrist thinking ["Bad for Democrats, good for the country," Opinion, May 27]. Since President Joe Biden's election, the goings-on in Washington, a town that Israel has intimate knowledge of, are more than enough to belie such thoughts. We are a seriously divided country along many lines and, unfortunately, these divisions are growing wider every day.

Richard M. Frauenglass, Huntington

Shift from fossil fuels to wind is a win

The main takeaway from "Taking offshore wind power to the grid" [Opinion, May 23] is hurray! Finally, we’re assuming, not debating, wind power. How best to harness it, not whether we’re going to avail ourselves of its enormous power to shift us from dangerous fossil fuels. This fresh breath of air is the best climate news out there.

Rebecca Marks, Merrick