“Judge” Ragazzo probably never expected to become even better known than President Biden’s Supreme Court appointee, Judge Jackson. But hopefully, she’s on her way.
Dear Mr Mungeer and team:
After picking myself off the floor, I shared the story about “Judge” Ragazzo with Rick Burgess, host of “Rick and Bubba” the most popular morning talk show in Alabama. I also shared it with Geraldo Rivera, who now hosts a morning radio show in Cleveland (yes, Geraldo in Cleveland).
Here’s my e-mail to Rick Burgess. You might want to call him some morning at 866-WE-BE-BIG. You could even say Jim from New York suggested you call.
More CRAZINESS from New York…
Rick: A student who punched a trooper after being arrested for multiple driving violations was released without bail so he would not miss an exam the next day. The subject of the exam? Criminal justice!
Sincerely, James Vespe, Mamaroneck
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Letter to the Editor:
I read with great interest your story about a possible “comeback” candidacy of former Governor Andrew Cuomo this fall (March 25, 2022 edition of Westchester Rising).
Mr. Murphy’s article hit several nails on the head about a potential Cuomo candidacy. Despite Andrew Cuomo’s recent barrage of television ads, I agree that it is too late for him to gather petitions to run in the June 28th Democratic Party Primary.
However, there is certainly enough time for him to get a sufficient number of signatures to appear as the nominee of a yet-to-be formed and unnamed third party. I do not believe that he would have any difficulty finding someone
of stature to serve as the Lt. Governor nominee, nor funding a third-party effort.
It should be noted that Andrew Cuomo has $ 16 million available for a campaign; moreover, approximately 3.5 million registered New York voters, or 27%, are not registered in a political party. Registered Democrats account for only 49% of all registered voters; the GOP has 2.8 million registered voters, or 22% of total enrollment. Thus, potentially there are many New Yorkers who might be open to an independent candidacy.
In addition to Libertarian Party candidate Larry Sharpe, the Working Families Party (WFP) recently nominated New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams as its candidate; the Green Party could also be expected to field a candidate as well (GP received 104,000 votes on its line in 2018).
There is a strong likelihood of a five- or even 6 candidate race for Governor, where a successful candidate could win with 35 or 40 percent of the vote. Former U.S. Senator (now retired senior federal judge) James Buckley was elected on the Conservative Party line to the U.S. Senate with 37% of the vote in 1970. Independent candidates for governor and U.S. Senator have been successful in third party bids in states such as Maine, Vermont, Minnesota and Connecticut; U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders being the most recent and prominent example.
The probable effect of a Cuomo candidacy would be to siphon enough votes away from Governor Hochul to elect the GOP nominee. What should also be kept in mind that if Andrew Cuomo were to come in second, his new party would not only have official ballot status, but also be entitled to equal representation on all county and local election boards as well as the patronage that comes with it such as election commissioners, etc.
Under this scenario, Andrew Cuomo could conceivably hold the balance of power in New York politics for the near future. As in most things in life, time will tell.
Stephen R. Rolandi, Larchmont. (The writer is an adjunct professor of public administration and formerly served in the administrations of New York City Mayors Rudy Giuliani and Michael Bloomberg. An Independent Republican, he was National Vice President and Treasurer of the Ripon Society and was a delegate to the 2022 Principles First Summit last month in Washington, DC.)
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Opinion about YouTube video of Anti-Asian Attack in Yonkers Taken Down
I truly believe that only by seeing the vicious and cowardly attack upon this defenseless woman can moral outrage be ignited. This unfortunate woman was bothering no one. She was just trying to live her life when this piss poor excuse for a human being, a feral subhuman, viciously attacks her. Even though he is obviously bigger and stronger than his frail, petite victim this vile parasite attacks her from the back, giving her no chance whatsoever to defend herself as she is repeatedly and brutally beaten. Let there be no apologists for this appalling barbarism, this brutal assault upon public safety, the bedrock foundation of civilization. To defeat hatred you must see it and look into its eyes to realize its insatiable evil. By watching this video, in the words of Tennessee Williams, “Mankind has its fingertips pressed to the fiery braille of reality.” Taking the video down deprives society of a crucial learning experience, the lessons learned when our focused awareness is pressed onto the fiery braille of reality.
Jerry Longarzo, Yonkers
I just read the article on YouTube taking down a recent beating in Yonkers, because it “violates our violent or graphic content policy.” I agree with the YPD and view it as censorship which is so prevalent in our society today. I think something like this video, although shocking and upsetting, educates the public as to what people are capable of doing to each other, and that in our country people who commit such crimes deserve punishment in our courts of law.
Thank you!
Catherine Smith (life time Yonkers resident)
