Readers sound off on Hector LaSalle, composting bodies and bull riding

Bronx: While many are anxiously anticipating the confirmation of Justice Hector LaSalle as the New York State Court of Appeals’ first Hispanic chief judge, one might ask why it has taken so long.

Former Associate Judge Carmen Beauchamp Ciparick was supposed to be a shoo-in in 2009 after Chief Judge Judith Kaye retired, but she was sandbagged from consideration to clear the way for corrupt former state Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver’s inexperienced childhood pal Jonathan Lippman. With his unfit shill in place, Silver turned justice into a marketable political commodity. It was certainly no coincidence that he was eventually convicted of conducting a corrupt scheme that used the courts as a mechanism to enrich himself.

Janet DiFiore had the requisite legal experience to be chief judge, but she also had significant personal baggage and allowed herself to get dragged into the mud by bottom-feeding, lowlife court officer union boss Dennis “The Fat Man” Quirk.

The political activists who are attempting to thwart LaSalle’s confirmation are scared because he’s apolitical, unexploitable and all about the law. The woke, elitist law professors who are beating the anti-LaSalle drum are ideological academics who wouldn’t know a courtroom from a courtesan. Union bosses who oppose LaSalle’s confirmation should understand that their rights are better protected by judges who follow the law rather than those who are susceptible to political manipulation. LaSalle has an unparalleled judicial record and an impeccable reputation for decency, integrity and impartiality. The true administration of justice requires that all politics be left at the courthouse door. He should be confirmed without question, posthaste. Charles T. Compton

Briarwood: Re the new bill signed by Gov. Hochul: How exactly does one compost a body? Do we carry it along with the Christmas tree to a composting site? Maybe rent a wood chipper service? I guess a medical examiner would have to give the “all clear” first, otherwise it would be a great way to get rid of the evidence. Patricia Nuzzi

Brooklyn: I’m getting a little tired of Mayor Adams. More and more, he looks and sounds like an overgrown adolescent, a prissy sort of corner street hustler. Mercedes Ramos

Yonkers: I am not a huge fan of Mayor Adams but in his defense, he inherited from that former disaster of a Bill de Blasio administration the despicable condition this city has been in since de Blasio and company took over nine horrible years ago. Crime, poverty, homelessness, public urination with no penalties, squeegee extortionists, illegal immigration and ignorance of our homeless vets, just to mention a few issues — all in a quest for progressiveness. The fact that the former flubber has staff still employed by Adams who mock their mayor is a pathetic in-your-face gesture to New Yorkers regardless of party affiliation. They should be terminated immediately. De Blasio took a finely oiled city with some issues and turned it into one of the worst cities in the country with many issues, aided by the clowns who now ridicule Adams. Ralph A. Manente

Brooklyn: Curtis Sliwa, a self-proclaimed feline-lover, is an alleged animal hoarder. He is proposing the release of a feral colony in Mayor Adams’ neighborhood to rid it of rats. Who is going to take care of the colony? Are they spayed/neutered and do they have their vaccines? Does he realize the cats can get seriously ill, possibly fatally, if they are bit or try to eat the rats? The rodents will be deterred by the scent of the cats, but is it worth the risk to the innocent cats? You will have a better shot by releasing hawks or eagles, their natural predators. Once again, Curtis, think before you speak! Susan A. Cassano

Brooklyn: We recycle bottles for 5 cents each. The same should apply to rats — either 5 cents each or per pound to turn in dead rats to a Department of Sanitation station. A community effort or a citywide effort is what’s needed to get the rats under control. Lisa DeSantis

Tuckahoe, N.Y.: Thank you for calling for a much-needed investigation of MSG’s Jim Dolan (”That’s the ticket,” editorial, Jan. 2). He should also be investigated for continuing to host bullriding, a blatant cruelty fest that has been banned, along with its torture devices, in some states, cities and local venues. “Farm animals” have little protection under the law as it is. The bulls are permitted to be stuffed into overcrowded trailers for as long as 24 hours without food and water. Electric prods are used to make otherwise peaceful animals appear wild, while implements like the flank strap cause the bull’s hind leg-bucking to be more violent. And those spurs we’re used to seeing ain’t just for show. This frantic bucking can lead to back and leg injuries. Purveyors don’t have to disclose injuries, and the penalties for violating regulations are too weak to deter abuse. This is not Americana, it’s a barbaric, sadistic throwback to less humane times. Kiley Blackman

Queens Village: To Voicer Judith McShea regarding “Pooch Café”: It amazes me that every time a comic strip goes on vacation, the order of the comic strip changes, as if being on top of the page determines the popularity of the strip. It does not! When “Red & Rover” comes back, it will once again go to its rightful place in the order of the Daily News funnies. Nothing against the comic strip itself. For me, I like the position of the “Mutts” cartoon because I also like the Daily News “Jumble,” as they’re side-by-side. The best of two worlds! Joan Silaco

Brooklyn: What’s happening in Congress as far as choosing the speaker of the House just goes to show that those people are only interested in their own selfish agendas and do not really care about working for the people who elected them. Louise Veneroni

Greenburgh, N.Y.: A suggestion for Congressmen Kevin McCarthy and Hakeem Jeffries: Moderate Democrats and Republicans should join forces to prevent the nuts in Congress from hijacking our country and creating gridlock and chaos. They should agree to rotate the speakership every other month — one month McCarthy would be speaker, the next month it would be Jeffries. They could turn the national embarrassment into a win for America — a bipartisan government where everyone is working together. Paul Feiner

Staten Island: There was never this kind of confusion when George Santos was speaker. Victor R. Stanwick

Brooklyn: Au contraire, Voicer Robert McCrie, the headline on Wednesday’s paper (“It’s the GOP s**t show, starring… the liar and the loser”) was spot-on. George Santos is a liar and Kevin McCarthy is a loser. What’s the matter, the truth hurts? June Lowe

Manhattan: I have to respectfully disagree with Voicer Robert McCrie.Wednesday’s front page is one of the reasons I love the Daily News! Couldn’t have said it better myself! Joie Anderson

Pleasantville, N.Y.: As a native of Israel, I am appalled by both letters from Voicer Nick Smith. In his first letter, he mentions Jewish terrorist groups but forgets the fact that they were fringe organizations whose actions were never condoned by their own people. Meanwhile, terrorist attacks carried out by Arab Muslims past and present have always been condoned by their people and they are even seen as martyrs for what they do. His other letter tries to compare what’s going on there with Russia and Ukraine, but he forgets the fact that Ukraine is a sovereign nation, unlike Palestine. Also, I have never heard of any Ukrainians using terrorist attacks against Russians or even calling for their deaths, while that is the case for the Palestinians against Israelis. I suggest looking at the full story and understanding why Israel does what it has to when it comes to fighting terrorism rather than just focusing on the effects. Tal Barzilai