Senator Schumer should be commended for admitting to our failed policy viz-a-viz the former Soviet Union [New York, “Schumer Is Criticized By Prague, Poles, Romanians,” June 6, 2008.]

It was difficult, considering how much President Clinton, along with other American policies, had to do with that failure. As we spoke reconciliation, we, with our NATO allies in Europe, were only busy isolating Russia.

Now we have a huge problem, and Mr. Schumer is clearly searching for a way out.

DEBORAH FREEMAN
New York, N.Y.

‘Staten Island Weighs Replacement for Fossella’

The New York Sun should urge Alicia Colon to run for this seat and mount a major campaign to see that she is elected [New York, “Staten Island Weighs Replacement for Fossella,” June 6, 2008].

She would soon become a major breathe of fresh air on many issues facing our great — but formerly greater — nation in the Congress.

MILTON MITZNER
Great Neck, N.Y.

‘Correction Department’s Heat Orders Are Under Fire’

A humorous story lead is fine, unless the humor gets in the way of the story’s accuracy. Such was the case in the Wednesday edition of the Sun [New York, “Correction Department’s Heat Orders Are Under Fire,” June 19, 2008].

Your report fortunately did indicate that the ruling of the Federal District Court Judge, Harold Baer, noted that the Department has made progress in its care of “temperature sensitive” inmates held in New York City’s jails.

However, a more serious approach and a closer reading of the ruling would have informed Sun readers that: given “strides toward substantial compliance” that the Department has made in ensuring that heat sensitive inmates be properly tracked and cared for, the Court expressed hope that the long-standing court orders could be lifted after this summer; a request was denied that the Department be fined for lack of complete compliance; the Court’s oversight office had incorrectly calculated the number of inmates who require special handling in high temperatures; perfect compliance would not be necessary for the Court’s orders to be lifted.

A final observation: Had the Sun contacted the Department of Correction, we would have explained to the public that the problem stems in part from the lack of air conditioning in aging jail facilities on Rikers Island — another reason we have launched an effort to re-open or build new, modern jails in Brooklyn and the Bronx.

STEPHEN MORELLO
Deputy Commissioner Department of Correction
New York, N.Y.