Though never a fan of either Rod Blagojevich or Jesse Jackson Jr., I find the gross disparity of their jail sentences to be proof that the judicial system and fairness in sentencing is severely flawed. Further, gun-toting gangbangers and thugs seem to get a slap on the wrist as compared with the 14 years imposed on Blagojevich. Judge James Zagel has shown himself to be a cold heartless judge in light of his lack of compassion for the Blagojevich family.
Mike Koskiewicz, Portage Park
SEND LETTERS TO: letters@suntimes.com. Please include your neighborhood or hometown and a phone number for verification purposes.
A judge’s mistake
Perhaps it is time for someone to consider whether Judge James Zagel is still fit to be on the bench trying cases. In resentencing former Gov. Rod Blagojevich to the same prison term as he did before, he is in effect saying that the five charges whose convictions were overturned had no effect on his prison sentence.
Apparently the governor was convicted of crimes for which he was not punished. If this true Judge Zagel made a mistake then. If this is not true, that the five counts were considered in the sentence, then the judge is wrong now and the term of imprisonment should be reduced by the time attributable to those five counts.
On the other hand, the judge might very well be saying that his sentence was too short for the remaining counts. If that is the case, he was wrong when he made the original sentence. In short, whatever the judge did he was wrong. Perhaps, and this is only speculation, his ego is preventing him from seeing it.
On a side issue, Judge Zagel has said, and this is not a direct quote, the part of the severity of the sentence was to encourage others not to commit similar offenses. This may very well be legal but I question whether it is right. It seems to me that the governor is being punished for the crimes that other people may commit in the future.
Edward Levy, Homewood
Why does Trump need explaining?
Why is it always necessary for someone to explain what Donald Trump meant whenever he makes a stupid statement like the one today when he referenced the Second Amendment. Why did Rudy Guiliani find it so necessary to explain what Trump meant? If, God forbid, Trump does win the election, who’s going to explain his gaffes each and every day?
Edwina Jackson, Longwood Manor
Dedication is needed
It’s imperative for every employee who works at the Chicago Animal Care and Control Department to be a highly qualified, experienced, refined and dedicated animal expert and advocate. Dogs and cats are America’s and Chicago’s favorite companion animals and they deserve to be compassionately and professionally treated with the utmost respect.
On a related note the Cook County Animal Care Department is another major disappointment that does not even have a shelter for canines and felines in dire need of help.
Brien Comerford, Glenview
