MAYOR MIKE'S MISTAKE

November 30, 2006 -- Thank you for bringing clarity and fact to this tragic situation ("Mike's Excess," Bob McManus, PostOpinion, Nov. 29).

The rhetoric uttered by the usual suspects does nothing to address the real question of why this happened and where, if at all, did this operation go wrong.

We dedicate enormous resources toward enforcing our virtually unenforceable victimless crimes: gambling, prostitution, drugs and pornography.

As long as the community supports these activities with its patronage, it must also assume responsibility for outcomes and not make the police the scapegoat.

Frank Marousek
Cortlandt Manor

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Thank you for putting into proper perspective the difficult job our police officers face each day they go to work.

This is made even more difficult when Mayor Bloomberg caves in to political pressure from racial demagogues like Rev. Al Sharpton, Charles Barron and their cop-bashing supporters, and prejudges before all the facts are in.

Hopefully, the Queens district attorney has more backbone than Bloomberg and recognizes that public safety is best served when cops are not prejudged for split-second decisions when they believe their own lives are at risk. Their difficult jobs are made more difficult by Monday morning quarterbacks.

Jack Coughlin
Deer Park

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When you believe that your life is going to be taken, you react accordingly. Some officers fire, some run, some hide and some freeze.

Who is to say that these officers were wrong? Only those who were there and their peers can judge that.

I hope the same people who complained about the club will give this shooting a fair judgment.

Mike Campbell
Manhattan

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If Bloomberg has an opinion about what happens in New York City, he will offer it.

That's why he is respected by all New Yorkers, no matter what uniform they wear - because he speaks his mind.

Remember who turned this city around. The police department now has some work to do, and who better to do it than Bloomberg?

Stacey Saunders
Manhattan