10 March: mourning the death of Lexington, St Pat's dog and bemoaning the evil in our midst

All dogs go to heaven — especially this one

Closter, NJ: Re "St Pat's dog goes to heaven" (7 March): Lexington, can rest in peace. I love you, and you will always be in my heart. Amy Bezer

Not in my back yard? Could be

Whitestone: a cache of weapons was found in a house in Woodmere, L.I., and all the neighbors said things like that don't happen in neighborhoods like them. When was brutally murdered little Leiby Kletzky, reactions were the same — one of their own could not do a monstrous thing. We are by nature likely to ignore signals that something is a bit off because we are willing to suspect of people who seem to be just like us. It's time to step away from that false sense of security and face the fact that crime happens everywhere, evil can be found everywhere and it is not always that cause problems. If we all accept this fact and became a little more cautious, attentive and willing to speak, everyone would be much safer. Carolyn Bunkley

Missed opportunity

Manchester, N.J.: I agree with Voicer Mike Campisi about all attacks that caused Muslim extremists. Many of them occurred when Bill Clinton was President, and nothing was done. Maybe if we had stopped them, then we would be in the mess we are now. Carol Cavanaugh

On guard

Morganville, N.J.: Voicer Mike Campisi, I say, amen! Unfortunately, the good suffer for evil. Not all Muslims are extremists, but we must be vigilant. Debbie Jordan

The Jersey I connection

Middle Village: If the Governor of New Jersey Chris Christie tries to stop the New York City police from spying on Muslims in his State, perhaps the families of the victims of the attacks of 9/11 and the 1993 Trade Center should sue the State of New Jersey for not doing his job with law enforcement. Most of the terrorists came from New Jersey. Do your job in New Jersey, and NYPD won't have to do it for you! Steven Diaz

Connecting Jersey II

Little Egg Harbor, N.J.: we love Chris Christie the Governor of the State of the garden, but his views on efforts to protect us all NYPD by terrorists are misguided. The terrorists of 9/11 that took down the twin towers had driver's licenses in New Jersey, and that is how they got they hijacked aircraft. We also spy the President if saves lives. Political correctness will be our downfall. Doug Wilson

Uneasy rider

Clifton, NJ: Neydit: cyclist Voicer Bob Evan Neumann was not "doing right by a left lane through lane." The Daily News reported on March 6 that he "was the ticket when policemen saw pedal northbound bike lane ... to get to the other side of the road, turn right on Stanton St." His ticket was for failure to use a bicycle. Ronald K. Samuel

News Update

Recommended for 4 more than 8 GIs charged in soldier's death NYC of Pvt. Danny Chen was presumably hunted by comrades

There were recommended for four more soldiers accused of persecuting Manhattan Pvt Danny Chen at his death, but they will not be prosecuted for manslaughter.

Instead, the Quartet a minor but still faces serious allegations which could result in conviction, imprisonment, military said.

Immigrant parents of Chen living on the Lower East Side, had to deal with the latest development in the case Tuesday following tragic.

In January, family friends crying coverup after army investigators dropped manslaughter charges against one of the alleged ringleaders, Offutt Spc. Ryan.

Staff Sgt. Andrew VanBockel, Sgt Jeffrey Hurst, Sgt Adam Holcomb and Spc. Thomas Curtis will be prosecuted for charges including dereliction of duty, maltreatment, remiss, murder, assault, reckless endangerment, communicating a threat and violation of the General Regulation, the military said Tuesday.

The judgment is the equivalent of an indictment in a civilian court, the army said.

Chen, 19, who dreamed of joining the NYPD, ended months of merciless derision and hazing for his Chinese ancestry in October when he shot himself while in a watchtower in Afghanistan.

With Chen family and Chinese-American activists demanding action, the army eased eight soldiers of their duties and ordered administrative hearings to determine the final charges against them.

Offutt, who had been accused of attempted rape before he joined in 2006, was the first to be formally charged. Tried to

negligent homicide, assault and reckless endangerment.

First Lieutenant Daniel Schwartz, the ranking officer accused of looking the other way while his soldiers abused Chen, accuses faces eight counts of dereliction of duty.

Prosecutors also recommended Sgt Travis Carden, who allegedly participated in the abuse, will be pursued on all charges he faced, including violating a lawful general regulation, ill-treatment and assault.

A decision about the eighth soldier, Staff Sgt. Blaine Dugas, is pending.

All soldiers accused are all based in Fort Wainwright, Alaska.

csiemaszko@nydailynews.com

News Update