Readers sound off on Medical Aid in Dying, invading Venezuela and ‘Peanuts’ specials
If doctors help people die, where does it stop?
Bronx: Regarding “Making assisted dying legal in New York” (December 7 editorial): New York State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton fails to consider the long-term effects that passing such dangerous legislation will have on society as a whole. Countries like the Netherlands and Canada that have passed similar bills have expanded this type of legislation to allow doctors to give lethal drugs to depressed people and others suffering from mental illnesses. Where does it stop?
The American Medical Association, since its beginnings, has opposed physician-assisted suicide. Its 2019 Code of Ethics states: “Assisted suicide is fundamentally incompatible with the professional role of the physician. » Another opposition group is the Catholic Church. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (article 2277) states: “Putting to death those who are sick and dying, or disabled, is morally unacceptable. » Orthodox Jewish groups like Agudath Israel of America oppose physician-assisted suicide because some diagnosed people are resistant to the disease and because it conflicts with their religious beliefs. Disability rights groups represented by the New York Alliance Against Assisted Suicide oppose the intentional practice of allowing doctors to kill physically or mentally ill patients because it is a policy that “exploits fear, undermines trust in the medical profession, and opens the door to abuse and neglect.”
The truth is that not all death is painful, and when it is, doctors may provide palliative care and give patients medication to relieve pain, but their intention is not to kill the patient. New Yorkers must write to Governor Hochul and ask him to leave a positive legacy and veto this dangerous legislation. Vincent Reese
It’s pretty much the same thing
Lackawaxen, Pennsylvania: Interpreters John Hodio and Thomas Bell seem to ignore the demographic similarities between the United States and Scandinavian countries: aging native ethnic populations, declining birth rates, and reliance on immigration to maintain their populations. Overall, the Nordic countries have a similar percentage of foreign-born people and, like the United States, they will be the ones paying the benefits earned by baby boomers and literate generations as they transition out of productive status. Although Nordics could emigrate to the United States since most already speak English, our peoples are generally not bilingual or multilingual and would therefore be severely handicapped. What the Voicers might want to address is the American stupidity of opting for a few more billionaires instead of a comprehensive network of universal social benefits (especially since the Index of Economic Freedom ranks all Nordic countries higher than the United States, meaning there is no trade-off between rights and security). John A. MacKinnon
Vote for us
Manhattan: Twenty million Americans are in for the worst possible year if Rep. Hakeem Jeffries’ resolution to resurrect the Affordable Care Act’s three-year tax credit extension is not passed. The Republican Party doesn’t care whether ordinary Americans can afford health care. Health insurance prices have already begun to skyrocket, sometimes doubling or tripling. Families will abandon plans, get sicker and even die without essential treatment, and hospitals will be overwhelmed with untreated people showing up in emergency rooms. All House Democrats and four breakaway Republicans formed a majority to support the ACA extension that Sen. Chuck Schumer failed to secure. House Speaker Mike Johnson dismissed the House early rather than face a vote. It’s time for Republicans to question their loyalty to President Trump and prove their loyalty to the American people by demanding a vote! Paula Walzer
Organized crime
Newton, New Jersey: Dictator Trump has now invaded Venezuela, a country that has done nothing to the United States, and illegally kidnapped its president and first lady. Nicolas Maduro may be a criminal, but that does not give us the right to invade the country without a declaration of war approved by Congress, which did not happen. The administration has conclusively proven that this was a criminal enterprise. Since the incompetent and corrupt Attorney General, Pam Bondi, refuses to act, it is up to our elected officials, especially Republicans, to regain their strength and get rid of this criminal before the start of World War III. Michael Schnackenberg
I opened the door
Long Branch, New Jersey: With the recent attack/invasion of Venezuela and the capture of Maduro and his wife, Trump has virtually given the green light to Vladimir Putin of Russia and Xi Jinping of China to do the same against Ukraine and Taiwan. In citing the Monroe Doctrine, Trump incorrectly cited the late former President Jimmy Carter with his failed missions in Afghanistan. The failed mission was Desert One in Iran. Lenzy Kelley
Like dictators do
Manhattan: The Trump administration kidnapped Maduro and his wife on charges of threatening America (drug trafficking). Yet at the same time he meets and rubs shoulders with Putin, the instigator and aggressor of the land grab in Ukraine. How is Trump’s action in Venezuela different (oil grabbing)? This is not what I consider democratic, nor is it something the American people elected him to do. What threat does Venezuela’s duly elected leader really pose to the United States? Certainly, they could do a much better job controlling the drug trade, but in many ways it is their internal governance problem. I say this because Trump pardoned a convicted former leader of Honduras. So what’s the difference? Some food for thought! Jim Ralston
Recovery completed
Bronx: It’s official: We, the people, no longer live in a constitutional republic. Screw the US Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Joe Cassese
Reality check
Howard Beach: I think I speak for my fellow idiots when I tell Voicer Dom Mastropolo that we can say whatever we want about his president — unless, of course, there was a change in the First Amendment that we weren’t aware of. As for his landslide victory, a margin of 2 million out of the 155 million votes cast isn’t really a landslide victory, is it? And unless your name is Trump or you’re in the billionaire class, he doesn’t care about you or your back. Ed Sullivan
Don’t go away
Brooklyn: Diminish, divert and divert all you want. The segment of the public still interested in the Epstein files will still want them released. June Lowe
Potential choice
Scarborough, New York: I wouldn’t be surprised if Mayor Mamdani names Maduro as his next police commissioner. Thomas F. Comiskey
Traction support
Rego Park: How unfortunate that, among his very first acts as mayor, Mamdani chose to launch an anti-Jewish agenda. So I hope that the hundreds of Jewish philanthropic, health, technology and cultural organizations that benefit all New Yorkers will immediately cease further contributions to our city and allow the brilliant minds and generous pocketbooks of Democratic Socialists to fill the void. Oreg Tuttle
Special designation
Bronx: It seems that anyone who complains about Israel’s killing of Palestinians is anti-Semitic. Also, why is there a mayor’s office to combat anti-Semitism and not an office dealing with bias against any other group? This is total favoritism. Edwin Garcia
Untrustworthy green light
Delray Beach, Florida: The Roselle Park, New Jersey, warehouse fire has been deemed safe for air quality. Of course, all hazardous materials teams claim that the air is safe to breathe. Have you ever heard this story? We all know from previous disasters that the air isn’t safe — 9/11, the Ohio train derailment, and now this one. Let’s see how many people will get sick in the coming years. Manny Agostini
Streaming only
Brooklyn: To inform voice Mary Caggiano that networks are not airing “A Charlie Brown Christmas” this season, streaming service Apple TV has purchased exclusive rights through 2030 to most of the “Peanuts” catalog, including popular Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas shows. Unfortunately, to watch these shows, an Apple TV subscription is required, as they won’t be broadcast on networks over the air for the foreseeable future. Another solution to this problem is to purchase the “Peanuts Holiday Collection” DVD set. You will then be able to consult these classics available to you at any time of the year. William R. Sarnataro
