Assisted suicide

Assisted suicide

As the state legislative session opens, we are going to hear more about physician-assisted suicide, and we can once again expect an annual infestation of hemlock impregnated Oregonians. Disappointed, yet again, they will see that we still have not all killed ourselves with "compassionate" prescriptions for hundreds of sleeping pills that would have helped us ... into unconsciousness and death.

They will come with pockets full of walking around money that open doors for them. Money that comes from insurance company shell organizations that are saving massive fortunes by funding sleep aids for a few dollars rather than funding chemotherapy, surgery, radiation, and hospice care for well-intended but uninformed Marylanders.

At a time when suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States, our legislators are once again going to be asked to support a bill so grandparents can legally kill themselves while their grandchildren struggle with depression and other mental illnesses and addictions that get marginal funding.

Ya gotta love it! Only in America can people appeal for a law to be created that is illegal, immoral, and stupid.

RON VAN NEST

Davidsonville

'We're still in'

I appreciate Anne Arundel County Environmental Policy Director Matt Johnson's sentiment and dismay at the federal government's pullout of the Chesapeake Bay pollution reduction agreement. It is disheartening that our federal officials no longer wish to engage with us on this issue.

I can't say I was surprised. The feds have been backing off and withdrawing from many agreements and promises, the snub on the environment is just one more reminder of how things are right now. It seems that conservatives have forgotten that conservation is what conservatism is supposed to be about.

I'm reminded of the '60's cliché "Do Something: Lead, Follow or Get out of the Way" and leadership is the key to solving the pollution/climate problem. County Executive Steuart Pittman has shown strong leadership on conservation and he's considered a liberal. But he can't do it alone. Public opinion is changing.

Climate change is unifying large numbers of diverse people. A clean environment is everyone's responsibility. Even though we know this, we still don't practice it, and until we do, the bay, and the planet, will continue to deteriorate. Many people are coming to understand this fact.

Our leaders need to encourage actions that are personal, viable and desirable. When "state of the art" water quality guidelines become fundamental as a community development practice, we will make great strides towards preserving the bay and the planet.

Old school covenants and by-laws, that govern our local communities, inhibit the implementation of needed change. Good local leadership must have a plan that extends beyond the typical bureaucratic quagmire. A plan that will involve all, and pay for itself.

Pittman and his team have a nice vision for policy, but getting us all involved in solving the problem takes community organizing at the micro-level.

I'm afraid being "Still In" is not enough. We need to be "All In".

WILLIAM MITCHELL

Annapolis

Hogan and Kirwan

I've lived in Maryland for 25 years and raised our children here. During these years I have watched our public schools steadily decline. It's time to reverse this decline and begin returning our public schools to the national leadership position they once enjoyed!

I am dismayed that Gov. Larry Hogan is now traveling about the state to raise money and support to defeat the Kirwan Commission's recommendations on education.

Instead, Hogan should get on board and support the commission's recommendations.

GEORGIANN WILKINS

Arnold