Readers Write 8/11

HEALTH CARE

Everyone deserves to die with dignity and respect

A disastrous amount of health care costs are expended in the care of individuals dying in two years or less. This involves the attempt to prolong the lives of sufferers who could not express their feelings about continued efforts to sustain their existence. With patients and their families, doctors often fail to discuss alternatives to dying painlessly with dignity, or prolonging existence with extreme measures.

My wife will soon celebrate her 85th birthday. I will be 89 in December. We both have living wills, and agree that neither will permit the other to authorize extreme medical action to preserve life after comfortable living is no longer possible.

We are both active and despite aches and pains, continue to fully participate in living. When we can no longer do so, we do not wish to continue any other kind of existence. Our family is aware of our feelings.

Death is as much a part of life as being born. Give death the dignity and respect to which it is entitled.

Mel Rechtman, Decatur

RELIGION

All faiths should be represented at 9/11 site

The mayhem resulting from plans for a mosque near the 9/11 attack site raised a question: How many Muslims were killed in the Sept. 11 terrorist attack? I have never seen statistics on the religious affiliation of the victims. Of course, the terrorists were sponsored by a radical sect, but their act killed indiscriminately. Somehow, it seems that since the victims had varied religious beliefs and affiliations, it is acceptable for all religions to be represented by their presence in the immediate area of the horrendous crime.

Cedric Gifford, Acworth

POLITICS

It’s about freedom, not words and writing skills

Charles Lyon doesn’t get it (“Taking stock of Palin’s vocabulation,” Opinion, Aug. 8). Sarah Palin’s “vocabulation” (i.e., language skills) are not as important as her “aw, shucks” common sense solutions. Lyon is just another elitist, or “progressive,” without enough “aw, shucks” common sense to discuss the message, rather than attack the messenger.

“Words are the vehicles we use to carry ideas,” says Lyon. How profound. Ivory towers are nice places to live for writing tutors, but most Americans live in reality. Today’s reality is that we are being pushed into a federal government-controlled nanny state. In the future, I hope Lyon’s students can freely express their ideas (oral or written) — even if they don’t use perfect English. It is not so much about words and writing skills. It’s about freedom.

Ted Jones, Athens

POLITICS