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Mental illness and murder
What form of legal illogic would determine that anyone deemed mentally ill — such as Marvin Sullivan, who gunned down Officer David Chetcuti in 1998 — is incapable of being charged with murder? According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, more than 50 percent of Americans today have some form of mental illness. This includes addictions such as smoking, alcoholism, and gambling. What would happen to society if we just prosecuted and executed the other “normal” half, if there was ever such a thing as normal? Wouldn’t their percentage be forever shrinking? But if “normal” people are problem-free, why would they kill another without provocation? If anyone with a problem is relieved of self-responsibility, then is half of society responsible for the other half? In a democracy, all citizens are responsible for enacting prudent laws, right? But if 50 percent voluntarily abdicate self-responsibility by failing to vote, and the other 50 percent can’t be held responsible for their actions, then who is running this country? From a Darwinian perspective, is political anarchy selecting only the weakest to survive? Mandatory recyclingRecycling has become standard practice in San Francisco, thanks in large part to the steady service enhancements made by our local collection companies. Our three-bin system can be cumbersome, but the actual process of sorting materials at the consumer level is remarkably easy, efficient and personally gratifying. San Francisco’s world-class collection system comes at a cost, however. Millions have been invested in new facilities, equipment, and workers to process our every expanding streams of waste. As a result, San Francisco’s stated diversion rate is an impressive 69 percent. Given these advancements, one has to question why ratepayers are facing yet another burden in the form of the suggested fine for not recycling to an undefined standard. Could this be yet another scheme to circumvent the public rate-making process by deputizing collection workers? The infinitesimal gains resulting from mandatory recycling strip the intrinsic righteousness of voluntary environmental stewardship. San Francisco Destroying ObamaIt’s “damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead” for the egotistical Reverend Wright, as he, without conscience, continues with his self-serving, militant, anti-white, racist remarks, which are destroying Barack Obama’s chances for the presidency. Were it not for Reverend Wright, Obama would have the Democratic nomination clinched. It is very sad and truly ironic that another black man is sinking Obama’s ship. San Francisco Propositions 98 and 99 A dangerous initiative, Proposition 98, placed on the November ballot by the Secretary of State, would hurt senior citizens and residents of mobile home parks by removing rent control. Another initiative, Proposition 99, saves seniors and residents and keeps these rent protections in place. Proposition 98 is particularly dangerous because more voters who vote “yes” on this “eminent domain” initiative will believe they are only preventing the “unjust” taking of private property by local government to benefit other private or corporate uses.” If Proposition 98 passes, “market value” of a property, when sold, would have to be maintained from one seller to one buyer. This measure would remove justified rent-control protections to residents adopted by more than 100 cities and counties in California. Upon vacating the property, rent control is lost to the new renters of that property, and rent would increase from $500-$600 in mobile parks to $1,500 to $1,900 per month. Apartment rent would also increase to “market” level. A “no” vote is urged on your ballot in the November 3 election for Proposition 98. A “yes” vote is urged, instead, on Proposition 99. Undiagnosed killer not asthma I just finished reading your article (“School asthma gains fall short of breathtaking,” Monday, April 28). How many of these children participate in athletics and sports in their schools? Shortness of breath can also be a symptom of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, especially in young athletes. This heart disease is not well-known, but it strikes 1 in 500 people. Our son, Peter, died after a 4-mile run at the age of 21. It was determined that he had undiagnosed HCM. Doctors often misdiagnose HCM or fail to recognize it, since many health care professionals are unfamiliar with the condition and the symptoms can be misleading. I would like to see the health department bring the awareness of this disease to the schools. History of family heart disease is of utmost importance. San Francisco The Examiner gives preference to letters containing fewer than 150 words. Please include name, phone number and city of residence. To add your voice-By e-mail: letters@examiner.com By mail: Editorial Page Editor The Examiner, 450 Mission St. San Francisco, CA 94105 By fax: (415) 359-2766 |