Don’t call the mentally ill ‘crazy’:
Manhattan: Your Dec. 8 editorial “It’s the dangerous, Bill” misses the aim of Mayor de Blasio’s new ThriveNYC program, which is geared to improve mental health services and create a sea change in the way we view mental illness. It also ignores other steps the administration has taken to address the problems of people with serious psychological problems.
Unlike Michael McBean, who is accused of killing Yvette Molina, the vast majority of people with serious mental illness are not dangerous. And a significant impediment to accessing mental health treatment is the stigma attached to being labeled in need of care. ThriveNYC is geared to help people access services more easily and to significantly diminish the stigma and discrimination. Your editorial’s online headline, which uses the term “crazies,” is an example of the sort of stigmatizing language people use in reference to people with mental illness.
The death of Molina is a tragedy. However, if we don’t take steps to make major changes to the way people with mental illness are viewed, there are likely to be many more deaths like it.
You also ignore the fact that this administration has developed other programs to assist people with serious mental illness, including NYC START, which provides comprehensive services to people with first-break psychosis. And the NYPD is implementing crisis intervention teaming policing, which trains patrol officers to respond more effectively when individuals appear to be in mental health crisis. Mary Beth Anderson, Mental health project director, Urban Justice Center
Clarence Thomas, too
Saratoga Springs, N.Y.: To Justice Antonin Scalia, who suggested black scientists would benefit from less advanced schools: Neil DeGrasse Tyson would like to have a word with you. Bob English
Sure you’re not a jihadist?
Scarborough, N.Y.: We could easily avoid exploiting people’s fears and prejudices, as Donald Trump does, by adopting a common-sense immigration policy. Any person, regardless of race, color or religion, seeking to emigrate from a nation that has an ISIS or Al Qaeda presence must submit to a polygraph to determine if they have been radicalized. They must also sign a waiver allowing the U.S. government to review any and all of their internet accounts. Thomas F. Comiskey
Radical Islamophobes
Manhattan: Shame on every Voicer decrying “radical Islamists” when Muslim people across the country are feeling the fallout from the San Bernardino shooting. Hate crimes are rising against Muslims in this country, to the point of murder (may Hamza Warsame rest in peace). Tell me, do you accuse every Planned Parenthood shooter of being a “radical Christian”? Paula Schneck
He gave without taking
Oakland Gardens: Kudos to “Live With Kelly and Michael.” After all the vitriol spilled by Donald Trump on Wednesday’s show, they had the perfect antidote in Mandy Patinkin on Thursday. Patinkin, a true humanitarian, talked about his experience in meeting and helping Syrian refugee families. One person can make a difference. This is truly what America is about. Deborah M. Jackson
Don’t diss Donald
Brooklyn: Regarding your cartoon on the front page featuring Donald Trump beheading the Statue of Liberty: You know that’s not what he meant, and if you don’t understand that, you have no business being in business. Diane Hunt
Has money, has women
Saddle Brook, N.J.: As Al Pacino said in “Scarface”: “First you get the money, then you get the women, then you get the power.” All Trump wants is power and he will do or say anything to get it. Doug Scrivani
Left-wing rag
Richmond Hill: Funny, but I don’t recall a front-page editorial about Slick Willie dodging the draft when he was running for President. The Daily News is quickly becoming a nothing but a propaganda machine for the left wing. Charles Konovitch
He has the guts
Bixby, Okla.: Trump is not my first choice for President but not my last either. He has at least had the guts to bring issues to the forefront that all of the politicians are afraid to discuss. I suppose the Daily News’ liberal view is we should house, feed, clothe and give food stamps, cell phones, medical treatment and welfare checks to the refugees, along with the burden of overcrowding our schools? Trump is definitely brash but is also definitely right. Rick Pierce
God is disappointed
Apple Valley, Calif.: Your headline “God isn’t fixing this” is not quite accurate. I think the question should be: Why would God want to fix this? God does not approve of our country turning her back on Him. As a whole, America has been leaving Christian ideals behind and now we are seeing the results of this in a bigger way. If we want God’s blessing on America, we should first be more worthy of it. Kelly Ransom
God is a gentleman
Bloomington, Ind.: I am a born-again Christian. My dear husband of 43 years, a Protestant clergyman who served as a pastor for 36 years, passed away last April. I believe that each of us has an extremely important choice to make in this life — that is, “Will I follow Christ?” “Will I follow someone else?” or “Will I just do my own thing?” We are not robots, and God is a gentleman; He will not force himself on anyone. So all the terrible things that have happened are not the fault of God. The fault goes to sinful man. Sandi Miller
Not a toy
Manhattan: Children and toddlers have killed friends, siblings, parents and themselves because of access to guns. If there weren’t a gun available, through gross negligence, to these curious little ones they would most probably be enjoying their lives today. At best, surviving child shooters will be hounded by nightmares for the rest of their lives. Catherine Barnes
Three dates
Howard Beach: To people who tend to forget: Remember the Alamo, March 6, 1836. Remember Pearl Harbor, Dec. 7, 1941. Remember my birthday, Oct. 3, 1925. Jean Novak
Christians won the war
West Milford, N.J.: To Voicer Kathy Moore: In regard to the supposed “War on Christmas” you decry, please name one other religious holiday that is recognized by the federal government as a national holiday — celebrated in most cases with the use of local, state and federal taxpayer funds. There was a big controversy in my town a few years ago. A rabbi wanted to have a Chanukah lighting at the town hall. The town council voted it down twice on the grounds that the menorah is a religious symbol, while the Supreme Court has ruled that the Christmas tree (if you call it a “holiday tree”) is not a religious symbol. The third time they took it under consideration, they said okay, but it would have to be at the expense of the rabbi and his congregation. One councilwoman shouted out, “Keep it far away from the Christmas tree.” And they said it could only be for one night, not eight. The Christmas tree is put up right after Thanksgiving and stays until the second week in January. The First Amendment in part says, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion.” Well, it sounds to me that the government has picked a religion and it isn’t mine. Betty E. Weisblum
The coverup is a crime
Manhattan: The honoring of Mort Zuckerman, chairman and publisher of the Daily News — along with ten IDF soldiers — for “courage” was filthy in its dishonesty (“Zuckerman, Israeli troops honored,” Dec. 8). The News does not report the truth of Israel’s many crimes against the Palestinian people, who are being robbed, harassed, assaulted and murdered only because they live on land Israel covets for Jews only. Those IDF soldiers, who were wounded as they attacked innocent people, committed war crimes and belong in jail. Any time a Palestinian attacks a few Israelis, this is reported in full. The wholesale slaughter of Palestinians by Israelis, however, does not merit a word in The News’ estimation. Carol F. Yost
Law of the street
Williston Park, L.I.: I’m not sure about all of the charges leveled against Suffolk police chief James Burke, but I do know that anyone who has been robbed should be able to beat the stuffing out of the perpetrator. Kay Mc Allister
