LETTERS: Obama satire, abortion debate and more

Political satire comes with the territory

Suffolk Legis. Ricardo Montano (D-Brentwood) and DuWayne Gregory (D-Amityville) clearly have nothing better to do than wage a politically correct (and financially costly) war against the Smithtown Messenger . They cite racism in the paper's depiction of the Obamas, but their time would be better spent quieting the roiled waters than further stirring them up. But no. They choose to waste more taxpayer time and money.

To further stoke the fire, Newsday's characterization of the paper as "Republican-leaning" implies that the alleged racial slur was to be expected of the right. Wrong. It was humor, nothing more. Our president is not immune to the type of satire, sometimes scathing, visited on his predecessors. It is simply part of the job. Get over it, and move on.

Richard J. Paine Sr.

Island Park

Life inside the womb deserved protection

In a recent letter , a nurse asked whether a doctor or nurse who are Jehovah's Witnesses or against gays could refuse to provide medical assistance to dying patients because of their personal beliefs. I say no, because every life is worth saving and no one has the authority to decide who lives and who dies based on their personal or religious belief. I praise that nurse for standing up to protect life.

I do, however, have to ask her one question: Who is protecting that life inside the womb; who is watching out for that baby? Why shouldn't that life expect the same protection as the AIDS patient?

Larry DiBlasi

East Norwich

Closing hiring center will lead to loitering

Regarding "Day-labor hiring will shift to streets" News, May 9]: I think it's a bad idea to close the hiring center for day laborers in Huntington. I agree that by closing the center, all these people who need work will return to the streets where they don't belong.

Illegal immigration is a problem in our community, but the hiring centers are helpful for both these people and the local residents. Eliminating them will only cause problems. Without these centers, these immigrants are bound to end up loitering around the area and could disrupt the community.

Deanna Whitmore

Plainview

Since when is making money a crime?

Why is Newsday publishing the pay received by CEOs ? Maybe because the trend now is to vilify anyone who has the knowledge and resources to make money. I believe that is what capitalism is all about, and it is what made this country so great.

Here's a suggestion: Why not publish the pay earned by athletes who are paid millions because they have the ability to catch, hit or throw a ball? Or what about people in the movie industry, who are paid millions for their role in one movie? I cannot wait to see the numbers generated by these two groups. There is an excellent chance that they will exceed those of most CEOs.

Robert Gardner

Bohemia