LETTERS: Tiger, legalizing marijuana and more

Tiger never should have been role model

Masters chairman Billy Payne needs to get a clue . Tiger Woods is not "our hero" and never has been. Nor should he, or any athlete for that matter, ever be considered a role model for our children. Forget about the public airing of his despicable behavior these past several months; he should never have been held to such lofty ideals in the first place.

Woods is an extremely talented golfer - and that is where it ends. His ability to swing a club should have absolutely no bearing on any child's upbringing. Any parents who look to celebrity athletes to set the compass by which children should live their lives need to seriously re-evaluate their position.

Mike Mejia

Plainview

Legalize marijuana to boost the economy

Our economy could sure use a boost, so legalizing and taxing marijuana would be a very simple solution. Marijuana is already a major cash crop here in the United States, and if it were legal all states would certainly benefit. Besides helping the economy, it is also moral to legalize and tax this crop, as it is less dangerous than alcohol.

We need to make money a new way instead of the old- fashioned ways, like overpricing traffic tickets and raising property taxes.

Margo Pastirchak

Port Jefferson Station

Reform Wall Street

Wall Street lobbyists are fighting tooth and nail to protect the bonuses, loopholes and sweetheart deals that many financial predators still enjoy "President is poised to push harder," News, March 30]. Big banks, credit card companies and mortgage lenders must be held accountable.

Our senators and representatives must hear us: We want reform. Or are they only concerned about their own financial standing while we rapidly go down the drain?

Clara Vlanis

Plainview

Organ donation was heroic act by Marine

As a two-time kidney transplant recipient, I was deeply moved by the story of Marine Lance Cpl. Libardo Anthony Jimenez. As an organ donor, Jimenez has saved the lives of at least five of his fellow Americans, the same men and women whom he took an oath to protect. Yet, his story may save many more lives by inspiring others to become donors. It takes real courage to become an organ donor.

To recognize the heroic act of becoming a donor, I helped create the New York State Gift of Life Medal of Honor for public recognition of organ, tissue and bone marrow donors and their families for their lifesaving contributions. Lance Cpl. Jimenez and his family are well-deserving of this medal. It is the least we can do to show our gratitude for his sacrifice.

Jim Conte

Huntington Station

Editor's note: The writer represents the 10th District in the New York State Assembly.