Department of Homeland Security funding, Casey Means' surgeon general nomination
Dr. Casey Means testifies during a confirmation for surgeon general on Capitol Hill on Feb. 25, in Washington. Credit: AP/Tom Brenner
Don’t withhold funds from DHS
Democrats in Congress keep withholding funding for the Department of Homeland Security. This is the same as saying “defund Homeland Security.” It reminds me of 2020 when some liberal politicians and many protesters shouted, “Defund the police” [“ICE disguise tactics could erode trust,” News, March 1].
Many of them now want more police patrolling neighborhoods. Even New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani changed his “defund the police” stance. Not everyone is against DHS and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
I believe most people wholeheartedly support local police and DHS. They are out there, day and night, keeping all of us safe.
— John Campanella, Albertson
Surgeon general nominee unqualified
As a physician who has practiced medicine for 50 years, the last 47 of which as a board-certified family physician, geriatrician, and medical educator, I am shocked by the nomination of Dr. Casey Means to be the next U.S. surgeon general “Top doc nominee’s qualifications, views questioned,” Nation, Feb. 26].
The minimal criteria for surgeon general should be extensive experience in unsupervised hands-on medical care of sick patients, an exceptional fund of medical knowledge, demonstrated ability to motivate fellow health care professionals, and a selfless dedication to the health and well-being of fellow Americans.
Means has no license to practice medicine and provided little or no unsupervised medical care. She has not demonstrated an exceptional fund of medical knowledge through important contributions to academic medicine; she dropped out of a residency training program to pursue a career in business and has never shown significant ability to motivate fellow physicians and health care professionals at a regional or national level.
She is unqualified for the duties of this nation’s next surgeon general.
— Dr. William J. Bennett, Huntington
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