Mental health and crime, and Ukraine
Ukrainian soldiers inspect a damaged Russian tank near the recently retaken village of Kamianka in Ukraine's Kharkiv region Sunday. Credit: AP/Efrem Lukatsky
Lessen crime with mental health help
What is happening to our world? The man convicted of killing two puppies needs help ["Man gets 1 year for beating 2 puppies to death," News, Oct. 27]. If a person could beat two defenseless puppies to death, can he function normally in society after his one-year sentence? We seem to be turning our backs on mental health concerns, and, as a result, senseless, tragic and horrifying crimes are occurring all too often. When will we recognize the dire need for mental health treatment? Lt. Alison Russo lost her life to a young man with mental illness in another senseless situation. If he had supervision, he would have been less likely to kill a woman merely walking to get lunch.
Let's shine a spotlight on this important issue. It seems to underlie much of the violent crimes that we recently have learned about.
As an animal lover, I was appalled that the man was sentenced to only one year in jail and five years' probation for beating and brutalizing three innocent defenseless puppies, killing two. One year in prison amounts to a slap on the wrist. I agree with Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly that we need harsher penalties for animal abuse.
Where are talks of peace in Ukraine?
It is about time an American politician stood up and denounced the so-called war in Ukraine ["Russia suspends Ukraine grain deal," Top Stories, Oct. 30]. Why are there no apparent attempts to negotiate a cease-fire and a peace? Instead, President Joe Biden's administration is, in effect, perpetuating this conflict. We're led to believe that this is a war to protect democracy. Americans have heard this before. These recent wars to "protect" democracy have only left death and misery for the recipients of our involvement. Chaos and ruin seem to be the result. Just ask the Afghans.
It is time to end this conflict and stop sending our money to Ukraine and
stop funding the military industrial complex at the risk of destroying our nation.
Mike Fitzpatrick, Massapequa Park
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