Naturalization now a sad state of affairs

I have had the honor to attend several naturalization ceremonies at the federal courthouse in Central Islip. Bearing witness to the final stop on a journey that’s taken many years for most and decades for others never failed to put a lump in my throat and a tear in my eye. Becoming a citizen of our great country is arduous.

Requirements include voluminous paperwork, interviews, vetting, English and civics tests, and more. Many of our natural-born citizens would likely be hard-pressed to pass the civics exam. And this is but a portion of what is required of aspiring citizens trying to follow the rules.

Apparently, we decided this is no longer good enough [“Path to becoming citizen breaking,” Editorial, Dec. 5]. Now, potential citizens risk arrest when attending necessary appointments, some literally pulled off line while entering the courtroom to attend their long-anticipated ceremony, and ceremonies have been canceled outright across the nation with little or no explanation.

We are told this is necessary for our national security. This is shameful. We are a nation of immigrants. Rather than protecting our national security, this seems to be about creating a white Christian nationalist country. As a citizen, I am ashamed and have never felt more insecure in our nation.

Nancy Holliday, Huntington

Blakeman should quit if he campaigns

So now, it happens again. Nassau County elected a county executive last month for four years and he decides about a month later that he really does not want that job and is going to devote his efforts to becoming governor of New York [“Nassau a Blakeman steppingstone?,” Letters, Dec. 11].

I have no problem with his ambition, but he should quit his current job because he is cheating those who voted for him. The Nassau Republicans are good at having leaders quit to give successors a leg up in general elections. So why not force the current county executive to resign because there is no way he can do what he was elected to do, namely govern Nassau County for four years.

This political game of running for another office while still getting paid for a current job is a joke and applies to many situations outside New York, too.

It is wrong for our county executive to get paid with our tax dollars while he seeks another job. He should resign and devote his efforts to what he wants to do instead of hoping county residents will believe that he is doing the job he was elected to do while campaigning around the state.

Howard Ammerman, New Hyde Park

A new entry to state’s Pandora’s Box?

Gov. Kathy Hochul has made it clear that she may sign the “Medical Aid in Dying” bill if her revisions are approved [“Hochul weighing ‘Aid in Dying’ bill,” News, Dec. 5]. So, Pandora’s Box would be open wider still:

In 1970, New York State legalized abortion. Today, an average of over 3,000 abortions occur each day nationwide.

Legalized marijuana is now available and, according to experts, is now more addictive and mentally and physically damaging, especially to the young. In 2025, the total New York State sales are projected to be $1.8 billion.

Legalized sports gambling has led to increased gambling addiction, especially for younger participants. Over $1 billion in gambling tax revenue is projected for our state this year. These numbers are just the start. Is addiction now considered collateral damage since much of the collected tax fuels the state budget?

The Medical Aid in Dying bill may be well intentioned, but it is misguided. Every life has value. There is purpose to life even at the end stages, even though it may not be apparent.

Robert Sommers, East Islip

She helped initiate Gilgo Beach probes

For years, I have felt that Shannan Gilbert is responsible for the fate and freedom of so many women’s souls [“LIers still haunted by Gilgo Beach 15 years later,” News, Dec. 9].

Her disappearance led to their discovery. Her tragic death, still shrouded in uncertainty, brought closure to grieving families of girls whose lives mattered. Because of Gilbert, these women’s remains were found and returned home, no longer lost to the elements along Ocean Parkway.

Gilbert is an unsung hero, an angel. We will never forget her.

Maggie Rose Melito-Antaki, Babylon

Moment of silence is a wonderful idea

What a beautiful essay Rabbi Anchelle Perl wrote on a moment of silence in schools [“Restore the moment of silence in our schools,” Opinion, Dec. 4].

Sixty seconds of reflection, calm thoughts, and intention setting, would benefit everyone. People just need to take a breath in this busy world of ours.

Virginia Dimuzio, East Meadow