LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

In September, at a private event hosted by the Chamber of Commerce, Congressman-elect Marc Molinaro said, “I believe that as a country we have met our financial obligation to support Ukraine resistance.”

Sure, saying that he prefers diplomacy sounds attractive to the taxpayer. But, he’s detached from reality. Molinaro’s position on Ukraine is like going to a Five Guys, ordering a kale salad, and then arguing with the cashier over what’s on the menu.

No offense to Five Guys. But, like the kale salad, diplomacy isn’t on the menu here.

Now? Even after President Zelenskyy’s historic trip to Washington, Rep.-elect Molinaro is silent on the issue. On Twitter, where Molinaro spends many hours of his day, he hasn’t mentioned Ukraine since a campaign stop in early August.

So, as arguably the only region of the 19th Congressional District sympathetic to issues of foreign policy and global aid, Ithacans must demand that Molinaro reverse his position on Ukraine and support continued financial support — as more will likely be needed from Congress during Molinaro’s first year in office.

As soon as Molinaro sets up his office, call and place your opinion. Write letters like these and be vocal online to call out his silence. And in 2024, do all you can to unseat him. He’s already shown us who he is, and he isn’t even sworn-in yet.

Coby Eiss

On Mental health issues, mass shootings and violent crime.

One thing I feel that the media and our politicians miss (especially when discussing guns, suicide, mass shootings and gun violence) is the side-effects of many anti-depressants and other medications (even one for psoriasis) that have stated side effects of mental agitation, harmful or suicidal thoughts, recurring depression, and others mental effects either while on the medications or withdrawing from them or on multiple medications. No real discussion about possible links between a mass-shooter suicide and the medications they are on. I feel that medical record privacy should be overturned in cases where the subject has committed a mass shooting, murder, or violent crime. If they are already dead, what does it matter if their medical records are made public. Might allow parents of children, spouses and family mem- bers of persons with mental health issues to be more aware of the possible effects of what those medications may cause. May allow decisions on what to risk.

And I’m sure the psyco-pharma-medical industry and many “mental health but keep the guns” Republicans would fight that idea. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a gun owning somewhat moderate progressive fed up with the current political rhetoric and hate mongering.

Greg Wooster