WST story was inaccurate: There were 50 “No to 3A” picketers at recent stand-out
Dear Editor,
I am writing in response to an inaccurate statement published in last week’s edition of the Winthrop Sun-Transcript. In the article “Winthrop Working Together holds forum on housing crisis” it was reported that “a dozen people were outside picketing the event.” This statement is entirely false.
In reality, our “Winthrop Says NO to 3A” standout drew over 50 residents. I have video footage and an uncropped photo that clearly show the actual number of participants. I intend to share this documentation with our community of over 1,000 members to correct the public record and highlight the misinformation printed in your paper.
I respectfully request that the Winthrop Sun-Transcript issue a retraction in your next edition to reflect the accurate turnout.
Thank you,
Vasili Mallios
Maid Law: On contemplating one’s final days:
Dear Editor,
I was pleased to learn the other day that the New York State Legislature passed a Medical-Aid-In-Dying (MAID) law. I’m hopeful that the Massachusetts Legislature passes a similar law currently under review.
As someone on the cusp of 80, I’m seeing more and more of my friends and acquaintances suffer debilitating and painful deaths. I would like to have the option to avoid a similar fate, and that’s why I support Mass. S1486 and H2505 and recently lobbied in support of the legislation at the Statehouse.
The bill has been carefully written based on the painstaking work done in the 12 U.S. jurisdictions that now have such a law on the books. Let’s be clear: Medical-Aid-In-Dying is not assisted suicide! Suicide is about deciding when to die at whatever stage of life and for whatever reason; MAID is about deciding how to die once one has been given a prognosis of six months or fewer to live.
The legislation would give a mentally capable, terminally ill adult the option to request and self-ingest prescription medication to peacefully end their suffering if it becomes unbearable. The bill has a wide range of safeguards, including, among many others, a requirement that two healthcare providers certify that a patient has a prognosis of six months or fewer to live, that s/he is found mentally sound by a licensed mental health specialist, and makes it a crime to coerce a terminally ill person into using medical aid in dying.
I realize that many people out of personal religious or philosophical conviction would not choose such a path as they approach their final days. I’m fully respectful of their right to hold such beliefs. All I’m asking is that I and others like me be given a similar right to live out our final stage of life according to our own personal beliefs.
If you agree, please ask your legislators to support this bill. For more information go to: endoflifeoptionsma.orgDemo
Bill Demo