Free medical care for some; the 1st Amendment and a church that protests at funerals; a Sandy Banks column on the suicide of a teacher

Time to grow up

Re “Free surgeries are a ‘blessing,’ ” Oct. 3

I’ve read this article more than once and am feeling both satisfaction and sadness. What a wonder and a delight that there are people in this world of such generosity and compassion. And yet, how very, very

sad that in a country awash in money, so many of my fellow citizens are reduced to suffering while they wait for medical charity.

What on earth are they thinking, those who decry universal healthcare, those who fume that socialized medicine is a bad thing?

I hunger to live in a country fully and proudly in step with the rest of the civilized world, a world grown up enough to have taken the first steps from human to humane, in which pride rests in caring for all, not just the pampered self.

Shawn Cunningham

San Gabriel

Debating the 1st Amendment

Re “Funeral protests test 1st Amendment right,” Oct. 4

How is it that a protestor can be shown actually stepping on the American flag at a funeral for a U.S. Army soldier — who defended the very right of that protestor to be free — just so he can actually express that freedom of speech in such a cruel and inhumane manner?

A disagreement with something or someone does not call for the desecration of the very thing that represents our freedom.

Why doesn’t the entire Phelps-Roper family, with their intolerant, hypocritical attitude, just move off American soil and live in a great place such as Afghanistan, or Iraq, or North Korea, where they can really see what the cost of freedom is like.

Freedom of speech, eh?

Andy Myers

San Clemente

I hope the Supreme Court will take a stand on “common decency” — a human value integral to a civilized society.

I don’t think the 1st Amendment gives anyone the license to be cruel, insensitive and destructive. Those who hide behind the veil of freedom of speech need to be held accountable for their ill deeds and their misguided actions.

Monali Khandagle

Van Nuys

A funeral is one of our most sacred and solemn events. I believe it trumps our 1st Amendment right to free speech, especially if such free speech is intended to inflict emotional distress. If people want to protest at a funeral, they should be kept out of sight and hearing of the funeral procession.

I believe the Supreme Court will see it that way.

Sol Taylor

Sherman Oaks

As Americans, we have an absolutely wonderful guarantee that many places do not have — to be able to speak our minds freely, without fear.

Sadly, we often forget that for us to have this cherished right, we must also grant it to others who not only disagree with us but may hold what we deem despicable views.

Such is the case with the disgusting display of bigotry shown by the protesters at Army Lt. Todd Weaver’s funeral, who were heartlessly displaying signs such as “God hates fags” and “Thank God for dead soldiers.”

This is a real test for those of us who believe that our 1st Amendment not only guarantees freedom to express views with which we agree, but also guarantees it to those who we believe to be misguided and ignorant.

In order to keep this fundamental freedom, we must live up to the challenge presented by this exhibition of cruelty.

Milt Rouse

Dana Point

Most mainstream theology says that “God works in mysterious ways” and “it is not given to man to know God’s mind,” yet the Phelps family seems to have the inside track to God’s mind: They hold signs proclaiming that “God hates fags.”

I think the source of the virulent hatred lies between the ears of those doing the protesting.

Paul J. Burke

Palmdale

A columnist’s viewpoint

Re “Tragic, teachable moment,” Column, Oct. 2

I commend Sandy Banks for raising important and valid points on the various sides of this unfortunate incident.

However, it leaves me to wonder about my own niece, who just embarked on her career as a bilingual teacher at an elementary school upstate.

Megan has a heart of gold, is a dedicated and hard worker, and is much loved by all who know her, including the children she served as a student teacher. It’s rather disturbing to know that the love, compassion, validation, attention and encouragement she no doubt will provide each of her students could be eclipsed by a set of test scores.

Some things simply may be more important in a child’s life than getting As, especially in this day and age.

Cathy A. Housman

Fullerton

Teaching is the most essential, demanding and creative of professions. It is the fulcrum of our civilization.

The teacher is a psychiatric counselor, prison chaplain, emergency first responder, conflict mediator, conference facilitator, unit commander and inspirational motivator.

Only then can he or she get around to striving to interpret an opaque lesson plan inflicted by an obtuse bureaucracy so a diverse group of young, distracted minds can comprehend it. The teacher gets a quick scan of many faces around the classroom to divine if they “get it.”

All it takes is the wrong combination of stresses to build like a rogue wave to drive us to the breaking point — so judge not.

Before attempting to “reform” education, it is necessary to take the trouble to find out just what it’s all about.

Gilbert Dewart

Pasadena

Your column was nuanced and well written, but it did try to exonerate The Times.

I don’t think the slightly “less effective” label was the only reason this poor man killed himself, but it did help push him over the edge.

I think if The Times had published the scores without the labels, I would have had no problem. But that is not what happened.

Labels do hurt people. How about the infamous “A” in Hawthorne’s “The Scarlet Letter”?

It’s not just a matter of thin skins; it is public humiliation that we usually reserve for lawbreakers or scapegoats.

Elizabeth Aydelotte

Huntington Beach

Sending the wrong message

Re “Dying for a text message,” Opinion, Oct. 3

The failure to come to a complete stop before making a right turn, even though it was safe to do so, cost me hundreds of dollars in a fine and several hundred dollars more a year in additional auto insurance for three years.

Texters and cellphone talkers would have to be caught dozens of times to reach that amount.

Our state would be flush with money if texters had to pay similar fines and the police were out in full force looking for them. All the police have to do is wait at a corner near a school or a shopping mall.

Mary Anne Vincent

Corona

Raising awareness

Re “Panel urges more access to fresh food,” Oct. 4

We agree wholeheartedly with increasing access to fresh, healthy food to combat obesity. That’s why the L.A. Neighborhood Land Trust, which was created to bring neighborhood parks to underserved communities, is working hard to create community and school gardens. These gardens ensure that the neediest in our region have access to healthy food and the opportunity to learn about healthy eating.

Los Angeles could increase its community gardens and access to healthy foods with some of the fees the city collects from developers for park development.

Alina Bokde

Los Angeles