Mental-health money matters
Florida allocated more money than ever for mental health care this year, which is prudent. More than 20% of U.S. adults live with a mental illness, according to the National Institute of Mental Health, and an estimated 633,000 Florida adults with mental illness and 116,000 youth with depression have unmet treatment needs, according to the Florida Policy Institute.
Lack of affordability creates much of the unmet need. Non-recurring funds have been allocated to providers, but the state should make it recurring, so it’s not in jeopardy of non-renewal.
Corie Talano Boca Raton
Palestine demonstrations are not antisemitic
There is a growing hysteria in the media labeling pro-Palestinian demonstrations as “antisemitism.” The assumption is that the demonstrations are motivated by racial or religious prejudice.
The attack by Hamas was obviously reprehensible, particularly the use of low technology rockets that randomly hit civilian targets. In retaliation for the 1,400 Israelis killed by Hamas, the Israeli government has killed over 11,000 Palestinians. In the past few days Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has indicated the end game is occupation of Gaza “for an indefinite period of time,”
In my view, the media has failed to recognize that the demonstrations are not antisemitic but, a condemnation of the current Israeli government. Palestine was divided to create a Jewish homeland and continue the existing Palestinian homeland. The two-state solution was rejected by the Middle East as a whole. The one-state solution was never an option. Demographics and birth rates would eliminate a democratic secular state in one generation.
The New York Times and other media have recently claimed that 76% of the Israeli citizens do not support the current government. The demonstrations against the judicial reforms, demonstrations against expansion of the war and Israeli citizens trying to protect Palestinian homes in the West Bank show a massive disconnect between the Israeli government and its people. As I see it, the protests are anti-Israeli government and not “antisemitism”.
Richard Prochaska Winter Springs
Manchin’s machinations
Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia has performed a balancing act with Republicans and Democrats, but his latest act of not seeking reelection might just help the Republicans flip the Senate. What he’s most likely doing is setting up a fight with President Joe Biden. I think many think that if Biden, for whatever reason, doesn’t run for re-election, they want to be in a position to run. Not that there’s anything wrong with that decision, but just be honest, Senator. It’s a good way to be when running for president.
Jeffrey Dombeck Boynton Beach
