Don't deny anyone their end-of-life choices

Don't deny anyone their end-of-life choices

On March 18, Kim Callinan wrote a compelling editorial about Heather Block and Rep. Paul Baumbach’s Bill 160, the Delaware End of Life Options Act. Heather knew she was dying and wanted her end of life to be without suffering. 

It makes me wonder how I would feel if in that situation. Would I utilize the end of life option? 

I don’t know. It is a very personal and individual choice and not for everyone. 

To quote Ms. Callinan: “The Delaware legislation, which was modeled after Oregon’s time-tested 20-year-old law, protects the dying patient from abuse or coercion. The Delaware legislation includes strict eligibility requirements. The person must be terminally ill, mentally capable and have a prognosis of six months or less to live. The bill includes dozens of regulatory requirements as well. Two doctors must confirm the prognosis. The dying patient must make the request orally and in writing and be able to self-ingest the medication.” 

Knowing that the option is there would give me such peace of mind. If it should happen and I am suffering and my quality of life is no longer there, I would schedule a date, gather my family and friends, tell them how much I love them and, hopefully, they will tell me the same. 

It would give me great joy to see everyone and we would party one last time. Even Stephen Hawking had said, “To keep someone alive against their wishes is the ultimate indignity.”

Sandra Dobbs

Wilmington

Let singers do the national anthem their way

In response to the recent letter about performances of the "Star Spangled Banner," I offer gentle corrections regarding the proper tempo and timing of the song.  

Francis Scott Key did indeed set his lyrics to a preexisting English melody, yet composer John Stafford Smith's original publication gives no tempo indication.  Most early American publications with Key's lyrics are marked "con spirito," a stylistic instruction, not a tempo marking.

Prior to the 1931 Act of Congress making it our official anthem, there were numerous interpretations, including the 1854 "Brilliant Variations" by Delaware composer Charles Grobe.  Not only does it clock in at over 6 minutes, but Grobe’s piano fireworks make Whitney Houston's Super Bowl performance pallid by comparison.

Even the law designating the "Star Spangled Banner" our national anthem makes no mention of manner of performance. Except for military purposes, the spirit of artistic freedom gives discretion to performers, who often use the song to reflect their own feelings.  

A stark reminder is Jimi Hendrix's iconic, yet controversial performance at Woodstock. Conversely, Philadelphia native P!nk delivered a straightforward rendition at this year's Super Bowl, despite her long record of political and social activism.

The song, like the flag it celebrates, has a different meaning to each American.  Whether fast, slow, embellished, or simple, musicians maintain the freedom to perform it as they choose. Performances may not be to the listener's taste, but our musical legacy is as diverse as our population, and no one interpretation represents all Americans.

Brian Cox

Newark

Padua protests are outrageous

The situation regarding the principal at Padua Academy is totally outrageous. No one really knows the full story but, according to the discovery of recent emails, it sounds like there was a disagreement regarding an increase in the cost of tuition at St Anthony of Padua high school and a different structure for financial decisions.

Calculations to account for the tuition hike means that the students will incur a $400 increase which sounds reasonable and not excessive. There is not any area in our lives that is immune from an increase in costs.

The real issue for me is how the parents and students have aligned themselves with the politics of the situation and not the business of getting an education. How refreshing it would have been for their beloved teacher to have defused this outcry, made a statement to the students asking them to devote their time to their education, not stay home from school and do not involve themselves with this situation which has nothing do with them and is a private issue. 

Joy Irwin

Wilmington