A compassionate option
The passing of President Jimmy Carter marks the end of an admirable life dedicated to service, compassion and humanity. While we mourn his loss, we can also reflect on the impact he made, even in his final chapter, by helping to shift the conversation around hospice care.
When Carter entered hospice in February 2023, many assumed his time would be measured in days or weeks, a common misconception about what hospice means.
In reality, hospice is not about giving up. Instead, it's about living the remaining months of life with dignity and as much comfort as possible.
Hospice offers support for patients and families, addressing physical, emotional and spiritual needs during one of life's most challenging times, free from the stress of unnecessary hospital visits or procedures. As a colleague at Compassus Hospice & Pallative Care, I have seen the impact our guidance and support have on patients and their families. It's a compassionate option that should be embraced much earlier to improve quality of life.
As we honor Jimmy Carter's legacy, let's also remember the lesson his final journey taught us: that hospice is not about ending life but about helping people live it fully, even at the end.
Jacqueline Eaton
Colorado Springs
Detriments of marijuana use
The Gazette front page article: "Fight continues over marjuana sale plans in city" (Jan. 2), omitted full disclosure of the fight over recreational marijuana. The article cites only the civic discourse over the recreational pot dilemma. So, when will there be a philosophical article concerning the "virtue" of recreational marijuana? A philosophical "debate" on the matter would put an end to the civic discourse.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states: "Cannabis use directly affects brain function -- specifically the parts of the brain responsible for memory, learning, attention, decision making, coordination, emotions and reaction time."
The National Institutes of Health and Health and Human Services (have similar evidence to the contrary of marijuana use. The CDC, NIH and HHS are synoptic in their assessment on the hazards of recreational marijuana. Maybe that's why recreational pot is still illegal under federal law.
Our elected government politicians have a duty to keep citizens safe from the (adverse) mind-altering effects of recreational marijuana. This includes campaigning to keep the "pot-heads" from getting their way, to the detriment of health-minded, sensible citizens.
Daniel Pryor
Peyton
There's a need for food pantries
I am blown away by the insensitivity and ignorance Janice Taylor displayed in her letter to the editor about college food pantries on Tuesday. She must have rich parents!
I went to nursing school in the 1970s and tried to survive on $1 a day for food. My tuition did not include meals. My parents were farmers with four other kids at home, so I was the one putting myself through school. I worked at the hospital on weekends to try to make ends meet. I took out loans to pay for school.
Sign up for free: Gazette Opinion Receive updates from our editorial staff, guest columnists, and letters from Gazette readers. Sent to your inbox 12:00 PM.
Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. Featured Local Savings
Today it is even more difficult to afford going to school. A food pantry is absolutely mandatory! Hurray for the colleges that provide this!
Anne Rivers
Colorado Springs
Rights come with responsibilities
Speaking as a proud Libertarian, your recent editorial on needle exchanges is spot-on.
While Libertarians will always advocate for individuals' right to do whatever they please (including drug use) but only up to the point where their choices impose or intrude on the rights of others, what is so often conveniently ignored, overlooked and given little more than lip service (even by The Libertarian Party) is that with individual rights come individual responsibilities.
When it comes to drug use, I defer to the insights and experience of a friend I've known since seventh grade who has done every single drug there is to do (heroin, speed, cocaine, nicotine, alcohol, marijuana, etc.) and been clean for 20 plus years now because he has literally lived it.
His view is that all drugs (including alcohol) shouldn't be illegal, but rather controlled and dispensed by pharmacies because he has never seen or heard of any addict being deterred in the slightest because it's illegal.
Similarly, well-intentioned as it might be, anything, you do, from food to housing to medical care and intervention to rehab to needle exchanges to "help" an addict, is enabling them regardless of whether you're willing to recognize it as such.
Like it or not, right or wrong, coulda, woulda, shoulda, it all boils down to: Whose got the problem? Until and unless they are compelled to confront their addiction and the problems of their own making, nothing will change.
The absolute last thing we need are more 'gubment' programs, which have failed miserably nationwide, to enable and facilitate their addiction.
Gordon Carleton
Pueblo West
Presidential Medal of Freedom
President Joe Biden should be ashamed of himself. How could he award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to George Soros, the one individual who has done more for the criminals of this country than anyone else?
He has spent billions of dollars getting very liberal governors, mayors and DAs elected, who once elected have gone soft on crime reducing felonies to misdemeanors, supporting defund the police. Several have been recalled but he has continued his destructive funding and his son is now heading up the effort. Biden has sullied the award and emboldened the criminal element by awarding the medal to Soros. How much did Soros give to Biden and Kamala Harris? Disgraceful!
Retired Lt. Col. Barry S. Oswell, Air Force
Colorado Springs