A missing date
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (National), has called on the Biden administration to “demand that the Israeli government de-escalate the crisis it started.” Apparently the CAIR calendar does not contain an October 7th.
Alan Miller, Eagan
Mental health and new moms
I am writing in response to Lisa Jarvis’ column (“Biden’s $12 billion for women’s health should be just a start,” March 24) to expand on information provided regarding President Biden’s executive order signed March 18. Little is mentioned in this column regarding the severity of mental health disorders experienced by women — specifically maternal mental health.
According to The Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health, 1 in 5 pregnant and postpartum women will suffer from a mental illness. Unfortunately, only 15% of those experiencing symptoms of maternal mental health will actually pursue treatment, and 9% of those women receive adequate treatment. This matters because according to the Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance, maternal mental health and substance use are the primary cause of death postpartum up to one year. Furthermore, untreated maternal mental health costs the United States approximately $14 billion each year. President Biden’s executive order calls for $5 million (funded by the USDA) in further research to learn about symptoms of and mortality related to maternal mental health disorders by avenue of WIC recipients.
Given medical assistance funds approximately 40% of births in the United States, this seems a great place to start. While $5 million is meager, we have to start somewhere.
After the birth of my daughter 13 years ago, I was diagnosed with severe postpartum depression. I was fortunate to have the support of my family and a pre-established mental health professional, but so little was known about the condition I shared with far too many women, especially those without the support my daughter and I were fortunate to have. As a current graduate student of social work at St. Kate’s, I’m happy to say my studies have taught me the last 13 years has brought bounds of research that has informed policy to benefit the mothers bearing the future of our country.
Ruth Eilts, Elk River
Shared responsibility
It’s called living in society. As participants in a community, however large or small, we are individually required, to some degree, to participate in the daily lives of those around us; even if only to pause in the street to allow our neighbor to turn slowly into their driveway from the street in front of us. We no longer burn piles of dead leaves in our yards.
If we lend a vehicle to a friend or relative, we are at least partially responsible if that person speeds through an intersection and disrupts traffic flow or causes an accident. If a young member of our family picks up a loaded gun we have neglected to secure and shoots somebody, we are, to some degree, responsible. We are responsible if a member of our family becomes dangerous to others, we are responsible to report to authority.
If the installation of cameras at intersections to record traffic-law infractions results in citations to the vehicle owner, that is also part of our responsibilities as citizens. And, if such installations result in fewer traffic accidents, that is a positive outcome.
It’s called living in society.
Carl Brookins, Roseville
Abusers and pets
I’m writing in response to the article ‘Domestic abuse and pets present a conundrum — New foster care program seeks to help victims‘, published in the April 2 edition. Thank you for giving visibility to the work of the Minnesota Pet Foster Coalition and the work these organizations do to help remove victims of domestic violence and pets from situations where their lives are at risk.
Someone I love was in an abusive relationship where the abuser killed multiple shared pets; despite the awareness that this happens, before reading the article, I did not know just how prevalent the issue of abusers threatening, injuring or killing pets as a method to manipulate or coerce victims is. In a National People and Animals Living Safely (PALS) survey, 97% of domestic violence survivors stated that keeping pets with them is an important factor when considering whether to seek shelter, and half of respondents would not consider seeking shelter without them.
With cross-agency collaboration, the Minnesota Pet Foster Coalition is better equipped to meet the urgency and complexity of domestic violence situations. I am appreciative to see local organizations get recognition for the work they’re doing for the well-being of people and animals.
Jess Rometti, Minneapolis
A parking-ticket puzzle
I’m surprised St. Paul Ward 1 Councilmember Anika Bowie was unaware of her parking and speeding tickets. She explains that “I haven’t received my tickets because I haven’t changed my address on my driver’s license.” Parking tickets are left on the car’s windshield and speeding tickets handed directly to the driver. She obviously ignored the court’s past-due letters mailed to her Roseville address. Did she not inform the U.S. Post Office that she now resided in St. Paul? The first lesson in politics is “tell the truth.”
Peter K. Butler, St. Paul
The pursuit of balance
Thanks to the Pioneer Press for printing “Liberal Bias at NPR, old-school journalism and the reluctance to admit a mistake” in its Other Voices editorial section. This editorial, which originated in the Chicago Tribune, addressed Uri Berliner’s recent essay regarding his concerns with the increasingly narrow Point of View presented by his long-time employer, National Public Radio.
Berliner’s original piece was published in the Free Press online outlet. While profoundly damning, it is a very measured and thoughtful critique of recent trends at NPR and, to a lesser degree, other legacy news outlets. His primary point is that, while NPR purports to present a broad perspective reflecting its public funding, it has increasingly adopted a role of “progressive” (strong liberal) advocacy over balanced journalistic presentation of all perspectives. It is far from “inclusive,” he argues, because it does not present views or information inconsistent with the progressive narrative.
While I am a Democrat and agree with a good number of NPR’s perspectives (e.g. hatred of all things Trump), my strong sense is that NPR has gone “off the rails.” I thought the Chicago Tribune editorial was very important and compelling in its support for Berliner’s piece. Again, I thank the Pioneer Press for publishing this editorial. In general, I find that the Pioneer Press does a great job in terms of providing journalistic balance; a balance that is lacking in other significant media outlets.
Peter Langworthy, St. Paul
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