The New York Times did not publish these letters I wrote.

To the Editor:

In his February 9, 2006, article "Tough US Steps in Hunger Strike at Camp in Cuba," Mr. Golden fails to address the question that the hunger strikers raise: is it allowable to indefinitely confine a human being under domestic, international, or moral law?

On December 9, 2005, Human Rights Watch reported that the detentions in Cuba are illegal under both domestic and international law. The US has not assured that detainees have rights to fair and speedy trial. They are secretly detained. These conditions make them vulnerable to torture and other abuses.

Golden's article misrepresents the Guantanamo scenario as a question of how a prison should treat suicidal inmates. He cites the US assistant secretary of defense for health affairs: "There is a moral question. Do you allow a person to commit suicide? Or do you take steps to protect their health and preserve their life?" Mr. Golden forgets that there is a third option. The US can release the detainees or grant them rights and privileges accorded prisoners under national and international law.

February 9, 2006

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In response to the NYC transit workers' strike:

To the editor:

As a student at the public health school bearing his name, I urge Mayor Bloomberg to approve the transit union's demands immediately. The Mayor has an opportunity before him. He can spend the MTA surplus on robust pensions, affordable health benefits, and high wages. These items will translate directly into improved health for thousands of transit workers, their families, and their neighborhoods.

The need for pensions should especially concern Mr. Bloomberg. The health of America's most vulnerable, particularly the growing elderly population, is suffering as cost of living skyrockets in urban areas and the gap between rich and poor widens. He can act now to ensure that retiring New Yorkers have pensions that allow them to grow old with dignity, security, and health. If he does not, New York's healthcare system will certainly bear the costs of his mistakes in the future.

December 21, 2005