Letters to the Editors

Brown-Waite's war dead idea insensitive, stupid

Editor: As a resident of Washington, D.C., with strong ties to Brooksville, I have most recently received a page of letters (to the editor) decrying U.S. Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite's proposal to bring our World War II war dead back from France. I agree with your readers that such a proposal is insensitive, stupid and certainly ignorant of Franco-American history.

I have telephoned Ms. Brown-Waite's office here in Washington to protest. As a World War II veteran (I'm 83), a not-so-distant acquaintance of some of those dead, a former resident of France and godfather to a young Frenchman, may I please join your readers in raising objections to this kind of flawed representation. Surely, Americans deserve better.

I suggest Ms. Brown-Waite make a trip to the American cemeteries in France, Belgium and Luxembourg and rethink this matter. Those dead sleep in ground hallowed by their blood. How dare she disturb them.
-- William H. Reynolds, Washington, D.C.

Star athlete needs no special favors

Editor: Strike One! Strike Two! Strike Three! You're Out! Those are the usual words you would hear on any given night when Matt Schrantz is pitching. Some things money just can't buy. One of these is talent. We're not just talking about talent on the baseball field. This freshman at Crystal River High School is one of the best athletes in Citrus County. Promoted to varsity basketball in his first year of high school. Last year's middle school tennis champion, junior varsity football player, and even better, a high school honor roll student. Having had the opportunity to watch him play, and the privilege of coaching him in baseball, Matt needs no "special treatment" or help from his father or anyone else to earn a starting spot on any baseball team.

Having a son on the Citrus High School JV baseball team, Kevin Schrantz graciously donated money for our sponsorship sign. Perhaps a little further investigation would show that Mr. Schrantz has a weakness for sponsoring most kids and sports programs that stop by his dealership.

Also forgotten in your story was the fact that Coach Hall is Kevin Schrantz's next-door neighbor. Maybe that's why Matt would ride to school with Coach Hall. Their families are close friends and Coach Hall is borrowing the car for that reason, not because Kevin Schrantz needs to "buy his way" into any baseball team.

Every parent wants the best for their child. Right now, Crystal River has the best baseball program in Citrus County.

Regardless of the outcome of Coach Hall's story, Kevin Schrantz and his family have been a big asset to many charities and sports programs throughout our community that have ever stopped by his office to ask for donations or sponsorships.
-- Gerard DeSomma, Inverness

Shutting down clinics is distressing

Editor: I am writing to express my concern regarding the removal of patients from the River Oaks Rehabilitation Center.

Some years ago, federal agents raided the health clinic of a Dr. Jonathan Wright.

In California, the health clinic of a Dr. Richard Schultz was shut down. A Dr. Max Gerson had his clinic closed and now has a hospital in Mexico. Space is too short to list all the other medical doctors who have had their clinics shut down.

What all these clinics have in common is that they were helping people with so-called incurable diseases by using natural or alternative therapies rather than drugs, chemo, radiation or surgery. Were these clinics closed because they were a health threat to their patients or that maybe their treatment centers were a financial threat to the bottom line of some powerful business interests?

Is the removal of patients from River Oaks because the facility is a threat to the health of the patients or could it be like the above financial threat?

Dan Ward, the owner-operator of River Oaks, has helped many people, and I believe it is a shame that he has become a target of the state in this matter.

Dr. Barry Sears, a widely published scientist and researcher, in his latest book, The Omega Rx Zone, refers to Dan Ward as "a nationally recognized expert in preventing and reversing severe physical and mental disabilities in frail seniors" and provides many examples of Dan's success in helping patients at River Oaks. Dr. Sears has been to Crystal River many times to help set up the program that Dan Ward is now using.

A Dr. Nick Gonzales, in New York, has been extending the life of patients with pancreatic cancer using enzymes and diet. Recently, for the first time, a federal agency, the National Cancer Institute, has awarded Dr. Gonzales a $1.5-million grant to do further study on his program. Why can't our state and federal officials provide similar support to Dan Ward to determine the merits of his program?

Many people I have spoken to are opposed to shutting down River Oaks. Yes, the state has the power to close River Oaks, but the new, cutting-edge ideas of people like Barry Sears and Dan Ward will continue.
-- Harvey Oltendorf, Homosassa

Share your views

The Citrus Times welcomes letters from readers for publication.

Because of space limitations, letters should be of reasonable length.

Letters may be edited for clarity, taste and length.

All letters must be signed and must contain the writer's address and telephone number. Addresses and telephone numbers will not be printed.

Send your letters to Greg Hamilton, editorial page editor, Citrus Times, 301 W Main St., Inverness, FL 34450. To fax a letter, call 860-7320. Send letters by electronic mail (in text-only format) to Hamilton@sptimes.com.

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright