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Today's Letters: A worthy effort to reclaim the media
Letters to the Editor
Published November 22, 2007
A worthy effort to reclaim the media
The St. Petersburg Times is to be commended for its introduction of the PolitiFact "true or false" feature. It spotlights the innocent fibs and the contrived whoppers of the nearly two dozen presidential hopefuls.
As the already corrosive presidential election gains momentum, the waffling, triangulating and bare-faced lying will be fueled by the propaganda unleashed by the cable networks. The days of Walter Cronkite, Eric Sevareid, Edward R. Murrow, Chet Huntley and David Brinkley are gone.
What was once a robust, yet civil dissent in the media that united us in purpose and in spirit is now in shambles.
Now we have the alternating scowl and grim physiognomy of Bill O'Reilly, the self-styled arbiter of patriotism, descend on us each night from the No Spin Zone, preaching hate and division, ably assisted by the distaff side of venting Valkyries. Far behind and frantic out of his wits to close the gap is the cherubic-faced Chris Matthews, who needs not just one but two hours each day to spew out his personal vision of banalities as to who is running and where and who is at the head of the pack, as if the presidential election were a dog derby.
Too numerous to list, there are of course others in the same brotherhood with their own agendas of tendentious half-truths, outright distortions, sly innuendos and platitudes.
Those purveyors of disunity had hijacked the First Amendment and run amok with it, left and right, with impunity. Freedom of speech should never be allowed to be thus eviscerated, and the Times' "true or false" series is a good start to debate that issue.
Jerry Rawicki, Seminole
Boost lung cancer research
Now that the pink ribbons have been put away for a while, it's time to turn our attention to the most deadly cancer for women: lung cancer.
In 2007 the American Cancer Society estimates there will be 101,000 women diagnosed with lung cancer and more than 70,000 of these women will die from it. That is more women than will die of breast, ovarian and uterine cancers combined. Yet, while the federal government spends more than $23,000 per death each year on breast cancer research, only $1,800 per death is devoted to lung cancer research.
If lung cancer is the deadliest form of cancer, why is so little money devoted to researching effective lung cancer treatments? The simple truth is that there is a stigma attached to lung cancer. Because it is so closely associated with smoking, there is an assumption that lung cancer victims are responsible for their own illnesses. While the argument can be made that there are a variety of lifestyle choices that contribute to all kinds of cancers, lung cancer victims seem to be particularly singled out for theirs.
But even if that were a valid reason (and it's not) for shortchanging lung cancer research, it can't account for the growing numbers of nonsmoking as well as younger women who are being diagnosed with lung cancer.
It's time to add lung cancer to the list of women's cancers. It needs ribbons and walks and, most important, it needs funding.
Eileen Foley, St. Petersburg
Dementia relief, with a huge side effect Nov. 18, story
Worthwhile treatment
This article looked at drug use for treating elderly patients, many of them in nursing homes.
It is easy for columnists/researchers to lament the small possible decrease in life expectancy in the number of nursing home/homebound seniors with severe dementia. I, like many others, share a cynical view of drug companies at times.
It is another thing to watch someone you love, and have shared your life with, enter into a state of living that has no redeeming qualities. I have experienced this up close (it is heartbreaking beyond belief). I know with certainty, that given the choice between this "no quality of life" for five years (possibly in a nursing home), and a peaceful life at home for maybe a year less, it is really no choice at all.
In my opinion, the critics/researchers should visit some wards in some nursing homes, or go through the "caregiver" stage, and then make their assessment.
Howard G. Olsen, Safety Harbor
Benefits vs. risks
Zyprexa, Seroquel and Risperdal are good drugs especially when compared to the old typical antipsychotic drugs. However, as with all drugs there are side effects to be considered. When physicians choose one of these drugs they have to weigh the benefit of the drug against the risks (side effects).
This decision should be made by the physician, the patient (if capable), the family and the nurses if the patient is institutionalized.
As for your article, after a reader got by the sensational headline and actually read the story it appeared the physicians, patients and nurses were pleased with the use of these drugs.
John C. Peppe, registered pharmacist, Clearwater
Focus on fruitfulness Nov. 17, Homes story
Why waste food?
This article was about how to attractively decorate the dining room table for your fancy Thanksgiving dinner with edible items.
What a perfectly good way to waste food! One item pictured had five pomegranates. Has anyone priced a pomegranate lately? Add that to the price of a vase, flowers and filler material and you could easily feed a few people who won't get a Thanksgiving meal.
Stick to plastic fruit, please. It's cheaper. Better yet, get some exercise by raking your yard and make a pine cone and straw centerpiece.
Harriet Browder, Clearwater
Thanks to our troops
On this Thanksgiving Day, remember to give thanks to our loyal troops in Iraq and Afghanistan who won't be with their families or loved ones to enjoy the festivities of this holiday. I give thanks for my continued freedom because without the presence of these brave men and women our independence would surely be compromised.
Thank you, my brothers and sisters, and may God bless you and be always with you to give you comfort, hope and guidance in bringing you home safely.
Jack Burlakos, U.S. Navy Vietnam veteran, Kenneth City
I say bravo to the cities of Tampa and St. Petersburg for filing a lawsuit against the Bright House Network to block the company from moving our Channel 15 government channel to Channel 615!
In my view, this move makes absolutely no sense. The move will cause an extreme hardship on many of the customers in South Pasadena. Our citizens rely on Channel 15 to keep apprised of city meeting schedules and free family entertainment events. This move will also hamper residents' access to vital information during emergency situations. We passed a resolution opposing this move at our last meeting and have sent it to Bright House management.
Bright House attorney Steve Anderson sounds like he doesn't read his mail. He was quoted as saying, "Out of all the local governments who have been affected by this realignment, they're (Tampa and St. Petersburg) the only two that can't live with it."
Wrong, Mr. Anderson! Many of our local governments in Pinellas County have passed resolutions similar to South Pasadena's. We all think it's wrong ... and we don't want to live with it.
What's the rush? You have until Feb. 17, 2009, before the Federal Communications Commission mandates the change from analog broadcasting to 100 percent digital. Rather than dropping this on us on Dec. 11, why can't we have a little time to adjust gradually? FCC chairman Kevin J. Martin is telling us that awareness and preparation are key to a smooth transition. Half of us are not aware of what's going on, and this Bright House move is making it far from smooth.
How many people are aware that between Jan. 1, 2008, and March 31, 2009, the Department of Commerce will help ease the costs of transition by issuing up to two $40 coupons per household to assist with the purchase of the converter boxes required for digital transmissions with analog televisions? But between now and then, Bright House wants us to pay $12 per year, per box.
To me, their planned move to put C-SPAN meetings on Channel 15 to replace local government is insulting. Former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Tip O'Neill once said, "All politics is local." Bright House hears a different drummer!
Dick Holmes, mayor, South Pasadena
[Last modified November 21, 2007, 22:39:29]
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