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Todays Letters: Parents, heed this advice

When our son, Adam, was born (Dec. 5, 1990) he got a small teddy bear from an aunt. We placed it in the corner of his crib and there it sat, basically unused and unnoticed, until June 27, 1991.

During the night, Adam somehow got the bear. The only thing we can figure is that somehow, the 6-inch-long, quarter-inch-wide ribbon on the bear came detached and Adam aspirated it.

It balled up, rested on his larynx and prevented him from crying.

I found him gone in the morning when I went to wake him for his bottle. He had died about 3:30 in the morning and we never even knew of his horrible struggle. The paramedics came when we called them and tried to revive him but couldn't intubate him, so they used a scope and found the ribbon balled up there.

It was a long and terrible and senseless way for a baby to die. We lived in Lakeland at the time, and I contacted the Consumer Product Safety Commission only to find out that the law about small parts on toys excluded fabric.

Could you alert people to remove all ornamental and decorative items from toys and animals? Even when they are sewn on, it's not always adequate.

I hope Adam's story helps prevent another family from this ordeal.

Tami Stodghill,Palm Harbor 

Re: Cancer survivor battles U.S. government story, Dec. 16

Pay exposed workers. Now.

I am appalled at the plight of Jackie Brown.

In a recent meeting with congressional aides, former employees of the old General Electric plant at Bryan Dairy and Belcher roads vented their frustrations. More than three-fourths of the nearly 100 present have or had cancer. In some cases, people who worked side by side and developed identical illnesses had one claim paid and the other denied by the government.

All I expect is for my government to fess up and say to Jackie (and the more than 1,300 employees of the plant who have thus far made claims), here is the money that Congress authorized to pay your medical bills and compensate you.

I attended this meeting in support of my friend Betsy Wood, who lost her wonderful husband, Jim, to an especially aggressive form of brain cancer last September.

Jim's Moffitt Cancer Center physician stated in an affidavit that Jim's cancer was more than likely caused by radiation exposure. Betsy's claim was denied. I am one angry American.

I expect that my government will compensate Jackie Brown and the legions of unpaid claims. These are Americans who proudly went to work each day, working on patriot missiles for the U.S. Department of Defense. They unknowingly were exposed to radiation and toxins. They were never told to shower before they left the plant, so they innocently exposed their families to these toxins. They suddenly had the drinking fountains shut off, were provided bottled water and were never told why. When radiation alarms went off, they were told by supervisors that the alarms were malfunctioning.

Jackie Brown is a two-time cancer survivor. The families of those who succumbed must recreate (evidence of) their family member's exposure. Since plant employees were sworn to secrecy, how is a survivor to document a loved one's exposure if the loved one is deceased?

The congressional aides in attendance had to be as enraged as I. They offered assistance.

When more than half of a plant's employees develop cancer and other debilitating diseases, I expect the employer to step up and pay. Now.

Cindy Ehrenzeller, Clearwater

Blame banks for mortgage defaults

I am tired of hearing about how many mortgages are in default and how people have to give up their homes. I blame the banks for giving out mortgages to people who can't afford to own a home.

Back in the 1950s when we bought our first house, the rule of thumb was that whatever your take-home pay for a week was, that was what you could afford for a mortgage. Example: If you took home $100 a week, your mortgage payment was to be $100 a month.

You young people think hard about that rule of thumb. Most of you will find out that you can't afford your home now.

Banks make it too easy for people to get a mortgage today. You pay only the interest for 10 years, then you must pay on the principal the rest of the years.

You are the boss when it comes to what you can afford each month. Don't let the banks talk you into low-cost mortgages. In the long run, you are the ones who suffer. And the rest of us have to pick up the rest of your debt.

Think hard before you consider buying a home. Use the rule of thumb.

August F. Holderried, Largo

Your voice counts

You may submit a letter to the editor for possible publication through our Web site at www.tampabay.com/letters, or by faxing it to (727) 445-4119, or by mailing it to Letters, 710 Court St., Clearwater, FL 33756. You must include your name, address and phone number. Letters may be edited for clarity, taste and length.

[Last modified December 22, 2007, 21:46:54]