Letters To Editor – March 27, 2008
Primitive Not A Term Associated With Dr. George Brown
Dear Editor and Columnist,
The definition of primitive in Websters Dictionary in no way describes Dr. George Brown.
Dr. Brown was a highly skilled physician. He did not use primitive methods. He responded and did hands-on medicine – totally acceptable today.
His patients did not get put in frightening machines, injected with substances then wait for hours or days for diagnosis and treatment.
Dr Brown was a gentleman of distinguished appearance, manners, sincerity, and intelligence. He faced reality of stress and abrupt changes with calmness and composure. With dignity for self, others and life he realized he could not cure all illnesses but he cared for everyone and in that caring healing occurred in mind, spirit and body.
This community should honor him. It’s overdue. The word primitive should never be used again in reference to him.
Sincerely,
Julia Fernandez
Statewide Tobacco Claims 4,700 Yearly
Editor’s Note: This letter is begin sent on behalf of American Heart Association volunteer Dr. Debbie Minor. Dr. Minor can be reached at (601) 984-6853 or at dminor@medicine.umsmed.edu.
To the Editor:
Tobacco is the leading preventable cause of death in the United States. In Mississippi tobacco use claims more than 4,700 lives each year and the economic costs alone are more than $1.8 billion annually. More than 16 percent of Mississippi high school students and 7.5 percent of middle school students are current smokers.
Tobacco products are far from simple tobacco leaves rolled in paper or other packaging. They are highly engineered nicotine delivery devices finely tuned to appeal to the taste, feel, smell, and other sensations of new and addicted smokers. Most Americans do not realize that many chemicals are added to cigarettes to actually make them more addictive. There is no requirement that tobacco companies disclose any of this information about their products.
In January the American Lung Association released the State of Tobacco Control report. The federal government received an “F” for its failure to regulate manufactured tobacco products, including how the tobacco companies market their deadly products. Congress now has an opportunity to improve this grade – and more importantly, stop the tobacco industry’s harmful practices and protect public health. Congress is considering bipartisan legislation that would give the U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulatory authority over the tobacco industry. The House version of the bill, HR 1108, already has 216 cosponsors, including Rep. Pickering.
The American Heart Association thanks Congressman Pickering for his co-sponsorship of HR 1108. As the legislation moves to the House Energy and Commerce Committee, we ask Congressman Pickering to help us ensure that this legislation is not weakened and remains strong.
Now is the time for Congress to move forward and start protecting our kids!
Debbie Minor, PharmD
Madison, MS
American Heart Association National Advocacy Coordinate-ing Committee and Greater Southeast Affiliate, Board of Directors
IRS Needs Help Help Spreading Word
Letter to the Editor
The IRS needs your help.
Starting in May, economic stimulus payments of up to $600 for individuals ($1,200 for married couples) will be issued by the IRS based on 2007 tax returns. Parents also get $300 for each eligible child.
People must file a 2007 tax return. That’s it. But here’s where the IRS needs help.
Millions of people are eligible but may not know it. These are certain retirees, disabled vets and low-wage workers who normally don’t file a tax return. This year, they must file to receive the payments.
People can help not just the IRS but perhaps themselves, friends or family. Help us spread the word. People who have at least $3,000 from wages or certain benefits from Social Security, Railroad Retirement and Veterans Affairs may be eligible.
They need to file a return. We’ll do the rest.
For details, go towww.irs.gov.
Sincerely,
Deirdre Harris
IRS Spokesperson
Louisiana and Mississippi