Sunday, June 15, 2014
Probe the quality of medical care for active-duty military personnel
So much is being reported on the medical scandal in the Department of Veterans Affairs. I have a question: Are veterans deserving of more or less promised medical entitlements than active-duty military personnel? Yet, I’ve never heard a word about medical scandals and cover-ups in the military dating as far back as 1949.
I write from personal experience. The best of benefits are reserved for career officers. Draftees are given a few capsules, which the men derisively called, “All Purpose Capsules.” Hospital patients were routinely put on “working parties,” mopping floors, washing walls and serving meals.
A senior high-ranking medical officer of World War II told me, and I quote; “Some of the nation’s finest doctors are in the military, but once they get commissioned onto the ‘gravy train,’ they do not want to work.”
I learned to postpone my medical needs until my next furlough and would pay civilian doctors out of my approximately $100 monthly salary. On seeking medical needs in a Florida naval hospital, I presented a letter from the Cleveland Clinic confirming such needs. The senior orthopaed told me very bluntly, “If you can’t do your job, we’ll give you a medical discharge.”
My intention is, hopefully, not to offend the conscientious who served well, but possibly to enlighten others with a preview on what is coming for all of us in socialized medicine.
Marvin Case, Columbiana
Austintown woman believes phys ed classes are understaffed
It is laughable that Austin- town Schools Superintendent Vincent Colaluca would suggest the physical education department is overstaffed when gym classes at Austintown Elementary School can number 80 students in one class.
Why do we act concerned about childhood obesity yet we place no value on physical education? I hope Austintown parents will wake up and realize their children were herded around like cattle this year in their new school, being shuffled from one class to the next.
New schools don’t solve problems when the issue is poor leadership.
I believe the Austintown school board is interested only in engaging in petty arguments and carrying out personal agendas. They are not interested in what is best for the students or creating an atmosphere that is conducive to learning.
This dysfunctional school administration especially has no clue on what it means to spend taxpayer dollars responsibly and appropriately.
Dawn Baker, Austintown
Try American deserter as traitor
I am writing this letter in honor of my father, Jack B. Joynson, who enlisted in the Army Air Forces after Pearl Harbor was attacked.
I think President Obama has done a great disservice to all military men and women, living and dead, and to all Americans by bringing a deserter back to our country. He should be given a military trial as a traitor.
Jacqueline A. Hanson, Youngstown
Liberty salutatorian was snubbed
A prior commitment prevent- ed me from attending commencement ceremonies for the 2014 Liberty High School graduating class. So I read with interest Bob Jackson’s article “One + One = One.”
It was wonderful that Logan Hunkus and Noah Persson could share the spotlight as co-valedictorians. Mr. Jackson never mentions in his article who the class salutatorian was. He just says that one student would have been valedictorian while the other student would have been salutatorian.
The salutatorian for the 2014 graduating class of Liberty High School was Crystal Carradine, an outstanding student like her peers and deserving of the honor and recognition. Miss Carradine will be off to college soon where her focus is pre-med.
It’s a shame Miss Carradine did not receive recognition for her accomplishments along with her peers.
Other articles appearing in The Vindicator written about commencement ceremonies recognized both the class valedictorian and the class salutatorian. Mr. Jackson dropped the ball by not recognizing all three students for their outstanding work and accomplishments.
Linda A. Gwinnup, Boardman
Tribute to Campbell principal
I read with interest the vin- dicator article on the retirement of Dr. Robert Walls as principal of Campbell K-8 School.
I am a retired children’s librarian from the public library system and over the years visited 20 local grade schools to promote the summer reading program for the library. I only met Dr. Walls once, but he left a lasting impression.
It was the only time in 15 years that I was greeted at the door by the principal and escorted to the gymnasium by him. There was an excited crowd of 500 kindergarten through fifth-grade students, but he got them quiet immediately.
What impressed me the most was that while walking me to the gym, several small children broke away from their line and hugged him around the knees. It was obvious that the children not only respected him, but liked him.
Cheryl Bellanca, Poland
Parallels drawn between abortion, drug-addicted pregnant women
Your recent editorial “Ohio launches a pilot project to help pregnant drug addicts” was spot-on: Teaching about and treating drug addiction is a sustainable solution to heroin abuse among pregnant women. Yet, as you suggest, the willingness of some to return to the “Dark Ages of archaic attitudes and reckless public policy on the rising plight of pregnant women” surrounds us.
With regards to heroin addiction, Ohio seeks common-sense and compassionate ways to help and educate women, but also to protect growing babies in the womb. Sadly, however, people do not demonstrate a consistent ethic when it comes to other practices that harm unborn children, particularly abortion.
In the case of drug addiction among pregnant women, few would argue the validity of the “my body, my choice” argument, appreciating that drug addiction in fact harms another body — another life — within the mother’s body.
No reasonable person would argue against educating pregnant drug addicts, yet when Gov. Kasich signed an informed consent pro-life initiative last year, pro-choice politicians objected to offering a woman the opportunity to hear her child’s heartbeat before proceeding with an abortion.
Leaving a pregnant woman blind to what occurs inside of her body before or during an abortion is the kind of “archaic”, “backwater”, and “dark” pregnancy policy we should avoid.
Katherine McCann, Columbus McCann is public relations manager for Ohio Right to Life.
Audience antics disrespected ‘Wiz’
I went to see “The Wiz” on June 1 at The Youngstown Playhouse. The show was excellent! However, two things disturbed me.
First, there were two families with babies that continually cried during the performance and they were not removed. The Youngstown Playhouse is not a place for infants.
Secondly, curtain time was 2:30 p.m. People were still arriving, and it was past 2:45. I feel that the doors should be closed at curtain time, and those who are late should have to wait until intermission to enter. The show must go on!
Catherine DeSimone, Poland