Letters to the Editor
DOCTORRICK
Published Letters: 16 Editor's Choice: 4
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Smoking relationship
[Read the article: Breast bullies]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I as most others am somewhat torn. I am a family doctor who delivers and cares for babies. It is a narrow line between agressively promoting breast feeding for my patients, and going too far and causing unneeded guilt.
I know where all these smoking references started. There was a position paper a while ago (I can't find the reference) that showed that the marginal benefit of breast feeding, was almost equal to the marginal harm cause by pregnant women smoking. I can't argue the science of the article as I don't have it in front of me, but assuming that is true, is the comparison so wrong to make?
We may not like the fact that breast has that much marginal benefit to the health of newborns vs. formula, but that seems to be the fact. Certainly society/laws etc should be set up in such a way as to make bf'ing easier, but for now we've got what we've got.
By the way, I don't mention that fact when promoting bf'ing to my patients, as I am afraid of the guilt issue as well.
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smoking
[Read the article: Breast bullies]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]The point of the editorial was pretty much what this ad campaign is doing. The argument was that we devote significant time/effort/money and are not afraid of "guilting" pregnant women about smoking. However we are very afraid of "guilting" postpartum women about bf'ing when the marginal risk/benefit is almost the same. It argued for an approach similiar to this ad campaign. Wish I could fine the article, it might very well by the scientific argument behing this ad campaign.
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don't be so quick to abandon your pill
[Read the article: What's in your Pill?]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]This is not the no brainer it seems to be.
While it is true the risk of blood clot from this particular progesterone is twice that of older pills, that is not necessarily a deal breaker. If the risk of blood clot from an older pill is 1/100,000, the risk with the newer pill is only 1/50,000. Certainly a difference, but remember there are some benefits to the newer progestins. Many of my patients report less nausea, less weight gain, and less decreased libido with these pills.
The big pharma issue is not huge here, as these "newer" progestins are not that new, and almost all are available as generics, so no 1 drug company is making a fortune on these pills. I think doctors should tend to use the older pills for the most part, but these pills clearly have a niche in providing options for birth control in women.
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the quote
[Read the article: Beyond the Multiplex]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]from Dune prequel, the butlerian jihad
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loss of humanity
[Read the article: "Sopranos" wrap-up: Uncomfortably numb]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I saw this as Tony completely losing his humanity, or as Heather said, heading for Hell.
One point worth remembering, in all of David Chase's interviews, he has far less sympathy for Tony, than we all do. If anything he seems surprised, and even chagrined by the affection the general public has for someone he sees as conflicted, but ultimately evil.
This may a step towards settling that account.
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LIVIA
[Read the article: "Sopranos" wrap-up: Uncomfortably numb]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I was just about to mention Livia, when someone else did.
Am I misrembering or didn't Livia mention suffocating a child during one of her rants in the first 2 seasons?
Is Chris's death a reference back to that?
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bye Lorelai and Rory
[Read the article: Finale wrap-up: "Gilmore Girls"]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I was sucked into this show by my 13 and 15 yo daughters, we watch it together every week. I think that is the ideal way to experience the show.
There is no question the show has floundered in the past 2-3 seasons (the whole marriage to Christopher continues to piss off my daughters). However the essential relationships of the show did manage to keep our interest going.
Last nights show, while not the greatest episode, was a fitting send off. Although Paris wasn't around, the scenes with Emily were great. The writers didn't telegraph where Emily was going with the whole spa thing, and by the time I realized her motivation, I was complete sucked in to her fear of losing Lorelai again. When Lorelai said they would discuss at Friday dinner, the look of relief/happiness on Emily's face brought sobs at my house.
I think the ending was appropriate, in front of coffee, at Luke's. We all wondered if the last lines were the ones ASP intended (as all loyal GG fans know, ASP has said she knew the last lines of the show right from the beginning).
Bye bye, Lorelai, Rory, Luke, Emily, Richard, Paris, Ling etc. etc.! You will be missed at my house.
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FYI about next week
[Read the article: "Sopranos" wrap-up: Hide-and-seek]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Did a quick web search on next weeks show.
Title is "Made in America" and David Chase is listed as both writer and director.
As to what will happen, I'm not sure, but in a show with few (if any) coincidences, how can we ignore the fact that Tony's name is Soprano? And has been noted, sopranos do only one thing, sing.
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big problem
[Read the article: Sex, drugs and my 15-year-old]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I must say, not to be a prude, but a see a major problem here. You mentioned you walked to your car??!!
If there is any one message about mind altering drugs to pass on, it is not to drive when impaired.
I can't say I am a big fan of the whole thing, but I can see the argument about being honest.
However the driving while impaired changed everything.
If there is any aspect of alcohol or drugs that a parent needs to be an absolute dictator on, it is that.
Sorry, big mistake.