Letters to the Editor
jfernrn
Published Letters: 5
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Bystanders
[Read the article: Police: Woman raped, witnesses do nothing]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]When I moved to New York City from the suburbs of Philadelphia, I was astonished by the complacency of native New Yorkers when faced with someone in trouble. They would throw a blank look, then turn away and keep going. If it was really thrilling, they would stand and observe. Once, while walking through Union Square Park with two fellow students, both New Yorkers, we approached a man lying on the cement walk, moaning incomprehensively and holding out his hand. I immediately wondered how I could help and as I stepped the first millimeter toward him, my friends flanked me, grabbed my upper arms and sternly (and a little painfully) steered me around him. That was when I was young; now I'm old and can still see him. It was the way of New York then, and is apparently the way of the world now. Too bad.
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Autism: The Musical
[Read the article: TV Daily]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I had the good fortune to attend a screening of this fascinating film several weeks ago, sponsored by HBO. Prior to seeing the film, I had blithely gone through life as a medical professional who didn't really have an understanding of this affliction.
Elaine changed that. I can't say I completely get it, because every case is so very individual, but the film explained more to me in under two hours than I have been able to research or experience ever since I first heard of autism, roughly 30 years ago. There isn't much written on the subject.
But I continue to question: why? Why do some kids get it and not others? It's not easy enough to be bacterial in origin so we could throw an antibiotic at it. There has been an ongoing controversy that thimerosol, a preservative used in vaccines, was the cause, but this is still merely speculation. Why does it not show itself until the child is roughly two years old? What happens to make them turn this unfortunate corner? What makes the brain suck the child inside him/herself?
The parents have my permanent admiration. This can be a marital deal-breaker, as we saw, or solidifying for the lucky few. But to have the patience and foresight it takes to manage this difficult life for the rest of one's life and beyond is something most of us can only imagine. Go parents -- you rock!
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Wow!
[Read the article: Our cupboard was bare]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Many of us don't know how lucky we are. I suspect that of the writer until the bottom fell out. However, I admire her strength and tenacity and am happy to know that things seem to be looking up for her and her family.
My kids are grown, I have grandchildren, I didn't grow up poor and [so far] have not suffered any great losses. Despite my luck, this story hit me where I live. Good luck.
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Sharing the cockpit with a female pilot
[Read the article: Ask the pilot]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]And this is a bad thing because.......?
I'm a low-time private pilot, but equal or better tnan all other low-time private pilots. I've noticed more women Captains and First Officers lately in my many travels. As I exit the aircraft I want to give them a knuckle punch and congratulate them for breaking this particular glass ceiling.
In general, they have my vote.
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Reunions
[Read the article: Smells like middle-aged spirit]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Wait until your 50th, where most of the women will have held up nicely and most of the men are fat and deaf!