Name new illness linked to Pfiesteria Shoemaker's disease
The record needs to be set straight on your article ("Md. doctors write paper on Pfiesteria," Aug. 14). This is in no way meant to detract from the importance of its appearance in this world-famous medical journal.
The first article did not appear in Lancet but in the Maryland Medical Journal of November/December, 1997. At that time an article by Dr. Richie C. Shoemaker, a Pocomoke family physician, presented a review of his first five cases and made some other cogent observations. Also in that issue was a related article, of which the lead author was Dr. Diane L. Matuszak.
In addition to the above mentioned articles, the Maryland Medical Journal published an article by Dr. Shoemaker in our February/March, 1998 issue. I should point out that this article addressed therapy of the disease. While his claims in this matter are not accepted by some physicians engaged in this field, no one has offered any other. We also dedicated our entire May, 1998 issue to this subject. Dr. Shoemaker has also published a book of 350 pages titled "Pfiesteria, Crossing Dark Waters." This was published early this year by Gateway Press of Baltimore. In it, he enumerates the many obstructions he experienced in obtaining acknowledgment that this disease really existed. If a name for this disease is being sought, as noted in your article, Shoemaker's Disease may be appropriate. There are many precedents in medicine for doing this.
Marion Friedman, M.D.
Baltimore
The writer is editor of the Maryland Medical Journal.
Use Memorial Stadium for satellite parking
The Mass Transit Administration, the city and the Ravens can alleviate the transportation problems at the new stadium by looking to the old one.
If the powers that be are going to raze Memorial Stadium, why not turn what's left into something useful, such as satellite parking for the Ravens stadium? Season ticket holders could be given priority parking, and the rest of the commuters can park as space permits.
MTA can then run shuttle buses between the parking lot and Camden Yards. I hope Art Modell would see it in his interests to help finance such a project.
Marc Towson Villa
Alexandria, Va.
Right stance on controversy is an example for all media
I wish to commend The Sun for its posture on the controversy surrounding President Clinton, Monica Lewinsky and Kenneth Starr. Your reasoned approach editorially should be an example for all the media and, for that matter, for people who believe they are capable of leading this government.
Unfortunately, a large number, if not the majority, of media commentators and national figures have eschewed the rational approach to this matter. Most, it appears, are engaging in a dialogue more commonly found in the scandal sheets, the paparazzi of the written word.
I am in complete agreement with your premise that what has ensued is a scandal rather than a crime. And I believe what we are hearing and reading about this matter is nothing more than scandal-mongering. I view this salacious wallowing in the affairs of others as a disgrace that taints our international persona.
While I do not condone what has occurred in the Clinton White House, I am convinced that it is none of my business, either as a citizen or an individual.
The most recent comments relative to our missile attacks last week go even further to abase us internationally. That so-called experts and leaders can liken President Clinton's response to heinous attacks on our embassies to the plot of a movie is an embarrassment that I hope our nation can survive.
I cleave to the philosophy of rallying behind our presidency, especially in international matters.
Pat LoCascio
Annapolis
Lewinsky's dress could tell descendants a lot about us
Monica Lewinsky's blue dress should be exhibited at the Smithsonian Museum as evidence of the extraordinary absurdity and lunacy of the 20th century's concluding years.
Susan Wolf Dudley
Baltimore
Don't spread the blame for Clinton's problems . . .
I strongly object to The Sun's attempt to smear the citizens of this country with the headline "A country, a president fail together" (Aug. 20). Perhaps your headline writer believes that if responsibility is spread thinly enough, it disappears.
The polls referred to by the media, showing high approval ratings for President Clinton, are dubious. One explanation is that he leads the country in "peaceful and prosperous times." I believe, politicians do not create prosperity or peace, although they are willing to take credit for both. People doing their jobs each day create prosperity.
Georgia Burch Benson
Timonium
. . . but the media bear responsibility for scandal
I blame the whole Clinton-Lewinsky scandal on the media. They have acted like vultures. Millions of these sordid acts have been going on, from street corner bums to people in high places. Not that they are to be condoned. They are not. But why try so hard to destroy peoples' lives because they happen to be in such visible positions?
The real criminals are those who tape-recorded other people. Nobody seems to recognize the dangers of such criminal acts to a democracy. Violators should be jailed. The press must be getting some vicarious pleasure from indulgence in this nonstop dirt-digging.
Rose B. Isaacs
Baltimore
Bill Clinton dodged again by failing to apologize
Being a Vietnam veteran, I had concerns about a "draft dodger" as president of the United States, but was willing to give Bill Clinton a fair chance. Well, he proved that he is still a "dodger."
I read his speech to the American people in The Sun several times and did not see the words "sorry" or "apologize." In my humble opinion, the president did not apologize to the American people, to whom he owes so much.
Charles E. Ireland
Bel Air
Present-day sex police pry into private lives
The gang that hates President Clinton can't say they weren't given plenty of opportunity to vent their spleen in The Sun's letters column on Aug. 20 and 21. Given the venom, I'm surprised only that no one mentioned the possibility of a hanging.
Even our presidents, I say, have a constitutional right to privacy concerning their sex lives.
No one should have to live under the kind of microscope apparently favored by the present day sex police.
So long as the sex is voluntary and between adults, people should not have any more right to pry into it than to stick their prudish or partisan noses into the private sexual affairs of those who now advocate that he be impeached. I vehemently disagree that there can be perjury about something that is not the proper business of an investigation in the first place.
Unlike one writer, who calls those being polled "low-lifes," I'm happy to hear that most Americans aren't hung up on sex and want the overly long and costly harassment of Mr. Clinton to end.
Another writer should not presume to speak for me when, in his Democrat-bashing letter, he says that "President Reagan made us proud again." Mr. Reagan was a much greater menace to our liberties than Bill Clinton could ever be. Those in power during the Reagan years did their utmost to try to stack the Supreme Court with extreme right-wing ideologues who could control us for the rest of our lives. I'll take Mr. Clinton, with whatever personal faults, any day of the week.
Kenneth A. Stevens
Savage
The writer is coordinator of the American Civil Liberties Union in Howard County.
Lewinsky lacked respect for Hillary Clinton
Recent articles in The Sun paint President Clinton as the devil personified while cutting Monica Lewinsky a lot of slack. Remember, she was not an adolescent when the affair supposedly started in 1995, and keep in mind the total disrespect she showed for the first lady.
Garland L. Crosby
Baltimore
Pub Date: 8/26/98