Letters to the Editor 04-08-1999

July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.

By -

- Pregnancy And Breast Cancer - U.S. 30 Traffic - Corneal Transplant - Death By Government


Pregnancy And Breast Cancer

Editor, Times-Union:
I would like to comment on the letter published 4-6-99 by Karen Gianotti. Although she is quite correct in that early pregnancy in a woman's life does help in decreasing her risk for breast cancer, it does not necessarily put her at the lowest risk. There are several other factors to consider including family history, hormone history, previous history of certain cancers, low-fat diet and history of other breast problems. These and other risks can be identified by a woman with the help of her physician. Together, they can determine what steps a woman should take to help decrease her chances of developing breast cancer. Our best defense still includes monthly breast self-exam, a yearly clinical breast exam by a medical professional and a yearly mammogram. I have been a Mammography and Ultrasound Technologist for 16 years, 11 of those years with the late Dr. Richard W. Cross, M.D. I have been exposed to the ravages of this disease through the care of those patients who have become victims and survivors. From my perspective, breast cancer follows no rules. Ladies, arm yourselves and fight!

Janet Arnett R.T. (R)(M) RDMS, Warsaw


U.S. 30 Traffic

Editor, Times-Union:
After reading the Saturday April 3rd paper about the traffic light at U.S. 30 and CR 150W., I was glad to know that I am not the only one who thinks the light at that intersection is a stupid idea. I also have seen truckers run the light when it's red. They don't even slow down. Some are "coke heads," so I sure wouldn't trust them to stop at the light just because I did.

I've traveled that stretch of highway for over 30 years twice a day, every day and haven't had any trouble getting onto 30 from 150W, nor onto 150W from U.S. 30 before the light was put in. I would like to see the light removed because I feel there have been more crashes there since the light has been there, than before the light, and I don't like to stop a good flow of traffic just so I can make a turn, or cross an intersection when I could have made it while waiting for the light to turn.

It's nearly the same way with all the Ind. 15 North lights as well. We don't need them. Has anybody noticed the skid marks at the 15 North lights already? We also have new skid marks at the 15 North and CR 350N. intersection, another light we don't need. I have written to John Passey of the Indiana Department of Transportation in Fort Wayne about the light situation, but he won't even answer the letters (he has someone write for him). We can't expect our law enforcement to camp out at the lights all the time. It's time we, the drivers, be more observant of our driving and surroundings and not expect the lights to give us a sense of security. I hope somebody like Sheriff Aaron Rovenstine can influence the state to remove the unwanted/unneeded lights. You do not improve traffic flow by stopping traffic every few feet.

R.D. Krebs, Warsaw

Corneal Transplant

Editor, Times-Union:
Shortly after she was born, doctors told the parents of Elysse Diaz that she could not see. Faced with the realization that their baby was blind, the young parents took her to a specialist who diagnosed the condition as an extremely rare eye disease called congenital hereditary stromal dystrophy - in lay terms, the corneas of her eyes were clouded, preventing light from passing through to the retina.

The ophthalmologist said that normal vision could be restored with a corneal transplant in each eye. At the age of eight weeks, Elysse had her first successful corneal transplant. The second one was performed a few weeks later. Now at the age of 2, her vision is normal.

This young child's vision was restored through the generosity of two donors - parents who gave their young child's eyes at death to the Eye Bank.

In every state of our nation, people of all ages are waiting for a donated cornea to restore or improve their sight. The reason for the shortage is that people are failing to tell their next-of-kin of their desire to donate their eyes upon their death. Signing an eye donor card and the back of one's driver's license are also recommended, but physicians are reluctant to remove eyes or other organs without permission of next-of-kin. Have you told your family of your wish to give sight to another?

Berniece H. Dwyer, Milford


Death By Government

Editor, Times-Union:
This letter is to inform the general public of a book called "Death By Government," by R.J. Rummel, published by Transaction Publishers in 1994. Rummel is a professor of Political Science at the University of Hawaii, and has spent a large part of his academic career researching genocide, politicide, mass murder and terror by governments in the 20th century. Rummel puts these acts by government into one concept called Democide, which he estimates conservatively has murdered 170 million in the 20th century. The following is a list of 20 regimes or governments that have contributed to the death toll of 170 million people.

Democide 1900-1987
1. Soviet Union 1917-1987 61,911,000

2. Communist China 1949-1987 35,236,000

3. Nazi Germany 1933-1945 20,946,000

4. Nationalist China 1929-1949 10,075,000

5. Imperial Japan 1936-1945 5,964,000

6. Chinese Soviets 1923-1949 3,466,000

7. Communist Cambodia
(Khmer Rouge) 1975-1979 2,035,000

8. Turkey (Young
Turks Regime) 1909-1918 1,833,000

9. Communist North
Vietnam 1945-1987 1,678,000

10. Post World War II
Poland 1945-1948 1,585,000

11. Pakistan (Military
Dictatorship) 1958-1987 1,503,000

12. Communist Yugo-
slavia(Tito) 1944-1987 1,072,000

13. Communist North
Korea 1948-1987 1,663,000

14. Civil War Era
Mexico 1900-1920 1,417,000

15. Feudal Russia 1900-1917 1,066,000

16. Chinese Warlords 1917-1949 910,000

17. Nationalist Turkey 1917-1923 878,000

18. United Kingdom 1900-1987 816,000

19. Portugal
(dictatorship) 1926-1987 741,000

20. Indonesia 1965-1987 729,000

Lesser Murderers* 1900-1987 2,792,000

*The United States falls into this category only because of indiscriminate and intentional bombing of civilians during wartime.

Alex A. Houze, Leesburg
[[In-content Ad]]

- Pregnancy And Breast Cancer - U.S. 30 Traffic - Corneal Transplant - Death By Government


Pregnancy And Breast Cancer

Editor, Times-Union:
I would like to comment on the letter published 4-6-99 by Karen Gianotti. Although she is quite correct in that early pregnancy in a woman's life does help in decreasing her risk for breast cancer, it does not necessarily put her at the lowest risk. There are several other factors to consider including family history, hormone history, previous history of certain cancers, low-fat diet and history of other breast problems. These and other risks can be identified by a woman with the help of her physician. Together, they can determine what steps a woman should take to help decrease her chances of developing breast cancer. Our best defense still includes monthly breast self-exam, a yearly clinical breast exam by a medical professional and a yearly mammogram. I have been a Mammography and Ultrasound Technologist for 16 years, 11 of those years with the late Dr. Richard W. Cross, M.D. I have been exposed to the ravages of this disease through the care of those patients who have become victims and survivors. From my perspective, breast cancer follows no rules. Ladies, arm yourselves and fight!

Janet Arnett R.T. (R)(M) RDMS, Warsaw


U.S. 30 Traffic

Editor, Times-Union:
After reading the Saturday April 3rd paper about the traffic light at U.S. 30 and CR 150W., I was glad to know that I am not the only one who thinks the light at that intersection is a stupid idea. I also have seen truckers run the light when it's red. They don't even slow down. Some are "coke heads," so I sure wouldn't trust them to stop at the light just because I did.

I've traveled that stretch of highway for over 30 years twice a day, every day and haven't had any trouble getting onto 30 from 150W, nor onto 150W from U.S. 30 before the light was put in. I would like to see the light removed because I feel there have been more crashes there since the light has been there, than before the light, and I don't like to stop a good flow of traffic just so I can make a turn, or cross an intersection when I could have made it while waiting for the light to turn.

It's nearly the same way with all the Ind. 15 North lights as well. We don't need them. Has anybody noticed the skid marks at the 15 North lights already? We also have new skid marks at the 15 North and CR 350N. intersection, another light we don't need. I have written to John Passey of the Indiana Department of Transportation in Fort Wayne about the light situation, but he won't even answer the letters (he has someone write for him). We can't expect our law enforcement to camp out at the lights all the time. It's time we, the drivers, be more observant of our driving and surroundings and not expect the lights to give us a sense of security. I hope somebody like Sheriff Aaron Rovenstine can influence the state to remove the unwanted/unneeded lights. You do not improve traffic flow by stopping traffic every few feet.

R.D. Krebs, Warsaw

Corneal Transplant

Editor, Times-Union:
Shortly after she was born, doctors told the parents of Elysse Diaz that she could not see. Faced with the realization that their baby was blind, the young parents took her to a specialist who diagnosed the condition as an extremely rare eye disease called congenital hereditary stromal dystrophy - in lay terms, the corneas of her eyes were clouded, preventing light from passing through to the retina.

The ophthalmologist said that normal vision could be restored with a corneal transplant in each eye. At the age of eight weeks, Elysse had her first successful corneal transplant. The second one was performed a few weeks later. Now at the age of 2, her vision is normal.

This young child's vision was restored through the generosity of two donors - parents who gave their young child's eyes at death to the Eye Bank.

In every state of our nation, people of all ages are waiting for a donated cornea to restore or improve their sight. The reason for the shortage is that people are failing to tell their next-of-kin of their desire to donate their eyes upon their death. Signing an eye donor card and the back of one's driver's license are also recommended, but physicians are reluctant to remove eyes or other organs without permission of next-of-kin. Have you told your family of your wish to give sight to another?

Berniece H. Dwyer, Milford


Death By Government

Editor, Times-Union:
This letter is to inform the general public of a book called "Death By Government," by R.J. Rummel, published by Transaction Publishers in 1994. Rummel is a professor of Political Science at the University of Hawaii, and has spent a large part of his academic career researching genocide, politicide, mass murder and terror by governments in the 20th century. Rummel puts these acts by government into one concept called Democide, which he estimates conservatively has murdered 170 million in the 20th century. The following is a list of 20 regimes or governments that have contributed to the death toll of 170 million people.

Democide 1900-1987
1. Soviet Union 1917-1987 61,911,000

2. Communist China 1949-1987 35,236,000

3. Nazi Germany 1933-1945 20,946,000

4. Nationalist China 1929-1949 10,075,000

5. Imperial Japan 1936-1945 5,964,000

6. Chinese Soviets 1923-1949 3,466,000

7. Communist Cambodia
(Khmer Rouge) 1975-1979 2,035,000

8. Turkey (Young
Turks Regime) 1909-1918 1,833,000

9. Communist North
Vietnam 1945-1987 1,678,000

10. Post World War II
Poland 1945-1948 1,585,000

11. Pakistan (Military
Dictatorship) 1958-1987 1,503,000

12. Communist Yugo-
slavia(Tito) 1944-1987 1,072,000

13. Communist North
Korea 1948-1987 1,663,000

14. Civil War Era
Mexico 1900-1920 1,417,000

15. Feudal Russia 1900-1917 1,066,000

16. Chinese Warlords 1917-1949 910,000

17. Nationalist Turkey 1917-1923 878,000

18. United Kingdom 1900-1987 816,000

19. Portugal
(dictatorship) 1926-1987 741,000

20. Indonesia 1965-1987 729,000

Lesser Murderers* 1900-1987 2,792,000

*The United States falls into this category only because of indiscriminate and intentional bombing of civilians during wartime.

Alex A. Houze, Leesburg
[[In-content Ad]]
Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092

e-Edition


e-edition

Sign up


for our email newsletters

Weekly Top Stories

Sign up to get our top stories delivered to your inbox every Sunday

Daily Updates & Breaking News Alerts

Sign up to get our daily updates and breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox daily

Latest Stories


Public Occurrences 04.30.25
County Jail Bookings The following people were arrested and booked into the Kosciusko County Jail:

AWL To Hold ‘Empty The Shelters’ Event Starting Thursday
PIERCETON – Starting Thursday and going through May 15, the Animal Welfare League of Kosciusko County is reducing the adoption fees for adult dogs and cats and kittens sponsored through the Bissell Pet Foundation’s spring Empty the Shelters event.

County Health Board Discusses Birth Certificates, Funding For Health First Kosciusko
Kosciusko County Board of Health members held a regular meeting Monday to discuss changes regarding birth and death certificates in Indiana and funding needs in Kosciusko County.

Milford Man Arrested For Criminal Recklessness While Armed With A Deadly Weapon
A Milford man was arrested after allegedly firing a shotgun in the air two times.

Syracuse Man Arrested After Allegedly Impersonating Law Enforcement Officer
A Syracuse man was arrested after allegedly impersonating a law enforcement officer.