Letters to the Editor - 6/12/2009
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Broaden approach to better health
Editor: As Americans continue to struggle with issues related to escalating health care costs and the rising incidence of chronic disease in the United States, the first few months of the Obama administration have proved crucial in defining how alternative and integrative medicine can play a major role in transforming the United States' failing health care system.
During a town hall meeting on April 29 in Missouri, President Obama expressed his openness and acceptance of alternative medicine into our traditional health-care system. President Obama has long expressed that the current thinking in our health care system is going to have to change with the priority placed on prevention instead of just the cure.
In February, the nation's foremost alternative medicine leaders addressed that same notion when they testified before the Senate on how alternative medicine can help solve the worsening health care crisis. Drs. Mehmet Oz, Dean Ornish, Andrew Weil and Mark Hyman - four of the nation's most highly respected proponents of natural and integrative medicine - argued before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee that complementary and alternative medicine must be incorporated into the conventional health care system if we're ever going to fix it.
Echoing President Obama's sentiment that prevention is the best way to keep people healthy and reduce health care costs, the Senate hearing provided a much-needed platform and ongoing dialogue about alternative medicine becoming a more widely accepted complement to conventional - and costly - traditional medical treatments.
Integrative medicine is an approach to health care that places the patient at the center of care. Rather than concentrating solely on sickness and disease, it focuses on prevention and wellness. For those of us who practice integrative medicine, the hearings proved historic in our continuous quest to get the word out that medical treatment should not just focus on doctors reacting to disease. Rather, preventive care, healthy habits and alternative medicines should also be incorporated in an effort to promote wellness 365 days of the year.
What we have now is a "sick care" system that only reacts to problems when they occur. The integrative approach puts the patient at the center, addressing not just symptoms, but the causes of illness. It is care that is preventive, predictive and very personalized.
To reform our health care system, we need to put the "health" back in "health care." We should all follow President Obama's lead by embracing this change.
PETER AMATO
President
Inner Harmony Wellness Center
Scranton
Pay to read
Editor: If the people of Scranton want and need a new library, let them pay for it and not the county residents.
If it is built, only let Scranton residents use it for free. Let others pay a user's fee.
I was at the Carbondale library and they didn't have the book I wanted, but they had all kinds of games for kids.
If the libraries are so important, let the users pay for it and no one else.
RICHARD FOFI
Carbondale
All life precious
Editor: Regarding Diane Boone's June 5 letter, "Lessons about people, dogs," I agree that many people have more regard for animals than people.
I often get annoyed when I see people are more likely to participate in fundraising for a puppy in need of medical attention rather than a child with cancer. I agree that many times we send the wrong messages to the American children. There should be more emphasis on taking care of people in need, feeding the hungry, clothing the poor, etc.
I agree that human life should be held in higher regard than animals. However, I do not condone the harming of defenseless animals. I would not find it justified if a police officer shot a dog that caused no threat, just as I absolutely do not find it justified if a police officer shot a person that caused no threat. But if that person had a knife and was threatening a police officer, it is the police officer's responsibility to defend himself and others against a person who creates a threat.
Before all the facts are presented involving the shooting of Brenda Williams, people are quick to judge those who are sworn to serve and protect them.
We need to teach the American children that all life is precious, the life of an animal and especially the life of people. We should also teach our children to respect and trust those who put their life on the line to protect our lives.
Ms. Boone was correct that not all police officers are honorable. However, serving in the Air Force, as Ms. Williams had, did not make her "automatically honorable" or in this case, less dangerous than any other person who is threatening a police officer with a knife.
The Scranton police force is extremely honorable. I feel safe knowing they are out there serving and protecting us.
MAGGIE McLANE
Scranton
Wait too long
Editor: It's beyond time for all of the information about the police shooting of Brenda Williams on May 28 to come out. The long delay leads to speculation the Scranton Police Department is trying to cover up something that went wrong.
Couldn't the four police officers have used Mace or a Taser gun? Why did they have to shoot her?
They knew the woman had problems. You would think they would have used a different way of restraining her.
I also think the officers' names should be revealed. If a mistake was made, then let them admit it. Mistakes are made all the time. Keeping things secret is making it worse.
JOHN WILLIAMS
Scranton
8 posted comments
His mother was a Kansan. ANY child of one American parent, regardless of their birthplace, is automatically a citizen.
Why do you call Obama the "accidental president?"
Did he not win the office fair and square, against some very tough opposition?