Don’t blame dentists for lapses in care
In response to the New York Times article Thursday headlined "Dental care has cavity": The issues are real; dental access to care is challenged. Simplification and vilification dilutes complex social issues into false black-and-white, right-or-wrong issues.
As providers of dental care, we are no more to "blame" than real estate agents are for homelessness, supermarkets for the hungry or teachers for illiteracy.
As dentists, we work as, and with, advocates for qualified health/dental clinics and expansion of dental benefits for Medicaid recipients. And while dentists are easy targets to disparage (like in "Marathon Man" or "Little Shop of Horrors"), it's a disservice to any serious discussion of health care.
For years, Hawaii's dentists have been providing funds, volunteers and supplies for Hawaii's residents in need, and will continue to do so.
Russell H. Masunaga
Director, HDA Dental Samaritans
Honolulu
U.S. does not condone torture of detainees
Corky's Oct. 11 editorial cartoon and recent statements by former President Carter prove Stalin was correct: If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it.
As a military Survival, Escape, Resistance and Evasion graduate (treatment recipient), I can attest to the fact that while legal treatment of detainees is uncomfortable, it is not torture. Our interrogation techniques have achieved numerous positive tactical and strategic results. Illegal and unapproved treatment of detainees is just that -- illegal and unapproved, which will be prosecuted under the Uniform Code of Military Justice and Presidential Directives. Been there done that --there is no approved torture of detainees. Except that al-Qaida tends to behead their detainees.
Carl L. Jacobs
Retired Navy captain
Aiea
GOP senator should make the switch
The idea of Sen. Sam Slom becoming a Democrat seems pretty wild. It's like having the devil attend your church service. But there are really good reasons for Sam to make a change. So here they are.
As a Republican, Sam is isolated, powerless, and his bills don't get passed. He is not even minority leader.
As a Democrat, Sam could participate in meaningful caucuses, become a committee chairman and get his bills passed. (Well, some of his bills, anyway.)
Moreover, he could aspire to become governor or congressman. Democrats would vote for him because of his name recognition. And Republicans would vote for him on the Democratic ballot because they like him. So Sam would have a good chance of winning a Democrat primary. And in the general elections, Democrats would vote for him because he'd be a Democrat, and the other choice (a Republican) would be no better. Republicans, of course, would vote for him. So Sam would win overwhelmingly with votes from Democrats and Republicans. But as a Republican, he could never win a run for congress or governor.
Sam, of course, would have to justify the switch. For example, he could repeat that he is for the little guy, and we know the Democrats are for the little guy (even though they love to tax the little guy). And Sam probably likes the environment, including clean water and clean air. So there, he could claim to be a Democrat at heart. The more he thinks about it, the more reasons he could come up with as to how he agrees with the Democrats.
I'd like to see Sam Slom become governor or congressman. Please, Sam, make the change to Democrat so that would become possible. I'm a Republican, but I'd vote for you.
Mark Terry
Honolulu
Players proved they’re Rainbow Warriors
Were you watching? Were you worried during the numerous bad periods of University of Hawaii Warrior play during
Friday's game with San Jose? I wasn't. During the opening moments of the game, a rain shower mixed with sunshine occurred. And, yes, ESPN broadcast the gorgeous rainbow to the whole world. I knew at that moment that there was no problem.
During the game the Warriors faced many "bad moments." They looked like losers. But I remembered the rainbow and I knew there was no problem. And sure enough, the final score had the Warriors in the winning column. Maybe now Coach June Jones will let us call them the the Rainbow Warriors. They and the conditions tell you right away that this is the real name we should cheer our home team by. How about it, June? Rainbow Warriors is a most fitting name. Come on, June. Give us this right.
James V. Pollock
Kaneohe