Don’t apologize for drones, Obama
Am I losing more of my mind than I already have? Did I just read that our president apologized for the unfortunate civilian deaths during a drone attack? Unfortunate, yes. A reason for apologies, no. Blame should be where it lies; on the cowards and bullies who capture civilians, thereby inviting the retaliatory deaths that are sure to follow, particularly if they keep captives close to hand. War has its casualties. Note that by rearranging a few letters, we get from that word cause. The socalled “militant” cause deserves every shell, drone, weapon we can use.
Stanford Chandler, San Francisco
Drug worries
As a student nurse and a future health care provider, I am writing with concern about the editorial, “Techies bio-hack brainpower with hot ‘smart drugs’ ” (April 25). This article advertises a popular new brain-stimulating supplement to young adults without clearly identifying the risks it may pose to their health. The article identifies that there can be an assortment of chemicals, hormones, enzymes and other substances in these supplements, which can cause a variety of adverse effects. These effects can be caused by disturbing one’s natural physiological homeostasis or by causing unintentional drug interactions with their medically necessary prescribed drugs (i.e. heart medication).
With the rise in popularity of this drug, nurses may not be equipped to properly respond to overdoses or other unforeseen side effects of these drugs as they may mimic other disease processes, which can make it difficult to provide effective patient care. The public needs to be more aware of the potential risks involved with taking these types of unregulated drugs and should be advised to inform their nurses and other health care providers of their use.
Christine Mikkelsen, Pleasanton
Promote peace
Regarding “Future War” (Insight, April 26), this is grim stuff and stands a good chance at becoming reality considering our affinity toward profitable enterprises. How about we try something different? Like spending as much time, effort and energy on promoting peace.
Barbara Krings, Sacramento
Use vaccines
Regarding “Fight bill, vaccine critic tells parents” (April 25), it is disturbing that The Chronicle provided such high visibility to the shameful and unfounded allegations of Dr. Wakefield. Dr. Wakefield, a former surgeon in England, has been barred from practicing medicine due to proven counts of dishonesty and abuse of developmentally challenged children. His deliberate falsification of a research paper published in the British medical journal, Lancet, created a climate of general distrust of all vaccines.
That publication and his continuing public appearances contribute to an alarming and dangerous reduction in childhood immunizations and the reemergence of previously controlled infectious diseases. There is no credible evidence that supports Dr. Wakefield’s claim that MMR vaccine is causally linked to autism, and his unfounded opinions have been refuted by the U.S. Public Health Service, CDC, Infectious Disease Society of America, National Foundation for Infectious Disease, the American Academy of Pediatrics and numerous other reputable organizations. The science regarding vaccines is clear. Vaccines are one of the most successful programs in public health, reducing, and in some cases, eliminating serious infectious diseases. Patrick Joseph, associate clinical professor of
medicine, UCSF
Sweeping up
“Clean streets” (Letters, April 25) says that businesses should wash the street in front of their shops with buckets of water, not hoses, and speaks of “chasing cigarette butts into the gutter.” No. Most street drains lead into our bay. Cigarette butts by the millions are a major pollutant. Sweep up those butts, wrappers, etc., and put them into the trash!
Nancy Palmer, Berkeley
Sue Big Oil
According to “Watchdog or lapdog of Big Oil?” (Insight, April 26), the state Division of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources “mandate has been to drill, baby, drill” with no concern for human health or record-keeping, and Kern County, where most residents live within a mile of an oil well,” has one of the highest rates of cancer in the country.” So I say “sue, baby, sue!”
There should be justice for communities impacted by reckless concern for human life, even if, or perhaps especially if, many victims are Latino and some are illegal immigrants who may be working for oil companies for subsistence wages. Perhaps environmental and Latino rights advocacy organizations can work together to do this.
Chris Hlavka, Los Altos