Letters to the Editor

A Bush legacy

Amen to your very wise Nov. 20 editorial titled "Don't scuttle intelligence gains." Regardless of what anyone thinks of President Bush's performance over the past eight years, it is a fact that since 9/11 we have not suffered another attack. This will be his lasting legacy.

We must understand that the primary purpose of the federal government is to protect and defend our citizens. The current economic problems will become history, but the threat of imminent attack by Islamic terrorists is real and will be with us well into the future.

I firmly believe in the old axiom, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

The new administration must take great care that it is not stampeded into changing our current intelligence system in order to satisfy some misguided liberal philosophy that believes if we are good guys, no one will harm us.

We may not learn for many years the number of attacks that were foiled, for fear we could expose our intelligence secrets. But be assured, there is no question many thousands of American lives have been saved as a result.

ERNEST J. BERGER

Deer Point Drive

Seabrook Island

Bankruptcy date

Wouldn't it be ironic if the American auto industry filed for bankruptcy on Dec. 7, 2008 (a Sunday) — 67 years after Pearl Harbor.

"If you wait, there will be nectar — like fair weather."

— Japanese proverb

LESTER FINKELSTEIN

Bohicket Road

Johns Island

Choice of Clinton

In response to David Broder's recent op-ed expressing his opinion that Hillary Clinton should stay in the U.S. Senate rather than serve as secretary of state in President-elect Barack Obama's cabinet: Mr. Broder is just dead wrong.

Sen. Hillary Clinton has foreign policy and vast diplomatic experience from her years as first lady and as a Senator and would do an awesome job as secretary of state. She is well-known and respected internationally. Sen. Clinton has proven herself studied, cautious yet tenacious in U.S.-foreign relations. Her loyal and consistent support for the U.S. armed forces, their families and their returning and injured veterans has been demonstrated time and time again.

President-elect Obama's serious consideration of Sen. Clinton for this most important cabinet post shows his wise leadership and ability to make decisions in the best interests of our country during these critical times with wars on two fronts.

David Broder should not let his sour grapes over Barack Obama's huge victory over Sen. John McCain affect his view.

After the failed conservative policies of the Bush years, the Democrats will move our country forward at home and abroad with a team that includes Hillary Clinton in the forefront.

SUSAN MILLIKEN

Fort Sumter Drive

James Island

Unfair comments

I was pleased with the diversity shown in the Nov. 23 Faith & Values section. Beside the seven articles about religious faiths, including quotes from Christian, Jewish, Muslim and other religious leaders, you reprinted an article from The Wall Street Journal titled "Nonbelievers get out their message, too."

That article described new non-religious traditions, such as HumanLight, to celebrate the holiday season. It pointed out that we humanists and atheists are not trying to evangelize. Instead, we hope to make the public more comfortable with the concept of atheism and give fellow nonbelievers a sense of community. We are also trying to encourage timid friends and neighbors to come out of their nontheistic closets.

There was, however, one aspect of this article that was typical of stories about nonbelievers, but rarely found in articles about religious believers.

The article on nonbelievers contained quotes from people of faith who disapprove of atheists.

It also cited unsubstantiated allegations of atheists mocking and insulting Christmas, and it mentioned a giant sign put up by a Christian group asking: "Why Do Atheists Hate America?"

Don't get me wrong. I think it is a step in the right direction that positive voices on atheism are now being heard, even if they are invariably countered by opposing voices, presumably a result of the newspaper's intent to be fair and balanced.

However, I doubt that any fair and balanced newspaper would print only positive articles about one political party while always countering positive quotes with negative quotes when writing about the opposing political party.

HERB SILVERMAN

Wraggborough Lane

Charleston

Health care errors

Health care providers will now be responsible for carrying the economic burden for a long list of medical treatment failures, including surgical errors, pressure sores and hospital acquired infections.

How and whether these institutions can bear this burden will be an ongoing process and debate.

Health care and hospitalization involve physicians, nurses and other caregivers, but the largest factor is the patient. People are different in age, state of health and personal habits. All of these factors play a role, which, in most cases, cannot be overstated.

Smoking affects all aspects of healing. It causes premature aging, and predisposes people to significant health risks. Being overweight predisposes people to diabetes. It decreases the body's healing ability and opens up a long list of complications.

Drug abuse, including steroids and alcohol, completes a triad of circumstances that predispose patients to complications when admitted to a health care institution — complications that the institution must now pay for as well as treat.

When people smoke, overeat, abuse alcohol or use drugs illegally, who should pay for their care?

RICHARD A. BECK

Marion Avenue

Goose Creek