June 24-30, 2004

mailbag

Letters to the Editor

by the Readers

Open a Shut Case

Kudos on a fine piece of journalism ["Snitch Work," Tom Lowenstein, June 17, 2004]. As an adult law school student who reinvigorated my academic career in 1997 — after being falsely accused and charged with a serious crime (the charges were ultimately dismissed) — I have followed this, and many other cases in Philadelphia closely. The "confession" similarities between the Barbara Jean Horn and Kimberly Ernest cases — with both defendants in the Ernest case being acquitted — are amazing. I look forward to reading the second part.
Mike Dobson
Woodbury, N.J.

Editor's note: The second installment appears in today's news section.

Good Doc, Bad Doc

Thank you for writing about a wonderful man ["A Good Doctor's Mission," Amy L. Webb, June 17, 2004]. Any person finding themselves fortunate enough to spend a few minutes with Dr. Nader Hebela instinctively knows his love for children. An exceptional human being.
Joanna Bruschi
Marlton, N.J.

Dr. Nader Hebela's humanitarian work with Palestinian children would be more effective if he promoted the virtue of living peacefully with their Israeli neighbors. The failure of Palestinian doctors (some trained in Israel at Hadassah Hospital) to oppose the pagan culture of suicide bombing by Palestinian children is an abandonment of the Hippocratic oath.
Bettyanne Gray
Blue Bell

Who needs Joyce?

Congratulations on one of the most original, local and enjoyable Bloomsday pieces I've read in years ["The Longest Walk," Toby Zinman, June 10, 2004]. As one who has spent a lot of time admiring, teaching and scribbling about Ulysses, I loved the way Stephen and Leopold's adventures were so wonderfully relocated to West Philly, Bella Vista and — where else for Nighttown? — South Street. The snotgreen Schuylkill, indeed! Write on, Toby Zinman.
Charlie Reilly
Lansdale

Pill Stoppers

Democrats encouraged Republicans to embrace their free-market spirit and allow U.S. citizens (especially the elderly and those with no health insurance) to save money by importing prescription drugs from Canada ["Rx Express," Deborah Bolling, June 13, 2002]. The Republican-led Congress and the White House said "no." They remained steadfast in their positions while citing health and safety concerns with Canadian drugs as their main reason for the restriction.

Last Thursday, the figurative nail in the Republicans' coffin was driven home when the GAO released a study stating that Canadian pharmacies were free of problems and that some Canadian pharmacies had tougher standards than U.S. pharmacies. Before their very eyes, the GAO sent the Republicans' position to the public-policy grave. Now, in the face of their loss, it is imperative that Republicans pass legislation to allow the importation of drugs from Canada. If the Republicans keep their debunked policy from preventing many fixed-income individuals from obtaining essential prescription drugs, they will be bringing, literally, these very same people to their own early graves.
Paul Lang
Washington, D.C.