Letters to the Editor

Home

Opinion

Folic acid intake vital in pregnancy

Thursday, 24 January 2008 00:00 | Last Updated on Monday, 29 November 1999 18:00 |

Dear Editor:

I appreciate Dr. Noller’s article getting out the word about the importance of prenatal vitamins for healthy newborns.
He acknowledges that taking folic acid reduces anencephaly and other neural tube defects by 70 percent.
It is unfortunate that many young moms and dads think that if she will just avoid tobacco, alcohol and caffeine; take the vitamins; eat healthy food; and go for regular OB checkups, then all will be well.
The heartbreaking truth is that doctors do not know all the causes of neural tube defects.
Doing “everything right” is no guarantee against that other 30 percent of occurrences not accounted for by folic acid deficiency. Is it genetics? Environmental exposure? Providence?
All of those questions go through the minds of that mom and dad who lose a child to anencephaly.
(Incidentally, ultrasound does not always detect anencephaly, at least the devices used 20 years ago. Moreover, because the lower brain stem does develop, the fetus shows a heart beat and physically grows in the womb with no outward sign of a problem.)
By all means, take the folic acid as Dr. Noller recommends, but doctors must be mindful to also prepare expecting parents for the unknown that can produce devastating news on a day that should be one of great joy.

Marcus W. Norris
Amarillo

Add new comment

City overpays for land, has no money for essentials

Thursday, 17 January 2008 00:00 | Last Updated on Monday, 29 November 1999 18:00 |

Dear Editor:

Recently a land auction was held for property near the airport. One businessman paid $85,000 for 60 acres at $1,416.67 an acre. The same businessman paid an additional $29,000 for another 46 acres at $630.43 an acre.
A second businessman paid $120,000 for 101 acres at $1,188.12 an acre. The Amarillo Economic Development Corp. paid $750,000 for 100 acres at $7,500 an acre.
What I question is, when the city has to go into major debt for its police and fire departments, and when the city promotes growth but doesn’t have the funds to provide basic services to a new housing development, why is the city paying a premium for land that would have been bought and developed by private parties except for the fact the city overpaid for it?
It seems the city always has money to pay for this, that and the other but has empty pockets when it comes to paying for what is essential.

Dan Sheard
Amarillo

Add new comment

Independent good alternative

Thursday, 17 January 2008 00:00 | Last Updated on Monday, 29 November 1999 18:00 |

Dear Editor:

Thanks so much for giving us an alternative in Amarillo.
I always take two papers so I’ll remember to give one to someone.
Really liked your Awards and also past stories, not to mention Dave Clark, Kathie Greer, and, of course, your opinions.
Maybe I read too fast, but I still can’t figure out if it was the right thing for the county to be part of the Tax Incentive Reinvestment Zone, can you?

Jerry Stein

Add new comment

Christian right, mullahs have little in common

Thursday, 29 November 2007 00:00 | Last Updated on Monday, 29 November 1999 18:00 |

I have always enjoyed reading different “Opinions” in your great publication.
On Nov. 22, you have a well-researched article called “Thank God we are not a ‘Christian Nation.’ ”
Looking at your picture, a distinguished and friendly image, I started reading your article. The following statement raised some concern for me: “The Christian right and its supporters are hijacking the intentions of our Founding Fathers and claiming us to be a ‘Christian Nation.’ Such hijacking makes them no different from the mullahs they despise.”
Respectfully I found the conclusion of this article to be very biased, distorted and troubling. This has led me to believe that you have little or no understanding of who mullahs are and what their true and radical agendas may be.
Comparing Christians or our Christian-Founded Nation to mullahs is not a fair and balanced view unless it has originated from a lack of proper knowledge on the subject.
As a Born Again Christian, I am raising the concern that your perspective inspired by Honest Journalism may mislead your loyal readers.
There is a world of difference between Christian Concepts and mullahs regarding this so-called hijacking issue.
In fact, Christians pray and care for mullahs and sinners. In other words, “sins” are not approved and tolerated. Sinners may be forgiven. A true Christian never despises mullahs to begin with.

Add new comment

We need more like Manny

Thursday, 11 October 2007 00:00 | Last Updated on Monday, 29 November 1999 18:00 |

Manny Perez will be the first person to tell you he is not articulate and that he gets sidetracked when speaking. However, that should never subject a person to ridicule by the media or another elected official.
Yes, Jim Simms, we did hear your remark at the TIRZ meeting questioning the intelligence of a county commissioner, or was that all Potter County Commissioners?
Manny was elected to listen and represent his constituents, like all elected officials.
The citizens of Amarillo voted overwhelmingly 2-1 to freeze taxes for all elderly and disabled, but not one of the “articulate” city commissioners would do what was requested by the majority of citizens without being forced by a petition to put it on the ballot.
It is the responsibility of all elected officials to study a proposal and consider the long-term effects to all of its constituents, not just act on feel-good emotions. That is exactly what Potter County commissioners are doing.
Maybe we need more Manny Perez-type elected representatives in our city, county, state, and federal government. Listen, study and vote accordingly.

Kathy Sumerford
Amarillo, TX 79124

Add new comment

More Articles...

Share The Indy

Latest Comments