Inbox

A Spiritual Solution?

I find it ironic that anyone in medicine would question whether faith and belief can heal when a good part of medicine’s effectiveness can actually be traced to the power of belief: the placebo effect [Feb. 23]. Scientifically, we can see that creating a positive belief in the possibility of being healed can actually facilitate healing. Alfred A. Barrios, CULVER CITY, CALIF.

How can you publish an entire feature on faith and healing and never once mention Christian Science? Christian Scientists have been healing reliably through prayer for more than 100 years. Many of these healings are documented and well known to the medical community. Carole Jackson, OXFORD, N.C.

As a cancer survivor who has been through chemo-radiation therapy and surgery, I can attest to the myriad difficult psychological and social issues cancer patients have to grapple with. In my opinion, health professionals who are able to recognize that physical illness is often accompanied by complex emotional and spiritual challenges, and who can competently and sensitively address these concerns in order to take care of the whole person, are the most likely to achieve the desired clinical response with better patient satisfaction. Yang K. Chen, ENGLEWOOD, COLO.

Readers looking for a link between spirituality and health might also take a look at Alcoholics Anonymous. The organization has accumulated about 2 million members since 1935, who have, among other actions, taken the step and “come to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.” Gary K., ST. JOSEPH, MO.

Rounding Up the Bad Guys

Thank you for the list of 25 people to blame for the economic mess [Feb. 23]. It is nice to see who is responsible for this implosion. I do think you should have put the American Consumer at No. 1, though. No matter how nicely packaged the subprime mortgages were or how pretty those overpriced houses looked, if it were not for the consumer’s utter gullibility, we wouldn’t be in this mess to begin with. Does no one remember the housing bust of the 1990s? How about the adage, If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is? Annalisa Michielli, MEDWAY, MASS.

I’m surprised that Senator Chris Dodd and Congressman Barney Frank were left off the list of 25 people to blame for the economic meltdown. Each of them chairs a committee with oversight of banking and housing, the two sectors that got us into this mess. Each of them blocked attempts at tighter controls over Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. Even more outrageous was Dodd’s acceptance of a VIP loan from Countrywide. These two characters ought to be No. 1 and No. 2 in the lineup. Tim Grosscup, VILLA PARK, ILL.

I can think of 25 reasons for the economic mess we are in, but none of them relate to specific people. The culture into which we have evolved includes no moral compass and is based on greed; instant gratification; selfish disregard for others, present and future; an expectation that the government will handle all our needs–you get the idea. We can all take blame. Joe Gordon, DALLAS

Though the article “25 People to Blame” was insightful, I cannot help but wonder why we are wasting time trying to place blame when we have so many problems to solve. The economy continues to suffer while we point fingers. Jennifer Payne, MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIF.

Teaching Us How to Cut Back

Re your story on slashing education budgets [Feb. 23]: Why isn’t anyone cutting the excessive salaries, bonuses and perks being paid to California’s school superintendents and administrators? These measures should have been taken long before anyone thought about eliminating librarians and nurses, cutting school hours or increasing the number of pupils per teacher. It isn’t too late to do the right thing. Peggy Hadaway MORENO VALLEY, CALIF.

Get real! There are no crises in our schools that can be solved by throwing more money at them. Our children can learn very well by going back to the basics of education, family support and discipline that in themselves do not cost much money. Paul Schmidt, LINDENHURST, ILL.

Celebrating Segregation?

After reading Laura Fitzpatrick’s article on Savannah State University, I was struck by a familiar pattern [Feb. 23]. When African Americans talk about African-American segregated institutions, it’s with a degree of pride. Yet when there is a segregated all-white institution, there is usually an undertone of racism. Since separate but equal is not to be tolerated, I am confused. Which is pride, and which is racism? Stephen E. Johnson, MADISON, WIS.

Out of Tune

Re your story “Singer’s Little Helper” [Feb. 16]: As an R&D engineer, I’ve designed many digital special effects, and I agree that Auto-Tune works well. But when artists use it to make their voices sound artificial, it sounds as if something went wrong. In fact, back in the ’80s, when we were developing electronic-speech synthesis, that same artificiality was considered unpleasant and an indicator that we needed to improve our algorithms or our hardware. So when I hear it today, it sounds sickening. I hope it is just a phase and will disappear from music soon. John Vogt, NASHVILLE

Mavericks in Maine

I was so pleased to read your article “The Power of Two” [Feb. 23]. For years, I have been upset that we as Americans put so much emphasis on “party” voting rather than issue voting. Three cheers for Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe for voting their conscience! Uta M. Behrens, PHOENIX

How ironic and reprehensible that the Republican minority in the House and all but three of the Republican members in the Senate refused to vote for President Obama’s economic-stimulus plan. They voted to help the banks and money institutions in TARP, but when it came to voting for assistance to middle- and low-income citizens, they refused to respond. Ron Reich, FREEHOLD, N.J.

Wow. Could we get an exemption on human cloning long enough to copy Collins and Snowe enough times to replace the rest of the Republicans and Democrats in the Senate and perhaps the House as well? Fiscally conservative, socially moderate–what’s not to like? It sounds like the “Maine-iacs” have cornered the market on common sense. Scott Fowler, GRAND HAVEN, MICH.

A-Wrong

David Von Drehle’s piece on a-rod was right on the money [The Moment, Feb. 23]. Baseball culture has deteriorated into nothing more than a strongman competition. The love of the “crowd-pleasing homers” has outshined the love of the game. I can understand why players like Rodriguez feel the need to use steroids to keep up, but we shouldn’t forget all the dope-free players in the major leagues who still manage to awe cynical fans like me with their natural athleticism and passion for the sport. I still believe! Mason Wood, RAYMOND, MAINE

Words can’t express how disappointed I am by Alex Rodriguez’s steroid use. I have followed his career through the years, and he has always been a favorite of mine. I used to take my son to Yankees games, hoping that Rodriguez’s talent, agility and strength would inspire him. Now I’m crossing my fingers and hoping that A-Rod’s lying and cheating skills don’t rub off on him instead. Will Markham, WESTCHESTER, N.Y.

Don’t Interfere with Iran

Re “Talking and Listening to Iran” [Feb. 23]: I can fully agree with those who believe the U.S. has no justified reason to interfere with domestic policies and practices in Iran. Obviously, people there resent our objective of imposing our desires on them. Doing so just creates more enemies of the U.S. David Bartholomew, DUNDEE, ILL.

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