Latin America; Afghanistan; cancer testing; noisy kids

Latin America’s role

Re “Lula takes risk with Ahmadinejad,” Nov. 23

Yes, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s taking a risk meeting with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad -- but Lula’s not anybody’s proxy, and with Latin America so often ignored, Brazil can decide with whom to meet without asking anyone’s permission.

Ahmadinejad’s plan for a new global order to be formed with Africa and Latin America (Brazil and Venezuela in particular) could be bluster or could be serious. Could have adherents, could fall flat. Latin America can’t be ignored.

Damiana Chavez
Los Angeles

The cost of Afghanistan

Re “More than more troops,” Editorial, Nov. 24

Your editorial identifies two options for Afghanistan: an increase of 40,000 troops per Army Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal’s recommendation, or a dramatic reduction in troops with a focus on economic development.

Why not full and immediate withdrawal? Why is it taken for granted that America’s role in the world is to occupy foreign lands and install governments favorable to U.S. interests?

When George W. Bush was president, there was no shortage of calls from the left to end the war-making. Now that President Obama is in office, the “realists” on the left are all too willing to go along, as long as the occupation includes promoting economic development.

How about reining in our empire so that we can have economic development in this country?

Eric Spiess
Los Angeles

Lessons learned in Korea, Vietnam and Iraq prove that Americans are not willing to jeopardize our standard of living and social service programs. Consequently, it is imperative that Obama and other political leaders reveal that, to succeed in Afghanistan, enormous human and financial resources -- well beyond what is currently envisioned -- will be required.

The administration, Congress and the media should inform Americans of the cost and that we will have to sacrifice our healthcare, education and other social development programs to make incremental progress toward achieving the Obama administration’s goals -- over a time frame that will extend well beyond the 2012 election.

Jim Watson
Dana Point

Re “Talk of war tax rises in House,” Nov. 25

A war tax?

What a great idea! There should be a big, fat tax slapped on any member of our three branches of government who supports this moronic war.

Dawna Kaufmann
Los Angeles

Medicine under the microscope

Re “Cancer testing: What could it hurt?,” Nov. 21 and “New view of mammograms,” Editorial, Nov. 20

The hue and cry over the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendations show why we spend way more money than any other country on healthcare with such mediocre results, and why we have such difficulty improving. The task force consists of unbiased experts who carefully and openly examine the scientific evidence in the most rigorous way. We don’t have to agree with everything they advise, but they deserve to be respected -- not vilified.

Their recommendations on mammography are what many physicians like myself have already been doing for years: After age 50, I strongly encourage mammograms, including multiple reminders to those who have not done the test. Between 40 and 50 in low-risk women, I will offer the test, but explain that there is controversy and why. It doesn’t take long, and people appreciate it. I believe people from all walks of life can handle being given information, even numerical information. I also believe insurance should pay for this test.

Medical tests and treatments are objects of rational discourse, not cultural icons.

Hyman J. Milstein MD
Studio City

Let me pose two agonizing scenarios:

First, you do a cancer screening and are advised that you may or may not have a serious case of cancer and that further procedures or operations can themselves be life-threatening; or second, you are told that you have terminal cancer but had it been detected through a simple screening test a few years earlier, you could have been saved.

I think we would all opt for the misery of the first option rather than a terminal diagnosis.

The solution should be to retain routine screenings but ensure that qualified doctors vigorously diagnose the results and that patients are given all options and advised of all risks. It is no solution to remain ignorant just because I may have a test that produces a false positive. I can handle that -- but I can’t handle a death sentence that could have been avoided.

David Marshall
Los Angeles

I wonder if those who are so concerned that the new guidelines for mammograms and Pap smears are the harbinger of government rationing of healthcare would be equally concerned if there was no healthcare debate going on and health insurance companies were denying coverage based on the same studies.

Jack Fuller
Long Beach

The Times reported that our current medical system over-screens for cancer -- which often saves lives but also leads to unnecessary and expensive diagnostic procedures. This point is timely because curbing excessive medical tests and spending on more advanced, yet no less effective, technology could significantly reduce spending on healthcare.

As a student in my early 20s, however, the fact that I should receive a mammogram at 50 instead of 40 still translates into something that I won’t worry about until I reach 30.

Rather than debating over the correct age to screen for cancer to avoid over-diagnosis, our healthcare system should ask how it can prevent cancer. We could start with educating those not yet at risk for breast or prostate cancer, perhaps suggesting small changes in diet and exercise to college-age students.

Bianca Nepales
Los Angeles

It’s all about the (noisy) kids

Re “Kids and planes: Mayday!,” Opinion, Nov. 24

I found it interesting that Amy Alkon thought that two wars, a flailing economy and the continuing healthcare debate should be placed on the standby list when it came time to express her opinion.

This does not mean that my wife and I let our little darlings run amok. Parents should take responsibility for their children. However, a toddler is at an age where stuff happens -- even with the best parenting.

I am more concerned about behavior from adults who have no concept of the impact of their actions on those around them. At a recent college football game, our family was exposed to a drunken brawl and F-bombs flying through the air.

Which is worse? A child that is just a child, or an adult that is acting like a child? What really scares me is the possibility that the airlines will allow cellphone usage in-flight. I’ll take my chances in the seat next to the toddler.

Kevin Berry
Yorba Linda

I thought manners were about consideration for others -- not a bludgeon to be used against them. We consider the impact of our actions on the people around us, and we expect the same courtesy of them. When people are in trying situations, empathy and assistance are more courteous than expecting people and their problems to disappear or stay home.

Years ago, my husband and I made a long car trip with our young son. Because he was hyperactive, we had become quite resourceful at keeping him diverted. However, one night he was fussing in a restaurant, and our efforts to calm him were in vain. Other diners could have become annoyed. Instead, a woman came to our table and handed our son a toy, which quieted him.

When we left, I tried to return the toy. The woman insisted we keep it. I still remember her, nearly a decade later, for the thoughtfulness she showed, when she could have made us feel worse than we already did. Now, that woman had manners.

Linda Silveira
Claremont

No doubt The Times will hear from outraged (narcissistic) parents about Alkon’s article. I say huzzah!

I remember, with mortification, being thrown out of the Russian Tea Room in New York for having a screaming infant. They were right -- I was young, ignorant, and believed my child to be more important than other people -- and I was wrong.

I might add another intrusion: the parents who keep up a nonstop loud chatter to their children (as in “Everyone, see what a good parent I am?”).

We need more understanding of these robberies of our peace of mind, especially in chaotic times such as these.

Ellen Butterfield
Studio City