TYRONE’S A GOOD DOG

In a world full of big issues, big ideas and big thoughts comes a story that shows how each individual life is as important, compelling and close to the heart as the simple tale of your best buddy finding his way home [“Runaway,” Dec. 15-21].

Welcome home Tyrone. You done good…and in the process taught us all a lesson. Give that boy a steak. —Lawrence Roeck | Carmel

A GOOD HEALTH REPORT

Jessica Lyons’ coverage of Senator Kuehl’s comments at the recent program “Health Care Reform: Hope For All Californians,” was exemplary. Her article was accurate and well written. Her reporting of contacts with politicians regarding Kuehl’s SB 840 was succinct and accurately reported their current positions.

As sponsors of the event it is extremely gratifying to see an accurate and literate portrayal of what happened. —Bill Linford | Santa Cruz

MARFAN SYNDROME KILLS

I am writing to correct a misstatement made by Marc Savlov in his review of the movie Rent [“Bohemian Rhapsody,” Dec. 8-14]. Jonathan Larson, the playwright who wrote Rent, died suddenly from an aortic aneurysm, not a brain aneurysm. While this may seem like a minor error, I am calling it to your attention because the information could be valuable to your readers.

Jonathan was thought to suffer from Marfan Syndrome. He didn’t know he had it, and if he had, he would probably be alive now.

Marfan Syndrome is a connective tissue disease that affects various body systems, including the aorta. People who have it are often tall and thin, have skeletal and eye problems, and can have life-threatening aneurysms of the aorta, which, if undiagnosed, can progress to dissections, usually resulting in death. This is what happened to Jonathan.

The National Marfan Foundation, with the support of the Larson family, is launching a nationwide public awareness campaign to time with the opening of the movie, Rent, in an effort to educate the public about Jonathan and Marfan Syndrome, and hopefully, to save lives. Our website is www.marfan.org.  —Whiteley Wheeler | Carmel | Vice Chair, Board of Directors National Marfan Foundation

NOT ENOUGH MOTIVATED AMERICANS

I attend Cypress Grove Charter High School. I am 17 years of age. I am sending you this e-mail in disgust.

I recently picked up a copy of your paper after seeing the big bold headline “Not Enough Mexicans.” The question I have for you is: How can you honestly say that? The thing is, it is not the “Mexicans’” job to tend fields and do all of the American labor. The title of the page should be “Too Many Lazy Americans.”

I’m so sick and tired of this classic blame game. For once Americans need to take responsibility. The laws are the laws. They’re not going to change due to the chronic laziness of Americans.

“Creating untold human suffering,” the cover says. Human suffering? Where? “Crippling labor shortage.” The shortage isn’t in workers, the shortage is in energy, the energy or motivation the American people need to realize that working the fields is not a “Mexican” job; it is a job, just as anything else. —Brian Von Feldt | Seaside