Become Activists
East Hampton
March 22, 1998

To The Editor:

As the parent of a 1994 graduate of East Hampton High School, I was aware, as were many families, about the cancer-afflicted clusters of young people in our small community.

I don't care if these cases are not "statistically significant" and I am alarmed. Many people are alarmed. When you first hear, you telephone your own kid away at college and you say, "Some of your friends have cancer." It is natural to ask why, as natural as it is to pray that these brave kids will be okay and lead the "normal" lives and enjoy the "normal" lifespan that, before this twist of fate, young people take for granted.

I am glad things are now out in the open and people will begin to start seriously pressuring government, and the private sector, to spend serious money on serious cancer research. We are not alone here - this is nationwide.

And let's not be one-sided about this. Low-level radiation and sloppy nuclear waste, cigarette smoking - all culpable - but what about pesticides, fertilizers, food additives, power grids, industrial emissions, etcetera? It seems to me that nobody knows anything.

As for innovations in cancer treatment - it's still the same old slash and burn - surgical removal, chemotherapy, and radiation - helped along by a lot of human faith and endurance. We cripple ourselves with resignation.

We've probably learned more about the sex lives of U.S. Presidents than we've learned about cancer in the last 100 years.

Maybe the next 100 years will be different. One thing is certain - we must become cancer activists now. Let the powers that be know that children, women, and men all over this country are, in fact, alarmed.

Sincerely,

STEPHANIE BRUSSELL

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Courageous Writer
East Hampton
March 23, 1998

Dear Helen:

The beautifully written, vivid articles by Carissa Katz about Cuba strike me as the kind of responsible, informative journalism that more local papers could be publishing. It might seem that these articles merit a much broader publication, and are wasted on a small audience.

But it also seems these kinds of pieces which reach a few sometimes start a change of attitude and then of policy. It is clear that our country is in need of policy change with regard to our near neighbor and it was courageous of Ms. Katz and of you to public this information.

I deeply enjoyed the articles and feel better informed as a result of reading The Star.

Respectfully,

GARY REISWIG

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Exotic Beans
Detroit
March 20, 1998

To The Editor:

I really loved [Miriam Ungerer's] bean column - it took me back to childhood days at the Detroit Eastern Market, walking through the wholesalers' booths and the Italian markets, admiring all the exotic and mysterious dried beans in sacks.

It's nice to hear you're a friend of Shel Silverstein, too; his book about the boy and the tree always makes my pal Simona cry, and his "Uncle Shelby's ABZ" played a large role in shaping my character today.

MICHAEL J. EDELMAN

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More Money Than Taste
East Hampton
March 17, 1998

Dear Sirs,

When I was younger, Vogue magazine had a column titled "More Taste Than Money."

I would suggest now that The Star institute an architectural column titled "More Money Than Taste." This would highlight the largest houses built on the smallest pieces of land allowable.

Sincerely,

MARILYN LUKASHOK