Music, milk, and a divorced mom's plight all caught readers' attention in our March 23 issue, but it was a doctor's personal struggle that touched hearts.
Queen of Folk
Thank you for the article about Joan Baez ("Peace at Last?" March 23). I was pleased to read something about the American National Treasure other than just the usual. The only thing I don't agree with is that her three albums after 1975's Diamonds & Rust aren't good. They include many fabulous tracks.
Peter Lucas Erixon
Ostersund, Sweden
I assume that Joan Baez subscribes to most of the politically correct notions of the far left. Therefore I was surprised that she used the term "gypped." I am sure she realizes this is a pejorative term associated with Gypsies.
Howard A. Bookman
Londonderry, New Hampshire
Raw Deal
Your article on raw milk ("Raw," March 23) provided an interesting look at this emerging market. With an epidemiology background, however, I found myself wondering whether the surprisingly low incidence of raw-milk-related illness cited in the article might be misleading. At $8.50 a gallon, perhaps the high price of raw milk influences its proponents to buy (and drink) only small quantities, thus providing low exposure to the potentially harmful bacteria present in the milk.
Rachel Millstein
Belmont
I'm amazed that your article didn't mention the most important (to me) reason to drink raw milk: It tastes better!
Larry Campbell
Brookline
In Sickness
The eloquent account by Dr. Thomas Graboys of his daily battle with Parkinson's ("My Daily Battle," March 23) and its devastating effect on his motor function, thinking, communication, sleep, and emotions is a touching account of the ravages this disease can have on the body and mind. Dr. Graboys poignantly portrays the social isolation often created by the braking effect this disease has on mind, voice, and body. There are many differences among patients, and not all are affected to this extent. The mental will to overcome the disease that Dr. Graboys exerts and the hope engendered through research are vitally important in its management.
Daniel Tarsy, MD
Director, Parkinson's Disease Center Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Boston
Thanks to Dr. Graboys for telling the true story of Parkinson's. My husband, a retired attorney who is almost 73, is going through exactly what Dr. Graboys describes. It is a painful journey for both of us.
Leone Carroll
Ocala, Florida
Dr. Graboys was my grandmother's, my mother's, and my own doctor. Each of us admired and adored him for his brilliance and his care. His writing teaches what so many doctors seem to lose sight of, namely that when a person suffers the indignity and fear and, perhaps most stunningly, the betrayal of his or her healthy body, room must be made for the expression of anger (even rage).
Ronnie Flaschner Werner
Rye, New Hampshire
Phoning and Driving
I found Tom Keane's essay ("Perspective," March 23) not entirely convincing. Though I feel a ban on cellphone use while driving would be unenforceable, I still strongly believe having the ban on the books would convince a lot of people not to do it. I once didn't wear seat belts, but with the passing of the law mandating their use, combined with public-service messages, I gradually started using my seat belt more often, especially when driving at night or on the highway. I believe people would know they are breaking the law by using their cellphone while driving, and know they are endangering their own and other people's safety, and would cut back or stop the practice.
John Lampert
Watertown
Most states, if not all, have a law against reckless driving and/or reckless endangerment. Rather than ban cellphone use, which is often not dangerous, why not have the police issue tickets for reckless driving? If you can talk to me (on the phone or in your car) without endangering anyone, fine. If that makes you a threat to others, and your poor driving is witnessed by a police officer, you should be given a ticket.
Josh Blumenthal
Croton on Hudson, New York
Stamps of Disapproval
In the My Word! tip ("Miss Conduct," March 23), the reader seems to be a bit confused about how stamps work, or perhaps it's my own lack of imagination that's confusing me, as I can't quite envision a US honeymoon that would qualify as exotic. If one is headed off on an exotic, and presumably foreign, honeymoon, packing stamps at home to mail one's thank you notes abroad will be of little avail.
Melissa Barger Baern
Melrose
Single Mom Seeks Suitor
Rea Killeen shouldn't be pessimistic about finding a date ("Coupling," March 23). I hope that she already knows there are many of us divorced fathers out there who find the bedlam of children harmonious, rather than a cacophony of sounds, disorder, and unpleasant surprises.
Ayis Antoniou
Milton
Great article. After nine years of looking, I can tell Killeen that he doesn't exist. I still try but understand now there is little hope.
Gerry Connors
Sudbury
In Defense of Barbie
In response to K.E.'s question about preventing her daughter from receiving Barbies and Disney princess-related gifts for her birthday ("Miss Conduct," March 23): I used to be an anti-Barbie person, because I felt Barbie's body was unattainable and unrealistic. Then I started working in a toy store, where I discovered that Barbie wears considerably more clothing (including pants) than any of the other girl dolls on the market. Also, the script with Barbie isn't just limited to Barbie going shopping and flirting with Ken; Barbie is a veterinarian, a basketball player, etc. Finally, Belle from Beauty and the Beast was no meek woman waiting to be set free or rescued. She rescued the Beast. While a 4-year-old may not appreciate that fact, I'm 24, and it's probably why Beauty and the Beast remains my favorite Disney film.
Veronica Neilan
Merrimack, New Hampshire, and Brooklyn, New York
Smoke Signals
My wife and I have been battling a secondhand smoke nuisance in our condo for some time now, so we had a keen interest in Lisa Prevost's "Snuffing Out Puffing Neighbors" (March 16). A smoker's privacy rights end at his or her walls and doors, and a nonsmoker's privacy rights begin at his or her own walls and doors. When invasive and toxic tobacco smoke crosses those very real boundaries into nonsmokers' homes, the result oftentimes is a massive intrusion of privacy into the lives of nonsmokers. I believe professor Michael Siegel's "public nuisance" proposal helps provide a very reasonable response.
Jim Tallent
Boston
