DATE: Thursday, November 27, 1997           TAG: 9711250031

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B12  EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: Letter 

                                            LENGTH:  130 lines

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR - THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT

GOOD SAMARITAN

Navy officer brings joy to a sick boy

I am writing to thank a young naval commander from Norfolk I met outside of Baltimore early in October.

As I sat in my car with my 10-year-old grandson, who suffers from cystic fibrosis, while my daughter was in a pharmacy getting him medicine, we spotted a young man in naval blues. My grandson wanted to know what he was, so I called him over.

Well, he talked to my grandson for 15 minutes explaining that he worked in submarines. He was very nice and spoke to my grandson as if he had known him forever. We thanked him for his time and, as he rose to leave, he took his gold submarine ``dolphins'' off his blue jacket and gave them to my grandson.

I don't recall his name, but I know he worked in Norfolk and was only in Baltimore for a day. I know no other way to thank him for bringing joy to a young boy's heart, and an old man's.

Alexander M. MacDougal

Towson, Md., Nov. 17, 1997

YOUR HEALTH

Hearing aids help Clinton, others

I was pleased to see the recent positive article regarding hearing loss and the use of hearing aids. However, as a local practicing audiologist, I must correct one statement. The article reports that hearing aids generally don't help a conductive hearing loss.

While medical intervention is usually the first line for correction of conductive hearing loss, hearing aids do help in this type of hearing impairment. People who are not candidates for surgery can be fitted with hearing aids often with a great deal of benefit.

I hope that Mr. Clinton's willingness to acknowledge his hearing loss and use hearing aids will motivate people to seek assistance for their own problems. Even those who have previously been told ``nothing can be done'' may be helped by newer technology.

Debra E. Williams

Atlantic Coast Ear Specialist

Virginia Beach, Nov. 11, 1997

ANIMAL LOVERS

A wag and a wet nose to dog's rescuers

On behalf of the Norfolk SPCA board of directors and the shelter animals, I would like to thank David Murphy, Nick and Helen Pope, Mark Walkup and Don Norris for risking their lives to rescue the beautiful 10-year-old dog from Norfolk's Lafayette River (news, Nov. 6).

Also, a sincere thank you to Dr. J. H. Eaton and staff for the expert veterinary care, and to Guy Friddell for featuring this heartwarming story and for his endless dedication to the welfare of animals. A wonderful story of triumph and neighborhood heroes!

A wagging tail, wet nose and warm kisses are the sincerest form of thanks.

Leslie V. Hellerman

Norfolk SPCA development director

Norfolk, Nov. 10, 1997

SSSSHHHH

Message to moviegoers: Shut up or stay home

I have a message for certain people in Hampton Roads: SHUT UP!

Yes you, the person who talks throughout a concert or movie. Please, open your mouth only when inserting food or drink.

Believe it or not, I pay $5 or more to see a movie or hear a concert, not to hear you explaining the movie's plot.

A recent example was ``Shall We Dance?'' at the Naro. It was a wonderful film, but my enjoyment was ruined by a middle-aged man and woman behind me talking throughout. I would have renamed the movie, ``Shall We Keep Quiet?''

If you want to talk during a movie, please rent a video and watch the movie in your home, where - without ruining my experience - you can relate what will happen next.

Charles A. Jones

Norfolk, Nov. 12, 1997

PARTY POLITICS

Democrats' proposals a boost for the GOP

In the Nov. 16 Commentary, Scott Bates offered three bold new ideas for reviving the Democratic Party.

First, Virginia Democrats should propose the elimination of state income tax for working families earning less than $50,000 annually. Translation: If we can just convince 51 percent of the voters that the other 49 percent will pay for everything, we can win elections. Besides, anyone who earns more than $50,000 has more than he deserves anyway.

Second, let's improve the public schools by spending more money on them. Breathtakingly bold! Giving more money to the public school system is like giving whiskey to an alcoholic. One is as likely to result in quality as the other is to result in sobriety. School choice would cost less and yield better results, but this is out of the question since the teachers' unions are one of the last dependable sources of campaign money for the Democrats.

Third, execute lots of criminals. Good luck. Between the judges, the appeals process and the trial lawyers, a person is in more danger driving to work than sitting on death row. This is a direct result of 30 years of liberal policy.

As a lifetime Republican, I encourage Democrats everywhere to embrace these bold new ideas. It would make things so much easier for the Republican Party.

Donald F. Hawker

Virginia Beach, Nov. 17, 1997

PETA POLICY

Will nude pose raise money for diabetes?

I read with interest Larry Bonko's Nov. 17 column regarding Pamela Lee's nude pose for PETA.

In Norfolk, the juxtaposition of PETA and the Diabetes Institutes at EVMS is ironic. The Diabetes Institutes is working to cure millions of people suffering with diabetes and PETA is working to stop the use of animals in medical testing - an important part of most lifesaving medical advances.

The Diabetes Institutes and PETA are only a few hundred yards apart. PETA, which collects millions for its efforts, is housed in a luxurious, multistory waterfront office building while the Diabetes Institutes is tucked away in several modest laboratories on Brambleton Avenue. The Diabetes Institutes serves tens of thousands of Hampton Roads citizens with world-class care; PETA deals in sensationalism.

I know that a provocative picture of Pamela Lee pricks a more intense interest than a report on the work to cure diabetes. However, we can only hope that those publicity-seeking celebrities mentioned in your column have an equal or greater commitment to relieving the suffering of the human race as evidenced by their contributions of time and money.

I will be glad to provide you with a provocative nude photo for equal time and the chance to raise just $100,000 for our worthy local charity, The Diabetes Institutes Foundation.

C. Gerald Harris

Virginia Beach, Nov. 17, 1997

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