Letters: Nov. 10, 1997

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Is it reasonable to allow the continued use of land mines, weapons that are killing or maiming 26,000 innocent women and children a year, to "protect" a relatively small number of Americans serving in Korea? Why are we spending millions of dollars on military strategists and state-of-the-art hardware if our people can't come up with anything better than exploding land mines that blindly injure friend and foe alike? MICHAEL CHRISTOPHER Nashville, Tenn.

ESTEFAN EXERCISES FREE SPEECH

It is not surprising that pop star Gloria Estefan felt the ire of the right-wing Cuban-exile community in Miami [NATION, Oct. 20] for her support of a Metro-Dade arts-board volunteer who was fired for saying officials should end their ban on performances by Cuba-based artists. As an area resident for 10 years, I am aware that right-wing Cuban exiles have taken over big time in Miami, in its politics and assorted businesses. I'm bothered that no one can express an opinion that does not agree with theirs. When these exiles fled Cuba, they took their wealth and whatever else they could with them, leaving the poor behind. They were not concerned, then as now, with the well-being of the poor. These exiles would just like to retake the island and return to the old days--with our help, of course. NAME WITHHELD ON REQUEST Coral Springs, Fla.

It is ironic that the Cuban-exile community--particularly the fervent anti-Castro organizations--behaves very much like the oppressor it so reviles. It's sad to live in a community where constitutional rights, such as freedom of speech, are selectively respected. And this is the exile community that helps keep Castro's regime afloat by sending $800 million a year in money and goods to relatives on the island. ALEX DIAZ-GRANADOS Miami

THE EXPERTS ARE OPPOSED

The debate about intact dilation and extraction, as described in "The Real Partial-Birth War" [NATION, Oct. 20], is taking a surreal and dangerous turn. People who have no knowledge about this complex procedure are making restrictive judgments that could cause real harm to women. As you noted, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, doctors who deal daily with obstetric complications, are against the ban. And Physicians for Reproductive Choice and Health is vehemently opposed to the ban on the procedure and to any interference in the integrity of the patient-doctor relationship and physicians' commitment to the safe practice of medicine. We owe it to our patients to provide the best possible care based on medical and scientific facts, rather than contentious emotional and political debates. SEYMOUR L. ROMNEY, M.D. Chair, Board of Directors Physicians for Reproductive Choice and Health New York City

HERE COMES HOLISTIC HEALING

I'm glad S.C. Gwynne let those New Age nitwits have it with both barrels in his piece about the "Whole Life Expo," the country's largest holistic fair [AMERICAN SCENE, Oct. 20]. I solve my medical problems the old-fashioned American way--by drugging myself into a stupor. RUDOLPH MINGER Los Angeles

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