PUBLIC HEALTH
Focus must remain on eradicating tuberculosis
At the start of the 20th century, tuberculosis was the most feared disease in the world. In 1904, a group of doctors and concerned residents founded what would become the American Lung Association to eradicate the disease. This effort was so successful that for half a century, tuberculosis has been a distant memory to most Americans.
But tuberculosis is far from gone. It is still a major health threat. One-third of the world’s population is currently infected with tuberculosis. It killed an estimated 1.7 million people in 2009.
The slowing decline of tuberculosis rates in the U.S. — along with the widespread emergence of drug-resistant strains — highlight the need to maintain focus on eradicating this disease.
Combatting the spread of tuberculosis is still a cornerstone of our mission. The American Lung Association honors all those who continue the fight through research, education and patient care, and we look forward to the day when tuberculosis can finally be forgotten.
H. James Gooden, national volunteer chairman, American Lung Association
MIDDLE EAST
Low-key approach best amid regional instability
Regarding “Another Mideast battle brews” (Opinion, March 25), past experience proves that endless numbers of U.S. envoys, massive U.S. involvement and major Israeli concessions have not brought peace.
The bottom line remains Arab rejection of a permanent Israel — even an Israel consisting just of Tel Aviv.
Obsessing over the Arab-Israel conflict has facilitated its abuse as a distraction by dictators across the Middle East. A low-key approach (especially at a time of regional instability) is more appropriate.
Rather than one-sided pressure on Israel, there should be a demand for reciprocal concessions from the Palestinian Authority such as ending incitement. Equally important should be the recognition of the rights of the Jewish refugees from Arab lands — as equivalent to those of Arab refugees.
Doron Lubinsky, Atlanta
LOTTERY
Horse racing would be a boon to Georgia’s future
Many people refrain from buying lottery tickets until the jackpot reaches certain levels, and the higher the jackpot, the more buyers. However, the size of the jackpot is much more dependent upon no one winning it and it rolling over than it is by increasing the percentage payout a point or two.
The lottery is essentially a voluntary tax on people who are not good at math. All one has to do to realize this is to look at the back of a lottery ticket and see the odds of (or more appropriately, the odds against) winning.
Horse racing, on the other hand, would create jobs in Georgia. It would seem that parimutuel betting on horse racing would be beneficial to every segment of our state. It would create jobs on all levels, provide additional tax revenue and offer another entertainment alternative.
Can someone explain how we ended up with just a lottery and not horse racing? We should have both.
Mike Deal, Alpharetta
