Letters: ‘To Kill a Mockingbird' is completely appropriate for students

'Mockingbird' is completely appropriate for students

Thank you, Bruce Lear, for addressing the absurd controversy surrounding the novel “To Kill A Mockingbird” (“Discomfort leads to understanding,” Nov. 19). Critics of this gigantic mockingbird in the classroom have indeed attempted to rewrite history and reinterpret uncomfortable literature. Literature reflects the people and issues of the setting, whether it is current or historical. This classic novel is more than age-appropriate.

Harper Lee wrote the novel loosely based on memories of her childhood in the rural South. Lee’s father was a lawyer. Rural small towns can be very opinionated and clannish. It is historically accurate that Black males could be the target of false accusations. What is to criticize? As a white Southern female, Lee had the temerity to expose the ugly secrets of the rural Jim Crow South. As for all white people being depicted as villains, that is a generalized overreach. There are some very decent characters in the novel with good hearts. My favorite is Mr. Dolphus Raymond, who leads a double life. That said, one cannot deny families like the Ewells do exist even today, even in Iowa.

As for Atticus being a “white savior,” that too is a large, generalized stretch. He was assigned as Tom Robinson’s public defender. As a man of honor, Atticus did just that. He also had the temerity to summarize that social, economic, and class problems can negatively affect people of any race in his summation to the jury. Clearly, Atticus did not save Tom Robinson, given the verdict and Tom’s eventual fate. Lee did not give Tom Robinson a “happily ever after” ending. The only white savior in the novel is Boo Radley. So, which Atticus is closer to Harper Lee’s own father, the Atticus in “To Kill a Mockingbird” or in the novel “Go Set A Watchman”?

The themes of race, religion and religious hypocrisy, retribution, and class are more than ever necessary to be discussed in the classroom. No English teacher is pushing personal, political agendas. They simply want their students to think about these issues. “To Kill a Mockingbird” is a classic novel that should not be forced into the current revisionist lenses.

— Steven C. Woolery, Ames

It’s difficult to see God at work in our politics

Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks’ self-acclaimed primary proponent, David Pautsch, says “we can no longer be embarrassed talking about God.” I think the bigger issue here at hand is, "Is God embarrassed by you talking about Him?"

Somehow I never imagined the Almighty going along with all the hate and fear-mongering that is being spawned by politicians and ministers in His name. As to the separation of church and state, I think of Matthew 22:21, where Jesus said to render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s. Jesus did not give into Satan’s third temptation, which was to assume temporal rule, and I don’t appreciate people trying to take political power in His name.

“Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling-block to Me, for you do not mind the things of God, but the things of men.”

— Barbara Persoon, Pleasantville

Restore Medicare payments to physicians

I am writing to thank Sen. Chuck Grassley for meeting with me on Oct. 25 and pledging to support efforts to provide additional relief from the physician Medicare payment cuts scheduled to take effect in 2024. As a pathologist at Goldfinch Laboratory in Urbandale, I am extremely concerned about the consequences these cuts will have on my ability to provide diagnostic care to our community.

My lab runs thousands of critical tests for patients in Iowa that determine whether patients are diagnosed with cancer or countless other life-changing diseases. My colleagues and I provide critical information to treating physicians that can have life or death consequences for patients. Pathology plays an integral role in diagnosing and understanding diseases. Our work is necessary to guide treatment decisions, track disease progression, support public health and public health emergencies, direct test selection, develop lab tests, and support medical advancements.

The repercussions of these cuts could have far-reaching consequences for the stability of medical laboratories across our nation.

It is imperative for our community that Congress help mitigate these cuts. This relief will help provide crucial short-term financial stability until permanent, bipartisan payment reforms are enacted.

— Dr. Jared Abbott, West Des Moines

Doctors shouldn’t have to document sex crimes

“No means no,” and a person should have the power to determine their future. Once again as Iowa legislators and Gov. Kim Reynolds step into the practice of medicine, they are now involving doctors in the practice of law.

People seeking reproductive health care, for any reason, especially as the result of a violent and personal crime such as rape or incest, should not have to justify to anyone or prove beyond reasonable doubt they are the victim.

Laws passed this year by Republican legislators and signed by Reynolds now require the state Board of Medicine to consider rules for exemption where doctors will have to question patients to confirm that a sex act constitutes rape or incest. The victim must sign certification forms verifying the information about the sex crime, and doctors will have to document this information.

With approximately 27% of rapes being reported and only 12% of child sex abuse cases being reported, how many victims will fall through the cracks and not seek medical treatment because of these harmful and ridiculous requirements?

Government does not belong in the reproductive health care decision-making process, and doctors do not need to be putting their patients through the extra stress of questioning and doubt.

Abortion is reproductive health care and the decision of the person and no one else.

Governor Reynolds: Iowans support abortion as reproductive health care and as the decision of the person and not the Iowa government.

— Tracy Creason, Des Moines

More: Iowa abortion rules would traumatize victims, worsen doctors' care

Carson ably laid out the case for Trump

Thanks to the editors for allowing a guest essay by Dr. Ben Carson to appear Nov. 16. It was clear, accurate, and concise. Carson did an exemplary job of defining presidential candidate Donald Trump. It was refreshing to read about Trump without all the biased half-truths and lies normally attributed to the Donald.

Carson’s guest editorial should be required reading for all voters in the coming election.

— Stu Bassman, West Des Moines

Carson’s talk of Trump and destiny is unserious

Please, Des Moines Register: No more Ben Carson on the opinion pages.

There may be reasons to support Donald Trump, but it’s bunk times two when Carson says, “Our era’s rendezvous with destiny is here, and Donald J. Trump is the man to lead us out of the darkness and into the light.”

Carson’s metaphoric use of the phrase “rendezvous with destiny” copies FDR’s speech at the 1936 Democratic National Convention: “There is a mysterious cycle in human events. To some generations much is given. Of other generations much is expected. This generation of Americans has a rendezvous with destiny.”

Ronald Reagan appropriated the words for a book title and a 1964 speech on behalf of Barry Goldwater.

Carson’s use of these words to rally support for a narcissistic sociopath reflects as much on Carson as on Trump. Trump’s earned legal problems and his campaign language (“vermin”) show Trump is no longer “the man,” if he ever was. Please sit down, Dr. Carson, you’re scaring the children and embarrassing yourself.

— Gerald Ott, Ankeny

Trends in violent crime are not a simple story

Any crime is too much. But crime statistics cited by various politicians mislead. The latest (October 18) report by the Council on Criminal Justice is headlined, “Did Violent Crime Go Up or Down Last Year? Yes, It Did.”

Two commonly used measures of violent crime diverge, but, overall, violent crime has declined substantially since the 1990s.

In a snapshot of differences in crime rates from 2021 to 2022, the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reports (based on crimes reported to law enforcement) show a decline of 2% in violent crime. So, yes, one side can say crime actually declined. On the other hand, the Bureau of Justice Statistics’ National Crime Victimization Survey shows a substantial increase of 75% in reports by respondents. So the other side can decry the perceived increase in crime.

The Council on Criminal Justice report grapples with why the two reports differ without coming to a conclusion. It is at least not fair to “cry wolf” about rampant crime. But it is just as unfair to claim that “all is well.”

Long-term statistics do show that violent crime is way down from where it was 30 years ago after both Republican and Democratic presidents have had their turns in office. We should at least acknowledge that good news and share the credit.

— David W. Leslie, West Des Moines

Decades ago, we worried about global cooling

The Associated Press’ Acacia Coronado, in "Talk of climate change in science textbooks causes friction in oil-rich Texas" (Page 6F, Nov. 19) writes that "scientists overwhelmingly agree that heat-trapping gases released from the combustion of fossil fuels are pushing up global temperatures."

I find it interesting that 50 years ago most scientists said just the opposite. Here is a quote from Dr. S.I. Rasool of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and Columbia University that appeared in the Washington Post, July 9, 1971: "In the next 50 years the fine dust man constantly puts into the atmosphere by fossil fuel burning could screen out so much sunlight that the average temperature could drop by six degrees … could be sufficient to trigger an ice age!" What caused such an about-face in the scientific community?

— Tim VanderPloeg, Altoona

More screening, education needed for lung cancer

The American Lung Association’s “State of Lung Cancer” released on Nov. 14 gives me, as a pulmonologist, both optimism and concern.

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. for adults. I celebrate the 22% improvement in overall long-term survival in lung cancer, but I am sobered that it remains only about 27%. This is largely because most lung cancers are found too late to treat.

How do we change that? First, support efforts such as quit smoking programs like Quitline Iowa and in-school tobacco prevention education for youth, and efforts to increase awareness about the risks of radon. For those at high risk, increase awareness about annual low-dose CT screening, which can reduce lung cancer deaths by up to 20%. Less than 10% of eligible patients in Iowa received lung cancer screening.

Finally, there continue to be at-risk populations left behind in improvements in screening and treatment due to racial and socioeconomic disparities across the U.S. As a nation, we must do better if we are ever to realize the Lung Association’s vision of a world free of lung disease.

For more information about this report, please check out www.lung.org/solc.

— Thomas Gross, Solon

Hoyt Sherman just one of many local gems

My wife and I joined with other St. John’s Lutheran Church parishioners to tour Hoyt Sherman Place last weekend. While my wife had been there several times before for some shows, I had never been in the place during the 53 years I’ve lived in Des Moines.

So, I was surprised and dumbfounded at the extensive history and outstanding art on display. Robert Warren, the CEO, did an excellent job in leading us through the extensive facility and informing us of the historical events and renovations through the years. The venue offers an intimate theater experience with extraordinary acoustics for both performers and audiences, a beautiful historic mansion, and a majestic art gallery which includes paintings of significant historic value (one worth more than $4 million).

The Hoyt Sherman Place, together with other outstanding, world class and unique entities, such as the World Food Prize, the Pappajohn Sculpture Park, and the Lauridsen Skate Park, make Des Moines one of the most enjoyable places on earth to live.

— Kenn Johnson, Des Moines

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Letters: ‘To Kill a Mockingbird' is entirely appropriate for students