Erlanger staff, training praised
Please know I have no political or personal agenda in this tribute to Erlanger hospital. In April, I was diagnosed with a grapefruit-sized benign brain tumor. My Erlanger experience began in the ER, followed by two days in Neuro-ICU and three days in a regular room for treatment prior to brain surgery. I spent another day in Neuro-ICU following the operation and one day in a regular room before discharge. I am so impressed with the staff's skills and dedication, including neurosurgeon Dr. Timothy Strait and Dr. Peter Boehm, who came out of retirement for my surgery. It continued with competent and committed nurses and technicians. In my seven days at Erlanger, I never heard one negative word. I only witnessed positive energy and teamwork. I believe this comes from the hospital's efficient training program and quality of the staff. The wonderful attitude and professionalism I encountered is transmitted from one generation to the next. Others may have different experiences with Erlanger, but I received the best care possible. It has been seven weeks since surgery, and I'm back at work. If I ever need to be hospitalized again, I definitely know where I'm going.
Claire Vassort, Rising Fawn, Ga.
Cook's diversity columns appreciated
David Cook's recent columns on sexual diversity and on corrective measures to heal our broken educational system were insightful, sensitive and intelligent. Many thanks!
Claire Hale, Signal Mountain
U.S. Muslims should follow social order
For Islam, faith and power were from the outset intertwined - indeed inseparable. Today the same tribal mindset remains unchanged. Islam as Mohammad devised it is not simply a religion; it is a social order. He was as much the founder of a "super tribe" - Islam - as a political and military figure. He claimed the leadership position for himself alone and demanded complete submission. The fundamental problem with Islam today is that Muslims are unwilling to acknowledge the theological warrant for tolerance and violence embedded in their religious texts and the interpretation by mullahs. Some Muslims claim their religion has been hijacked by extremists. Yet they ignore the fact all Muslims around the world cite the same religious texts. Islamic ideology must be held accountable for the acts of its most violent followers; its adherents should demand it disavow the key beliefs used to justify those acts. Many Muslims have been the beneficiaries of the best American education that money can buy. They have come to share the way of life this country offers. American Muslims have freedom to worship, but as American citizens they must abide by the American social order.
Amos Taj, Ooltewah