Criticism of doctors unnecessary

Hillcrest and Providence are excellent health care systems in Waco, with great doctors and employees. So I am surprised to read community criticisms about the five physicians who have left Hillcrest and gone to Providence. Hillcrest’s Bosque clinic has been open more than 15 years, and they have been longtime employees of Hillcrest. They did not leave town, they did not change occupations, they moved to jobs five minutes away. They have not left their patients without medical care. They simply changed employers.

How many people stay with the same employer their entire professional career? So why should these physicians not be afforded the same luxury of choosing who they want to work for?

Mona Segal Farley, Waco

Iranian nuclear threats

Although Iran continues to claim its nuclear development program is designed for peaceful purposes, U.S. intelligence services believe Iran is developing nuclear weapons. A number of countries have nuclear weapons, but these countries are considered stable and fall within the parameters of mutual deterrence and rational conduct except for North Korea. We are currently working with Russia, China and other Asian countries to attempt to control North Korea’s nuclear threats.

However, Iran poses a significant risk to use nuclear weapons because of its unstable leadership. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has proclaimed that Israel, the United States and other Western countries are Iran’s enemies and could come under attack by Iran depending on conditions in the region and the world. The Iranian Defense Ministry recently published information on a nuclear attack strategy to be used against the United States and Israel and possibly other countries.

Many Arab countries in the Middle East are wary of Iran’s intentions as well and are concerned with the regional dominance of a nuclear armed Iran.

Economic sanctions imposed against Iran have not deterred it from developing nuclear weapons. Time is running out and the options to neutralize the Iranian nuclear weapons program are becoming more limited.

Donald A. Moskowitz, Londonderry, N.H.

Amazing Cameron Park Zoo

I recently was given a tour of Cameron Park Zoo in Waco, along with Max Robertson, the retired parks director. Years ago, I had a vision of what this zoo was going to become. Well, I was wrong. My vision of a beautiful zoo that would bring visitors from far and wide was too small. The zoo has developed into a world-class zoo. It is one of the most beautiful zoos I have ever seen — and I’ve been to more than 100.

As director of Cameron Park Zoo for 18 years, I know first-hand how hard the city of Waco and McLennan County leaders, as well as the Cameron Park Zoological and Botanical Society, have worked on this project.

I can only say WOW! It was worth it.

Tim Jones, zoo director emeritus, Port Mansfield

Father grateful to deputy

I want to take this opportunity to commend McLennan County Sheriff’s Deputy John Kolinek for going above and beyond the call of duty. On Oct. 16, my daughter attended the HOT Fair and Rodeo with several of her friends. When they returned to their car at the end of the evening, they discovered that the driver had locked her keys in the vehicle. Deputy Kolinek met them at their car and remained with them until a spare key was delivered. She personally called me when he arrived at their car and again when they left for home.

It is comforting to know that there are men like John Kolinek who serve our community. The sheriff’s department should be proud to have him as a deputy. I, for one, am glad he was there when my daughter and her friends needed a helping hand.

James Lenamon, McGregor

Firing of Cowboy’s coach

Although I hate to admit it, I get a certain pleasure when any Texas team loses, regardless of whether it is college or professional. Likewise for the Cowboys’ recent drubbing from Green Bay. But instead of firing head coach Wade Phillips, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones should have fired himself.  Jerry, we’ll recall, is the genius who fired Jimmy Johnson.

I suggest that Jones sell the team to George W. Bush instead. Here’s what the roster could be:

* Dick Cheney could coach the defense, encouraging hits that would not only knock the opponent out of the game but disable him for life.

* Alberto Gonzales could sit in the press box assuring Cheney that, although against the rules and basic sports ethics, this kind of play is legal. And there’s always Roberts, Scalia and Thomas for easy backup.

* Mama Bush could roam the sidelines promising injured players that they’d be better off living a lifetime as a quadriplegic than remaining on the field with all that violent mayhem.

* Donald Rumsfeld could be on the look-out for foreigners hiding weapons of mass destruction.

* Condoleeza Rice could wear a cute little cheerleader’s uniform, picturing Dubya’s evil twin and sporting the logo, “What? Me Worry?”

Rev. Thomas E Sagendorf, Hamilton, Ind.