FAREWELL, JASON

Jason Henderson is leaving Athens to teach at San Francisco State. I will miss him. Jason has put great energy and serious thought into making Athens a good place to live today and in the future. I have relished his frank assessments of local issues and have been inspired by his optimism. He leaves on June 11. I wish him well. Thanks Jason.

Sue Custance
Athens



HANDS OFF WELLNESS

I was very intrigued by the title of the article by Joan Stroer about Acupuncture (June 4th). I appreciated her questioning whether Athens Regional Medical Center is attempting to legitimize or monopolize alternative health care. From my cynical point of view, I would answer the latter. For years allopathic (Western) medicine has been trying to control the health care model. Frequently, they have resorted to calling alternative heath care practitioners quacks and discouraging their patients from trying these methods. Alternative healthcare has survived mainly because of one reason: RESULTS! While I acknowledge that allopathic medicine produces results with crisis situations and conditions, many people have gained greater results through the wellness model that alternative practitioners utilize. I have had wonderful results with patients who were told that their condition would not improve or that it was in their head. Now, after years of bashing alternative health care, the allopathic community is now embracing it for one main reason, profit. I know and have great respect for Dr. Rich Panico and do not question his commitment to alternative health care. What I do question is the motive for Athens Regional Medical Center's pursuit of alternative care. Philosophically speaking, the wellness model is completely different from the allopathic model. They do not mix. Wellness practitioners look at the body as a whole and base their treatment on assisting the body in healing itself. Western medicine looks to treat sick parts of the body from an outside-in approach. Because of this glaring difference, ARMC's interest in alternative care is largely financially driven. Alternative care practitioners such as myself have done well serving patients who didn't get results through the allopathic model and look to maintain our independence, but not excluding ourselves from the medical community. That way patients will have different options in pursuing their healthcare rather than a one-stop, Wal-Mart approach to healthcare. ARMC, let the alternative health care practitioners do their thing, and stick to your allopathic model.

Dr. Evan Greller, Atlas Orthogonal Chiropractor
Athens

GO GAUDY, TACKY DOGS!

Concerning the fiberglass bulldog statues that have been popping up around town, I appreciate that they were created to raise money for charities and that's a noble gesture. The designs could be considered attractive, but only if they were used in a different way. For example, if these designs had been placed on t-shirts, posters or toy dolls, I think they would look nice, but as large statues strewn about town they are extremely gaudy and tacky. We Athenians are rightfully proud of our "classic" Southern architecture. These statues placed all over town are the equivalent of someone taking a beautiful old mansion and paneling the plaster walls, covering the hardwood floors with wall to wall carpet and hanging a dropped ceiling. I noticed that none of these statues of the UGA mascot are placed on the UGA campus. I've only seen one bulldog statue on campus and it's a small bronze placed near the stadium. Appropriate and classy, two things these statues aren't. I'm sure President Adams realized how inappropriate they would look on our beautiful campus. Likewise our beautiful town. These statues should be sold to fans, as the souvenirs they are, as soon as football season begins, and they should be removed until then.

Chip Shirley
Athens

PEEPING TOM READY

I was wondering where I should send my resume for the peeping Tom position [Classifieds, 5/28], as the advertisement neglected to include an address. I'm confident you will find me most qualified for the job, but in the meantime, here are a few of my credentials:

(1.) I have been arrested repeatedly for the following offenses: loitering, stalking, voyeurism, trespassing, breaking and entering - this crime I committed with the specific purpose of installing hidden spy cams in my ex-boyfriend's home.

Also, there is an outstanding warrant against me for violating the terms of a restraining order.

(2.) I have been diagnosed with severe paranoid tendencies by a certified psychiatrist.

(3.) I own six sets of the exact style of binoculars used by many covert CIA-operatives and most recently by members of the Total Information Awareness program.

(4.) I am in possession of three adult-sized camouflage suits with accompanying gear, body paint and night-vision glasses.

(4.) I have absolutely no regard for the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

(5.) I sincerely believe the 1954 Resolution of Censure against the late Joseph R. McCarthy was one of the worst mistakes made by the U.S. Senate.

(6.) I am convinced that the UGA student body, en mass, is the embodiment of Evil.

If this isn't a testimonial to my commitment to your cause, I don't know what is. Please send your contact information to - no, wait, scratch that, currently, all of my mail is being delivered directly to the ACC Police Department.

How about this: Leave your address under the concrete Bulldog at the corner of Clayton and College or just wait four to six days and I'll hunt down your headquarters on my own.

r.r.
Athens