Commentaries

May 28, 2009

 Commentaries is where Minnesota Public Radio welcomes your thoughtful opinion about current events and issues. Commentaries are like letters to the editor. To be considered for publication, your commentary should be issue-related, clearly written, and follow our Terms of Use. New insights into ongoing topics are especially welcome. Not all commentaries received are published. For topical interaction with others, visit the discussion groups.

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The real victims of credit card fraud are small businesses

Your guest did not comment on the real victims of credit card fraud. [MPR Midmorning: Credit card rules may offer consumer relief]

The credit card companies do not absorb the costs of fraud, but pass it on to the companies where the fraudulent cards were used to purchase goods. The credit companies simply retract payment for the goods and leave the stores with the loss. This is devastating to small businesses and is equivalent to online or in store shoplifting.

This is why credit card companies really don't pressure the law enforcement to catch and convict people who commit fraud. They aren't really paying for the losses.

Brittany Stone
St. Paul, Minn.


Focus on parental rights

This is a parental rights issue. [MPR Your Voice Commentary: I support Colleen Hauser]

Obviously, the parents pursued the medical community to diagnose their son's condition and even started their recommended course of treatment, even though it went against their convictions. The son vehemently refuses the treatment and believes it is poisoning him. We know chemo destroys the immune system. What a patient perceives about the course of treatment they receive is critical in their recovery. The parents have shown diligence, competence and are obviously loving and caring. I believe they are looking out for the best interest of their own child.

Though I know the medical community and judge believe they are doing right by this child, it enrages me that their opinions trump the patient and parents rights to determine what treatment they wish to pursue. The mother clearly spoke on being open to both treatments should his condition degrade. Now she has had to flee in order to avoid her son fro m being forced against his will to receive this treatment, which is rather barbaric. Do the doctors plan on tying him down?

This sickens me and my heart goes out to this family and the additional stress they are having to endure. As if their situation was not already painful enough. My prayers are with them. I would hope that if my family were faced with this situation, others in large numbers would show their love and support.

Jean Gerstner
Gilbert, Ariz.


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