Sat, Feb 11 2012

SOUNDING BOARD: Cancer or polio?

Fri, Feb 25 2005 13:00 CET 321 Views

Sir
IN my last Sounding Board I criticised the Bulgarian authorities seeming indifference concerning the general health of the public, especially when it came to warn them against the dangers of smoking.
Since then, however, the cigarette packages have been labeled with most Bulgarians call "nekrologs" i.e. detailed descriptions of all kinds of deadly diseases that might hit you should you dare to light up. Besides, will smoking in restaurants be limited? I doubt that my letter is responsible for this sudden change, but rather a quick response to an EU directive.
As revealed in an interview with Meglena Kuneva, Bulgarians are rather well-known for their quick yes responses in Brussels. Concerning Mr. Leviev-Sawyer's political interviews, his seriousness and politeness impress me. Few Bulgarians would have managed the same, having been so often cheated by their leaders, they know perfectly well that the forthcoming election is nothing but a choice between cancer or polio.

- Geir Thomassen
Lovetch

A response to Fresonke
Sir
REGARDING John Dyer's article "Expat of the week: Finding her calling."
Ms. Fresonke states "He asked about abortion...They were Christians for many years, but they didn't know what God's word said".
I consider myself a Christian and I do not think that God has a conclusive word on abortion. Ms Fresonke intimates that she was able to teach the truth to the Bulgarians at this church because the truth was "not available" to them. In effect, this truth was something she needed to bring from the United States. I hope that Sofia Echo readers do not make the mistake of thinking that all Christians, or all people coming from the United States, are bringing their version of the truth to teach to Bulgarians.
I too have worked with women who have suffered domestic violence and abuse and I congratulate Ms. Fresonke for taking on that cause here. But I am very troubled that the support she offers is couched in a strict set of values that may not provide these women the support they truly need.

- Maury Wray Bridges
Sofia

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