Behind Mitt
I am appalled by the National
Jewish Democratic Council's
allegation that Mitt Romney's
choice for launching his presi-
dential campaign was driven by
anything other than support for
his hometown, a reminder of his
family's deep-seated passion for
our region and state and, frankly,
impeccable judgment ("Political
Overdose Feb. 22, page 31).
I have known the Romneys
for more than three decades. My
father, Max Fisher, was George
Romney's strongest ally, con-
fidant and friend. I don't need
to tell you how close my father
and Henry Ford II were. These
incredible men supported each
other's causes without question.
Henry Ford II supported the
Detroit Jewish community and
Israel in ways few know.
As a staunch supporter of
Mitt's, I am proud of his deci-
sion to use the Henry Ford
in Dearborn as the venue of
his announcement. The NJDC
should "look in the mirror"
before accusing others about
political blunders. Thank you for
pointing this out so eloquently.
Phillip Fisher
Southfield
Beyond The Pale
I could not agree more with your
editorial "Political Overdose"
(Feb. 22, page 31). Having been
privileged to know Max Fisher
and Henry Ford II my entire life
and their special relationship,
and knowing also how Henry
Ford II felt about Jewish causes
and supported them person-
ally and financially, the claims
against Mitt Romney's choice
of the Henry Ford in Dearborn
to announce his presidential
campaign are outrageous and
beyond inappropriate. They are
truly an example of overzeal-
ous political operatives without
knowledge trying to slap any-
thing on the wall.
Also having been privileged to
know nearly all members of the
Romney family, including Mitt
(of whom I am proudly support-
ing), that anyone would associate
them with anti-Semitism is to
disregard history. It suggests a
complete lack of knowledge.
George Romney's long-time
finance chair and very close
personal friend was none
other than Max Fisher. Do the
Democrats now want to question
Max's commitment to the Jewish
people?
in such a responsible and infor-
mative manner.
Bryce Sandler
Michigan finance director
Romney for President, Inc.
Clawson
Cardiac Arrest
Your cover article about place-
ment of automatic defibrillators
in health clubs is very timely
("Potential Lifesaver:' Feb. 22,
page 15). These devices have
been placed in other public
places for years, and they have
saved lives.
It would also be advisable to
have defibrillators at amateur
sporting events. All of us have
read of a young athlete suffer-
ing cardiac arrest on the playing
Robert Taubman
field. This is usually due to a
Bloomfield Hills
previously undiagnosed heart
condition.
Absurd Criticism
Equally tragic, young teenag-
I want to thank the Detroit
ers with normal hearts can also
Jewish News for the very well-
have cardiac arrest under certain
written editorial regarding the
circumstances. These youngsters'
National Jewish Democratic
breastbones have not reached
Council's criticism of Mitt
their adult firmness. At a certain
Romney's campaign for using
time in the heart cycle (the so-
the Henry Ford as a venue
called vulnerable period), a blow
for the announcement of his
presidential campaign ("Political to the chest can cause a cardiac
arrest. This might result from
Overdose," Feb. 22, page 31).
being struck by a baseball, a
I, too, believed it was absurd
hockey puck or a karate kick.
for the Democratic group to
This scene is less common
criticize the use of this venue,
especially considering the strong than that of a middle-aged man
collapsing during a workout,
support both the Ford family
and the Ford Motor Co. have pro- but just as devastating. Prompt
application of a defibrillator
vided Israel and Jewish causes
would be lifesaving.
over many years.
Defibrillators are still some-
I can assure you there is no
what expensive, but they are
stronger supporter of Israel than
worth it. We keep fire extin-
former Massachusetts Governor
Mitt Romney. This type of below- guishers at critical locations. We
the-belt nonsense is exactly what should do the same with defi-
brillators.
turns folks away from greater
Interested readers can check
political involvement.
the
following links:
Thank you again for highlight-
www.tufts-nemc.org/medi-
ing this issue to our community
The Jewish month of Adar is a happy time, as Purim falls mid-month. Yet,
do you know the more solemn observances which fall during the month?
—Goldfein
.baqls3jo lsej ay; . 1 eqs!pel 10JAelp
isanapos le!inq qs!mar to siaqwaw to oupouoq lenuue'Ageap ,sasoN to Aiesiatquue aqi :JaMsuy
.
6 March 2007
Henry L. Green, M.D.
Southfield
Crohn's Coverage
As the founder of the Michigan
Chapter of the Crohn's and
Colitis Foundation of America
(CCFA), I was delighted to read
the cover article that helped
people understand about these
prevalent and debilitating dis-
eases ("Living With Crohn's," Feb.
15, page 13).
Since 1973, it has been our
goal to educate so that there
is a better understanding and
acceptance of the challenges
that inflammatory bowel disease
patients and their families face.
Legislation to provide public
bathroom access and teachers'
recognition of the problems
students face and emotional
impact on the entire family are
some of the issues that are being
addressed.
It is heartening to see the
advances in research that have
provided better treatment
options are all a result of the
hard work of scientists and
CCFA members whose goal is to
find the cause and cure. We are
dedicated to this mission and
hope that our support will con-
tinue to increase.
Carol K. Roberts
Bloomfield Hills
Correction
In "Pantry Purim Appeal" (Feb.
22, page 10), the price of Yad
Ezra Purim tribute cards should
be six cards for $36.
Purim Limerick
Abisele Yiddish
*Der Purim Shpiel
Der Purim shpiel was
**laibedik and ***shain.
A queen named Esther was
so full of ****hain.
And Mordechai so proud
and tall
Advised his niece:
*****dertzail it all.
******Zi hot geratevet di
yidn gor again.
*The Purim Play.
**lively
***beautiful
**** charm, loveliness
*****tell
******she saved the Jews
by herself.
Rachel Kapen of West
Bloomfield wrote this
holiday limerick in mem-
ory of the late Martha Jo
Fleischmann, longtime
Detroit Jewish News limer-
ick writer.
This Month In History:
Jewish Civil Rights
March 1831: The Assembly
of Lower Canada repealed
legislation that, since 1804,
had declared Jews ineli-
gible for membership in the
Assembly and legally unfit
to hold any civil, judicial, or
military office.
March 1, 1281: Pope
Martin IV directs the papal
Inquisitors to proceed
against lapsed Jewish con-
verts.
Taken from: Encyclopaedia Judaica, 2nd Edition,
(c) 2007, www.encyclopaediajudaica.com , © 2007,
Thomson Gale
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tent/abstract/287/9/1142 heart.
bmj.com/cgi/reprint/81/2/109 .
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