LETTERS: AMR well-versed in cherry-picking
To the editor:
Recent articles in the Review-Journal reporting that Las Vegas Fire &Rescue paramedics are cherry-picking patients to transport, based on patients’ ability to pay the fee, are absolutely, unequivocally untrue. It is irresponsible reporting, known in the journalism world to be hack writing.
I could spend my time rebutting the study that was paid for by American Medical Response, but many of us know that figures lie, and liars figure. What I do know is that I work in the 89110 area code as a fire captain and have been here a large portion of my 16-year career. The bottom line is that we treat and transport citizens of Las Vegas if they are sick, period. We took an oath to serve this community regardless of someone’s economic status, and we take that oath very seriously.
Ironically, many of us work in these areas because it is where we can make the greatest impact. When the call comes, we respond every time.
Ask AMR why they were unable to respond more than 800 times when requested in 2013. That’s right — AMR simply did not send any ambulances when requested by Las Vegas Fire &Rescue to more than 800 medical calls, when AMR was contractually obligated to do so. When asked about this issue, AMR stated that a Fire Department unit was closer, therefore there was no need for AMR to respond.
So my question is, who are the ones doing the cherry-picking?
ERIC LITTMANN
LAS VEGAS
The writer is a captain for Las Vegas Fire &Rescue.
Horse-drawn carriages
To the editor:
Regarding the plan for horse-drawn carriages in downtown Las Vegas, I just want to say I am saddened that our city leaders would allow such a stupid idea to happen. (“Horse-drawn carriages might be in downtown Las Vegas’ future,” April 16 Review-Journal online). This is straight-out animal cruelty.
I don’t even like to walk my dog in 90-degree weather until the sun goes down, and she is not pulling a heavy carriage full of people. Some people will do anything for money, even be cruel to animals. I hope all animal lovers will remember these leaders the next time they vote.
PATTIE GRAY
LAS VEGAS
BLM and wild horses
To the editor:
The May 13 Review-Journal editorial implies that the Bureau of Land Management makes the policy decision not to sell wild horses to slaughter houses or otherwise control the size of Nevada’s wild horse herds (“BLM once again lacks horse sense”).
Congress enacted the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act in 1971 to protect all unbranded and unclaimed horses and burros on public lands of the United States from capture, branding, harassment or death. The act directed the secretary of the interior, through the BLM, “to protect and manage (the animals) as components of the public lands.”
Accordingly, your editorial comments would have been better addressed to Congress than to the BLM as a scapegoat. Facts are those pesky things that get in the way of prejudice, but you would do a better job of informing your readers if you stuck with the facts.
DANIEL CLIFFORD
LAS VEGAS
Don’t forget Benghazi
To the editor:
In response to Robert J. McKee’s letter (“Benghazi investigation,” Friday Review-Journal), if Mr. McKee were a parent or relative of one of those killed in Benghazi, would he would not do everything in his power to bring those responsible to justice? Would those concerns be very far down the list in his mind, since what happened was under his patron saint, President Barack Obama?
As an impartial parent, I certainly have not forgotten these men, and my thoughts and prayers are still with their families.
JAN MILLS
LAS VEGAS
