Is China manipulating Korean crisis?

To the editor:

In the April 14 article, “China joins U.S. in nuke rebuke,” I note a subtle but vital difference between the Obama administration’s stance on North Korea, as put forward by Secretary of State John Kerry, and the Chinese, as stated by their foreign minister, Yang Jiechi. While Mr. Kerry speaks solely of eliminating nuclear weapons in North Korea, Mr. Yang cleverly speaks of eliminating nuclear weapons from the entire Korean Peninsula.

“China is firmly committed to upholding peace and stability and advancing the denuclearization process on the Korean Peninsula,” Mr. Yang told reporters.

Could it be that the Chinese are fostering this North Korean saber-rattling in order to lure the Obama administration into talks that would make the entire Korean Peninsula a nuclear-free zone?

LAURENCE F. MESSNER

HENDERSON

Bad judgment

To the editor:

In response to Jane Ann Morrison’s April 15 column, “HPN jury knew what they were doing”:

More than $200 million was paid out by drug companies in one series of lawsuits related to the valley’s hepatitis outbreak, now the same greedy attorneys got more than $500 million from Health Plan of Nevada.

Ms. Morrison, if the $500 million judgment stands, it could raise health care premiums for everyone or possibly put HPN out of business. There are 40 cases related to the endoscopy clinic waiting to go to trial. At $500 million apiece, that’s about $20 billion. Remember, the attorneys get a percentage of each case. Yes, the victims are entitled to fair compensation.

What’s really driving up health care costs? The ridiculous lawsuits that the judges let these attorneys get away with. The consumers — including you and me, Ms. Morrison — are going to pay much higher premiums for our health care.

Let’s keep health care costs down, not line attorneys’ pockets.

ROBERT GOLDSTEIN

LAS VEGAS

Front-page blood

To the editor:

The Boston Marathon bombing was a tragic event. I was saddened seeing the news coverage on TV. A local channel first showed a blood-covered sidewalk, but later the station stopped showing that image.

To my surprise last Tuesday morning, your front-page picture showed the blood-covered sidewalk. What were you thinking? I sincerely hope young eyes didn’t see that front page on the table. It’s bad enough that adults have to see this horror, but to print it in color? That was in very bad taste.

My husband reads USA Today, and it printed the image in black and white. Still the same horrible scene, but at least the bloody picture was not as graphic as it was in color. I feel you may have traumatized many a folk with your decision.

I wanted to throw up in my coffee. I hope you will make smarter decisions in the future.

JAYNE LaFAVOR

HENDERSON