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LETTERS

By D Magazine |

WAKING UP ANESTHESIOLOGISTS

“DEEP SLEEP” by Joan Rapfogel (September) is a well-written, factual and informative article about a complex, sensitive medical subject. Some degree of effectiveness is lost, however, by the use of direct quotations from several anonymous surgeons. As a surgeon, 1 am disappointed that my colleagues are so timid or fearful that they will not openly express an opinion or discuss a subject of importance. Some of the statements are self-serving while others are misleading and irresponsible. Tom Lehrer, a satirist of fleeting fame, said, “If a person cannot communicate, the very least he can do is shut up.”

There are no restrictions in Fort Worth against a physician speaking out as an individual except for commonly accepted standards of good taste, accuracy and responsibility. Medical professional suicide does not occur in Fort Worth except by way of incompetence, fraud or stupidity.

In contrast to the timid, fearful surgeons (characteristics not generally associated with or admired in the breed), anesthesiologists are identified with their statements. It is certain that none of these anesthesiologists will be ostracized and that any one of them will discuss the subject with anyone at any time.

In the spirit of D Magazine, Thumbs Down to no-name surgeons, Thumbs Up to candid anesthesiologists.

LeeRoy Kelly, M.D.

Fort Worth



HOORAY FOR your article on “Deep Sleep!” It is about time someone opened the doors to a surgical room to see what really goes on. Having observed some of the finest surgeons operate (including Denton Cooley), I continue to mistrust at least one person in every O.R. team -and that is undoubtedly the casual anesthesiologist. This “wonderful guy” who holds the controls between life and death and who at any moment might need an extra cup of coffee, will waltz in and out of the operating room leaving just a CRNA (if you’re lucky). I once had the misfortune to observe surgery when the anesthesiologist did get up and leave the room for a good two minutes, leaving two surgeons cutting away at the patient, one stressed-out looking scrub nurse and a very empty chair at the head of the surgical table.

I’ve seen patients come and go. Some went the hard way – on the surgeon’s table – others never woke up in the recovery room.

The poor surgeon loses a patient to the casual anesthesiologist. Furthermore, the patient’s family is told the loved one “died of complications during surgery.” The family never stops to think that the word “complications” listed on the chart is really a cover for “mistake.” This intentionally avoids lawsuits.

People tend to forget incidents such as the Crumpton case after a period of time. I have seen neglect in the surgical rooms, and 1 will never forget. As for Dr. Marc Krouse, I am curious to know if he would put his life in the hands of an “idiot” who is monitoring and controlling his lifeline.

The surgeon replying that holding anesthesiologists “responsible for what they do,” deserves a gold medal for being so correct. Let him waltz out for coffee after the surgery is over!

Rebecca Mims, R.N.

Dallas



I READ your recent article about anesthesia with great interest. My only real complaint is that it didn’t go far enough. I practice anesthesiology without utilizing or supervising CRNAs. I am unique in my town because of this; in fact, I am an outcast. Your description and comments apply here. Unfortunately, there aren’t enough enlightened surgeons or anesthesiologists to change things.

Anesthesiology has been a laid-back way of making a lot of money by having other people work for you. Anesthesiologists and surgeons have benefited from treating anesthesia as a part of nursing service rather than a specialty practice of medicine. It is convenient to have lots of low-paid people available at any time. You quoted one surgeon as saying, “Some surgeries can’t wait.” That could be amended to “Some surgeons don’t like to wait.”

Double-posting is morally equivalent to ghost surgery, which surgeons regard as unethical. I’m not anti-nurse anesthetist; 1 just wish more anesthesiologists would live up to their responsibilities and potential. Perhaps your article will help.

Jeff Lousteau, M.D.

Mobile, Alabama

A WHIFF OF DISD



THE MOST SIGNIFICANT statement in the September issue of D Magazine appears on the “Editor’s Page”: “DISD stinks.” It should have read: “DISD STINKS.”



This group of clowns, this group of incompetents that runs this embarrassment called an educational institution, should be replaced as soon as possible.

After 29 years of trying to teach in the DISD, I threw in the towel in August 1980. Keep it ladies and gentlemen. Your gall and the gall of the ex-jocks who run the DISD cannot intimidate me. I’d rather skimp on a meal or two on the inadequate teacher retirement benefits I receive than work for you. You bunch of creeps wouldn’t recognize a good teacher if you tripped over one.

Hallelujah; retirement from the DISD, which stinks, is wonderful.

Ralph Meyer

Dallas



BROADCAST BATTLEGROUND



IN REFERENCE to your September cover story on radio (“Broadcast Battleground,” September), the title could well have been the one used just a few pages before: “Getting Away With Murder.” I have watched and listened to this market for more than 20 years and have actively worked to change it for almost 10. Your story shows that a lack of creativity is no substitute for true mediocrity, no matter how severe it is.

Now what about the criminal part of your story? For Chapman to pawn off another “Make room for Daddy” rerun-in-print as a fresh approach to journalism on KVIL is the most outlandish sacrilege since the Ayatollah took Americans hostage in Iran.

What’s wilder is that D/FW listeners are getting wise enough to Ron Chapman’s megalomania to dial out, so say the ratings. Ron doesn’t understand he’s been getting top dog by default (the choices are punk, druggie, automated and news), because no creative air talent can tolerate the slouch operations in this AM-FM wasteland. (Just ask anyone from New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco or Chicago.)

It seems like Steve Kenny has been playing with the preschoolers in Highland Park too long, without radios. (Too bad Larry Dixon will be the last to know Chapman made him program director after the peak of KVIL.) And speaking of Larry… like Lujack? Ha! Ha! Come on.

Anyway, your article clears up everyone’s hesitation about when creative radio and journalism will settle in this market – watch my lips: N. .O. .T.. . .Y. .E. .T.

Steve Brodie

formerly of KLIF, KNUS and WFAA



CONGRATULATIONS on your article on Dallas radio. It was exceedingly well done. A few well-intentioned criticisms in the interest of accuracy, however. WLS in Chicago has a power output of 50,000 watts, not 100,000as you mentioned. Fifty kwh is the maximum allowed an AM radio station in the United States. KVIL-AM is at 1150 kHz on the dial with a power of 1,000 watts, not 1170 kHz with 10,000 watts as written in your article. Susque-hanna paid $4.6 million for KLIF, not $8 million as you reported.

Another factor in Kl.IF’s struggle that you failed to mention is the fact that KLIF’s signal does not cover the entire market. In this market, only three AM signals do so: WFAA, KRLD and WBAP. Studies have shown that the bulk of consumer spendable incomes now rests in the 35+ age groups. The 18- to 34-year-old phenomenon has been over for some time now.

In your sidebar, “Hype Hall of Fame, KFJZ-FM was formerly KWXI. I assume that KFJX is merely a typo. KNUS’ blue and white bumper stickers appeared after KNUS and KLIF split, after the sale of KLIF. KNUS was promoted as KLIF’s heavy little sister before the sale and before the bumper sticker promotion, which occurred in 1972 and was far from a fiasco; it put KNUS on the map.

Paul Gleiser

Sales Manager

WFAA Radio



COUCH VOUCHERS



EARLIER THIS YEAR D Magazine published an article on how to burglarize a North Dallas home. Certainly, that type of article would have appeared more fitting in some underground or subversive publication authorized by the SLA or the PLO. Recently, however, another article has appeared that raises serious doubts about the journalistic intent of your magazine. I am speaking in regard to the recent article by Philip Seib (“The Estes Estates,” September), which, in particular, attempts to assassinate the character and reputation of Kedric Couch through inference and in-nuendos, by the use of such terms as “possible violation,” “possible kickback,” “suspicion of wrongdoing,” “possible illegal” and “perhaps unethical.”

Undoubtedly, Mr. Couch has real estate holdings in neighborhoods near schools. Since schools are built in neighborhoods all over the city, it stands to reason that if one bought city property it would be near a school. Anyone with any real estate sense knows that property near schools is a good investment. Realtors that use the slogan “walk to neighborhood schools” on their advertisements know that schools are a selling point to prospective buyers. Mr. Couch certainly has no corner on such real estate investments. Anyone astute in real estate has the opportunity to make similar investments, including Mr. Seib.

Mr. Couch began supplementing his income by buying and selling real estate long before he became an athletic director. I wonder why Mr. Seib didn’t write this article during the time when Mr. Couch was a teacher and coaching thousands of students in Dallas. I suppose that a teacher or coach investing in real estate isn’t a big thing, but an athletic director doing the same thing turns it into a big conspiracy.

Mr. Couch has given many principals, teachers, coaches, custodians and any other persons who asked, good sound advice and help in real estate matters. I’m sure if Mr. Seib had queried Mr. Couch on how to make good real estate investments he could be making more money in real estate than he could writing articles on his misinformed assumptions.

One bit of humor I did find in the article was the reliance of Mr. Seib on Jerry Bartos as a source. Isn’t Mr. Bartos the one who tried to sell the DISD substandard air filters? Isn’t Mr. Bartos a member of the board described in the article as handling matters with “remarkable ineptitude?” If the district attorney’s office should investigate anyone, I suggest they begin with Mr. Bartos.

Larry G. Smith

Carrol/ton

THIS LETTER is written in response to the article, “The Estes Estates,” in defense of Mr. Kedric Couch. As an educator, coach and administrator, Mr. Couch is viewed by his colleagues as a hard worker dedicated to fulfilling the tasks at hand in both the educational and civic arenas.

Mr. Couch worked his way through college by scholarships and odd jobs. After obtaining his degree, he began his career as a teacher and coach with the Dallas Independent School District in 1955. He was later promoted to an administrative position, coming up through the ranks. He was also an independent businessman having a second career in real estate.

As a Realtor, Mr. Couch has access to vacant properties, the same as any other Realtor. He decided, as many Realtors do, to acquire some of this property. He started purchasing property in 1959. There is nothing unusual about that. Shortly afterward, he began selling some of the property he had purchased for a profit. The fact that Mr. Couch purchased land near schools is not unusual either in light of the fact he is an employee of the school district.

What is the amount of impropriety that Mr. Couch is charged with and why? Is it because he is an industrious and ambitious man? Is it because he made choices in land acquisitions that we wish we had made? Is it because he has made money?

Why penalize a man for being an astute businessman? After all, our city, our nation and the Dallas Independent School District were built by hard-working, loyal and ambitious people, and the best way to preserve the beauty and integrity of one’s city is to invest in it. And this is all Mr. Couch has done.

L.L. Newhouse, President

Dallas Coaches Association



YOU ARE to be complimented on your article, “The Estes Estates.” It amazes and disappoints me that an individual with Mr. Estes’ record is now teaching future school administrators at the University of Texas at Austin. You are 100 percent right when you say, “You can’t forget the Nolan Estes era.” And we shouldn’t.

Bob Mills

Dallas



STAYING CIVIL



IN YOUR September “Inside Dallas,” “Postmen Batting 2 Out of !0,” you made a statement about all civil servants being incompetent. Well, if all civil service workers are incompetent, then I guess it is true, because I just bought this magazine for $1.75 to tell me something that I already knew.

James Lynch

Arlington

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