"Postal Mortum" a Reflection

Article by Walter Kirn

I believe it's seldom that an obviously one-sided article can actually crane it's neck to see the other point of view, and yet Kirn has. While still advocating for the small town Post Office, he still at least recognizes the idea that perhaps this epitaph is expendable.

Small town Post Offices around the country will be closed and with it a central location to congregate and mingle. As important as that fact is, the article could have perhaps touched on the fact that so many people would be out of a job. Perhaps a not could be made that until the mid 90's, more than half the population of Post Office employees were Deaf, and now will be again cut. Obviously this article was more about the need for these places for small town life, but there is room to make this point.

"A Prescription for Fear" a Reflection

Article by Virginia Hefferman

The mass populous of our country is without health insurance, as many have been so forcefully made aware of with constant struggle with new laws. With the added fact that we are overloaded by advertisements online and on TV, the last place it's necessary is in our own attempt to feel better.  Hefferman took the time to compare two different online "diagnostics". The Mayo Clinic would be the equivalent of going to a local clinic, while WebMD is more like going to a private clinic (stock full of sample pills to sway the doctors hand in prescription writing.)

This piece of writing was very informative, giving examples of the difference between trying to find help for even a common head ache. You can even tell the type of website each is by just the homepage. The information was very helpful to the online hypochondriac, and I found the writing style to be fun and a little silly, but I thought perhaps I could have had more. Information on making an appointment or even where a clinic is would be a very helpful tip for those not located in Massachusetts.