From:
Sent: Friday, May 20, 2016 12:18 PM
To: James L. Holly
Subject: RE: Response to Conference about Dental Health and Dental Care
Larry, Â What a delight it was for me to read this document! It allowed me afresh to discern why I have valued you so much over the decades as a most dear friend. I'm glad you told the two stories of how your father provides his family's dental care ... and how you provided for someone when you were eighteen.
On p. 5 you effectively highlighted (in my eyes) the conundrum of "social injustice" -- that it blames all differences among persons as the fault of "society." You were excellent in asserting that the conference you attended was not even interested in eliminating "injustice," BUT wanted to reverse the roles of the "oppressed" and the "oppressor"! This conference valued the "collective" above the individual.
It was at this point that I deeply appreciated your perspective: legitimate hope for each person is the heart of the real answer. It is "we the people," not "we the state/collective." However, I would state that this perspective originates from God and His scriptures, though western culture is the current primary venue for this.
On p. 8 you once again hit big pay-dirt in my eyes: for excellent dental health care the basic requirement is the "collective" effort between the health care provider and the individual. When this occurs, validated optimism breaks forth! The virtue of which you write is surely God-based. So is the trust you exalt.
Then, you told the revealing and helpful story of the angry patient ... and what SETMA's response was -- excellent!
Your conclusion clearly states your differences with the worldview presented at the conference. You do NOT see the world through a prism of "injustice." Personally, I want to say that the people who agree with the conference worldview must surely be the most avid supporters of Bernie Sanders. How revealing to say that society cannot brush and floss the individual's teeth! Your very last sentence is a TOTAL JEWEL.
John Davis
The following is my response to the above and then John Davis’ Response
From:
Sent: Friday, May 20, 2016 2:57 PM
To: James L. Holly
Subject: Re: Response to Conference about Dental Health and Dental Care
Someone/anyone ... thinking you are an idiot? Well, ifso, that is the one who is greatly uninformed. My unauthorized version of a scripture verse: the great way to lose all fear of every/all man/men is to fear God greatly.
Your gracious way of protecting the identity of those with whom you disagree reminds me of a Christian song we sang 40+ years ago: "and we'll guard each man's dignity and save each man's pride ... and they'll know we are Christians by our love." Even if but unconsciously, the people with whom you interacted will feel your respect.
John Davis
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From: "James L. Holly"
To:
Cc:
Sent: Fri, 20 May 2016 18:10:06 +0000
Subject: Re: Response to Conference about Dental Health and Dental Care
Thank you. Very affirming when you go on written record with those you know will think that you are an idiot.
James (Larry) Holly, M.D.
C.E.O. SETMA
www.jameslhollymd.com
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