Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on July 2013

MERCY ME

Regarding “The Quality of Mercy” (The Last Word, June 21): Wow, this is one-sided. I hope to God that I never need any serious painkillers, but the statement, “Do police or politicians really believe patients in such dire circumstances would be out on the streets hawking their drugs? Were that so, all the countries where they are sold would have huge abuse problems—yet they do not,” is just completely false. Have you ever been to America? We use an extremely high percentage of the world’s painkillers and we abuse the heck out of them. People are dying everyday from painkiller and alcohol overdoses. Are you kidding?—hurvj

What exactly do you expect people with chronic pain issues to take—hugs and sunshine? Relevant story: I had (somewhat significant) ankle surgery at a major Tokyo hospital (not naming names but if you happen to watch a certain movie starring Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson…) a couple months ago. Because I know from experience that they don’t prescribe anything for pain, I brought some of my significant Vicodin and extra-strength Tylenol stockpile with me and duly presented it as you’re supposed to do when you’re admitted. The wide-eyed pharmacist stared in disbelief at my bottles as if they were from Mars, and required half an hour’s worth of hushed discussions with the duty nurse, the supervising nurse, and two attending physicians before it was agreed upon that yes, I could take my pills. A couple days after my surgery one of the orthopedists was in my room with a couple other doctors, and looking at my chart he tells them, “In America, they actually take opiates for pain. Can you believe that?”—dokool

PANTIES in a knot

Regarding “Brief Encounters” (The Last Word, June 7): Typical chick—doesn’t know why she is doing what she is doing. Well, that’s your problem. Give me cutesy, vulnerable and innocent any day! Save the mature, empowered and fiercely independent look for the boardroom, honey.—Good Grief

STARS IN HER EYES

Regarding “Star of Stars” (Q&A, May 24): You’re a Sag, too, Cathryn? Maybe that is why the first time I ever read your column in Metropolis about four years ago I was struck by how uncannily accurate it was… and the next week… and the week after that. In fact, before I read “It’s In The Stars” I had never followed an astrology column, but almost every week you have offered me something to think about. Thanks for writing for us and cool to see an article about you after all this time!—Carolyn

I’m sure she’s a nice person, it’s just a shame astrology is such utter bollocks.—Colin