Letters to the Editor
naturewoman
Published Letters: 43 Editor's Choice: 6
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Another sad example of destructive governmental intervention
[Read the article: Is this the end of organic coffee?]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Having read Mr. Fromartz's book (and reviewed it at http://www.organic-nature-news.com/books-about-organics.html), I know of noone more qualified to unearth the often secretive and underhanded methods used by governmental organizations. These decisions never seem to impact wealthy multinational corporations - only the poor and oppressed who are trying to do good and get by. Fortunately, those of us who support organic, fair-trade growers can purchase items online, but this doesn't really correct the problem. For those of us who would like to protest this action,we could e-mail Souleymane Diaby from the office of Organics Analysis, the Foreign Agricultural Service (souleymane.diaby@fas.usda.gov). We should also write to or call Mark Bradley from the National Organic Program. His contact information is found at http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop/NOP/contacts.html. The "good apples" should not be made to suffer for the actions of one grower or coop. This is another classic case of over-kill, and organic growers need a voice in the U.S.
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Did I need more reasons to hate Giuliani?
[Read the article: Still more extraordinary anti-democracy comments from Giuliani]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I had enough reasons, but wow, this article is nothing short of vindication for all the statements I've made to my Republican friends through the years. He has the potential to make a fascist dictator look good. The fact that his grandiosity and narcissism has escaped a substantial portion of the (New York) population is truly amazing. Thanks for the revealing expose. Knowledge is power.
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Multinationals, NAFTA, and WTO in bed together?
[Read the article: Much ado about tortillas and ethanol]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Quintana has a point, although the corn crop may not be the best example. Globalization of the economy only works for the wealthy multinational organizations that can afford to go global. Notice how "third-world" countries do not appear to be benefiting from the insurgence of outside businesses. The money made returns to the country of origin, leaving residents feeling "used." The motivation is simple - greed. Ethanol is a convenient scapegoat, in the case of corn crops. Oil companies do not want to see oil replaced; it's too lucrative. But as long as our energy sources and our food sources are controlled by the wealthy few, the rest of us are vulnerable.
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A Not-So Beautiful Mind
[Read the article: "I think he was just a confused kid"]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]This young man needed help, not pity. We might pity the families that lost loved ones in this tragedy. What Cho needed was for someone to care enough to follow through - either with his medication, his counseling, his family - whatever factors had precipitated his disconnect. As a trained counselor, I can say that these events, and the signs that surround them, are never isolated incidents.
As one of the few Latina students at Barnard in the 1970's, I received no support. Others dropped out in their freshman year. It was tough. Having smarts isn't everything. Colleges need to be willing to spend the time and money needed to support students. If an intelligent (and only slightly neurotic) student at an Ivy League school can feel alone, how is an immigrant with a mental illnes going to fare?
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A valid point
[Read the article: What is the rationale behind the prescription drug laws?]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Mr. Greenwald, I agree with you wholeheartedly. And with the prescription drug laws, please repeal the Rockefeller laws, antiquated marital laws, etc. Those in government continue to operate under the delusion that they can legislate morality, or that these laws promote social control. Or perhaps they wish to keep a "certain element" in jail. The fact is that history shows that these laws don't work, and that they only benefit black marketeers (remember Prohibition?) We do not wish to be treated like children; as adults, we have the right to make all the stupid mistakes we like, as long as we are only hurting ourselves. Although I'm not a consumer of pharmaceuticals (I prefer herbs), I don't feel that others should be prevented from exercising their judgment in this matter. The wealthy will always be able to procure what they want; we're merely perpetuating a caste system. And now the government would like to "regulate" supplements; give me a break. So I think it's something that needs to be discussed; thank you.
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Are we looking for solutions?
[Read the article: The psychology of $4 a gallon gasoline]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]The U.S. solution to everything, it appears, is to add a tax. And where would that money be going, I wonder? Instead of placing the burden on the already burdened, here's a thought: let's take some lessons from the Europeans, who ride bicycles and use electric cars; let's get urban planners together to come up with more "friendly" communities (there are some out there); let's let car makers know that it would be worth their while to come up with cheaper, more fuel-efficient cars; let's let consumers know exactly which oil companies are making the most at our expense. Let's write to our congressmen. The list goes on. Politicians and profiteers love ignorance and apathy. Conservation doesn't just benefit "hippies". It's for everyone.
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Farming is sexy again
[Read the article: A year of eating locally]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Thanks for the coverage of Kingsolver's book, at a time when buying locally is growing in popularity. It is encouraging because people have gotten detached from their food sources, with very negative consequences. Recently, I've begun planting my own vegetable garden for the purpose of supporting my family - all on my little 120 square foot plot.
Wouldn't it be great if all the positive press resulted in more urban gardens, CSA's, farmer's markets, and food coops? We could take control of our food choices again, instead of waiting for mega-conglomerates like Monsanto and Heinz to map them out for us.
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Take a hint
[Read the article: The feds are still looking for the E. coli]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]It amazes me how, with all the media coverage of E.coli, salmonella, and mad cow disease, the people still eat their meat raw. I recently became a vegetarian after seeing a special on factory farms, and learning what is done to the cows in slaughterhouses. And I steam my vegetables.
With a little care, it is possible to avoid contamination, but it's naive to expect that huge government entities like the EPA, the FDA, and the USDA can monitor everything. We also need to take responsibility for what goes into our mouths, what comes into our homes, and what goes on our bodies. It only makes sense.