Letters the week of 10/24/02

Complex crisis

I would need to write a book to enumerate all the sensational misinformation disseminated by Boulder Weekly in the Oct. 17 cover story "Hawks and Doves," by Wayne Laugesen. Rabbi Bovit may have a bone to pick with Rabbi Lerner and vice versa, but to mask this ridiculous argument as intelligent debate on the Israel/Palestine conflict is like having (the late) Siskel and Ebert debate the merits of the Middle East conflict based on its TV coverage.

I trust that the many people who attended the Perspectives on Peacemaking Conference (Jews and Palestinians alike) came to hear and respond respectfully to a wide range of viewpoints-viewpoints that trigger some discomfort. But the concept of peacemaking is to work through fears and biases, not defend them with knee-jerk reactions.

If the pen is indeed mightier than the sword, you should be deeply ashamed of using the newspaper to incite irrationality and sensationalism, especially when so many lives are at stake. I would strongly encourage Israeli and Palestinian extremists, those who persist in advocating for the vicious cycle of violence and revenge, to consider the potential consequences to their beloved homeland in the event of an invasion of Iraq. If Bush has his way, I suspect Iraq's retaliation for U.S. incursion will be swift and devastating, and those living in the Middle East will bear the brunt of it. Biological and chemical agents recognize no boundaries, wait at no checkpoints. Regardless of who Saddam is after, his wrath will reign equally on Israelis and Palestinians. This is not a speculative scenario put forward by liberal "peaceniks" and pacifists, but rather by voices from our own CIA.

Frankly, I prefer to postpone annihilation a while longer. Like most Americans, I continue to struggle to make some sense of this tragically complex crisis in the Middle East. We would all be far better served if you devoted ink and paper to the many tangible peacemaking efforts that are actually being featured at the Perspectives on Peacemaking Conference than to waste it on pointless speculation by extremists. To embrace war as the only righteous path for those who love Israel is to condemn her to destruction. I love Israel enough to seek peace.

Elissa Tivona/Ft. Collins

Junk food, junk science

An incredible article by Ron Bain in the Boulder Weekly ("Eating science," cover story, Oct. 2). Unfortunately, the information provided to him by Ronald Baily is full of significant inaccuracies.

Let's start with the claim of the biotech industry that genetically altered foods will feed the world. First of all, world hunger has very little to do with the amount of food available in the world. There's enough to feed the world one and a half times over. The problem is access to the food. Civil unrest, economic sanctions by other nations, war, terrorism, and the gap between the rich and the poor cause more hunger and starvation than anything. Then you have the policies of the biotechnology industry, through destructive structural adjustments forced upon third world countries by the WTO, World Bank and IMF, farmers who used to grow enough food to feed their families and their communities are now forced to convert their food crops into cash crops for export.

Let's also point out the fact that in a majority of field trials to date, crop yields have actually gone down. Research has also shown that small farmers the world over produce 200-1,000 percent more total food per unit area than mechanized farms. On top of that, the small farms utilize technologies that are much more sustainable, including organic, alternative farming, and increased bio-diversity. In many small farms in the Third World, usually run by the women in the community, there are up to 600 different varieties of foods grown. But, with the green revolution, supported by the biotech industry, these women are being forced off their land, forced out of business, unable to feed themselves, their families, or their communities.

Let's move on to food safety. The lack of evidence that these foods are not safe is not evidence that they are safe. In fact, there is evidence that these foods are not safe. In a well-funded and carefully designed experiment, rats fed lectin-spliced potatoes (Bt is a member of the lectin family) suffered significant damage to their gut, immune system, and other vital organs. Dr. Pusztai, the lead scientist, later warned-after he was abruptly fired and his lab was shut down-that all gene-spliced lectins, including Bt crops, should be carefully investigated for possible adverse human health impacts. Geneticists, such as Dr. John Fagan, returned federal grant money and refused to accept any further funding because they began to recognize the inherent dangers in genetic engineering. Kraft even admitted, during their recall of Starlink corn contaminated foods, that it is highly likely that Starlink corn could produce negative impacts to human health. And now the industry is genetically engineering crops to cultivate pharmaceuticals. Corn, contaminated with corn crops genetically engineered to contain antidepressants? Doesn't that sound appetizing?

A recent report of a study conducted by the UK Food Standards Agency presents evidence that DNA from genetically modified food can be transferred to bacteria in the human gut. Another study, with bees fed pollen from genetically engineered crops, also showed that horizontal gene transfer is possible. The genetic modifications were discovered in the gut of the bees.

Respected, independent scientists from around the world, and even scientists at the FDA, have warned about the increased risk of toxins, carcinogens, allergens, and antibiotic resistance from eating genetically engineered foods.

It took 30 years before the industry admitted that DDT was a problem. It took decades for the industry to admit that dioxins were a problem. It took decades for the industry to admit that the chemical revolution was killing hundreds, if not thousands, of people around the world. And now these same companies are genetically engineering our foods without a shred of evidence that they are safe. I challenge any scientist to show any long-term safety tests conducted on genetically engineered foods. I challenge any scientist to show me that these foods are safe for our children to eat. Let's be real here. The industry has no real interest in providing safe products for our population. They are more interested in making a profit.

I contend that if we are given the right to know, that a majority of people won't buy these foods. You say that the general population lacks the ability to understand this technology, then I contend that the industry lacks the ability to prove to the population that these foods are safe. I demand that people be given the right to choose, the right to know, what they are eating and what they are feeding their children.

Patrick West/Broomfield

Wanted: fair coverage

A recent Daily Camera article noted several third parties filing suit against the Rocky Mountain News, The Denver Post, and several News Broadcast companies over equal coverage in the upcoming elections, which is apparently guaranteed by the Election Commissions' rules. I called up John Temple, Editor of the Rocky Mountain News, and asked for verification.

His response was adamant that the paper would only give significant coverage to what they considered "Front Runners" in the elections. My response was to cancel my subscription immediately and ask for my money back. I understand that the news media is operated by profit, however it has an obligation to the people to give equal coverage on all issues and candidates so people can make informed choices. I cannot support a paper that circumvents the democratic process. As a veteran, I was willing to lay down my life for the ideals of democracy. I still believe in the American Dream and the right of the people to know all the views and choices that exist. The media would fight for the right of freedom of speech, yet on the other hand suppress the voice of those they deem unworthy. I challenge everyone to hold the media accountable to the ideals of democracy and choice of the people. Call your local editors, find out where they stand, and cancel your subscriptions if necessary.

Randy Luallin/Louisville

Free speech

(Re: "Forced to speak English," Oct. 10, cover story). My name is Kira. I am 10 years old and going into the fifth grade. I have been in the bilingual program at Uni-hill Elementary since first grade, and I love it. At 10 years old, I already speak and write in two languages. It has opened me up to a new culture. I am proud of myself for these accomplishments. I would be sad and angry if this was taken away from us. I hope you can understand that it helps us too, not just the Spanish speakers. Help us keep the bilingual program. Please vote against this unfair amendment.

Kira Thompson/Boulder

Vote yes on 1B

Ballot issue 1B is integral to preserving Boulder County's quality of life. We have worked hard to make this a great place to live but are getting choked by traffic. The citizens of Boulder County deserve a combination of transportation options that will get them where they're going-efficiently, conveniently, safely. Through legislation passed in 2001, counties have the authority to put tax dollars into transit services.

Ballot issue 1B will raise the county sales tax by one-fourth of 1 cent. Food and prescription drugs will be exempt. The funds will be used to implement bus rapid transit, intersection improvements so cars and buses can co-exist, bike lanes, and more-all throughout our major transportation corridors. We'll also see improvements on the Boulder/Denver Turnpike (36) and the Diagonal (119).

The state is currently in fiscal crisis. The ability of local governments to help adequately fund basic services is more important than ever before. We either raise funds ourselves to improve our schools and our transportation corridors or we wait-and wait. We know these improvements must be made. The question is whether we do it now or suffer through the next 20 years.

Invest in our future. Vote yes on 1B.

Alice Madden/Boulder
State Representative

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