Letters for November 13, 2003

Some adults should be nosey

Re “Wait ’til he gets his Haynes on you” (SN&R Bites, November 6):

How can I compete with the ass-kicking “humor” of the Nosey Awards given out by Assemblyman Ray Haynes, R-Murrieta?

Do Assemblyman Haynes and Bites think that Philip Morris cares about people—does Big Tobacco just want our money when they advertise cigarettes? Now that Philip Morris is one of the largest food-processing conglomerates, does anyone think they really care about the high-school students at [John F. Kennedy High School] (where I teach algebra and see the situation firsthand), or do they just want their money?

Isn’t “follow the money” the one-line graduate course in journalism? Evidently, this axiom doesn’t apply to Bites, who overlooks the huge profits made by selling junk foods.

Artificially colored, caffeinated, sweet liquids, otherwise known as Coke, Pepsi, Mountain Dew, etc., create a cycle much like addiction in that they raise blood sugar so high that the insulin reaction overcompensates, dropping the blood sugar so low that the person is impelled to find another sugar “fix” as soon as possible, whether another soda or a candy bar or a bag of high glycemic chips.

My point is: We don’t allow kids to drink beer, wine, etc., on campus; nor can they smoke pot or shoot up heroin. Far from being “nosey,” it’s our job as adults to protect kids from detrimental, addictive food choices. That’s what [Senator Deborah Ortiz’s] bill does.

I hear that some kids are planning a grassroots rebellion against the soda ban. That’s what someone in withdrawal would do. A real rebel would avoid anything that is highly advertised and highly profitable.

Lauren Ayers
Sacramento

They’ll understand when they’re older

Re “Dump the pledge” by Kel Munger (SN&R Essay, November 6):

It’s great to read a well-thought-out opinion piece from someone so articulate.

She seemed to have the opinion that patriotism shouldn’t be “forced” but rather learned by example. Although it’s always a good idea to practice what you preach, I think having children say the Pledge of Allegiance goes up there with taking children to church. They probably won’t understand the significance of it while they’re young but will look on it with affection later on in life, happy that they were taught national pride, patriotism and that there’s a world outside of themselves.

I feel that way about both the pledge and church every Sunday!

Adriana Marmo
via e-mail

Cookies crumble, but oil is the spoil

Re “P.S. from Iraq” by Tom Gascoyne (SN&R News, October 30):

As an 82-year-old veteran of World War II, I have been following with interest your coverage of the letters home from Sgt. Garth Talbott, stationed in Iraq.

Actions, not words, are what counts in the support of our troops. We need a grassroots effort to pass a bill that would give each military person who serves in Iraq stock in both Halliburton and Bechtel, as well as their subsidiaries in the “business end” of the Iraq war. These companies have been afforded huge financial opportunities that are only available because of the great sacrifices of our troops.

As the late Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Smedley Butler once said, “Those who do the dirty work in war have the least to gain by it.” It’s time to change all that. Cookies crumble, chocolate melts, medals get lost, but oil stock lasts forever.

W. Bain
Fair Oaks

Right on, Jill

Re “A strange buddy movie” by Jill Stewart (SN&R Capitol Punishment, October 30):

Add my name to those who think Jill Stewart is right on.

An increasing number of voters are sick and tired of partisan bickering in Sacramento and Washington. We’re tired of politicians who win by a percentage point or two; scream, “Mandate!”; and proceed to ram a left- or right-wing agenda down our throats.

Arnold wasn’t my choice for governor, but if he and [California Attorney General] Bill Lockyer can break the deadlock and get this state moving forward again, more power to them.

The donkeys better try something new, or they’ll end up getting trampled in the elephant stampede that is currently rolling over the rest of this country.

R.L.Crabb
Nevada City

Are you experienced? They are!

Re “Feeling for experience” by Christian Kiefer (SN&R Clubber, October 30):

I have a few points to make regarding Mr. Kiefer’s review of the Feeling at the True Love Coffeehouse.

I have no problem with his review of the band; it is called a “review” for a reason. It was the opinion of Mr. Kiefer that the Feeling is an inexperienced band. He went as far as to use the word “experience” five times in his review, and he even referred to them as a “young” band.

Got it. He thinks they are a new band. Really, they aren’t. They have been around for years. Asking anyone in the band would have cleared that up.

My beef is this: This sort of misinformation is misleading. I read columns such as Clubber to get information about bands and decide whether I want to see them. If they are filled with opinions being passed off as fact, how can I get a clear picture?

Sorry Mr. Kiefer hasn’t seen them before. I guess if he hasn’t seen them, they must not exist. He is missing out on the benefits of having an open mind and a reporter’s skill for asking questions.

Natalie Head
via e-mail