Politics has no place in health-care debate
posted Jun 4, 2009 - 9:17:52pm
Editor, The Beacon:
Russ White of Orange City, I have a response to your recent letter to The Beacon.
First, your statement, "I would find it incredibly stressful to live in the constant state of selfish paranoia that seems to permeate the thoughts and comments of conservatives ... " is quite possibly the most ridiculous thing I have ever read.
When did conservatives corner the market on either selfishness or paranoia? Seriously?
Secondly, U.S. health care and its priorities and problems should not be a political statement, and opinions on the problems and priorities are not divided by political parties.
The majority of people want quality health care at a decent price. The rest just want you to pay for whatever it is they get. There are "conservatives" and "liberals" on all sides of the issue. Quit politicizing it.
Politics aside, let's discuss U.S. vs. foreign health care. As a member of the medical community, I will warn you against national health care. Talk to those in Canada; it takes a month to get in to see a doctor (if you are well-connected) and six months to get an MRI.
Basically, you will die before you know what is killing you. This is straight from a relative in Canada who has lived and worked there his entire 70 years.
You say the profit incentive should be removed from health care; how do you explain stories from our local not-for-profit hospital? I have a personal horror story which I won't share in this forum.
I am truly sorry about what happened with your dad and your sister and, yes, there are problems with our system. But let's make it stronger and more preventative, with cost in mind.
It will not be cheap. If you want cheap or free, go to Canada. Good medicine costs money.
Let's make people responsible. Let's insist the freeloaders do their part: If you can afford to smoke, you can afford health care. If people have to pay for their health insurance first (before cigarettes, booze, drugs, other vices) maybe they could afford it!
Let's really hold practitioners accountable; not by lawsuits alone, but just like any other business. If they do their jobs poorly, they lose business, and go out of business.
The way it is now, it is taboo to say or do anything. Let's make the hospitals get rid of bad practitioners; some hospitals refuse to do this, as they are afraid of revenue loss.
Let's really speak up and hold everyone accountable, especially health-insurance companies.
Let's fix the current system, politics aside.
And the one thing we probably agree on: Remove the multi-million-dollar bonuses, as there is no longer room for such waste in health care.
Nor is there room for political ego and agenda.
Sharon Rodriguez
DeLand
This isn't Socialism, it's a dictatorship
posted Jun 4, 2009 - 8:54:29pm
Editor, The Beacon:
Commenting on Sam Roth’s “Why the housing market collapsed" (in The Beacon May 24 edition), I have observed, over the years, that a socialist has two “no-no's” that must always be observed.
First, never, ever, blame the government, because they are the solution to all our problems. In the case of housing, do you remember the government doing investigations because minority groups were being denied their "right" to owning a house, when all studies indicated that there was no discrimination?
The result was minorities got preferential treatment and now the foreclosure rate for them is higher than that of the majority. It was also the government’s responsibility to monitor and control the industry, which was just not done.
A major reason for the crisis was the government’s decision to lower interest rates rather than raise them.
Second, never, ever hold the individual responsible; always blame someone else. If a person lies on his application, as millions did, that’s OK. If a person takes out a second mortgage to take a vacation or install a swimming pool, that’s OK, too.
When things go south, it’s the government’s job to bail them out, but who pays? It’s the millions of people and their children and grandchildren who are struggling to keep their heads above water.
Mr. Roth recently stated we do not have socialism and, after recent events, I conclude he is correct; we have a dictatorship with his nine appointed czars.
The scrapping of the Constitution and the outright thuggery to give 55 percent of Chrysler to the union, 35 percent to Fiat so they can export cars to the U.S., and 10 percent to the U.S. taxpayer, when we are putting up all the money and will be for many many years.
Even Chrysler does not expect to make any profit until 2012, and I don’t believe that. We are no longer a nation of law and order, but a basket case in which politicians decide who gets what.
I have less trouble with the governor of Illinois selling a Senate seat than I do with the selling out of our system of law and order to pay back the millions in political donations to our leader by the unions.
This hurts me more since I believe it was the UAW that destroyed the industry initially. Note, Congress has virtually no input in this; it’s all by one man.
This is being repeated with GM. One of the recent agreements made was that a laid-off employee not eligible for retirement would receive 85 percent of his pay until he is eligible for retirement and we will be paying for it. I understand further that no wages would be cut.
Why can’t we receive a summary of what the UAW workers will get under the president’s terms, so we will know what we are paying for? I guarantee we won’t like it, but we have no control and, apparently, neither does Congress.
Viggo Laumark
DeLand
Let's say no to torture — together
posted Jun 4, 2009 - 8:51:37pm
Editor, The Beacon:
In the words of Rowan Wolf, "Yes, we can say no to torture."
Has our elected president forgotten about this? Instead, maybe we have forgotten his demand of "make me."
While our elected officials ought to know they are not above the law, it is no surprise they can always squeeze out the money and pull the puppet strings they have to to bend the law bar just low enough that they (and only they) can step over it.
But they can do that only if they know we are not watching. If we can get as fired up about the issues we voted for as we did about the election we voted in, we can make change in our nation. If not, we may as well have elected a tumbleweed.
If enough (at least 51 percent) of American citizens stood up tomorrow and demanded the same justice for these overfed crime bosses that we would get for torture, war crimes, and defamation of the Bill of Rights, it would happen, and our nation would experience three minutes of justice.
You cannot make change by getting frustrated and emotional. You cannot make change by just "knowing" all the facts. Or by sitting there on your couch and watching CNN. But, "yes, we can" make change with three phone calls and four letters. To both of your senators, your House member, and your local newspaper.
So what's the verdict?
On Bush-Cheney, and all of our elected officials, let's say no to torture. I did. That's how you're reading this right now. (So get writing!)
Hilliary Mites
DeLand
On Memorial Day, please lower the flags
posted Jun 4, 2009 - 8:50:04pm
Editor, The Beacon:
On Memorial Day, the United States flag was not lowered to half mast as it should have been at the Volusia County Courthouse in DeLand.
It was only a few years ago that I wrote several articles to our local papers asking why the county was not following proper flag etiquette.
At that time [County Chair] Mr. Bruno stated there wasn't anyone working at the Courthouse at the right time to put the flag up or down.
Well, things have been working fairly well for the last couple of years, but here we are again ignoring our flag.
Jim Anderson
DeLand
Rauschenberger manipulates facts
posted Jun 4, 2009 - 8:49:02pm
Editor, The Beacon:
I rarely read David Rauschenberger's column because he manipulates facts to deceive people.
When I do read one, my assessment of him is always confirmed. A case in point is his recent comment on Supreme Court nominee Judge Sonia Sotomayor.
He wrote, "I find it hilarious that 60 percent of Sotomayor's cases heard by the Supreme Court have been overturned."
He must have been really hysterical with laughter when former President George W. Bush nominated Samuel Alito Jr. to the court. The reversal rate for then-Circuit Judge Alito was 100 percent when Bush nominated him in 2005. This fact was barely noted and did not count against him.
Over her 10 years on the circuit court, Sotomayor has heard appeals in more than 3,000 cases, and has written about 380 opinions where she was in the majority.
The Supreme Court reviewed five of those, reversing three and affirming two, which are not high numbers for an appellate judge of that many years; it is a typical percentage of reversals.
So, Mr. Rauschenberger has made 60 percent sound like such a large number when it really represents only three cases out of 3,000.
It would be nice if Mr. Rauschenberger just expressed his opinion without misleading people while attempting to manipulate them.
Karen Weiss
DeLand
Child with good grades fails the FCAT
posted Jun 4, 2009 - 8:48:23pm
Editor, The Beacon:
My daughter is in the third grade. She has a 3.84 grade-point average. How can a child who averages all A's and B's fail the reading on the FCAT?
The lowest GPA she had was a 3.33, and that was for the nine weeks when the FCAT was being studied for and taken.
Why does the state put so much emphasis on the FCAT? It should be averaged, or compared with their GPAs or something.
Now she has to give up six weeks of her summer, and give up her family vacation to attend a reading remedial class four hours a day. There should at least be something the student can do online with a parent, and then be retested.
My other daughter is in 10th grade, and she failed the reading. She is also a 3.84-GPA student. Why?
She has to give up her dual enrollment in vocational school next year to be able to take the remedial course for reading.
And, they both read all the time.
The state, schools and teachers make such a big deal out of the FCAT that it freaks the kids out. They make sure the students know that if they do not pass it they will be retained.
If you look at the statistics since the FCAT started in 2002, the failing percentage has gone up.
Again, I ask, why? I have spoken to many people: parents, teachers, guidance counselors, etc., and they all agree with my point.
I am researching the FCAT and going to start a petition. But for now, my girls' lives will be on hold. It is not fair to the children.
Again, I ask, why? And, how in the world am I supposed to make sure my daughter is there every day from 8 a.m. till noon? Parents have jobs and, last I looked, I cannot afford to work part-time. It does not make any sense to me.
The letter I received from the school states: If you choose to not have your child attend they will be retained, by law, in third grade for the 2009/2010 school year.
There are some pretty stupid laws out there, but this one takes the cake! Especially with a 3.84 GPA!
Susan Walker
Tallahassee
One for the animal lovers
posted Jun 4, 2009 - 8:41:58pm
Editor, The Beacon:
Your May 21-24 Weekend edition was one to truly delight animal lovers like myself; i.e., the article by Jennifer Horton, plus the photo of Dr. Joni Goldstein, Linda Butterfield and Darwin.
It is wonderful to learn about people who give of themselves to help those who are unable to reciprocate.
It is a privilege to know such a kind and generous person as Charlotte Centilli. The accomplishments of HorseSisters and We Help Animals are absolutely tremendous.
The thoughts shared by Father Connery about his dogs, Gracie and Lily, topped it all off with warmth and humor.
Thank you for all those uplifting items.
Evie Salter
DeLand
There ain't no free ride
posted Jun 4, 2009 - 8:41:13pm
Editor, The Beacon:
In response to the letter from Jan R. Young about "wealth distribution makes the economy healthy," I was totally stunned someone would actually show his or her ignorance by writing this letter.
It amazes me that people want to penalize success and reward failure. Taking from the rich and giving to the poor will make the economy healthy? You're an idiot to even think that.
Face it, the money people run this country. When did a poor man ever write a paycheck to employees?
I look at people crying the blues about they can't make ends meet while they continue to reproduce. Having more kids will make you wealthy? I think not. Buying homes, cars, boats and other toys that you can't afford only puts you further in debt.
How about all them poor people with cable television, ipods, Blackberrys, and every other electronic gadget that they pay on month after month?
I learned at a young age that if you spend all your money, you will never have any.
Now with all this "bailout" on everybody's mind, you expect me to pay for all your years of poor financial planning? I think not.
How dare you and all the liberal left-winged idiots think socialism is your way of evening the playing field? I got news for you. There ain't no free ride.
I worked hard my whole life. I paid my house off and only buy vehicles that I can pay cash for. This is called financial planning, so some day I can retire and enjoy my golden years.
You and the rest of the liberal-thinking idiots should try this. It really works.
As for paying for your mistakes and the rest of the losers out there — and there are millions of you — I say you can all go pound salt!
You got your change in the White House; that's all you will ever have in you pocket, because of that.
Bill Hayden
DeLand
Stand up for fair electric rates
posted Jun 4, 2009 - 6:53:37pm
Editor, The Beacon:
What in God's name is our great-thinking state and Public Service Commission thinking by letting Progress Energy raise its rates again?
I would like for everyone in the Progress Energy area who thinks this is outrageous to please write a letter to the editor of The Beacon, and contact Gov. Crist and the Public Service Commission.
We have to start taking a stand.
Susie Hagquist
DeLand
Strangely, the post office couldn't fix my car
posted Jun 4, 2009 - 6:52:56pm
Editor, The Beacon:
Had a problem with my GM car today, and went to the post office (owned by the government) to see what was wrong.
President Obama said the government would take care of warranties, and I assumed he had made arrangements to have my car serviced at a government facility.
The post office said take it to to Amtrak, as they had a workshop. Thank the Lord I had enough gas to get to Sanford!
Amtrak said I would need to submit a request to the office of motor repairs, but they did not have a address at this time!
I was thinking, OK, lets go to the Social Security office; I bet they have an answer, as they have been in business for a long time, and they know the system.
Thank goodness I had a Sam's card so I could get gas in Sanford to get back to DeLand.
Checked into the Social Security office and took a number. No. 64!
It is about noon by this time and getting hungry, so went to Burger King for a quick burger.
Back at the SS office, and they called No. 64 in just a few minutes. I will say, the lady was nice, but she didn't understand my problem. I explained my car had a problem and the president said the government would take care of it.
Bless her soul, she said the best she could do was call a cab if my car would not work!
Change you can believe in!
John Summers
DeLand
It's torture, period
posted Jun 4, 2009 - 6:51:31pm
Editor, The Beacon:
Get real, Dave! It's torture; end of discussion.
The U.S. soldiers and sailors who were water-boarded by the Japanese suffered no permanent physical damage, but those who water-boarded them were sentenced to 15 years in prison, and those who gave the orders for it were executed.
We used to be a nation of principles. Since I've got greater respect for the Constitution than Dick and Georgie, I will grant them a presumption of innocence and say only that they are "almost" certainly guilty of war crimes.
And, yes, if Pelosi and others in Congress are shown to have been aware these procedures were being used, and did nothing to stop them, then they have a level of culpability, as well. I eagerly await the trials.
As for keeping us safe, we still have not reached the length of time between the first World Trade Center bombing and 9/11, so that is a spurious argument.
Over 6,000 more Americans have died since 9/11 because of Bush and Cheney. The actions of their administration made us far less safe, by creating fear and hatred of us throughout the world.
The new guys are repairing that as rapidly as they can.
Russ White
Orange City
Are you pro-life? How about Tiller's life?
posted Jun 4, 2009 - 6:50:47pm
Editor, The Beacon:
Re: The death of Dr. Tiller and arrest of his killer.
Where is the outrage now from all the religious extremists who say they are pro-life? Why isn't everyone out speaking of the tragedy?
This reminds us all that the individuals who call themselves pro-life have never been that.
The media talking heads repeat the label and individuals use it, but it is only so they can justify their outrageous rantings.
It is repeated over and over so people can yell out to individuals to do ugly things.
And then someone does it. Kills a doctor who cares about women’s lives.
Now they all stand behind the label and pretend they had nothing to do with the crime. These are the same people who say showing violent movies encourages crime. Those same individuals are interviewed after the event, and the media repeats the term as they spew more unkind statements.
Where is the outrage of all the religious people now who say they are just against abortion? Let's go back to calling them what they really are: “Anti anything for women’s freedom.” This would also spell out their real intent.
I am sure they know they are speaking to their fringe to do harm. Then they can stand back with hands raised and say “I did not tell him to do it.”
Pro-life is 100 percent inside the pro-choice movement, and always has been. Pro-choice people care about life. All life.
Let's go back to calling the other movement what they are: Against Women’s Lives ... Anti’s.
— Southard is secretary of the West Volusia chapter of the National Organization for Women.
Likes Rauschenberger column
posted Jun 4, 2009 - 6:48:54pm
Editor, The Beacon:
Regarding Betty Freeman's comments about David Rauschenberger: I find Mr. Rauschenberger's commentaries informative and engaging, and have told him so.
It appears to me that Ms. Freeman may be the opinionated, biased and close-minded party.
I see facts as opposed to negativity in Mr. Rauchenberger's comments. I look forward to his thoughts and continued comments.
Jerry Bullis
Glenwood
Wrong time, place for evangelizing
posted Jun 4, 2009 - 6:48:16pm
Editor, The Beacon:
This is in response to the problems in DeLand after hours between bar patrons and the Baptist church.
All churches want to evangelize, and it makes them feel they headed someone in the right direction.
It's a great concept, but there are some places and times that should be left alone.
They are setting themselves up for failure, and causing more problems than helping the cause. They should be out there trying to get the panhandlers on a road to recovery, if they truly want to make a difference.
Hopefully they are not doing this just for confrontation, media attention or to sue someone that may lash out at them, because then they are not carrying out their Christian duty, as I see it.
I hope this is not the Baptist church that, several years ago, presented the float at the Christmas parade that upset everyone in attendance. Instead of celebrating Christ's birth, they showed him dying on the cross. Definitely the wrong time of year, and place for that, just as standing outside a bar in the wee hours of the morning is not where anyone will get a good audience for converting people to Christian values and beliefs.
Marilyn Hroncich
DeLand
Salute for Beacon Memorial Day edition
posted Jun 4, 2009 - 6:47:39pm
Editor, The Beacon:
The Beacon is highly commended for the Memorial Day edition, "Remembering Our Veterans." The variety of articles describing the lives (and passing) of veterans was informative, inspirational and in excellent taste.
As a veteran of 29 total years of Navy service, it warmed my heart to read some of the comments and things observed by the various contributors. The "Spiritual meaning of Memorial Day," the Cpl. Adam D. Quinn Scholarship, the history of Memorial Day in the United States, and the variety of other articles, all highly informative and inspiring, blended into a perfect tribute to our armed forces — past, present, living and dead.
Thank you, West Volusia Beacon, for hitting the nail on the head this Memorial Day weekend.
You get a perfect 10. Keep up the good work ... our men and women in uniform need our support.
— York is a retired captain in the Civil Engineer Corps of the U.S. Naval Reserve.
Alligator hunting could be economic boost
posted Jun 4, 2009 - 6:45:52pm
Editor, The Beacon:
Politicians need to listen to the people, and the citizens of Volusia County should not always let the politicians get what they want.
Politicians are our employees. They need to listen to some of our wants and needs.
Right now, we need to have open season on alligators. No license or permit. Gator meat for the table. Sell the meat and hides for income. Sell the meat to processors. That cash will pay for gas and food and other needs.
Men out of work get bored, and need something to do. This hunt should start today. No need to vote and waste time. It might cut down on some crimes.
There are more alligators than people, if you can count them.
Joe "Mano" Romano
DeLand
Let Old Glory remind you of troops' sacrifices
posted Jun 4, 2009 - 6:45:16pm
Editor, The Beacon:
I was privileged this year to be one of the 100 veterans flown to Washington, D.C., courtesy of the three DeLand Rotary groups.
A job well done!
When we exited the plane in Washington, there were hundreds of people waving Old Glory in our honor. Tears flowed freely!
As a veteran of World War II and Korea, I know all veterans organizations — the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, AMVETS, Korean War Veterans Association, Disabled American Veterans, Retired Officers Clubs, Order of the Purple Heart, etc. — stand for protection of our flag on this Memorial Day.
We place flags on veterans' graves every Memorial Day to honor those who have served in the cause of freedom, leaving their families and friends behind, many never to return.
The flag is not just a piece of cloth, but represents our entire history and way of life.
A black soldier was awarded our country's highest military honor, the Medal of Honor, for retrieving a battle-scarred flag under intense enemy fire during the Civil War.
How can anyone not be moved by the flag being presented by a color guard or hoisted on a makeshift pole on Iwo Jima by Marines who had just witnessed thousands of their comrades killed. Or by the folding of the flag on President Reagan's casket, by receiving my dad's flag for his service in the Marine Corps during the Haitian campaign, and by my own flag flying for over 60 years?
I attended the funerals of our three local heroes Quinn, Rodgers and Vaccaro, killed in action in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the flag-draped caskets were a somber reminder to all that "freedom is not free."
Some people in our country believe it is free speech and their right of expression to burn Old Glory in public as a means of protest!
Common sense dictates it is wrong, and certainly not the will of the people.
I would propose a national vote on an amendment to prohibit the desecration of our national symbol.
I repeat, "freedom is not free," and if you still do not believe this, please visit the Emory L. Bennett Veterans Nursing Home in Daytona Beach to see firsthand the sacrifice of veterans (men and women).
Also, visit Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell where there are thousands of white crosses.
We honor Emory L. Bennett this Memorial Day as a Medal of Honor awardee who gave his young life to save his platoon in Korea.
Bob Balzer
DeLand
On Memorial Day: Honor our dead; demand the truth
posted May 25, 2009 - 2:24:32pm
Editor, The Beacon:
Memorial Day is a day in which our nation honors those who gave their lives in military service to our country so that we could remain a free people. But what are those freedoms and where is the assurance that they remain intact for us?
We all have inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Those rights are protected in the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution, otherwise known as the Bill of Rights.
It is the Constitution to which all who enter military service swear an oath to support and defend against all enemies, both foreign and domestic.
What has made being an American so attractive to so many for so long is that our sovereignty, ultimate political power, resides in we the people ourselves and not in the government. Our Founding Fathers gave us a republic, a representative democracy where the rights of the minority are no less than those of the majority.
Those serving in our government, to include the president, are our employees and are accountable to the people and to the Constitution, the supreme law of the land.
Each member of Congress who has not done all he or she could to confront and rectify the abuses of power and illegal acts committed by both the Bush and Obama administrations over the past eight-plus years — not the least of which was the Bush administration deliberately lying to take this country to war in Iraq — has betrayed his or her oath of office and violated his or her employment contract with the American people.
With few exceptions, the only ones willing to keep their end of the bargain in defending our freedoms are the young men and women serving in our military, 4,300 of whom have given their lives in Iraq and are now being memorialized.
They gave their lives so we the people could be self-governing, yet as a whole, we the people have failed in our responsibility of self-governance. Our silence has been our consent.
The Downing Street Memo, released to the public more than four years ago, documented how the Bush and Blair administrations had already decided by July of 2002 to unilaterally wage war on Iraq, and that they would deliberately lie about imminent threats of WMD attacks from Iraq so as to get the support and consent of the American and British people.
Since the release of the Downing Street Memo, there has been much more testimony and evidence documenting the intentional lies told by the Bush administration to justify an unprovoked war on Iraq. More than 1 million Iraqi civilians and 4,300 U.S. troops have died based on those lies, and they continue to die now under the command of President Obama.
The reports and testimonies detailing our government’s lies and crimes are available to the public. However, some Americans have yet to accept that our government knowingly sent 4,300 patriotic young Americans to their deaths on a lie. They choose not to look at the evidence in favor of hiding behind the false patriotism or personal convenience or willful ignorance. All the while, the administration to which they give their blind and unquestioning support, be it Bush or Obama, continues to send young Americans to die for a lie in Iraq. Again, our silence has been our consent.
“Freedom isn’t free” means more than our young men and women giving their lives in battle abroad. It also means participatory citizenship here at home.
Should our representatives in Congress, Democrats and Republicans alike, continue to not hold the Bush and Obama administrations accountable for their crimes, then it is we the people who are to blame for not actively and publicly demanding it.
There comes a time when our silence is betrayal, and that time has long since come in relation to Iraq. It’s been said the truth will set us free. Honor our dead; demand the truth.
— Restino is co-chair and a founding member of the Central Florida chapter of Veterans For Peace and a member of Military Families Speak Out – Florida.
Animal breeders are a dedicated lot
posted May 25, 2009 - 11:38:55am
Editor, The Beacon:
Editor's note: This letter was written in response to a blog entry by Maggi Hall published on the Beacon Web site. Since that time, Hall has canceled her Beacon blog and is writing an independent blog.
Let's set the record straight!
Yes, Marj and I are both officers of the West Volusia Kennel Club, which is a member AKC club, at this time.
I have been a breeder of German Shepherds for over 40 years. Marj Blomqist is not, and never has been, a breeder.
Responsible breeders register their dogs with AKC, which means they must maintain certain standards of care and record-keeping. We are subject to inspections from the AKC on these standards at any time. AKC requires the males register their DNA to be sure the dogs being used for breeding are the ones on the registration papers.
Breeders are not the problem with stray dogs. The dogs being bred are a big investment, and are not allowed to run loose to be bred or picked up by animal control.
You have to be a true animal lover to breed and take care of puppies. The expenses involved are quite high. You have the feed for adults and babies, and vet care for puppies, including shots, micro-chips, health certificates, etc., for each puppy.
Hopefully there is not a problem with delivery, as that would be another expense. Taking care of a litter is not only expensive but very time-consuming.
You then have the expense of advertising to sell the puppies. A breeder who does the right job is glad to break even. Prospective owners need to be screened to be sure the pup will have a good home and that they can afford the care of the puppy.
Many puppies are sold with a restriction on breeding that puppy in the future. Once registered with AKC with that restriction, no puppy from them can ever be registered.
A plan has been presented to the County Council to set up a program whereby prisoners would be taught to train dogs that are brought in by Animal Control, so the dogs would be more adoptable.
This would give give prisoners a chance to learn a career they could possibly use for job-hunting when they are released, and the dogs would not be put down but given a chance to be more easily placed in the community.
Speaking of following the money trail, Maggi, just look in the mirror. Maybe you should check with your daughter, who feels my kennel is one of the nicest kennels she has seen. You yourself commented on how nice my place was, when you had the listing for your real-estate company.
— Weigel is the owner of Island Grove Kennels.
If DeLand residents want fluoride, let them choose it
posted May 25, 2009 - 11:21:26am
Editor, The Beacon:
It's déjà vu all over again! Once again, dentists and taxpayer-paid officials swarm out to maintain or introduce mass medication with a very hazardous and toxic substance in your water supply.
Whoever made the decision to stop fluoridation of the DeLand water supply made the right decision, and saved money to boot. Orange City has saved close to $1 million since 1997, when the decision was made not to fluoridate the Orange City water supply (using the figures quoted in the May 7-10 Beacon).
These dentists represent the same trade group that, for 150 years, has told the world mercury in our mouths is good for us (even though it becomes a hazardous substance when removed). The world at large now knows that mercury is toxic in an ever-more toxic environment, and is to be avoided. The dental profession still hasn't admitted the obvious.
Since the 1940s, dentists have told us fluoridated water is good for us because of its effect in preventing and controlling tooth decay. That's the dance of the one-trick pony.
The human being is more than teeth. We do know the abundant element fluoride is very low in mother's milk. What happens when we upset the balance of nature and give infants 100 times as much fluoride in formula from our water supply? We simply don't really know.
What happens when an entire population is deliberately mass-medicated with a substance even more toxic than lead? Again, we don't really know.
In a chaotically contaminated chemical environment, it is difficult, if not currently impossible, to separate out the confounding factors in any of the studies for or against fluoride.
We do know fluoride is not a nutrient. We do know dental caries are decreasing in countries that do not practice fluoridation. We do have reasonable suspicion fluoride may be associated with increased incidence of cancer (e.g., osteosarcoma), premature aging, genetic changes, and nervous-system problems, including lowered IQ.
We do know life is tenacious and will adapt, persist and respond to, and in spite of, noxious influences. And we do know fluoridation costs money, someone gets paid that money, and we get stuck with the bill.
But Environmental Protection Agency employees (not management!) in a July 2, 1997, press release devoted to fluoride concluded, "As professionals who are charged with assessing the safety of drinking water, we conclude that the health and welfare of the public is not served by the addition of this substance to the public water supply."
For those who, in the back of their minds, think fluoride, somehow, purifies water and makes it safer, let it be known fluoride makes water less pure and less safe.
As a physician, I would not dream of indiscriminately administering such a drug without consideration of need and without consent. I would consider it malpractice.
I have no serious quarrel with physicians and patients who, with informed consent, elect fluoride treatment. I do have a problem with taxpayers being forced to swallow their medicine whether or not they want it.
For those who, somehow, still support fluoridation, do you really want to impose fluoride on others, knowing today's dogma is tomorrow's myth?
Authorities and their opinions come and go. There is an alternative to fluoride for those who believe it's helpful. It's called toothpaste and it's more than enough. But, even swallowed fluoride toothpaste is harmful to young children. Read the label.
Children, infants with lots of cavities? Stop the soda, sweets, and juices at every opportunity. May cut down on obesity, too. A two-for-one benefit.
Finally, I quote The Beacon: "They showed a horrifying photo of a young woman's mouth full of caries and threatened that people can die from poor dental health. They said DeLand had showed leadership and was making dental-health progress, but was in danger of backsliding if fluoridation wasn't restored."
That was a cheap trick and unworthy of their cause. I can imagine at least some of the public-health professionals there, still capable of thought, must have been inwardly cringing at such tactics.
In the end, money started this fluoridation misadventure in DeLand and money ended it. But it behooves us to be alert to that still, small voice that tells us, somehow, it's not smart to poison our well.
Travis L. Herring, M.D.
Orange City
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