Sad truth: Schools do need law on snacks

I wonder if you read George Will's commentary before you took your cheap shot (March 8) at the Oregon Legislature's efforts to eliminate unhealthy snacks from Oregon's schools?

It is easy to pick apart the legalese and laugh, but the sad truth is that as Will quotes Michael Pollan in "The Omnivore's Dilemma," we are suffering from a "national eating disorder." Diabetes, for example, costs us $100 billion a year-much of it paid by healthy taxpayers to care for those who don't care for themselves.

"Four of the top 1o causes of death … have well established links to 'the superabundance of cheap calories of sugar and fat,'" as Will again quotes Pollan. My only problem with the legislature on this topic is that they backed down from disallowing junk food in the teacher's lounge.

You say, "Schools don't need a law to use good sense on snack machines." Ask any principal or school board member who has raised this issue about the truth of that! The snack food industry-read big agri-business like ADM and local businesses that made easy profits on junk food - has slapped them down very quickly.

It seems that the kids, their parents and their teachers can't protect themselves from the corn-syrup-sweetened ministrations of the junk food industry. Thank goodness the Legislature is at least trying.

Don Lyon, Brownsville

Still on the air, predicting and entertaining

Regarding the letter from Henny Chambers of Corvallis Sunday: You'll be happy to know that Radio Ray is still predicting the "coming of spring" by the skunks on the road, at KGAL radio 1580 AM.

He and Weldon Greig keep my husband and me informed and entertained every weekday morning.

Kathleen Schrock, Tangent

Reaction to a poll: Faith vs. organized religion

Regarding the Associated Press item Sunday titled "Poll: Fewer Americans say they're religious."

The article stated that New England surpassed the Pacific Northwest as the least religious region. Also, that 15 percent (up from 14.2 percent) said they had "no religion."

I have not seen this particular questionnaire and was not a participant in this poll. However, had they asked me if I "belong to a religion?" I would have replied no. Do you attend church? No.

The article implies that the pollsters are attempting to determine the number of Christians by asking if they belong to a specific religious organization. I believe this is a very misleading way to conduct a poll. If they want to know if you believe in God, ask that question. I think they will be amazed.

I am not a church member, but I do believe in God, and I consider myself a Christian. I also believe in the Christian principles that led this country to greatness. Now, I see special interest groups attempting to do away with those very same principles.

"Separation of church and state" only means that the government will not endorse one religious belief over another. It does not renounce God. We are a nation of immigrants of all faiths and beliefs. But God is the common denominator who bestowed upon us certain rights that cannot be revoked. These rights are yours even if you don't believe in God. You are welcome. Exercise your rights, believe what you wish, but don't even think about messing with the principals of our country.

Our country is filled with many more people such as I, who for one reason or another do not belong to a particular religious organization. We love our God, exercise our rights and liberties, and will defend the principles of our Founding Fathers.

Tim Pitzer, Albany

Putting workers in charge: Just the first step

Jason Clemens (Opinion, March 1) of the Pacific Research Institute expresses the typical pro-business corporation, anti-workers' corporation view that will be dribbling out in the days ahead.

As anyone who has had their head out of the sand knows, business corporations have been screwing workers with few restrictions for some time now. While business profits have gone through the roof, wages have remained stagnant. Business corporations move their operations out of the U.S., seeking even cheaper labor markets.

But now the tide has turned, and Clemens among others will soon be bellyaching a lot about the consequences.

The Employee Free Choice Act will only be the first step to putting workers in charge of the country. Business corporations will have to learn how to operate smarter - idiot rule is on its way out. Expect even more bellyaching. After all, this is a democracy, and in a democracy the majority rule.

So expect to see a lot more columns like Jason Clemens' on the Employee Free Choice Act, but don't fall for their gambit. They've had their way for quite a while now, and look at the mess they've made of it.

Robert G. Gourley, Corvallis

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