LETTERS

LITTLE ROCK — Dairy products integral to diet

As a registered dietitian, I want to point out inaccuracies of Susan Levin's commentary, "Reform starts in the lunchroom."

Cheese is a nutritious part of healthy school lunches that provides growing children a great source of calcium and high-quality protein.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture commodity distribution program, which donates foods to help schools stretch their budgets, emphasizes healthy foods including lower fat meats, whole grains, fruits, vegetables and reduced-fat cheeses.

For example, to help both schools and dairy farmers struggling in the current economy, USDA is donating 22 million pounds of exclusively reduced-fat and light cheeses.

Avoidance of dairy means cutting out a common source of calcium, a nutrient essential for building bones and one that teenagers already fall short of when it comes to meeting daily needs. In fact, nearly nine out of 10 teen-age girls and seven out of 10 teen-age boys don't meet daily calcium recommendations. This is of great concern considering that teen years are a time of peak skeletal growth during which 25 percent of adult bone is formed. Cheese is an important part of the solution of getting three servings of dairy to provide bone-building calcium to children and teens.

Dairy's role in a healthy diet has long been established by the nutrition and science community, including leading health organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, the National Institutes of Health and the School Nutrition Association.

CELIA HARKEY Little Rock

Track record not good

The government has done it again. Since the television signals have changed to digital, people even with the newer TVs still cannot get the signal.

My in-laws were camping at Lake Ouachita State Park last month and if you didn't have satellite dish you couldn't pick up any TV stations that they had been able to pick up before June. None of the campers had any knowledge if there were any severe weather warnings out for their area or not.

Luckily, my in-laws did have a severe weather radio with them since they are full-time RVers. They had gone out before June and purchased two new televisions (at an expense that a lot of people couldn't really afford) so as to be able to receive television signals. They couldn't get the government box that they also purchased to work correctly-another expense.

Needless to say, they have now gone out and purchased a contract with a satellite dish company at an additional monthly expense to be able to have television wherever they are. With our economy the way it is, not only older people but others have had to go out and purchase equipment of some type at their own expense to receive TV signals that have always been free to the American people. Thanks, American government. And now they are messing with our health insurance. Need I say more?

DEBBIE KEEN Roland

A timely history lesson

At the core of the free vs. paid news argument is effective-nay, proficient-use of the Internet. Can news be provided for free online in a pragmatic way? It's a good question. Since we don't know the answer yet, let's look at history for guidance.

The Internet as I know it is only about 5,500 days old, or about 10 years, and in 10 years look at what it has brought us. Here is a short list of what is available online: all patents, anyone's phone number, anything for sale, instant sports scores, local library catalogs, real estate prices, most movies, weather anywhere, your friends, for-sale ads, auctions, government regulations-the list could go on and on.

That we have all of these things available to us so instantaneously and so cheaply is amazing. And yet most of us take it for granted and we are not amazed.

Ten years ago, if I had approached you and told you that we would have all of these things available to us for free, you might have looked at me like I was crazy, like I was a naÃive and wild-eyed, an idealist of unprecedented non-pragmatism. You might have told me that this was impossible. You might have told me that there was no economic model to make it work. And yet here it is.

So when you look to the future and your own business models, remember this history lesson and don't sell yourself short.

MATTHEW PETTY Fayetteville

Materialists insatiable

In his recent book, "Terrestrial Energy," William Tucker discusses the various types of energy we use and have used in the history of civilization. (Coal by far has been the most used.) Ever searching for cleaner and more environmentally friendly sources of power, we pick and choose: oil, natural gas, nuclear, water, wind, solar.

One of the ways to cut down on use of finite sourcessuch as oil and gas is better efficiency, e.g., better gas mileage for cars, better insulation for homes.

Now the odd conclusion I'm coming to is revealed by Tucker's mention of the Jevons Paradox. It seems a very bright fellow named William Stanley Jevons lived in England in the mid-19th century. He introduced this proposition: Greater efficiency in utilizing energy usually leads to greater consumption.

This has proven true many times throughout history. Much better gas mileage leads to more driving and often more cars. When folks save in one area, they use more in another. Some will argue that this doesn't apply to them. Maybe, but overall human desire for material things is insatiable, so even if you don't spend the savings, someone else will.

FRED SAWYER Little Rock

Consider limiting terms

I, like letter writer Mark Diggs, oppose cap-and-trade and the government takeover of the health care system. I, too, pledge my time, money, vote and influence to defeat any Arkansas representative or senator who votes yes to either of these pieces of legislation.

In addition to that, I think it is time to consider term limits. I am sick and tired of these career politicians who live like royalty at taxpayer expense and then look down their noses at us as though we are peasants incapable of making informed decisions. Let's bring them all home from the District of Corruption.

GORDON BUCKWORTH Texarkana

Issues deserve debate

I was thrilled about Congressman Vic Snyder's attempts to bring the American Clean Energy and Security Act to the forefront of discussion in Arkansas. He's right. Climate change and energy are the most important issues facing our country.

I think a debate would be a great way to help Arkansans learn about energy and cost-saving measures, and to clear up a lot of questions and misconceptions people have. Thanks to Snyder for staying on top of this important bill, which will create clean energy jobs and decrease our dependence on foreign oil. I urge Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor to also support this legislation when it comes for a vote in the Senate.

AMY JONES Little Rock

Self-control has up side

Many thanks for the editorial about examining our own conscience regarding advertising and the lottery.

About 15 years ago, I got a new BMW 325 convertible that was so fast it could get up to 40 mph in six seconds from idle. I delighted in being the first at a red light gunning off at the first sign of green and leaving everybody behind. Back then in LA-Lower Alabama-there were lots of two-laners, and Route 59 was considered a freeway with its four lanes. My Beemer, "Grace," was useful in quick passing, cutting in and out, and zooming around slowpokes.

But I began to feel abusive about the power use. I decided to quit playing with Grace and use that power only when I needed it. What I experienced from that decision was a sense that strength and power grew within me as I stopped using Grace's all the time.

We've both slowed and mellowed since then. Just a few weeks ago, again in LA, I was driving my love's Big Dodge Ram 2500 at the posted 45 mph on Route 10 when a car came up behind me fast and hung in tailgating because he couldn't pass. By the time we reached the intersection, the light was red. I started fooling around with the six gears because I wanted to get away from that car. I turned right on red with the car right behind me and somehow I managed to blast out the biggest bunch of black diesel fumes I've ever seen. Looking in the rear-view mirror, I was horrified at the pollution I was causing. It totally enveloped that car behind me. I smiled. What lovely timing.

But there is strength and power in resisting the use of strength and power.

JUDITH H. BAUM North Little Rock

A culture of corruption

Public school teachers are on yearly contracts ranging from 188 to 217 days. Typically, citizens understand that the teaching profession is a nine-month job. A topical examination of the Arkansas Legislature indicates that there are a number of practicing school teachers and college professors in the legislative mix.

Questions arise. Are teachers and professors being paid while absent three to four months allegedly conducting the people's business? They are absent from the classroom for almost half of their contractual obligation. Why are they needed? There are other layers of government employees who fit the above description.

Only in government can such disgusting and unprincipled conduct be rewarded.

The convoluted schemes to enhance government retirement and other benefits would take days of research to unravel. Recent legislation to increase teacher retirement came from Gene Jeffress, a former teacher.

Doesn't anyone determine if politicians and bureaucrats serving in the General Assembly are double-dipping? Equally disgusting in addition to their four-month absence are the untold required meetings throughout the year.

Are there are inordinate numbers of government employees in the Legislature? Their major thrust appears to be expanding government, increasing taxes and feathering their nests. Government can only be described as a culture of corruption.

JOE McCUTCHEN Fort Smith

Voters' wishes ignored

Re U.S. Rep. Vic Snyder's challenge to the other three House members from Arkansas on climate change legislation: I live in the 2nd Congressional District and I would like to point out to the other House members that Snyder does not vote according to the wants of the people of this district. Instead, he votes in lockstep with the liberals in Washington on most all issues.

I would like to thank U.S. Reps. Marion Berry, John Boozman and Mike Ross for voting against this tax-raising, business killing bill.

MONTE L. MILLER Oppelo

Source proves elusive

In his letter to the editor, John G. Vowell stated that until God breathes into the nostrils of a baby, it is not a living soul. I cannot find that statement anywhere in the Bible.

Adam was created from the dust of the Earth and would have remained dust unless God breathed life into him. Adam was unique, as was Eve. Then God told them to be fruitful and multiply. It is nowhere mentioned that God needs to breathe on all their future offspring to give the breath of life.

There are hundreds of references calling the occupants of the womb babies and children. I do agree that the spirit of man is dead until God gives his spirit to them. They are all counted as spiritually dead until God gives them spiritual birth. The only recourse for all humans is to beg God for mercy.

B.E. SPURGEON Little Rock

Feedback

Caller not up on wars I recently received a telephone call from a young lady taking a political poll. The subject of the war in Iraq came up. I told her we had not won any of the wars since World War II. She seemed very surprised and told me she didn't know that.

I knew the American people are naÃive, uninformed and sometimes just plain dumb. I am puzzled to see so many young folks volunteer to fight and die in a war we never intend to win. This I will never understand.

Of course, I am of the WWII generation and the last great generation.

Our country is going down the tube and the current generation doesn't have a clue. Goodbye, America.

ROBERT MARLOWE Hot Springs

Village Keep D.C. informed Citizens, are you concerned about the U.S. dollar, health care reform, taxes, defense and energy issues (or anything else)?

Are you happy or unhappy with the events unfolding in Washington, D.C.? Did you know you could easily express your views to your elected officials?

It is easy, quick and educational.

Just go to www.house.gov and www.senate.gov and send them an e-mail.

They will be pleased to hear your comments.

ALFRED S. DIERDORF Quitman