Correction: In a recent Buzzlead [“A logical explanation,’ Sept 24], Boulder Weekly ran an inverted pentagram as a graphic accompanying the story. The symbol in no way represents the values or beliefs of the Spirits of Colorado Paranormal Convention. We apologize for any confusion or misrepresentation of the organization.
A bad joke
The presidential elections in the United States have become little more than a joke.
With very few exceptions, everyone running for president is a professional politician. The hype and drivel espoused by most of the candidates amounts to nothing more than the same “Rah-Rah-Team” noise you hear at any high school football game or to childish name-calling by the candidates.
It is no longer a search for the individual who would do what is best for the country; it is now a contest between the most financially well-fed nags in a horse race. We have the uber-rich backers who have become bored with their card games, now using national elections as a mechanism to compete with each other.
Check the current bunch of Democrats and Republicans out. Do you see a Harry Truman or a Ronald Regan among them? New Hampshire is still the state most watched in the early days of the electoral process. What difference does it make when the herd of candidates from both parties are either known liars, previously elected corrupt individuals, professional politicians or flip-floppers sensitive to the political wind?
The quandary becomes even more difficult to resolve when we examine the mass that makes up the electorate. Is an individual worthy of election simply because of the color of their skin, their religion or which money-wielding party sponsors them?
Fewer and fewer people seem to grasp the fact that their vote will be used to determine who the leader of the most powerful country in the world will be. They seem to ignore the fact that certain skills and experience might come in handy in such a position.
Leadership qualities are barely given a passing thought. The financial acumen of the candidate is no longer considered a major factor to be considered even though we are drowning in debt. Personal qualities such as honesty and courage have taken backstage to party loyalty or perceived public marketability.
We, as a country, spend well in excess of $100 million on these elections that serve only to speed-up the swirl that flushes our country down the bowl… beginning our journey to the cesspool of once-great countries.
It is understandable that one might ask, “What’s the difference?” Well, John F. Kennedy nailed it when he said, “Ask not what your country can do for you… ask what you can do for your country!”
Let us all begin by pledging to vote based on a candidate’s record, their exhibited skills, their historical truthfulness, their practical experience and their exhibited love of country. Let us no longer vote based on the color of a candidate’s skin, the party line du jour or on a candidate’s religion.
It matters not whether you vote for a Democrat or a Republican so long as you vote for the candidate you honestly believe can best address the needs of our country and the problems it faces.
“Our Country First” should be our motto from this day forward!
Robert M. Collinsworth/Harrisville, NH
Back to school food
With the new school year just around the corner, parents’ attention is turning to school clothes, supplies and lunches. Yes, school lunches!
In past years, USDA had used our nation’s schools as a dumping ground for surplus meat and dairy commodities. Not surprisingly, one-third of children have become overweight or obese. Their early dietary flaws become lifelong addictions, raising their risk of diabetes, heart disease and stroke.
Gradually, the tide is turning. New guidelines mandated by President Obama’s Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, require doubling the servings of fruits and vegetables, more whole grains, less sodium and fat, and no meat for breakfast. A survey released last week shows the guidelines supported by 86% of Americans.
Sixty-four percent of U.S. school districts now offer vegetarian options. More than 120 schools, including the entire school districts of Baltimore, Boston, Buffalo, Detroit, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Oakland, Philadelphia and San Diego have implemented Meatless Monday. Some schools have dropped meat from their menu altogether.
As parents, we need to work with school cafeteria managers and our own children to encourage the availability and consumption of healthy, plantbased school foods. Entering “vegetarian options in schools” provides lots of good resources.
Stanley Silver/Boulder
