Letters on Fluoride
National Post
Friday, September 12, 2003Re: Bottled Water Blamed for Rush of Cavities, Sept. 11.
So Montreal pediatric dentists will lobby to have their water fluoridated. Yet fluoridated Winnipeg, as well as the many other fluoridated North American communities, are also having upsurges in children's cavities. Obviously fluoride isn't helping them. What's truly needed is a massive sustained effort to get rid of junk food and the health-destroying fluoride that pervades our water, supplements, drugs, non-organically grown food, and the polluted air we breathe.
Susan Fletcher, Sechelt, B.C.
Re: Time To Play Our Part, editorial, Sept. 11
Canada has done nothing but strengthen its position in the world with the decision to not participate in the war in Iraq.
Despite the best efforts of the American government to somehow link the war on terror with the war in Iraq, it is quite clear that the events of 9/11 and Saddam Hussein's despotic, wicked leadership were wholly unconnected.
Canada has lent adequate, albeit cautious, support to the U.S. led war on terror. Must we now face each of the U.S.'s many enemies, simply for the sake of good relations? Will you advocate a pre-emptive strike on North Korea when and if the time comes?
Since Sept. 11, 2001, the United States has only fanned the flames of hatred around the world that led to the terror attacks of two years ago. Canada has been wise to distance itself from the warmongers in Washington, and we should be proud of our government for having the courage, integrity and independence to ignore calls to boot licking. While we may have not sent clear signals of support to our allies, we have sent a clear message to the people of the world that Canada is a compassionate, rational and honourable country.
Scott Turnbull, Port Carling, Ont.
Re: Why The Move To 'Lite'? Sept. 11.
Can a restaurant be responsive to its customers' health requirements by offering both veggie burgers and poutine. The answer is a resounding "yes."
Any restaurant that ignores the needs of its customers won't be in business for long. That's the simple reason why so many restaurants -- from fine dining to take-out -- have introduced lighter menu choices over the last few years. At the same time, they continue to provide the familiar favourites that their customers enjoy.
Many restaurants, particularly in the quick-service sector, do their part every day by offering nutrition information in-store and on their Web sites, sponsoring sports teams and summer camps, and offering plenty of menu choices for their customers.
Jill Holroyd, vice-president, research and communications, Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association, Toronto.
Re: Bonuses for Customs Bosses Rise Sevenfold, Sept. 8
Those of us who are familiar with Canada Customs are likely not surprised to hear that Canada Customs and Revenue Agency is a little top-heavy on management, but are shocked to find out how much. Whilst front-line customs personnel are victims of cost-management strategies and misguided priorities set in distant Ottawa, there seems to be a healthy ability to throw money at questionable technology and gadgets.
A case in point would be our local customs offices' new vehicles. A couple of years ago they were given a brand new Ford Expedition, one of the biggest gas-guzzlers on the road. They didn't want it, they didn't need it and it broke down frequently. What they really wanted was a basic, reliable van with enough seats and room for gear but nobody asked them.
Then, to go with the new drug-sniffing dog came a GMC Yukon, almost as big and thirsty as the Expedition but with many expensive custom features to ensure Rover's comfort and safety. Recently, the Expedition was replaced with an even larger and hungrier GMC Suburban. Again, they didn't want it, didn't need it and didn't ask for it.
What happened to local input, logic and fiscal responsibility? If anybody at CCRA and Supply and Services Canada actually gives a damn about customs operations, national security and the environment they are obviously not management. Evidently, the big bonuses are given to those who keep their opinions to themselves, do what they are told and act grateful for the cushy job.
Anthony van Osch, Victoria.
In spite of Ontario dentists' claim that bottled water is to blame for cavities, it is well known that the poor have more cavities than the rich and it is not for drinking bottled water which, unlike the rich, they cannot afford while fluoridated tap water is free by comparison.
Ontario is one of the most fluoridated provinces in Canada. People are preparing meals, tea coffee and other beverages with fluoridated water. Virtually all packaged foods and soft drinks processed in Ontario are processed in with fluoridated water. Toothpastes and several drugs drugs contain fluoride.
University of Toronto Dental Professor Dr. Hardy Limeback says Ontario citizens are actually getting too much fluoride because of the high rate of dental fluorosis (fluoride mottled teeth) seen in his dental practice.
To suggest people are missing out on fluoride by drinking bottled water when there are so many other sources of fluoride exposure is truly one for Gullible's Travels.
Croft Woodruff, Vancouver.
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