FOOD SAFETY
Congress needs to alter decades of bad policy
While the E. coli outbreak in Europe raises the question of what we can do to prevent future outbreaks, the answer is not to adopt controversial technologies that are impractical and potentially unsafe. Byproducts found in irradiated foods have been linked to genetic damage and health problems in lab animals and humans.
We need policies that make food safety a priority and establish a sustainable, equitable and transparent food system that produces healthy food we can trust — not a “quick fix” that involves blasting dirty food with radiation. As Congress decides on funding for U.S. food safety regulators and gets ready to tackle the 2012 Farm Bill, it is critical that it overhaul the decades of bad policy that have led to these food scares. Wenonah Hauter, executive director, Food & Water Watch
MIDDLE EAST
Carter fails to grasp central issue in conflict
Former President Jimmy Carter (“Path to Mideast peace is unchanged,” Opinion, June 8) continues to misunderstand what the most important issue is in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict: the continuing refusal by the Palestinians to recognize Israel as a permanent Jewish state. Carter thinks that an occupation of the West Bank is a central issue. That so-called occupation would not even be an issue if the Palestinians recognized Israel as a Jewish state. Hamas continues to say that it will not recognize Israel. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has rendered statements refusing to recognize Israel. Once Palestinians demonstrate they are ready to accept Israel as a Jewish state, everything else can be negotiated. Harold Kirtz, Atlanta
megachurch pastors
More wrecks to come
if we exalt men over God
“Pastor gives apparent boost to Bishop Long” (Metro, June 9) reveals the sad mentality of some megachurches. In their blurred vision, everything revolves around the image of their bishop or pastor, rather than the image of Christ and His principles. Any attempt to request accountability or responsibility from leadership is seen as a form of rebellion.
It’s commendable that Pastor Creflo Dollar advocates forgiveness on behalf of Bishop Eddie Long, but that spirit of forgiveness should be extended to others who are also involved in these matters. Dollar states that Long should be forgiven for what he calls “a wreck.”
There are no celebrities in God’s church. As long as we ignore this fact and exalt men over God, more wrecks are surely to come. Edward Young, Atlanta
POLITICS
Can’t fathom why Palin is attacked by so many
Why do liberals and others dislike (even hate) Sarah Palin?
She was a successful governor of Alaska and was well-received as a vice presidential nominee. What has Palin said or done to deserve such attacks on her and her family? Is it because she displays her love for this country and her fervent belief in the Constitution, and has a belief in states’ rights? It’s hard to fathom why people in the media go out of their way in an attempt to destroy her and her family. Tom Gambeski, Jasper
