Seeing Green
I absolutely loved Jessica Fromm’s “Green Revolution” article (“Marijuana to the Rescue,” Cover Story, Jan. 27) for many reasons. Not only did it present a fresh, informative outlook on this tedious and drawn-out debate, but it presented information from a critical view, looking at all sides of the argument and the possible outcomes, should marijuana be legalized for personal use. As someone who has been a longtime supporter of the legalization, it was refreshing and empowering to see how advanced the Bay Area is in moving forward, as opposed to things on the state and national level. Although there are many who still don’t, and may never, agree, I give my full gratitude and commendation for such a well-thought-out article and look forward to reading more on the issue.
Brittany Buzzini
Morgan Hill
Shlock and Awe
Richard von Busack’s columns are far from being the “shlock” that he alluded to in a recent film review (“Dear John,” Review, Feb. 10). This Hemingway reader finds Mr. von B’s columns most literary indeed, and is quite grateful to have been forewarned against the shlock that is Dear John!
Donald Wright
San Jose
For Shame
The Merc published more than a dozen stories suggesting that superintendent Bob Nuñez was guilty—many of them on page 1 (“Audit Clears Nuñez,” SanJoseInside, Feb. 10). The story about the report exonerating him was buried on page 19. Shame on them.
Local
From SanJoseInside,com
An Ounce of Prevention
I wonder if Coto and Fong (“Reed Rips Fong and Coto,” The Fly, Feb. 10) will find some way to give a “bailout” to San Jose to cover the millions of dollars that the courts will be awarding to the people who are abused by the SJPD instead of that investment of $250,000 worth of prevention that the audit would have provided.
Downtownster
From SanJoseInside.com
Eat Your Veggies
Recently, First Lady Michelle Obama called on the U.S. Conference of Mayors to help her fight the national scourge of childhood obesity. She noted that one-third of all children are overweight or obese. She proposed healthier school lunch fares, increased physical activity, and nutrition education.
Traditionally, the National School Lunch Program has served as a dumping ground for the USDA’s surplus meat and dairy commodities. Not surprisingly, the USDA’s own surveys indicate that 90 percent of American children consume excessive amounts of fat, and only 15 percent eat the recommended servings of fruits and vegetables. Their early dietary flaws become lifelong addictions, raising their risk of diabetes, heart disease and stroke.
In the past few years, several state legislatures have asked their schools to offer daily vegetarian options. According to the School Nutrition Association, 52 percent of U.S. school districts now do. Last fall, the Baltimore City Public School system became the first in the United States to offer its 80,000 students a complete weekly break from meat.
Parents and others who care about our children’s health should demand healthful plant-based school meals, snacks and vending-machine items.
Larry Rogawitz
Santa Rosa
