To the Editor:
The stark contrast between our frenzied reaction to unfamiliar hazards and our reckless tolerance of familiar ones never ceases to amaze me.
The current incidence of swine flu, which killed five Americans, has captured the headlines, cancelled public events and closed dozens of schools. At the same time, we have blithely continued our consumption of meat and dairy products, which has been linked conclusively with elevated risk of heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes and other chronic diseases that kill 1.3 million Americans annually.
But it’s not just about chronic diseases. According to the United Nations, animal agriculture is responsible for 18 percent of greenhouse gas emissions, leading to catastrophic floods, droughts and sea level rises, which threaten human survival. It uses more fresh water and dumps more deadly wastes into our water supplies than all other human activities combined.
Each of us has a shared responsibility for our society’s health and welfare. The best time to exercise this responsibility is on our next trip to the supermarket, where we can explore the rich variety of meat-free and dairy-free ready-to-eat frozen dinners, veggie burgers and dogs, lunch “meats” and plant-based cheese, ice cream and milk. Helpful transition hints and recipes galore are available at www.tryveg.org and www.chooseveg.org.
Ethan Benick
Edmond
Letters to the Editor
Ignoring familiar risks harms society
- Letters to the Editor
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- LETTER: School counselor says Roy ready to help all students
- LETTER: Supporter calls Duncan 'a firecracker'
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LETTER: Supporter: Duncan shows passion for children’s needs
To the Editor:
The families in the Edmond Public School District are fortunate to have Kathleen Duncan as their advocate on the Edmond Board of Education. Duncan has worked tirelessly for the welfare and benefit of the Edmond schools’ students. -
LETTER: Teacher supports Duncan’s re-election
To the Editor:
On Feb. 14 patrons of District 2 have an opportunity to re-elect the current president of the Edmond School Board, Kathleen Duncan. Duncan has served as a board member for 10 years. When people move to the Oklahoma City area, they buy a home here because of the exceptional quality of Edmond Public Schools. This speaks to Duncan’s goal of “Excellence in Education for All Edmond Public School Students.” -
LETTER: Supporter: Duncan understands diverse issues
To the Editor:
Kathleen Duncan understands the diverse issues that effect our schools. She carefully studies the district’s issues and works tirelessly as an advocate for all students. Her votes as a board member have an impact for years to come and she takes that responsibility very seriously. - LETTER: Reader says incumbent's personal agenda in the way
- LETTER: Supporter says Duncan works 'with all her might'
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LETTER: Supporter calls Duncan caring, interactive
To the Editor:
In my 43-year career as a professor at the University of Central Oklahoma I wrote many a letter of recommendation for deserving students for jobs, graduate and professional schools and scholarships. Those letters are read by busy people who have important decisions to contemplate and my belief is they ought to be brief and on point. This is such a letter. -
LETTER: Supporter applauds Duncan’s persistent dedication
To the Editor:
I am writing this letter to support and endorse the re-election of Kathleen Duncan to the Edmond Board of Education next Tuesday. I’ve been an Edmond resident for the past 20 years, and because I don’t live in District 2, I cannot cast my vote for Duncan, but I do pay a considerable amount in taxes to the Edmond Public School District. -
LETTER: Duncan lends watchful eye to school district
To the Editor:
Kathleen Duncan serves tirelessly in her capacity as an Edmond Board of Education member. A former teacher, school counselor and Oklahoma County Assistant District Attorney, she has the time to go into our schools and hear the needs of teachers, students and staff. When she hears of needs, she has the time and experience to share those issues with the appropriate administrators for investigation and resolution. - More Letters to the Editor Headlines
