EDMOND — To the Editor:
Last week’s letter to the editor promoting a vegan diet and blaming animal agriculture for the H1N1 influenza virus, multiple human health issues and environmental problems was misleading and filled with falsehoods. It was, in fact, a widely circulated letter by a group promoting a vegan diet.
Lean protein foods including meat, poultry and dairy products are all a part of a well balanced diet according to credible organizations and agencies such as the American Dietetic Association, American Heart Association and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. These are the type of unbiased, science-based sources America should look to for dietary advice as opposed to emotion-based fringe groups.
As for animal agriculture being environmentally unsound, that is simply not true. Eighty-five percent of U.S. grazing land is unsuitable for producing crops, therefore grazing animals more than doubles the area that is used to produce food.
EPA data shows all agriculture, from beef production to broccoli production, contributes just 6.4 percent to greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. All livestock combined contributes less than 2.6 percent to total greenhouse gas emissions.
Finally, it has been conclusively proven that the H1N1 influenza virus referred to in the letter has nothing to do with swine or pork. The unfortunate misnaming of the virus earlier this year has done great harm to our nation’s pork producers.
Oklahoma farmers and ranchers also have the distinction of being recognized nationally as superior environmental stewards. There is no better group of people to entrust with the care of our natural resources and there are no healthier foods than those we raise here in Oklahoma.
Terry L. Peach
Oklahoma City
TERRY L. PEACH is Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture.
Letters to the Editor
Vegan letter misleading
- 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
