Letters To The Editor
Not all the facts there in flouride debate
When the Public Health Department proposed fluoridating our water supply I
commenced an in-depth review of my own of all available research on the impact
of fluoridated water, not only on the dental health of young people (even from
'disadvantaged' families which is how proponents justify their position), but
on the population at large in terms of overall health.
Let me simply say this: the position the Health Department and some dentists
and doctors take does not stand up to the evidence they assert. There is little
evidence to suggest that fluoride has a beneficial long-term effect on permanent
teeth in young people, and on the other hand, there are genuine scientific concerns
about the impact of even low levels of fluoride on many people in the population.
This is a complex issue, and I am not surprised at, but have little respect
for, Rous Water's decision to hand the consultation on this issue over to the
Public Health Department. Not only is it like leaving it to a fox to determine
whether a hen-house is fox-proof, it also seems to me like a complete abrogation
of their responsibility as elected Councillors to represent their communities.
I know the Councillors felt that Councils should not have to fund the consultation,
but the decision should have been simply to leave it to the individual constituent
Councils to consult with their communities and to demand that the Public Health
Department pay the cost of the consultation or else the issue would be taken
no further.
I have spoken to John Irving (Health Department's fluoridation advocate) on
several occasions on this issue. After telling me he would provide any information
I needed, when I asked for comparative statistics and a range of other evidence
he claims to have, he told me I would have to direct my inquiries to Chris Crawford.
I made two suggestions to him. First, that he participate in a debate in Lismore
(at no cost to the Health Department) with a scientist who is an authority on
fluoridation and does not support the Public Health Department's position; or
second, that the issue go to a referendum in conjunction with the next local government
election, which would not cost very much at all, and in the meantime there be
extensive community debate on this issue. He rejected the first option out of
hand, has debated this person before and doesn't see any point in doing so again and
seemed to dismiss the referendum issue as it is too far in the future.
I am very aware that the 'consultation' process of the Health Department is
limited to 'select' people, and is not legitimate research carried out on a proper
sample of the communities concerned. I also know that John Irving is selective
in the information he provides: for example, does he tell us about the Councils
out west who, once elected, overturned their administrators' decisions and
rejected fluoridation.
If this community decides, knowing all the facts, that it wants to have a fluoridated
water supply, I will accept it and make sure I don't drink the water again.
But for a government department to add medication to our water supply, knowing
that most people don't need it and without ensuring people know all the facts
is to me simply not acceptable.
I call on Rous Water to show some leadership, rescind the decision they have
made and leave the decision up to each local council.
Cr Ros Irwin
Lismore
|
|
Fluoride support
I support the introduction of fluoride into the water supply by Rous Water
(Echo, July 28).
I spent my early childhood in small rural towns in Queensland with no fluoride
in the water and as a result I have only 4 teeth without fillings. I have not
required any new fillings for approximately 20 years but constantly need dental
work to replace the existing ones. I believe the benefits of fluoridated water
far outweigh any risks associated with it. From a health point of view I would
much rather have fluoride in the water supply than a mouth full of fillings that
are probably full of mercury as was the norm when I received them during the 1970s.
Jacki Alexander
Ballina
Carr washup
Sometimes politicians do keep their promises... John Anderson said he'd resign
if the Nationals lost a seat at the last Federal election, and eventually he did.
Bob Carr promised before his election in 1995 that if he didn't halve hospital
waiting lists in 12 months he'd resign, and finally last week, more than nine
years later, he did.
So, does Carr's resignation give the Coalition a shot at winning the 2007 state
election? Well the bookies have them as favourites (and they get it right much
more often than the pollsters), but the reality remains that it will take a swing
of virtually unprecedented proportions.
For a majority the Coalition will need to gain 15 seats, which, following the
redistribution, will require a swing of 9.7% - a real landslide by Australian
standards - and that's if you include three independent-held seats (Dubbo, Manly
and Tamworth). Discounting those seats, the Coalition would need a swing of 11.6%
to win 15 seats from Labor.
A hung parliament is much more likely, but by no means certain. Labor would
need to lose at least nine seats to be deprived of their majority - this will
take a swing against Labor of 8.7%, which includes the seat of Balmain (formerly
Port Jackson) where Labor has a 7.1% margin over the Greens. Labor's most vulnerable
seat is now Tweed, with a still sizable margin of 4%.
The Coalition is simply so far behind in so many seats that Brogden and his
team face a massive task. Removing Labor's majority would be helped if independents
or minor parties could win a handful of the Labor-held seats where the Coalition
is well and truly out of the running. The Greens have a chance in Balmain, and
also Marrickville and perhaps Wollongong, but will require a very strong flow
of preferences from the Liberals. Independents haven't generally posed a serous
threat to Labor in recent times, but against the Coalition they present the major
added obstacle which practically guarantees that they can't gain an outright majority.
Nick Casmirri
Wollongbar
Ambo thanks
On Monday 18 July, the Police organised a media briefing in relation to stolen
Ambulance equipment.
On behalf of the Ambulance Service of NSW I would like to thank your organization
for its support of this issue. The equipment has not yet been found or returned,
but the coverage provided by your newspaper has assisted in raising the awareness
of the community. We are hopeful that the person/people involved in the theft
will be found and we will continue to work with the police to achieve this.
Most importantly though, we are happy that the media coverage provided on Monday
will prevent an injury occurring as a result of the misuse of equipment.
Once again, thank you for your assistance.
Virginia McKenna
Operations Manager, NSW Ambulance
Of herrings and lambs
It's been reassuring that neither David Hicks nor Mamdouh Habib suffered the
abuse they said they were subject to at Guantanamo Bay. It's comforting to know,
too, that John Howard wasn't so naïve as to swallow their codswallop. (This
should not be confused with the codswallop he actually does swallow any time the
Americans tell him anything.)
Am I being too cynical in wondering if our PM and jolly Phillip Ruddock chose
David Hicks to be our sacrificial lamb? Wasn't there a time we could have brought
him home but Ruddock declared that there was nothing to charge him with?
Howard has saved us from, amongst other things, the Armada of Leaky Boats;
from getting too friendly with our Aborigines; from cutting our colonial umbilical
cord; and from believing in non-core promises and the tooth fairy.
Now he's going to save us from terrorists by using I.D cards. The go might
be to withhold them from people who look like terrorists, then put the Immigration
Department in charge of rounding up all non-cardholders and incarcerate them in
Baxter Detention Centre. Before too long they'll disappear down a black hole in
the system to be lost forever. Problem solved and an AO for Amanda!
Howard realises there's been a shift in mood of the electorate since the heady
days of Tampa and the dumping of children and their parents behind razor wire.
The Palmer Report has shown up not just Immigration Department officers but government
ministers as well. People like Ruddock and Vanstone were Howard appointees but
this arrogant little man accepts blame for nothing.
We're sure to see another red herring any time soon.
Barry Walsh
Lismore
VSU concerns
As a crew member that worked on the documentary film 'Disconnecting Community
A Public Project: Documenting The Potential Effects Of Voluntary Student Unionism
on the Community of Lismore', I would like to thank all those who participated
to voice their concerns about this piece of legislation and the potentially catastrophic
economic and social effects it will have on our community. I would also like to
thank all those who attended the screening at Star Court Theatre as well as the
good people who work at the theatre itself, without you it would have been a pointless
exercise. For those of you, particularly within the Lismore business community,
that unfortunately missed the screening there will be further screenings in the
future (we'll keep you posted). If you would like any information regarding Voluntary
Student Unionism and importantly how it will affect you, your business, and your
bottom line, don't hesitate to call the Southern Cross University Student Representative
Council on 6620 3044.
A fiscal symbiotic relationship exists between SCU and the town of Lismore,
what effects one with utimately effect the other and the loss of an estimated
$2.5 million that we, as students, inject into the local community each year,
be you a large or small business owner you will feel the ramifications of VSU
one way or another.
John Taylor
Lismore
Fluoride conspiracy
On July 27 Safe Water Action Network (SWAN) held its multimedia presentation
- "The Truth Decay- the Shocking Truth about Fluoridation - Why it is a crime
against us!" at the Star Court Theatre for Lismore councillors and the community.
A correspondence and invitation for mayor Merv King and councillors was sent
to the general manger Paul O' Sullivan on May 11. A second invitation was sent,
again to the general manger, on July 12, with the request that the invitation
be given to the mayor and councillors. The invitation was sent again on July 25.
Since the SWAN information night on July 27 we have been receiving feedback
that Merv King and councillors called a meeting at the Italo Club on the same
night in an attempt to avoid attending the SWAN presentation.
Paul O'Sullivan's lack of duty as a public officer has now thrown the mayor
Merv King and the councillors into a questionable light with the Lismore community
in their openness to know the facts on the history of fluoridation and the dangers
of having this toxic industrial waste and poison in our local water supply.
SWAN will be again requesting that the Mayor and Lismore councillors view the
documentary that was put on for them on the night of July 27, so they can be well
informed on the dangers of fluoridation, and that they do all they can in their
duty of care to the community of Lismore to keep Lismore a fluoride free zone
and respect the community's right to have clean water, free of the industrial
waste by product - fluoride.
Tora Blackman
S.W.A.N
Technically incompetent
Amanda Vanstone must only be DIMIA's technical minister if she wants us
to believe that the two children 'detained' for four months despite being 'legal',
were only technically detained.
Some other Minister must have arranged the 'real' detention. I have a
quiz for Vanstone and our gentle reader: what's the difference between a jail
and a detention centre? Where is it where you get taken away and locked
up, you are sometimes allowed visitors, not allowed out, put into solitary confinement,
anyone from babies upwards can be jailed, your stay can be forever and
you are convicted of a crime? Well, the last only applies to jails.
Aniko Cripps Clark
Lismore
Salute to Veterans
I am writing to invite all Australians to come to the national Salute to Veterans
event on the 06th anniversary of Victory in the Pacific from August 13 to 15 to
say thanks to our World War II veterans for their contribution and sacrifice.
The Salute will be centred on and around Lake Burley Griffin and Anzac Parade
in Canberra and will bring together World War II veterans and thousands of other
Australians to remember the need of the war 60 years ago.
As a World War II veteran myself, I remember the war as a time when Australia
came together as a nation and the great joy and relief Australians felt when the
announcement was made that the war was finally over.
The Salute will be the largest single event Australia has held to thank our
World War II veterans and an opportunity to recognise those men and women who
sacrificed so much for our freedom.
It will be a weekend of entertainment and commemoration with Australian Defence
Force ground displays of historic and modern military equipment, 1940s dance performances,
historical broadcasts on the big screens, music and military bands and special
exhibitions.
A highlight will be a series of air pageants on Sunday, August 14, which will
culminate in a choreographed sunset finale of Warbirds, current Defence aircraft,
fireworks and music.
World War II veterans will be the 'guest of honour' and are invited to bring
their family and friends.
For more information on the Salute please call the Department of Veterans'
Affairs on 1300 360 635 or visit www.dva.gov.au
Air Marshall David Evans AC DSO AFC RAAF (Retd)
Chairman, Salute Organising Committee
Tree Day success
Congratulations to the 60 wonderful people, young and old, who helped plant
500 rainforest trees on Angels Beach last Sunday, Planet Ark National Tree Day.
And well done to the 50 students from Southern Cross K-12 School who planted another
100 dune wattles dunes on Friday.
Occasions like this throw into relief the difference between those who care
for their beach and those who take it all for granted and leave the work to others.
They demonstrate the spirit that makes a community strong, even though only a
small minority have what it takes to get involved.
Those who bothered to give up part of a sunny late winter morning had an absolute
ball of a time.
Thanks to East Ballina Lions for keeping the workers well stocked with drinks
and nibbles, and to Ballina Council staff for organising mulch, laying on the
water, and supplying many of the plants. As for our trusty band of Dune Care volunteers,
what can be said that's adequate? Simply, that you're the tops!
Lee Andresen
Angels Beach Dune Care & Reafforestation Group Inc.
Funny not
'Thank God!' said Darcy McKee (Echo letters, July 28), that Mungo McCallum
is back with a bit of hard-headed. honest comment etc.
If Darcy had any smarts at all he would read Mungo's column in the light that
it is intended. That is a look at political events using a typical Australian
humour, as well as some tall poppy syndrome thrown in. This negative and bigoted
style of journalism is for your pleasure and amusement. Do you, Mr McKee, really
think any government wants more unemployed and out of work people?
Think about it! And enjoy Mungo's column for what it is. Humorous (expletive
deleted).
Rod Durheim
Alstonville
Fair cop
This is a heartfelt letter of appreciation to the Lismore constabulary for
saving me from myself. Had I not been fined on the spot for failing to wear a
bicycle helmet on Monday evening, I doubt whether I would have lived to write
this letter of thanks. Had my reckless ways not been instantly curtailed, there
is no telling what calamity may have unfolded from my obsession with crime.
Only by focusing our law enforcement resources into areas of greatest need
are wrong-doers like me prevented from spreading mindless attitudes and careless
disregard for human life throughout the larger community. A warning is too good
for recalcitrants like myself!
Everyone knows that only rich people ride pushbikes. I personally am so wealthy
that I have completely transcended the need for a motor vehicle and the fifty
dollar fine I incurred hardly seems like a fitting punishment. Perhaps in addition
to being fined I could surrender up my controlling share of BHP and one or two
properties on the Sydney foreshore? Perhaps if the punishment was proportionate
to the vastness of my holdings, then I would be less inclined to disregard those
values that have made our country great?
In either event I wish to thank the Lismore police for setting me in the straight
and narrow. Now more than ever I am committed to being obedient and law abiding
member of the community. Now more than ever my trust and confidence in the system
has found good reason to smile; safe in the knowledge that people like me are
under control.
Thank-you for making manifest the spirit of freedom and human compassion in
this shining heart of democracy.
R J Poole
Lismore
Where were you?
On Friday night of last week I went to the cinema and watched a wonderful German
film, Head On which incidentally enough won a Golden Bear award at this year's
Berlin Film Festival. What made the experience pleasurable was to be able to enjoy
a beer during the screening - very civilized I thought and somewhat unusual nowadays.
The venue was the Star Court Theatre in Lismore and the presenter was NORPA.
What I found disappointing was the small audience numbers, considering I often
hear people complain of only Hollywood blockbuster offerings available at the
other cinema. When there are sufficient people the café/bar opens after
the film as well as before and watching a film becomes a social event as well
as a cultural experience.
I thought I would let others know of this wonderful event which occurs about
once a month. Looking forward to seeing more film enthusiasts there.
Taran Tula
Lismore
Poverty plan
It is sobering that after the Live 8 extravaganza and the G8's deal to boost
aid to Africa - we are again witnessing shocking scenes of starvation in Niger
reminiscent of the deadly Ethiopian famine that inspired Live Aid 20 years ago.
Of course it is too early for the G8 package to benefit Niger but today's famine
reminds us of the terrible toll poverty wreaks on millions across the globe.
Despite the breakthrough on aid by the G8, the Howard Government has continued
to argue it is "trade not aid" that will end poverty. But beyond the
immediate response to the famine - which Australia has contributed $2 million
towards - would trade alone liberate Niger from poverty? The simple answer is
no.
It is only through a combination of aid, trade and debt relief that countries
such as Niger will ever have a hope of being freed from the grip of poverty.
Jack de Groot
Chairman, Make Poverty History
|
