Plus Letters to Good Times…
High Time
BEST OF THE ONLINE COMMENTS
Holiday Deadlines
Nothing really says “It’s Holiday Time!” like a kid so excited about all the bells and whistles the season can offer. The Downtown Association pulled out all the stops this year. The parade, while always festive, seemed more upbeat than usual. (It may have just been me and a good mood swing—who knows?) Regardless, what a treat to see downtown filled with so many people. GTv colleague (camera shy) Jeff Dinnell and Derby Girl maven Kim Luke cheerfully broadcasted the event for Community Television. Food barrels were also on hand for Second Harvest Food Bank. (See the great decorations for SHFB) at the Rittenhouse Building downtown.) The presence of SHFB and other nonprofits in the parade was a welcome reminder that, of course, we’re all being asked to give a little, perhaps a lot, this year.
On that note, turn to page 8 in this week’s paper where we continue to raise awareness about the annual Community Foundation push to steer people to five noteworthy nonprofits striving to make a difference in the lives of locals in need. They are: Davenport Resource Service Center, Familia Center, La Manzana Community Resources, Live Oak Family Resource Center and Mountain Community Resources.
Actually, MCR, like the others mentioned, stands out for a number of reasons. But I did want to take this time to clarify some information listed in last week’s spotlight on the organization. GT had incorrectly reported that MCR had a fully volunteer staff. The staff is not fully volunteer. We regret the error. Learn more at cfscc.org/goodtimesfund or call 477-0800.
What’s left? GT is bringing back its 66-Word Short Story Contest. See page 32 for more details and a chance to win prizes. More next time …
Greg Archer
Editor
Letters to Good Times Editor
High Time
Legalizing pot? Good luck with that. California, considered a bastion of liberalness, can’t even allow its gay partners to legally wed. How the hell is the state going to get it together long enough to legalize something like marijuana. I found the reporting in your cover story (GT 12/3) accurate and intriguing though. Let’s hope the powers that be and the voters have enough sense to do this one right.
John Franklin
Santa Cruz
BEST OF THE ONLINE COMMENTS
Swine Time
Regarding the swine flu news story, this is the most thoughtful article I have read about the outbreak of the H1N1 virus in the U.S. Writer Niko Kyriakou writes for citizens who want to know more than what appears on misleading network sound bites.
When the U.S. government spends $2 billion for 250 million doses of vaccine—enough to vaccinate 82 percent of the 304 million residents in the U.S.—pharmaceutical companies have a vested interest in vaccination campaigns.
I would welcome a “Pharmaceutical Commission of American Physicians” that would challenge excessive lobbying of pharmaceutical companies to use new vaccines. I do not assume that all vaccines are safe or effective. I do not assume that a national vaccination campaign is an automatic first response.
When the World Health Organization declares a pandemic, it creates fear and panic.
Also, I would prefer that the WHO would offer “technically correct factual information pure and simple.” When the Center for Disease Control and Prevention release figures about estimated and confirmed cases of a new strain of flu, it needs to state the basis for its statements. The CDC lost credibility in its reporting of H1N1 data and assessing the level of public danger. Major media sources were irresponsible and fueled unnecessarily the fear of a public health crisis.
—Aline G.
I am a Pharmacist who is licensed to administer vaccines, and have been involved in a number of vaccination clinics. This article represents the type of journalism that the American people should continue to feed off. I would encourage all people who are bombarded by statistics, which the “medical media” claims are gospel truth, to consider the fact that health agencies redefine their figures again and again. One thing I have learned is that the only statistic you can trust completely is that once you have a disease, you can be 100 percent sure that you do.
Before lining up for whatever program the government has to offer, people should seek the answers out for themselves. In my opinion, this article has reminded me to keep my mind open, consider the facts, weigh expert opinions, wash my hands, avoid sick people if possible, diet, exercise, and follow up on physician appointments. With great knowledge comes great responsibility.
—Charles, pharmacist
Holiday Deadlines
GOOD TIMES offices will be closed Wednesday, Dec. 23 through Friday, Jan 1 in observance of Christmas and New Year’s. Deadlines for Dec. 22:
Display, Class Display, Bulletin Board and Classified ads: 4 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 16. Calendar noon, Friday, Dec. 11. Deadlines for Dec. 29: Display, Class Display, Bulletin Board and Classified ads: 4 p.m., Friday, Dec. 18. Calendar: noon, Wednesday, Dec. 16. Deadlines for Jan 7: Display, Class Display, Bulletin Board and Classified ads: 4 p.m., Monday, Dec. 21; Calendar: noon, Thursday, Dec. 17.
