Letters to the Editor - DuPage County
Bush right to veto stem cell legislation
President Bush stood firm by vetoing a bill that would mandate federal funding of embryonic stem cell research. But he also issued an executive order to promote more federal funding for promising types of stem cell research that do not require harming human embryos.
There are remarkable advances in the science and therapeutic uses of stem cells drawn from adults and children and the blood from umbilical cords.
Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., also opposed the vetoed bill, saying, "You're talking about spare embryos now, but if it ever did work it would require the killing of millions of embryos."
This Senate bill would be no small step but a leap down the slippery slope. Therefore I do not want my tax dollars to be used to deliberately destroy human embryos.
I support President Bush's veto of Senate bill S. 5.
Mary Stuhr
Addison
Dictatorship in O'Hare expansion
What is our government doing? I thought we were supposed to help foreign countries get rid of dictators, and our government let a dictator take over our land to build an airport on another county's land that never was called Chicago, but our government and dictator say we have to move.
We fought for this country to keep dictators out of foreign countries. Now we get thanked by being told to move, because we are nobody to our government.
Maybe the fools in our government do not remember that they told us we were fighting to save our land and homes. Now it isn't the enemy we fought that is taking our land and homes from us.
It's a dictator by the name of Daley and our government. Wake up American people, we are being duped by our government.
Our government has given dictatorial powers to a person not wanted as a member of our community.
Mario A. Valente
Bensenville
A clarification on organic food sales
We appreciate your coverage of the growth of organic retailing and the grocery chains investing in becoming certified under the USDA organic rules.
The process of independent verification undoubtedly adds value and credibility in the eyes of the consumer. This is in stark contrast to organic newcomer Wal-Mart, which was slapped by both USDA and state regulators for misrepresenting conventional food as organic on the store shelf.
It's heartening to see other large corporations making the extra effort to ensure integrity in their handling and merchandising procedures. I should, however, take this opportunity to correct an error in your story.
Although Whole Foods Market, Inc. is one of the country's largest retailers of organic food, the statement "all their food is organic" is incorrect. They sell both organic and conventional food and are responsible for careful segregation and record keeping just like other grocers. The fact that major grocery chains are ramping-up their organic offerings, with some making investments in certification, will undoubtedly broaden the availability of organic food.
This is good news for consumers seeking the superior quality, safety and nutrition of organics. The increased patronage assures environmental protection, humane animal husbandry and fair compensation to the family-farmers who make an extra effort to meet these consumer expectations.
Mark A. Kastel
Senior Farm Policy Analyst
The Cornucopia Institute
Cornucopia, Wis.