Letters to the Editor 06-01-1999
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- Fatal Crash - Diet Plans - Literacy
Fatal Crash
Editor, Times-Union:Just tonight there was another fatal crash on US 30 in front of JD Byrider. I have read tons of letters in your newspaper regarding this situation. We have to take into consideration these trucks are going at least 50 mph they have around 40,000 pounds of freight in the back of their trailer and they must stop within a matter of 30 seconds or less. I have also seen several cars run this stop light. The truck drivers are in the wrong and I am aware of that but instead of ticketing everyone of them, we must try to accommodate them. In order to do this the most simple thing to do is lengthen the yellow light and lowering the trucks which meet a certain loaded weight to 45 or 40. If this is attempted it would not have much opposition due to the number of deaths on that stretch of road. If you post this in your newspaper I am sure the correct person will see it and something is done besides trying to ticketÊall of them. You may edit this or shorten it as youÊlike. I just hope that something is done about this horrible problem. Thank you.Ê
Jim Wells, Warsaw, via e-mail
Diet Plans
Editor, Times-Union:I was recently pleased to see a public service message from the Times-Union and the Federal Trade Commission placed in Saturday's Times-Union. It read, "Promises, Promises, Claims that promise easy, effortless ways to lose weight are false." Unfortunately, it was located back in the Classified section of the paper. I was encouraged to see it, but I wish it had been on the front page instead.
I constantly see and hear these kinds of advertisements. Telephone poles announce a "30 pound weight loss, call for free samples." Again, last week, the radio said I could lose up to 49 pounds before summer for only $5 a week! The TV commercial said I could eat whatever I wanted without exercise by just taking a "Fat Trapper" pill. People were gorging themselves on all the "good stuff." Women's magazine covers have pictures of fudge brownies and cakes. Next to each are the titles of this month's diet. The latest, greatest exercise equipment or routine convinces people who have a hard time just walking, to call in their VISA numbers. False expectations do a lot of harm by setting people up for another failure they don't need. It's sad, but these advertisements remind me of a familiar quote that I've modified: "There is a sucker born every minute, and they're getting heavier and heavier everyday!"
Unfortunately, modern medicine has not found the cure, but research is continuing. There are at least 22 new drugs that I am aware of that are currently under development. I'm sure this is just the tip of the iceberg. Medicine is not perfect. Even after years of research, development and FDA evaluations, some medications turn out to cause harm.
Obesity is a serious, chronic disease that is known to reduce life span, increase disability and lead to many serious illnesses including diabetes, heart disease and stroke. Excess weight is caused by an interaction of genetic (inherited) and environmental (social and cultural) factors, which include metabolic (physical and chemical) and behavioral (psychological and emotional) components. Because of the complexity of weight loss, gain and maintenance, promises of quick and effortless weight loss are worthless.
Matthew P. Datzman, M.D., Northern Indiana, Bariatrics
Literacy
Editor, Times-Union:On behalf of the Kosciusko Literacy Volunteers Board of Directors and staff, I would like to say "Thank You" to our community for their overwhelming support of our recent "Hacienda Gives Back Fiesta" fund-raiser. Your continued support of our efforts to promote literacy in Kosciusko County is much appreciated!
Kathy Hamman, Director of Public Relations
[[In-content Ad]]
- Fatal Crash - Diet Plans - Literacy
Fatal Crash
Editor, Times-Union:Just tonight there was another fatal crash on US 30 in front of JD Byrider. I have read tons of letters in your newspaper regarding this situation. We have to take into consideration these trucks are going at least 50 mph they have around 40,000 pounds of freight in the back of their trailer and they must stop within a matter of 30 seconds or less. I have also seen several cars run this stop light. The truck drivers are in the wrong and I am aware of that but instead of ticketing everyone of them, we must try to accommodate them. In order to do this the most simple thing to do is lengthen the yellow light and lowering the trucks which meet a certain loaded weight to 45 or 40. If this is attempted it would not have much opposition due to the number of deaths on that stretch of road. If you post this in your newspaper I am sure the correct person will see it and something is done besides trying to ticketÊall of them. You may edit this or shorten it as youÊlike. I just hope that something is done about this horrible problem. Thank you.Ê
Jim Wells, Warsaw, via e-mail
Diet Plans
Editor, Times-Union:I was recently pleased to see a public service message from the Times-Union and the Federal Trade Commission placed in Saturday's Times-Union. It read, "Promises, Promises, Claims that promise easy, effortless ways to lose weight are false." Unfortunately, it was located back in the Classified section of the paper. I was encouraged to see it, but I wish it had been on the front page instead.
I constantly see and hear these kinds of advertisements. Telephone poles announce a "30 pound weight loss, call for free samples." Again, last week, the radio said I could lose up to 49 pounds before summer for only $5 a week! The TV commercial said I could eat whatever I wanted without exercise by just taking a "Fat Trapper" pill. People were gorging themselves on all the "good stuff." Women's magazine covers have pictures of fudge brownies and cakes. Next to each are the titles of this month's diet. The latest, greatest exercise equipment or routine convinces people who have a hard time just walking, to call in their VISA numbers. False expectations do a lot of harm by setting people up for another failure they don't need. It's sad, but these advertisements remind me of a familiar quote that I've modified: "There is a sucker born every minute, and they're getting heavier and heavier everyday!"
Unfortunately, modern medicine has not found the cure, but research is continuing. There are at least 22 new drugs that I am aware of that are currently under development. I'm sure this is just the tip of the iceberg. Medicine is not perfect. Even after years of research, development and FDA evaluations, some medications turn out to cause harm.
Obesity is a serious, chronic disease that is known to reduce life span, increase disability and lead to many serious illnesses including diabetes, heart disease and stroke. Excess weight is caused by an interaction of genetic (inherited) and environmental (social and cultural) factors, which include metabolic (physical and chemical) and behavioral (psychological and emotional) components. Because of the complexity of weight loss, gain and maintenance, promises of quick and effortless weight loss are worthless.
Matthew P. Datzman, M.D., Northern Indiana, Bariatrics
Literacy
Editor, Times-Union:On behalf of the Kosciusko Literacy Volunteers Board of Directors and staff, I would like to say "Thank You" to our community for their overwhelming support of our recent "Hacienda Gives Back Fiesta" fund-raiser. Your continued support of our efforts to promote literacy in Kosciusko County is much appreciated!
Kathy Hamman, Director of Public Relations
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