August 2006 | Letters to the Editor
More Trouble With Corn Syrup
Audrae Erickson, president of the Corn Refiners Association, wrote a fascinating rebuttal to your May article, “The Trouble With Corn” (CC, April) Erickson’s argument seems to be that “high fructose corn syrup” (HFCS) is not a “unique” contributor to obesity. Erickson, a classic “fox in the henhouse,” is not really in the position to judge the industry, or protect the public from that industry.
The fact that obesity is occurring in other parts of the world without the presence of HFCS is wholly irrelevant in terms of answering the question: Is it wise to consume HFCS in any foods? The fact that the FDA says “yes, its safe” is less than comforting.
Folks, do your own research, do your own thinking and draw your own conclusions. HFCS was originally added to foods simply because it was a cheap sugar. The fact that it blocks the brain’s ability to know the stomach has eaten enough has not stopped or slowed its ubiquitous use in processed foods. In that way, HFCS is akin to aspartame, another poison sweetener that is generally recognized as safe, but which clearly is not. If you must use sugars, look to the past. There’s honey, molasses, date sugar and carob among others.
—Christopher Nyerges, Eagle Rock, CA
Walking the Fine Line
To the Editor:
Great job with the new look! Very classy but not overly done, which is always a fine line to walk. It’s stylish! Interesting cover shot, too.
I always look, read and enjoy your magazine because it’s one of the few publications that present new ideas that are “workable,” and yet you keep your principles intact even if you have a different political leaning or opinion on something. This is even a tougher fine line to follow but gives you much more credibility in the long run while opening the minds of the readers. The other thing I like is that you are always evolving and you are not afraid of change.
—Mark Machuszek, via e-mail
Car-free and Carefree
In response to review of “Who Killed the Electric Car” (CC, June): The real cost of subsidized gasoline is now well above $10 a gallon. The “average” automobile ownership and operation costs over a lifetime now zoom-zooming past the $500,000 mark.
Some helpful hints: Go car-free. Go carless; buy smaller, more fuel efficient vehicles and rent up or larger as needed. Drive less, ride-share, trip-link or set up group errands. Urge the auto industry to stop fighting conservative and reasonable fuel efficiency and green-house gas emission standards. Adopt long proven, cost-effective fuel efficiency technologies for new vehicles now (not 10 to 20 years down the asphalt). Support comprehensive inter-modal public transportation and auto-alternative programs, for others, if not for oneself. Make your own energy conservation choices list. Keep it handy, and share it.
—Rand Knox, email
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