Smokin’ mad
Why not bars where you can smoke, and bars where you can’t? If you apply for a job, you would know that smoking is allowed. If your band is going to perform there and they don’t smoke; find another gig at a non smoking establishment. I see outdoor areas going up all over town for smokers at bars; but the stuff just drifts inside anyway when the doors open. Anyway if I were king; that’s what I would have done.
- Anonymous via WillametteLive
The point of the law making bars smoke free was not to stop people from smoking. Nicotine is probably the most addictive substance known to man — more addictive than heroin, cocaine, and even methamphetamine (although that will addict you faster).
The point was that non-smoking employees and entertainers would no longer be exposed to deadly second-hand smoke because they had no other place to work and that other patrons could go, enjoy the entertainment and still be able to breathe.
If you choose to kill yourself by smoking, that’s still your right. And, unfortunately, you can choose to endanger the health of your children, spouse, and friends in your home. But it’s not your right to expose others to it in public places.
- Anonymous via WillametteLive
Interested in the smoking issue? Check out pg. XX for our coverage this month’s issue.
The tolerance saga continues
Now there’s a constructive way to address intolerance, racism, bigotry: blame the victim for having deep seated emotional issues.
Well, I don’t see intolerance everywhere I go — I can “pass” when I choose, so I know the difference.
Perhaps there are some places in Salem where intolerance isn’t the rule. But I imagine they’re few and far between or hidden in the industrial part of town where no one will know it exists so none of the Republican/Libertarian majority that another letter-writer championed will be offended by the presence of a GLBT community in their town.
But, after you’ve experienced intolerance in four or six or eight places, you kind of figure it’s not worth trying and go elsewhere. And yes, intolerance exists even in places like Portland. But there’s it’s not the norm and it’s much harder to find.
The radical point that Salem is the only town that has intolerance continues to be false, no matter the justifications.
Fresh ideas
Sounds great! I’ve driven by [Fresh Salad Express] and thought about stopping; this article sealed the deal. I like that it is a small, local family business. It’s nice to see some one doing fast food that isn’t the same old same-o. I’m so tired of just another burger joint chain. Why can’t people be more original? Kudos to you Katie. Oh and I have a co-worker that’s Polish, so I will definitely have to surprise her with some borscht!
- Anonymous via WillametteLive
Microwave popcorn controversy
This article is an excellent example of small or unproven dangers getting more press than the large and proven. If we want healthy babies, we should start with healthy mothers who get enough folic acid, don’t smoke, don’t drink, and don’t have diabetes or an STD. If we want healthy kids, they should get plenty of exercise, wear seat belts, and eat lots of fruits and vegetables. Once we accomplish these things, then we can worry about trace chemicals in microwave popcorn.
- Erik Jensen
I’m somewhat disgruntled by Dr. Koger’s quoted advice “Basically, if it smells bad, and you’re not supposed to drink it, it’s probably toxic.”
Perhaps it would be better to give consumers concrete tools to help them understand what makes certain household products hazardous, how to identify hazardous substances, and how to use and handle household products safely. One example: OSU’s Environmental Health Sciences Center has developed educational materials to help consumers (and teachers and students) understand household product labels. (Find out more at http://www.ehsc.orst.edu/downloadactivities)
-Anonymous via WillametteLive
We’ll continue not drinking anything that smells bad and that we’re not supposed to drink. Seems like a good rule of thumb.
Midwife cooing
What a beautiful story! I also have had two of my babies at home in water. Water, for me, was also like a natural and very safe epidural. I had great pain relief while in the nice warm floaty comfortable water and was able to push out my babies more easily in the water. Thanks so much for reporting that moms have choices, including where to have their babies. I also like the individual and personal care I got from my midwives. It’s a great option for moms!
- Anonymous via WillametteLive
What a lovely article. It is so nice to know that there are birthing options in the mid-valley.
- Anonymous via WillametteLive
Meth is bad, m’kay?
Regarding “Project Chain Reaction:” As the mother of a child directly affected by meth and it’s constituates, I am so happy to see someone ralling to the cause!! I am definitely one of “THOSE” people who believed this happened to other families “NOT MINE”…. NOW I AM A WARRIOR for all! What a nightmare this drug brings to societies everywhere! I want rid of it and I want the whole communities help!!!! This drug did not come here by itself and it will not leave by itself!!!! SO GET UP !!!!!!!!!!
- Anonymous via WillametteLive
Wow what a concept!! I would hope that this company is supported by all. What a difference they seem to be making, and right here in Oregon.
- Anonymous via WillametteLive
If everyone just bought a t-shirt and vowed to wear it once a week, we would see an epidemic of change. My favorite in this line is the “Meth Equals Death” shirt. I also wear the shirt that says “sometimes its a matter of Life or Meth”. These shirts have impacted us in such a way that we have offered to carry them at our Salon – Retreat Salon in Salem. We do not profit from this. A proceed of all sales will go to the Mid-Valley Crisis Center here in Salem. With one choice in the morning of what to wear, everyone can be apart of this “Change Reaction!”
- Kathy from Retreat Salon
Our story on Project Chain Reaction has elicited a number of passionate responses. And extra exclamation points!!!
