Our readers sound off on the power of Lent, dreadful sounds of the office, and sheer boredom over the same old apetizers and glasses of wine.
Had Enough
I wish I had a free appetizer or glass of wine for every time Christina Waters has mentioned Gabriella, Avanti and Soif in her columns over the years—but then I would be an overweight alcoholic.
Clark Heinrich
Santa Cruz
The Lenten Diet Saves
Last Wednesday marked the beginning of Lent, the 40-day period preceding Easter when Christians would abstain from meat and dairy products in remembrance of Jesus’ 40 days of reflection before launching his ministry.
Devout Christians who still observe meatless Lent help reduce chronic diseases, environmental degradation and animal abuse. In the past four decades, dozens of medical reports have linked consumption of animal products with elevated risk of heart failure, stroke, cancer and other killer diseases. A 2007 U.N. report named meat production as the largest source of greenhouse gases and water pollution. Undercover investigations have documented animals being raised for food under abject conditions of caging, crowding, deprivation, drugging, mutilation and manhandling.
Lent offers a superb opportunity to honor Jesus’ powerful message of compassion and love for all living beings. To stop subsidizing disease, devastation and cruelty. To choose a wholesome nonviolent diet of vegetables, fruits and grains and a vast array of meat and dairy alternatives. It’s a diet mandated in Genesis I-29 and observed in the Garden of Eden.
Entering “vegetarian lent” in your favorite search engine provides ample tips and recipes.
Steven Alderson
Santa Rosa
Inspired by “Open Letters”
To the Office Worker Loudly Gagging and Coughing all Day: Your choking, gagging and coughing is absolutely revolting. I'm nauseated. True story. In fact, if you're going to continue making these loud disgusting sounds, I may have to check into a mental health facility to overcome the daily stress you are causing me and to those around us. Would you consider removing yourself to the restroom tduring these never-ending gag attacks? What if I paid for a pillow to put over your mouth? I am seriously willing to pay. YOU ARE THAT BAD.
Forgot My Earplugs
From The Web
Hate To Be A Downer…
[RE: “Nonprofit Ayurvedic Clinic Opens Doors.html,” Feb. 21]: Thanks for this article, but Valium is not made from valerian! Valium is a synthetic pharmaceutical that is chemically completely unrelated to valerian.
Randy Baker, MD
Correction
In last week’s Currents (“Water Torture.html”) we erroneously reported that a ballot initiative sought by Desal Alternatives would require two elections. That is wrong. It would require one election, in November 2014.
Also, in “Song of The River” (Cover story).html we misreported the distance from the end of the Colorado River, in the desert, to the Sea of Cortez. It is 90 miles.
We regret the errors.
