Tune in to Oprah Winfrey for a profile of ”Challenge Day”
This is an invitation to the community to take an hour Thursday, Nov. 9, to watch or tape Oprah”s show. She is featuring Challenge Day, which was the program held at Lower Lake High School on Thursday, Oct. 12. This Oprah show features a Challenge Day at Monroe High School in Monroe, Mich.
Challenge Day and the “Be The Change Movement” has been around for 19 years. This month alone, the Challenge Day organization will provide 109 programs to approximately 11,000 teenagers and adults, giving them the experience that love and connection are possible in our schools.
I especially invite John Silver of Lakeport to watch this show. Mr. Silver, I know you called it “psychobabble” for people with low esteem, but you are wrong. Visit their Web site: www.challengeday.org. The following is from their Web site: The Challenge Day program provides youth, teachers, families and communities with tools to develop and sustain proactive solutions that address and prevent isolation, violence and other manifestations of social oppression. Their programs inspire young people to live in a world of respect, acceptance and compassion. For millions of young people every day, violence and alienation has become deeply ingrained in their school experience. Social isolation affects character development and can leave lasting scars. Challenge Day is doing something about it…
You may call this “psychobabble,” Mr. Silver, but it is reality for students today, not just in Lake County, but nationwide. Please watch the show and check it out before you criticize.
I encourage everyone to watch this show, go to the Web site and I challenge all high schools and middle schools to schedule a Challenge Day as soon as possible for your students.
Anita Gordon
Clearlake
Editor”s Note: The Lake County Record-Bee”s weekly “TV Spotlight” lists 4 p.m. broadcast times on stations 7 and 3 for the Oprah Winfrey Show.
No explanation for pursuit of dangerous GMO practices
After viewing “The Future of Food,” an award winning documentary on food production in the United States, I am finding myself at deep odds with my country. I am finding myself ashamed. I am finding myself at a loss for words to describe the incredulous anger I have toward those that move forward with a dangerous practice with genetically modified organisms (GMOs) that are unleashing unforeseen consequences on the world”s food system.
Without the benefit of knowledge of the impact of GMOs, particularly those of terminator genes released in the genetic pool, the U.S. government has not only allowed the introduction of these harmful mutations into the general plant population, they are partnering with corporations to perpetuate this unproven practice. I find myself deeply troubled by manipulation of cells through the use of viruses, such as E. Coli, that are used to “push” the new genetic information into the cell, as well as other invasive techniques that force the organism against its natural tendency.
This combination of corporate action and government complicity is allowing the constitution of the United States to be superseded, as well as democracy itself to be undermined. It is continually pointed out that no one has asked for this form of food and the fact that labeling is not allowed leads me to think that given the choice, Americans, like much of the rest of the world, would not choose to consume food containing GMOs. As a result, I am requesting that the following be immediately enacted:
1. The patenting of life, life forms, organisms, etc., should be halted and all current patents held be deemed null and void.
2. All GM substances that currently exist and make it to market must be labeled as such.
3. All corporations whose GMOs show up in non-GM crops will become subject to lawsuit for contamination.
4. Farm subsidies must be halted to reflect the true cost of U.S. production on the world market.
In parallel with the above I think it is in the best interest of the American people and its noble intentions to consider the reorganization of corporations that are chartered in America. At the very least the current trend towards monopolization, both horizontally and vertically, be evaluated and mechanisms either put in place, or enforced, that guarantee the dispersal of such monopolies.
JoAnn Saccato
Clearlake Oaks
Citizens contract ignored
Every day our citizens make thousands of contracts for goods, services, or other reasons. Each party to the contract is expected to abide by it. However, there is one contract that seriously affects every citizen and very few pay attention to it. It is the U.S. Constitution, a contract between our citizens and the federal government. The President, Vice-President, all Members of Congress, Supreme Court Justices, Cabinet Secretaries and others take an oath to abide by it ? but few if any do.
We are creating a police-state type government by allowing the many violations of this contract. The USA Patriot Act is a good example. It trades some of our freedoms for a false sense of security. Go to www.the newamerican.com/focus/patriotact/ for details of how this is happening.
Permitting our servant ? the federal government ? to restrict any of our constitutionally protected rights implies that we accept it as our master. Governments are happy to assume that role. Ours certainly is, and it will continue to do so until enough citizens pay attention and demand that the Constitution be strictly adhered to.
Kathie Shaffer
Sylmar
Thank you, Chuck Doty, for everything you have done
It was with a great deal of sadness that I read the article which appeared in the Wednesday, Nov. 1 Observer American regarding the demise of BORT (Business Outreach and Response Team), written by Chuck Doty. Over the years I have been aware of the many?services?which BORT has provided to inform, guide and support business growth in Lake County. BORT was also involved in outreach to youth through the Construction Boot Camp. Chuck Doty has given our county many years of service and should be recognized and commended for his achievements and accomplishments. It”s a sad commentary on the economic realities and budget priorities of our times that this important and productive resource will no longer be available to the citizens of Lake County.
Thank you, Chuck, for all you have done!
Carolynn Jarrett
Clearlake
When will they ever learn?
Anyone puzzled by the demoralized state of the military occupying Iraq at present? Then read John Steinbeck”s short novel (only 98 pages) “The Moon is Down.” Published in 1942, the story is set in an unnamed Scandinavian country under occupation. It dramatizes the transformation of?ordinary life under foreign rule and the undergound struggle?against the invaders.
You can find “The Moon is Down” in the county library, in a volume titled “Steinbeck — Novels 1942-1952.”
When will they ever learn?
Sandra Wade
Lower Lake
Legislation will ensure that every person”s vote counts
While technology brings us almost immediate vote counts, it is important that we not become wholly reliant on technology. As a bipartisan report recently concluded, “it will be essential this year that jurisdictions have backup and contingency plans that anticipate a wide range of possible failures in their electronic voting systems.”
To address this critical issue, I have introduced the Confidence in Voting Act (S.3943) in the Senate. My bill would reimburse states for the cost of printing paper ballots for the Tuesday, Nov. 7, elections. S.3943 would help to ensure that anyone who needs or wants to use a paper ballot will be able to.
The strength of American democracy depends on fair and accurate elections where every vote counts and is counted. The Confidence in Voting Act will help to safeguard the integrity of our electoral process, which is the most fundamental necessity for the functioning of our democracy.
Barbara Boxer
U.S. Senator for the State of California
The Observer*American welcomes correspondence about our coverage and about topics of local interest. Viewpoints in this section are the opinion of the author and their appearance should not be construed as a newspaper endorsement. We prefer that letters be typed into the body of an e-mail message (no attachments, please). However, we will also accept neatly printed or typewritten material. Please include your name, address and phone number to help us verify your submission. Address correspondence to:
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Clearlake, CA 95422
