Lake mercury closer risk than thimerasol exposure
There has been much press recently about possible side effects of thimerasol, a mercury-containing preservative used until recently in various pharmaceuticals and vaccinations. However, we must consider another equally, if not more, dangerous avenue along which mercury can find its way into our bodies.
Mercury from long-abandoned gold and mercury mines near Clear Lake has continued to leach into the Lake”s watershed, the Delta and San Francisco Bay. Along its path, mercury interacts with organic sediments, creating methylmercury, which then accumulates and magnifies on its way up the food chain. Despite this hazard, mercury-contaminated fish continue to be consumed by unsuspecting anglers. There is a strong correlation between heavy metals (mercury being one) and neurological disorders, cancers and other diseases. This ongoing pollution of our waterways has contributed to an increase in such ailments throughout the Bay Area and beyond. The most vulnerable to this toxin is the fetus itself, as well as small children.
On Tuesday, March 4, the California Assembly held its first-ever meeting to discuss this toxic legacy of the gold rush era. While there was agreement that remedial steps need to be taken, I strongly encourage concerned citizens to contact their state, as well as federal, representatives and ask them to take action on this insidious and growing problem, and to encourage our governor to sign a mandate to ensure cleanup efforts around the Lake. For more information on mercury, see the Time magazine article dated Sept. 3, 2006, “Mercury Rising.” Also see www.clearlakedocumentary.com.
Shelly Ryan
Walnut Creek
Was it some kind of test?
In the Observer*American of Jan.30, in the five-day forecast column, I was surprised to read of all the warm weather we are having. Snow Wednesday, Highs 79 to 90; rain Thursday, Highs 78 to 90; possible rain Friday Highs to mid 90s; rain Saturday, Highs 70s to high 90s, lows 50s to mid 60s; possible rain Sunday, Highs 70s to high 90s, lows 50s to mid 60s. Just wondered if this was a test to find out who reads the weather forecast.
Dottie Brookins
Clearlake Park
Republic, not democracy
It is tragic that so many citizens believe that we live in a democracy instead of the republic that our founders established. The word “democracy” does not appear in the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution or any of our State Constitutions. It does appear in The Federalist Papers where the founders wrote about their fear of it. We pledge allegiance to our flag and to the “republic” for which it stands. A republic is rule by law. A democracy is rule by majority, which can lead to mob rule.
Our republic is organized to protect our natural or God-given rights. To protect these rights, we have a U.S. Constitution that both citizens and government officials are required to obey. Futhermore, our U.S. Constitution states: “The United States shall guarantee to every state in this union, a republican form of government.”
Any other system ? democracy, dictatorship, monarchy, or oligarchy — is organized to restrict individual rights to the degree determined by the whims of those in charge. Go to www.thenewamerican.com for details. Search: rights.
Unfortunately, we citizens have allowed federal officials to violate their oath of office so that about 80 percent of federal legislation today is unconstitutional and it has restricted our rights. Unless enough citizens wake up and demand that federal officials obey our Constitution, we soon will be living in one of the other four systems.
Kathie Diane Shaffer
Sylmar
These are not cuts, these are budget amputations
The Governor has been warning us for weeks that there would be cuts, but these aren”t cuts, they”re amputations. Poor children, the elderly, the blind and the disabled ? the most vulnerable among us will be hit the hardest.
Neither the Legislature, nor a majority of Californians, will support a plan to balance the budget on the backs of working families, the poor and those on fixed incomes.”
K-12 cuts will have drastic consequences. By suspending the Proposition 98 guarantee, we will cut $4 billion from our K-12 budget. We will jeopardize our ability to provide a quality education for our children.
We will lose millions in additional federal funds because we will fail to meet the standards set by the federal No Child Left Behind law enacted and pushed on us by President Bush. We will ensure that we remain 43rd in the nation in education funding for many years to come.
The Governor”s budget is not just proposing cuts for this year ? he is proposing that this year become the status quo for all future years, which ultimately hinders the economic growth of the state and people and families that live here.
I say with full confidence that this is not a proposal that an overwhelming majority of Californians want.
Patricia Wiggins
State Senator, Dist. 2
Don”t forget to write!
The Clear Lake Observer*American welcomes letters responding to articles and opinions that have appeared in this newspaper, as well as on topics of general interest. Letters can be sent to letters@clearlakeobserver.com or mailed to PO Box 6200, Clearlake, CA 95422. Pleases include complete name, address and telephone number. Anonymous submissions will be discarded.
