Forced medication?
Your chance to have your say about whether or not you want the Bega Valley Shire Council to proceed with dosing our water supplies with fluoride is available until March 10.
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This proposal is to force medication upon us which is an unethical and many believe an unconstitutional act, nobody has the right to impose medication upon anyone. It is totally uncontrollable in its dosing because people drink such variable amounts of water
Most countries including 98 per cent of Europe do not fluoridate their water. World Health Organization data shows the same decline in tooth decay from 1970 among 12 to 15 year-olds whether they come from fluoridated or non-fluoridated countries.
Denmark has the lowest decay rates in the developed world – a country that has never been fluoridated.
Multiple scientific studies carried out over many years identify a myriad of negative side effects directly related to the ingestion of fluoride.
It was originally believed to be something that could counter the massive growing tooth decay levels that were becoming apparent 60 or more years ago when sugar was being promoted at high levels going into modern processed foods.
When it comes to controversies surrounding toxic chemicals, vested interests traditionally do their very best to discount legitimate scientific studies and quibble with legitimate findings.
In the past, political pressures have led government agencies to drag their feet on regulating asbestos, benzene, DDT, PCBs, tetraethyl lead, tobacco and dioxins.
With fluoridation there has been 60 plus year delay.
Unfortunately, because government officials and dental leaders have put so much of their credibility on the line defending fluoridation, and because of the huge liabilities waiting in the wings if they admit that fluoridation has negative side effects such as causing an increase in hip fracture, arthritis, bone cancer, brain disorders or thyroid problems, it is very difficult for them to speak honestly and openly about the issue.
But they must not only to protect millions of people from unnecessary harm, but to protect the notion that, at its core, public health policy must be based on sound science, not political expediency.
They have a tool with which to do this: it’s called the Precautionary Principle; simply put, it says: if in doubt leave it out.
This is what most European countries have done and their children’s teeth have not suffered, while their public’s trust has been strengthened.
For more information about the impacts of fluoride go to www.flourideACTION.net
I encourage everyone to go to council’s website http://www.hunterh2o.com.au/bvsc_fluoridation/have_your_say.php
Fraser Buchanan, Merimbula
Rex and Merimbula
You would have thought Rex had more regard for its own hard-earned reputation than to fall for a sucker punch from the local Luddite Lobby, the so-called Bega Valley Ratepayers Association who want to shut the doors and turn out the lights on progress.
But Rex ignored the basics of customer relations 101, publicly threatened the community, and got most of us offside.
What an own goal! Rex deserves credit for its long-term, safe, reliable - albeit very expensive - service to Merimbula.
But the animal spirits are stirring for the Sapphire Coast; long-haul international flights are coming to Canberra.
As well big investment is going into Eden for the cruise ships wharf and recreational vessels marina and the Bega Cheese recapture of Vegemite is going to put a rose in a lot of local cheeks.
Time for Rex to look for opportunities, not problems.