Readers react to local family’s nightmare ordeal, and question the science of the alkaline obsession
Misfit Memories
Re: “Tag Along” (Cover, Sept. 11): James is a really cool guy. He's actually my cousin, and I remember when we were younger he'd come down and spend the summer at my house and we'd have a blast! He loved riding his skateboard and doing all of his tricks…and all of our friends were impressed! I'm happy for you, Jim! Congratulations on your upcoming book. I'd like a copy (hint, hint)!
Christine Hocker
No Game
Re: “This Modern World” (Sept. 11): Your recent political cartoon focused on whether the administration is playing word games when it comes to military action in Syria. Not a mention of over 100,000 deaths, and millions of people made homeless. Maybe it's more difficult to make that seem funny. Whether we call it war or something else, the situation in Syria is dire and it has implications for us in America as well. Making light of “credibility” is a big mistake. World War II may have been prevented had England, France and the United States stood up to Hitler. We are dealing with brutal people on both sides of the conflict. They understand strength and signs of weakness. Calling us names is the least of our problems. If Assad knows that he can kill thousands of his own people with chemical weapons without any consequences, why shouldn't he continue? Credibility is important when conducting foreign policy. It is not an issue of pride, but of letting people know that you can be counted on. That may not be funny, but it is the real world. There are no easy solutions or strategies when it comes to the civil war in Syria. President Obama has made mistakes in handling the issue, but now he has figured out that we cannot sit on the sidelines and watch genocide in slow motion.
Gil Stein
Aptos
FROM THE WEB
Re: “Tough Love” (Cover, Sept. 4): “It doesn’t make sense for five people to be done with their lives over one person, you know what I mean?” I about cried when I read that. All the propaganda passed through TV and movie dramas: the caring doctors, the selfless family, the supportive communities: all lies, at least much of the time.
In our merciless, privatized, every-man-for-himself society, you help until it gets in the way of your own life, then you move on. Only the institutions remain, to prey on the person you stopped helping, in the name of their own survival.
This could happen to you: one vein blows in the brain, one assembly-line emergency room that doesn't pay attention—and Randy Adams is you.
Jim Jones
Not Real Science
Re: “True Blood” (Wellness, Sept. 4): I was disappointed to see the Weekly endorse such pseudoscience as this “alkaline diet.” There's no evidence that suggests the body requires a greater intake of alkaline-heavy foods to alter the blood pH levels. In fact, the body tightly regulates pH levels, and trying to boost it by eating a ton of kale is near impossible. There's no way to 'alkalize' the blood pH through diet.
More problematic, though, is Browne's adherence to Antoine Béchamp's long-discredited theory on pathogenesis, which essentially amounts to germ theory denialism. At best, this belief makes her seem as foolish as the Flat Earth Society; at worst, it makes her as dangerous as the anti-vaccine crowd. It should be pointed out that Browne is not a doctor—she doesn't have any medical training at all.
In short: save your money. You don't need fringe procedures like 'nutritional microscopy' to live well. Consume all things in moderation and get some exercise. Let your body worry about its pH levels.
Cayce Pollard
