Letters for July 12-18, 2007

Freaking Mess? Not.

Don´t give up on seafood:I´m a seafood lover, and after reading your mouth-watering descriptions of the Fin & Claw restaurant (¨By Hook and Crook,¨ Gail Shepherd, July 5), I have a mean craving for crab cakes. I am also a nutrition professional and have a bone to pick about your statement that ¨fish is a freaking mess in the 21st Century.¨ As a nutrition communicator, I work to provide science-based information to consumers about seafood, and I wanted to share with you my perspective, which is that Americans have access to a safe, healthy, sustainable seafood supply. Regarding sustainability, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration closely monitors fish stocks in America, and its latest report shows that 80 percent of U.S. fisheries are sustainably managed. For the remaining 20 percent, strict rebuilding regulations are in place. The bottom line is that if a fish is in the store or on the menu, it is available to meet consumer demand.

To keep wild stocks plentiful, aquaculture, or farmed fish, complements our seafood supply. Scientific studies show that aquaculture can benefit the natural environment and that both wild and farmed seafood are equally nutritious and have a part in a well-balanced diet.

As far as trade is concerned, consumers should have confidence in U.S. Food and Drug Administration standards and the consequences for not meeting them. Americans eat billions of safe meals every single day, and that is a testament to the strict FDA standards ensuring that the U.S. has the safest food supply in the world. Overseas companies occasionally found to be in violation of U.S. law can be placed on immediate import detention status and must prove that they adhere to U.S. regulations before their products enter commerce, as was recently the case with five species of fish from China.

Jennifer Wilmes,

National Fisheries Institute

McLean, Virginia

Real Deal

Give that man a book deal:Hutch [Chris Hutchins] is a great storyteller (¨Pod Shots,¨ Amy Guthrie, July 5). I was not a podcast fan until 7th Son but was hooked after two minutes. I will be buying several copies (once the books are published) as gifts, because I know everyone will love the books and to help Hutch ¨retire¨ to do his real work as a writer. Hutch is ¨the real deal.¨

Eddie Haynes

Via the Internet

Six Feet Under

The fat lady sang a long time ago:In response to Tailpipe´s ¨R.I.P. Jocks¨ (July 5), things are a lot worse than you write. First, with regard to the Triple A Marlins forget about Joe Borchard. What are the rotting Fish gonna do when the contracts of Dontrelle Willis and Miguel Cabrera come up for renewal? Answer: Adios, D-Train and Miggy! Next: the Dolphins and the Panthers two critters near extinction. The Dolphins are run-of-the-mill humpties. No need to say anything more about the rotten Panthers, so I won´t. Saving the ¨best¨ for last: the over-the-hill and doomed Miami Heat. The best news for the Heat is that Shaq wants to be sheriff of Broward County. If he runs and wins next year, two great things will happen. First, we´ll get rid of one of the most corrupt guys in Broward Ken Jenne. Next, the Heat will get more than $20 million in cap space and get rid of the most overrated slug in the NBA, a guy who didn´t finish in the top 20 in scoring or rebounding and still collects all that cash. (Just what you don´t want is your highest-paid player on the bench at the end of close games because he can´t make foul shots!) Maybe the most overrated GM in the NBA, Pat Riley, will figure out what to do with all that cap room, but I doubt it. And time is running out on getting anyone worth a crap this season. So, hats off to Tailpipe.

Harvey Slavin

Hollywood

Bust ´Em

Teaching hate should be a crime:The article on the Phelps clan (¨God Hates You,¨ Brandon K. Thorp, June 28) is the best excuse for the use of birth control. They also should be prosecuted for child abuse. Teaching children to hate is abuse.

Christine Marquette

Fort Lauderdale

You make us feel so young:I stumbled across this article while researching something totally different, and your writing drew me in! Very well-written current, young, and intriguing. So much more relevant than most mainstream media these days. Well done!

Name withheld by request

Via the Internet

Hey, these people have issues:Nice article, compellingly written. The ¨level of piss-offedness that surely can be maintained for only so long before somebody starts some shit¨ was especially funny. Apropos of Westboro Baptist Church hypocrisy, bear in mind that: 1. Shirley Phelps-Roper is the daughter of a religious leader (Fred).

2. She had an illegitimate son, Sam (now an adult).

3. WBC believes the Bible is the literal word of an angry God and must be obeyed. ¨And the daughter of any priest, if she profane herself by playing the whore, she profaneth her father: she shall be burnt with fire.¨ (Leviticus 21:9)

Oh-oh ...

Name withheld by request

Via the Internet

 
  • Carl 07/17/2007 6:35:00 PM

    (Last message cut off...) No they wont! Because I will teach them *THE WHOLE* of God's law which includes to commit no violence, to live righteous, and to be wise as serpents but harmless as doves.

  • Carl 07/17/2007 6:32:00 PM

    "They also should be prosecuted for child abuse. Teaching children to hate is abuse." To the one who wrote this: The day it becomes illegal to "teach children hate" you will have your own kids taken from you. This is an undefinable crime, something that much like the word 'terrorist' could be applied to just about anyone for any reason. First: In order to get such a thing to happen, you must outlaw the Bible altogether. The Bible preaches clearly that GOD HATES SIN and GOD HATES ALL WORKERS OF INIQUITY (Don't want God to hate you? DON'T SIN!) This will not happen. Too many crooked false prophets make way too much money off of their twisted version of the Bible, and have far too many attorneys, for that to happen. I for one will teach my children "IF you live in sin and rebellion God will hate you and you will burn forever in hell *IN ADDITION* to having NO END of heartache and misery before your death! It says so here, here, and here! Further, anyone on this earth who does so -- God hates them and the same applies." Now, does this mean to go commit acts of violence against everyone God hates? NO! For MANY reasons, thus 1) Scripture forbids it CONTINUALLY. One example: "Vengeance is mine saith the Lord." 2) *WE ARE ALL EQUALLY GUILTY OF SIN* --- The realization must be present that *while* God hates workers of Iniquity (Psalm 5:5) -- Everyone falls into that category too except they repent and live righteous, thus there is no ability for one man to say "I deserve heaven more than you!" 3) We are commanded to PREACH AGAINST SIN -- being "Wise as serpents and harmless as doves." Now, to a world filled with wickedness such that has never been, *THIS MESSAGE* (You either stop sinning or expect God's wrath!) -- is the most hated message. It is nonetheless true. ONLY if I hated my children, would I teach them otherwise. "Oh no! Your children will grow up to be haters, will be violent, etc etc blah blah"

  • Carl 07/17/2007 6:19:00 PM

    On the matter of this whole illegitimate son/burnt with fire thing -- We are *CONDEMNED* (all of us, every single one, without exception) by the law. This is the first five books of the Bible, which explains what sin is. Everyone is equally guilty of transgressing the entire law of God as Paul said. Throughout scripture it is found that God loves the repentant sinner, the one who having sinned *stops* sinning, repents, accepts Christ, and lives righteous. Throughout scripture from Genesis to Revelation it is said to *stop* sinning. Part of our obligations as per God's law one to the other is to admonish each other for sin. Just because someone has a sin in their past does not negate this, or mean that they should not actively preach the word of God -- which includes saying "Don't do what I did!". There is *NOTHING WRONG* with preaching to live a righteous life! It is this evil wicked world which has utterly and totally rejected God and the Bible so that people may be justified in living wicked lives, they do not want to hear it! People would gladly attend churches, call themselves Christians ---- but who is willing to *STOP SINNING* -- this means NO fornication of any kind (including homosexuality, sex outside of marriage, pornography, even looking at someone with lust). The law of God is clear. Anyone who is guilty of sin will go to hell. The only way you can be found NOT GUILTY of sin is: 1) REPENT OF YOUR SIN. This means *STOP SINNING* -- This is the *MOST IMPORTANT* part of the Gospel of Christ which has today all but vanished into thin air. Jesus said it, John the Baptist said it, Paul said it, Peter said it, James said it --- EVERYONE said it. Today *NO ONE* says it. LISTEN: IF YOU are living in SIN of ANY KIND and you think "I wont go to hell because everyone has sin, and I believe Jesus is my Lord!" Not everyone who says Lord, Lord... ---> Except ye repent, you will likewise perish!"

 

Browse Voice Nation
  • Voice Places

    Voice Places

    Discover restaurants, nightlife, travel, shopping...

  • VOICE Daily Deals

    VOICE Daily Deals

    Get 50 to 90% off every day on restaurants, movies, massages...

  • Best Of

    Best Of...

    More than 10,000 of the BEST things to eat, drink, and experience

  • My Voice Nation

    My Voice Nation

    Join the Village Voice community and get exclusive deals and info

  • Happy Hour

    Happy Hour

    Your local Happy Hour guide at your fingertips

or

Log in or Sign up

Social Connect:

Use your favorite account to access My Voice Nation.


Use your My Voice Nation account to log in:





Forgot password?
or

Sign Up or Log in

Social Connect:

Sign up for My Voice Nation with your preferred network.


Sign up for a My Voice Nation account:



Privacy policy