Editor, Times-Union: Congratulations are in order!
Breastfeeding rates continue to rise in the United States. The fastest-growing increase is among the WIC (Women, Infants and Children) populations. We work hard to inform our clients of all of the benefits of breastfeeding so they can make an informed decision regarding infant feeding.
The American Academy of Pediatrics makes a bold statement to say that infants should ideally be breastfed for at least the first 12 months of life. You would be surprised to know how many people have never heard of this highly researched suggestion.
Artificial feeding (formula) in the infant's first year of life is associated with:
n more diarrhea than breastfed infants
n more respiratory and ear infections
n more meningitis n increased allergies n more chronic digestive disorders
n more learning difficulties
n more hospitalization For each baby breastfed for six months, the U.S. government can save $450 to $800 in welfare and health care costs.
Disease attributable to artificial feeding in the U.S. costs $291 million per year for infant diarrhea, $225 million for respiratory syncytial virus, $660 million for ear infections and $10 million to $125 million for insulin-dependent diabetes.
I want to be the first to congratulate the past, present and future breastfeeding mothers of our community. I am proud of each and every one of my clients who have made this wonderful choice to give your baby the most superior food available to them.
Editor, Times-Union: My opinion to the readers of Times-Union:
I'm 80 years old and never had a gun.
My church paper carried this information: In 1996, statistics were published that there were 15 deaths in Japan by guns; 30 in Great Britain; 106 in Canada; and 9,390 in the United States. Of the 9,390 here, 4,643 children and teen-agers were killed with guns; 2,866 murdered; 1,309 by suicide; 468 in unintentional shootings; 13 everyday.
The unavoidable deduction is that the U.S. is very permissive about guns. Our country cannot control guns. Could it be due to the powerful gun lobby? Or plain selfishness?
So a Littleton-like massacre, 13 a day, happens every day. Guns are available, but I don't need one. Do you? Does most anyone?
I wish we were more like Japan, Britain and Canada about guns. We could save many children - and adults.
Get rid of your guns, please, I pray.
C.L. Hendrix, Winona Lake
Gun Control
Editor, Times-Union: Mr. President and all members of Congress.
The best idea to get control of all gun purchases is to have a gun purchase permit.
It would be billfold size, and would have full identification: name, address, telephone number, Social Security number and date of birth. A photo of this purchaser would be centered on this form. It would be valid in all 50 states.
On the bottom of this form would be the letters: JFMAMJJASOND and a punch mark on month of purchase. The form would be good for only 12 months. It should be issued at state license branches and recorded on PC upon purchase.
