Of Kids and Roads
Let me just say before I get started, that I am a 30 year-old male who has lived in Knoxville for about 25 years. I don't know as much as others do about the city, but this [July 31] issue has topics that I have to address.
In no particular order:
1.) On the topic of overweight kids, diabetes, and public schools. I think that the school system should focus on the education of our children and not their health. While I was at work today, I saw a caregiver giving a child a Coke as if it was a bottle. My first thought (and observance) was that the child wasn't getting "proper" nourishment. It is easier to have ideas "absorb" into younger kids' heads, but I think it is the parents' responsibility to make sure that this is done.
2.) I think the idea of turning I-40 into a boulevard is absurd (Just Passing Through). How does KnoxBlvd expect to put all of its new plans into action when it seems (to me) that TDOT is stuck in neutral with the plans that it is working on now? All of the new construction is being done under the premise that the downtown area is going to be "reborn." If this is the case, and the revitalization doesn't happen, then there is going to be more traffic, more accidents, and no change. If downtown does blossom as people are hoping, then only the first two changes will apply. When Bill Pittman says "....The ideas of one or two cannot compete with the ideas of hundreds," he seems to be forgetting that his isn't the only group working on this problem.
There you go. I hope that others feel the same as I do.
Jesse Gorman
Knoxville
Sobering, Indeed
Your article [Insights, July 24] about the implications of the demise of John Shumaker is sobering. For all the reasons you so eloquently stated, the failure of his administration will have far reaching and long term negative ramifications for UT.
I have no idea if further revelations will lead to his departure, but if that should happen, I would hope that the governor would begin thinking about cleaning house on the board of trustees. Two strikes and you are out should be the maximum times at bat for trustees to select a university president.
There are six trustees whose terms will expire in 2006 or sooner. Of course if Gov. Bredesen has two terms (which I hope for), the entire board could be rotated off.
The UT board home page is here, if you want to take a look.
Bill Snyder
Chancellor Emeritus, UT
Knoxville
Breastmilk vs. Obesity
As the mother of three elementary-age children, I read Joe Tarr's insightful and well-written piece on childhood obesity with great interest. The local medical and nutritional experts he spoke with were thoughtful and informative. However, each professional interviewed by Tarr tiptoed around the huge white elephant enthroned in the middle of the growing national debate on this issue: research indicating that breastfeeding prevents childhood obesity.
Honest clinicians have known for at least a decade that the relationship between lack of breastfeeding and a child's future risk for developing diabetes is clear.
Parents need to be made aware that the first step they can take to ensure a lifetime of healthy eating and robust good health for their children is to offer the breast instead of the bottle.
Katie Allison Granju
Knoxville
| 
