Wednesday a great day for Portland?

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That is what the Oregonian would have you believe. The Oregonian lost its journalism credentials some time ago and this editorial only demonstrates that further. The issue is fluoridation of the drinking water. The city council voted 5-0 in favor, but what is telling is Commissioner Fritz's view. "Commissioner Amanda Fritz, [. . .] criticized the council’s hasty process, though she supported the final outcome." She should have voted no on principal alone.

The democratic process was trampled on. Not only was it hastily pushed through it was done without consultation of the nearby communities that also use the water. Interesting that it was done at the end of the Sam-Rand twins (an appropriate pairing thanks to Jack Bog's Blog) time on the council.


There are communities that are seemingly going the other way. See this story from Phoenix City - Water fluoridation debated by experts. "Council members said that after 23 years, it's time to re-examine the health effects and financial impact of the practice."

I know of no percipient evidence anywhere that demonstrates that fluoridation of the water supply cured or reduced any of the claimed dental problems.I understand that the 'science' says that fluoridation is beneficial, but actual data after significant use is absent.

Fluoridation is a hotly combated item still to this day and deserved a through debate. I have been alive along time and it seems that fluoridation has always been an issue. Water fluoridation controversy presents some of the issues.

According to the Oregonian "Oregon has one of the nation's lowest rates of fluoridation and a significant number of residents without access to regular dental care." How does fluoridation remedy the situation where there are "significant number of residents without access to regular dental care?"

Here is the Oregonian: "These two factors help explain the high decay rates among children, the high numbers of people who visit emergency rooms with severe dental problems and the startling number of adults who've lost all or most of their teeth to decay by age 65. This state neglects its teeth, and it shows."

That is the clearest case of bullshit one is likely to see in any debate on fluoridation. Oregonian merely states facts based upon non-existent evidence. It makes no cause and effect connection. They say it - so it must be true.

Isn't it interesting that the government determined good things are forced on you while the government determined bad things are ignored. E.g., if smoking is bad for you, and the science says it is, why doesn't the government ban the sale of tobacco or prohibit its production? No - they tax the addicted smoker for revenue.

The city that championed participatory democracy acted more like the dictatorial nanny government that it has become. Sadly the incumbents offer no relief. When there are no choices - there is no democracy.

End of diatribe.