Letters - Letter to the Editor

Vegetarian Times, March, 2000

It Doesn't Play in Peoria

I have been a subscriber for many years. I keep coming back for the wonderful recipes, natural remedies and uplifting articles about people just like me, trying to maintain a vegetarian lifestyle in a world that believes you cannot be healthy and strong without meat in your diet.

As usual, I was very pleased with the January issue until I got to the last page. Horoscopes! Why would you do such a thing? I believe it lowers the standards of your magazine. I am sorry you felt you had to add this type of nonsense to what I always considered an excellent publication.

Linda F. Crane

Peoria, Ill.

I have always looked forward to receiving my Vegetarian Times and turning to the "Last Morsel." To my disappointment, when I opened the January issue, I found my favorite column replaced with an astrology column. No disrespect intended, but if I want to read my horoscope, I can get a newspaper. The reason I enjoy Vegetarian Times is for its unique ability to cover a wide variety of vegetarian issues. Astrology is not one of them. Please restore the "Last Morsel" column.

Cathy Russell

Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.

But They Like It in Penn.

I wish to thank you for the new horoscope column. My husband and I enjoyed it very much. We hope you continue to include this column.

Doris Unckel

Wellsboro, Penn.

I was going to let my long-running subscription to your magazine run out. But the January issue won me back. Even though your food has changed over the years, the information you provide about health issues and supplements is valuable to me. I also love the new information you are adding, such as the horoscope column. Thanks again for a great magazine.

Cynthia Nuver

Macungie, Penn.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Over the years, we've received hundreds of letters from readers begging us to run a horoscope column, so we're giving it a shot. Write and let us know how you feel about a regular horoscope column.

Bug-Eyed

You article "Beauty with Compassion" [December, p. 60] opened my eyes. I have been wearing my "regular" makeup for years and had no idea I was rubbing crushed insects and cow fat on my face.

I would like to advise your readers to read labels carefully. Makeup isn't the only beauty product to watch out for. I have found stearic acid and carmine in most popular soaps, shampoos and conditioners. Even some products that say "Not tested on animals" contain animal ingredients.

Thank you so much for passing along this valuable information.

Alison Kaiser

Lawrence, Mich.

And Health Care for All

In January's "Carrot & Stick" column [In the News, p. 19], you trashed employers for decreasing health care coverage offered to employees.

Whether or not employers offer health care coverage, millions of people will continue to lack even the most basic health care because they are unemployed, or they are employed only part-time or their employer never has offered health care benefits.

If you support expansion of health care coverage, you should support the implementation of a national single payer health care system that gives everyone coverage and access to basic health care. I urge you to study this issue and support its implementation in the United States.

Ken Bearman

Minneapolis, Minn.

From the Publisher

A big thank you to the hundreds of readers who participated in our special back-to-school program last September. We invited readers to enter their local schools in a drawing to win $500. The winner is Central School in Simsbury, Conn. (submitted by Ania Wojtowicz).

WRITE TO US AT: Letters, c/o Vegetarian Times, 4 High Ridge Park, Stamford, CT 06905; fax them to (203) 322-1966; or e-mail us at feedback@vegetariantimes.com. Letters may be edited for clarity and space.