Apr 20, 2007

Letters

The will to compost

Dear Editor: I'm glad to hear that Berkeley is finally going to start picking up compostable waste, but I want to comment on one statement made in the article ("City to collect food scraps," April 13). Judith Olson was quoted as saying that if people don't like the smell of the compost container, they should "put a deodorizer in the container." This is a bad idea. Compost is an organic ecosystem, and deodorizers are made of a grab bag of toxic chemicals.

We've been composting for years. The container doesn't have to go on a counter; we have a separate covered garbage can under the sink for compostables. They go in there until we take them out to the backyard composter. It doesn't smell, nor does it get flies. The same principles would apply if the food garbage is going to the curb rather than the backyard.

Changing habits mainly takes the will to do it, and then practice. Once the decision is made, it's not that hard.

Carol David,
Berkeley



The way forward

Dear Editor: At the present time of unrest in domestic and international affairs, I see more tolerance and friendliness as the way forward. No two nations or people have identical priorities for developing their resources. We can express our need for safety. We can express our concern over the way other countries allocate their resources or manpower. But we cannot force other countries to follow our directions.

Instead, we have to begin a fresh conversation by acknowledging the languages, cultures and beliefs of others. Let us bring about peace by holding conferences and debates in which others can be honest about their fears, concerns and problems.

We should let other nations run their own governments but deepen our links through shared conversation.

Romila Khanna,
Albany



Need for nurses

Dear Editor: I am a nursing student in an accelerated program that allows me to receive my training as a registered nurse in just one year. It is refreshing to hear that hospitals are recognizing the need to allow for further training for new graduates. I myself am very nervous to be thrown in the wrath of hospital floor nursing as a new graduate. Although my school training has been outstanding, it is a little nerve-racking to know that I will be caring for patients with just one year of training. This expanded, 18-week intensive training program at the Veterans Affairs Palo Alto hospital, is one I would like to see adopted at all hospitals hiring new nursing graduates.

I will be graduating in June and have begun researching what job opportunities await me. I have found that although there is much publicity about everyone needing more nurses, many hospitals do not even offer new graduate programs, making my choices limiting as a new nurse. I know that I will find a place that will hire me, but I feel that there is not this wide-open market that I was led to believe exists. If we are in such a nursing shortage, then why are nursing schools so competitive to get into? Why is there a lottery system for admission to many nursing programs in the Bay Area? Why is our government not providing more public nursing programs and tuition kickbacks for nurses? Nursing school is very costly. I, for one, have chosen nursing as my profession because I believe in the nursing care model, but they have not made this road to becoming a registered nurse easy.

Rebecca Rodriguez,
Oakland



Daylight savings

Dear Editor: Between the spring equinox, March 21, and the autumn equinox, Sept. 23, days are longer and nights shorter. It makes sense to shift the "extra" morning daylight to the afternoon with daylight-saving time (DST). But what about the daylight hours after Sept. 23? There is no extra daylight. DST sets our clocks for a later sunrise and darker mornings than standard time. Children have to walk to school as the rising sun is glaring into the eyes of sleepy commuters. Extending DST to well past September is dangerous. In 2005, the Republican-controlled Congress extended DST until the first Sunday of November, putting the profits of the barbecue industry above the safety of our children.

Bruce Joffe,
Piedmont