The Battle of Darkness and Light

[dave_rusin]

At this link, http://www.rense.com/general45/bll.htm , is a must read article about a specific and very serious health danger that threatens virtually every American.

Thoughts?

[James Boelter]

The article uses many of the rhetorical tricks of conspiracy theorists everywhere - start with a basis in reality , seem reasonable at first, then take one (or several of) an unexpected left-hand turns at Alburquerque and go head first down the rabbit hole. It also reads like something from the Natural Hygiene school of health - you know, the 'heroic' school that tells you to 'purge and puke' your way to health.

I am not saying that flouride in the water isn't a problem caused by typical bureaucratic 'reality' (see Jay Gould's 'The Mismeasure of Man' for another prime example of this kind of misled reasoning), but an article such as this doesn't really help. It's a prime example of the 'be afraid of everything' type of journalism and media coverage that makes it difficult for people to think rationally about their health and vitality.

I bookmarked this for later digestion and chewing.

[dave_rusin]

Maybe it helps because awareness of a problem is required before it can be addressed and corrected. Fear is borne of ignorance, not of knowledge and understanding. What you don’t know often can, and indeed does, hurt you.

“Conspiracy theory” is a pretty harsh and unfair characterization of this woman’s work, considering it is rather well documented. “Conspiracy theorist” is a derogatory, dismissing and intentionally misleading label crafted by those with something to hide to be parroted by those not paying attention to discredit those daring to investigate such matters.

Chinese Proverb: “Better to light a tiny lamp than to become angry at the darkness.”

Anger is misdirected energy.

Millions of tiny lamps will illuminate the world. But it is up to each of us to light our own tiny lamps, else languish and perish in darkness. Humanity now finds itself at the Crossroads, but never believe that each individual cannot help steer the course to the High Road.

:D

[James Boelter]

Dave, no disrespect intended...you wouldn't be a CST if you weren't a sincere and well intentioned individual. It's just that I've read a thousand similar articles/posts/books, and seen 10 thousand news media stories in the last decade, that are what Joe Bob Briggs used to call 'Hiney In a Crack' stories. You know, "Boy, we've got our hiney in a crack now! I mean, it's really in a crack now! Hooooo, are we in trouble!!!!" :shock:

I am very aware of the controversy over flouride in the water supply (among other issues covered in the article). Dr. Mercola has discussed it several times in his email newsletter, as have other alternative health oriented publications. All of them did a better service to the public by frankly discussing the issues without the overheated rhetoric or doomsday terminology.

I have a book, entitled 'Lights Out: Sleep, Sugar, and Survival" by Bently and Formby, that has extremely useful and valuable information about the hidden damages caused by sleep deprivation, 'light poisoning' and refined carbohydrates and processed food in the modern diet. I consider it to be one of the most valuable and important books I own. It makes many of the same points as your author makes about many of the same issues. But I can't get anyone else to read it - they return it to me, after trying 5-6 pages, and they either can't get past the science (which is pretty dense in spots) or they can't stand the writing style (which is in a similar overheated doomsday style).

So it bothers me when someone makes an important point about people's lives and health, but doesn't get an editor to spell check/fact check/context check their work and make sure it gets the message out without muddying the waters.


As I said, I have bookmarked the article and will have another, longer look at it. I was in a problematic mood (4 hours sleep, and just done with a domestic argument) when I first checked the post. So I was probably intemperate. Sorry if I smarted off in a way that made you think that I didn't respect your sincerity or intentions. Olive branch? :oops:

[dave_rusin]

James,

Please don't misunderstand, my reply was not meant to be taken as argumentative. I actually got a chuckle out of your description. There is a lot of junk info out there and I will definitely admit her flavor of writing may not appeal to many, but the issues she addresses are important. I probably should have looked for a better summary of the issues to post on this subject, but since this one did have some good source documentation, I guess I hoped that readers would see past as you say her "doomsday" inflection.

Personally, bro, I just grow so weary of seeing so much suffering, sickness and death so that Big Business can continue to reap obscene profits. These situations are spiralling way out of control and the good people of this world need to start reigning in these criminals. Because if we don't, what kind of a world are we going to leave to future generations?

Olive branch, not necessary, my friend, since there is no conflict.

:D

[somlor]

I also felt the article started off well but started to go off the deep end a little, but maybe it's because I have also come across many pages with a similar style of writing and have grown wary. Also, I feel her "god spot" concept was specious. But I looked past that and did more research on the fluoride issue, so it's raised my awareness of the issue. Thanks for that. I intend to buy a water filter as soon as I have the money. Some quick questions though:

What are the best brands of bottled water?
What are some good water filters to look in to for my apartment?
What about shower/bath filters? (I take long showers and my girlfriend likes the soak in hot baths, which apparently also absorbs fluoride,etc.)

Thanks.

[dave_rusin]

Sean,

Being in an apartment you may not have the option of a system filter and may only be limited to point-of-use filters. Depends on how the domestic water system in your building was installed and what the limitations of the lease agreement are.

In the past I have seen shower head filters and there are definitely sink filters available.

I intend to further my research along these lines too. Will let you know of anything worthwhile that I find. Please also share with us anything you find that could help with this issue.

Thanks.

[Anthony Roberts]

One of the better brands of bottled water that I have found is called "Penta". You can find out more about them at http://www.hydrateforlife.com/what.shtml

You can find out more about bottled waters in general at http://www.bottledwaterweb.com

As far as filters go regarding fluoridation, I can recommend against the Brita water filter. A search of the FAQs on their website reveals that their filters only remove small amounts of fluoride from water. You can find out more about that here http://www.brita.com/102i.html

Finally, there's a watchdog group that you might get some good info from
http://www.nsfconsumer.org/

Hope this helps.

andy

[Anthony Roberts]

Dave,
Have you looked further into this? I'd be interested to know what you've found.

Andy

[Charles Long]

Check out www.realhealthnews.com. Dr. Douglass has quite a bit to say about flouride in water including in the latest issue of his newsletter.

Charles Long

[Vbrown]

I would like to go on record that I am highly dubious of the claims made by the penta water company.

Their website only vaguely references journals and universities. No useable citations that I could find and quite a few questionable theories.

Just a thought.

Vince

[dave_rusin]

Andy,

Still looking into this stuff…

But I came across a report at this link, http://www.phrannie.org/water.html , that while written for RVers contains some good tidbits of info about water treatment in general.

Seems that the most important thing is to be clear as to what specifically you are interested in removing from your water supply.