For Corn Syrup, the Sweet Talk Gets Harder

Melanie Warner’s “For Corn Syrup, the Sweet Talk Gets Harder” in April 30, 2010’s New York Times, the role which corn syrup plays in a large array of the foods we eat seems to be diminishing. Back in 2004, it was found that 40 percent of Americans believed that having high-fructose corn syrup in their diet was unhealthy and possibly hazardous. Today, it is said that about 53 percent of Americans are now against the corn-refined product. This is due in part from websites like Facebook where people can join pages that are anti corn syrup and YouTube which shows videos putting down the use of the product. Many companies are now replacing the corn syrup in their products with sugar, which costs roughly 40 percent more than corn syrup, simply because they are receiving more and more messages, letters, and emails from people that demand the use of ‘real’ sugar. Even though it is proven that sugar and corn syrup are nearly identical and safe, the public won’t believe it.

To me this is not too much of a big deal because there are other things in the food we eat that are far worse. If corn syrup is made from corn, which is natural like sugar, then I have no problem with it. I’m usually more attracted to drinks and foods with real sugar and other simple, natural ingredients, but maybe I’m old fashioned.

Children’s Tylenol and Other Drugs Recalled

Natasha Singer’s “Children’s Tylenol and Other Drugs Recalled” in May 1, 2010’s New York Times the recall of many of Johnson and Johnsons over-the-counter drugs has been reported on. A single unit of the company decided to recall seven of its drug products as soon as they realized there was there was a lack in quality and deficiency in some of their products. Some products may contain greater amounts of the active drug than required while other products are lacking in quality where there is excess non-active material and in some cases, metal shavings. Johnson and Johnson made the recall on all flavors and sizes for all seven products.

While I don’t think it’s great that Johnson and Johnson have quality issues with important things like drugs for children, I am very happy to see that the company realized there was a quality issue so fast. Clearly they are capable of making mistakes like everyone else but you can tell that they take pride in making sure that quality products make it out to the buyers. If they didn’t care, they would have left the bad products on the market and possibly ignored the lack of quality.

Shanghai Is Trying to Untangle the Mangled English of Chinglish

In Andrew Jacobs’s “Shanghai Is Trying to Untangle the Mangled English of Chinglish” in May 2, 2010’s New York Times, a serious but nonetheless funny sign culture in China is both supported and attacked. The idea of Chinglish has been around ever since China began translating signs for those who spoke English in their country. Due to laziness and the use of a common yet terrible translating program, the translated signs all around China have become more entertaining then purposeful. Things like fried sausage are accidentally translated to say “fried enema” or drop off dirty dishes here into “the tableware reclaims a place.” Phrases like those are found on nearly every street corner and the Shanghai Commission for the Management of Language has been created to help correct some of the badly translated signs. While many Chinese feel that Chinglish is embarrassing, many others all over feel that it has become part of the culture of the Chinese language.

While I wouldn’t consider this topic to be priority on Chinas list of things that could be fixed, it is a funny topic. I think I’m on the side of the group that supports the survival of Chinglish simply because it makes you smile. I know there are many problems that could come with having badly translated signs all over the country but it is just too enjoyable to see these mangled up phrases.

Gulf Oil Spill Is Bad, but How Bad?

In John M. Broder and Tom Zeller Jr.’s “Gulf Oil Spill Is Bad, but How Bad?” in May 3, 2010’s New York Times, the facts and opinions of many experts have been reported on about the potential problems and solutions that will come with the recent BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. While an oil spill the magnitude of this one is bad, it is not nearly as devastating as several past spills that occurred years ago. The potential problems that may come from this spill are highly dependent on many variables such as the weather, type of oil spilled, and how much actually gushes from the broken pipe. Experts feel that the Gulf will undoubtedly bounce back into shape since it successfully recovered after a spill of 140 million gallons in 1979 after just 3 years. While some feel the gulf will be just fine, others are not sure how much abuse it can take.

Personally, I think that BP will be able to successfully stop the leak relatively soon since they are such a large, well equipped company but I don’t think this should have occurred in the first place. It wouldn’t surprise me if safety short cuts were taken on the oil rig to make the job easier. BP or anyone going over the accident should look deeply into why it happened to prevent a spill in the future.

Farmers Cope With Roundup-Resistant Weeds

In William Neuman and Andrew Pollack’s “Farmers Cope With Roundup-Resistant Weeds,” in May 3, 2010’s New York Times, the frightening report on the effects of genetically engineered crops revealed a big problem for farmers. Apparently the genetically engineered crops were created to withstand the chemicals like the ones found in Roundup and other similar weed killers. Due to the fact that these plants could tolerate the harmful chemicals, farmers used generous amounts to prevent weeds in their fields. This worked great for a while as it reduced erosion from tilling, produced more crops and lowered the overall costs for farmers. Unfortunately, the weeds have evolved quickly to tolerate the chemicals and so the expensive engineered seeds are not worth the price and farmers are being forced to go back to the old ways of farming.

I feel that while the use of genetically engineered crops has its benefits, the problems that follow are not worth their use. While older farming techniques are less efficient, they never created super weeds that could take down super plants.

Discovering Teenagers' Risky 'Game' Too Late

In Pauline W. Chen’s Discovering Teenagers’ Risky ‘Game’ Too Late, in February 25, 2010’s New York Times, a chilling new ‘game’ has perked up the ears of many doctors and parents. Apparently, as Chen reported, kids ranging in age from as young as 7 all the way up to 21 have picked up a new thrill called the choking game. The goal is to attain a natural high from strangling oneself to the point of nearly loosing consciousness but too many kids push themselves too far and wind up dying instead. Unfortunately, two years ago the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had 82 reports of those who lost the choking game on accident.

Experts feel that it is possible that children just do not realize how dangerous it is to participate in such an unusual and harmful activity. Dr. Nancy E. Bass of Case Western Reserve University hopes that doctors will be in the best position to prevent this from increasing in popularity by talking to both parents and kids. The biggest problem is that parents themselves do not know what to look for so the word must go out.

Personally I would think that the best way to educate people about this would be to use the statistics to show how people really do die from this so-called game. Parents and doctors should mention any way that a lack of oxygen to someone’s brain is dangerous in its own right even if you survive. There are plenty of other ways to have a good time, this simply is just a terrible idea and makes no sense at all.

Jesse McKinley’s, Carmaker’s Troubles Shake the Hybrid Hum of Prius Fans, in February 4, 2010’s New York Times briefly talks about Toyota's hybrid Prius. As if the up-hill battle of recalling several other significant models of theirs, Toyota is now having issues with one of their ever popular hybrid models, the Prius. Although it is usually great for you car to keep going year after year, the Prius seems to not want to stop even at the end of the street. Apparently, many owners have called into their Toyota dealers complaining of braking problems on the new 2010 model Prius and there were also several accounts where the faulty braking caused minor accidents. While some ever-loyal Toyota owners are bailing ship to find some other reliable vehicle, others are determined to tackle the issue, have it repaired and move on out back to the road.

It took a great deal of time before Toyota had built up the reputation for building vehicles of quality. For many years the engineering quality to that of Toyota was far above many other auto makers, but it seems they have gotten caught in the same style of producing vehicles as many other auto companies. For the longest time, any and all parts that went into one of their vehicles were produced in Japan only. Recently the company started using parts that were manufactured in other countries clearly leading to a gap in their quality. Quite simply, I feel the solution to their problem would be to keep as much of the production of their vehicles in their country where they can assure the quality of their vehicles again.

Radiation Levels Cloud Vermont Reactor's Fate

Matthew L. Wald's Radiation Levels Cloud Vermont Reactor's Fate, in January 28, 2010's New York Times talks about the concerns that the citizens of Vermont have over the sole nuclear power plant in the state. The Vermont Yankee happens to be the largest producer of electricity in the state, yet recently people have been voicing their concerns about the safety and operating quality of the ageing power plant. A recent increase of radioactive tritium was discovered in the surrounding groundwater of the Vermont Yankee which has caused the main concern. While the operating license of the power plant does not expire until the year 2012, many are wondering if the plant should be pushed even that far. At the same time, The Federal Nuclear Commission is attempting to obtain a common 20 year license renewal to keep the plant up and running and they said they would file a court challenge if the state tried to block this renewal.



The idea of renewing the operating license of a nuclear power plant that is ageing so fast is absolutely absurd. The Vermont Yankee may be the largest producer of electricity in the state, but right now all of New England has a surplus of electricity. The Federal Nuclear Commission could take advantage of this surplus by shutting down the current sickly plant to prevent any hazardous problems and to gain the support of the citizens of the state of Vermont. Meanwhile, as the demand for electricity stays low in New England, a new nuclear power plant could be constructed and used in the future when the demand for electricity inevitably goes back up.