Actually, CFLs are not all that great Re: “Compact fluorescent lights are warm, long-lasting,” Letters, June 12
Pious, hypocritical environmentalists who tout the virtues of compact fluorescent lights conveniently overlook several salient points:
» There seems to be no CFL production standard, and some still flicker, hum and use more mercury;
» CFLs are virtually useless when used outdoors in the winter;
» They last up to 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs only if they are never turned off;
» The energy savings are offset by the cost of replacement;
» Occasionally, when they burn out, CFLs literally burn, creating a fire hazard.
Mercury is a popular environmental bogeyman. While burning coal does release mercury into the atmosphere, it is insignificant compared to natural sources such as volcanoes, oceans and soil. The U.S. emits less than 10 percent of total North American emissions and less than 1 percent of the total global emissions.
Mandating CFLs is an infringement on liberty and freedom of choice, not to mention the fact that manufacturers of incandescents are forced out of business.
Ben Arnold
Centreville
Race-based districts are an anachronism
Re: “Va. ponders increasing black political clout,” June 9
Even though the majority of Virginia’s population is female, Virginia’s delegation to the U.S. House of Representatives is comprised of 10 white guys and one black man. Not one seat is held by a woman.
The whole premise of the General Assembly’s debate over congressional redistricting is flawed. With either plan from the Senate or the House of Delegates, Virginia retains only one majority black congressional district.
It seems our General Assembly remains stuck with gerrymandering for race even though, in 1989 and 2008, Virginians voted for candidates based on issues, not race: Gov. Doug Wilder and President Obama.
Will Radle
Franconia
Medicaid waiver violates public records law
Re: “Mental health shift approved by N.C. legislature,” June 9
You cannot have a managed care system based on the denial of public health records. But the Republican-managed state Senate in North Carolina has approved the Medicaid waiver — part of the shift to a managed care model regarding mental health. In the process, North Carolina’s public records law is being illegally shredded.
Local Management Entities that manage public mental health funds like Medicaid, as well as state-funded health care, are being ordered to utilize a nondisclosure agreement from Piedmont Behavioral Health LME. This document has been deemed by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Institute of Government to be disharmonious with existing public records law.
However, 15 LMEs have signed it, with only Western Highlands Network LME refusing to create a relationship that undermines public records law. Further investigation by the feds is surely upcoming.
Marsha V. Hammond
Asheville, N.C.
