LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

[December 13th, 2006] YOU MIGHT HAVE AN EATING DISORDER IF...

So, let me get this straight: Brett Schneider eats 30 percent fewer calories than dieticians recommend, spends thousands of dollars a year on vitamins to fill the nutritional gaps of his starvation diet, frequently doesn't eat anything all day, feels cold from lack of body fat, and once got so thin he "looked like a Holocaust survivor" ["Starving to Live," WW, Nov. 22, 2006]. Yet he claims he does not have an eating disorder.

Um, what?!? I'm no expert on "Calorie Restriction" as described by Schneider, but as someone recovering from an eating disorder, I sure as hell know anorexia when I see it.

Since Schneider seems confused about it, let's clarify. If your skin is jaundiced from a disproportionate amount of beta-carotene, you might have an eating disorder. If you eat the same things every day, preventing your body from naturally balancing vitamins and minerals, you might have an eating disorder. If you follow dietary advice from someone with no medical training, who nonetheless profits financially from the sale of diet books, you might have an eating disorder. If you claim that "food is such a small part" of your life, and yet you maintain charts, graphs, and computer-generated records of every calorie you eat, you really might have an eating disorder. But if you do all of these things, you absolutely do have an eating disorder.

Let's be clear: There's no such thing as "healthy" starvation. If Schneider wants to starve himself, fine. But it is unethical to proselytize something that can be deadly. Shame on him.

Lily-Rygh Glen
Northeast 63rd Avenue

THE BLACK-AND-BLUE LINE

I like to think I have a compassionate understanding of the stressors and demands police officers contend with. As someone who is basically on the side of police, I find it very sad to see that there are volatile, out-of-control officers like Christopher Humphreys who continue to be protected by Portland Police Bureau administration when they are clearly unsuited for police work ["Why Did James Chasse Jr. Die?" and "Fact Check," Nov. 1 and 22, 2006].

Humphreys is a man who has been in consistent trouble due to using excessive force. His penchant for brutality resulted in the pointless, avoidable death of an innocent mentally ill man! James Chasse died because of a crushed chest. Massive "trauma to the chest area" was the cause of death as reported by Chief Medical Examiner Karen Gunson. What does this mean? To me, it means a complete disregard for human life. I think Humphreys is remorseful ONLY because he got into trouble and now he must step beyond the arrogance that compelled him to behave violently time and time again.

The PPB would do well to show Humphreys the door. He is a liability to all, including the innocent civilians he swore at one time to protect and serve!

Therresa Kennedy
Southwest Cashmur Lane

CORRECTIONS:

The Nov. 29 story "The Buck Starts Here" incorrectly reported the monthly stipend of Portland State University's student body president. The stipend is $940 a month before taxes.

Also, last week's "Fur Flies" incorrectly reported Schumacher Furs' current location, which is on Southwest Morrison Street. WW regrets the errors.