Costco Connection - June 2010

DIALOGUEletters

Debate goes on

MEDIA BAKERY

YES. All Americans in the United States need to be able to have a positive role in the choice of judges. Appointee selection is not the way to place responsible judges on the bench.

Donald McDermott
Carson City, Nevada
In response to the May Debate,
“Should judges be elected?”

NO. The general [voting] public has no idea what constitutes a good judge.

Pamela Briggs
Huntsville, Alabama
In response to the April Debate,
“Is obesity a disease?”

YES. The fact is that obesity can be of physiological origin. There are many medical conditions, for example, hypothyroidism, that cause obesity. There are also many prescription drugs, such as steroids, that cause massive weight gain.

I have Dercum’s disease, a very rare systemic disorder thought to be of genetic origin, which causes obesity that is resistant to weight loss. My maintenance diet is 1,600

calories a day of very low-carb, healthy food, purchased at Costco, of course!

Barbara Deckert
Elkridge, Maryland

NO. Body mass is related to the function of input (calories) versus average metabolic rate (the rate at which food or other nutrients are burned or consumed). A metabolic rate is very likely to be both genetic and unique to the individual. Given that an average metabolic rate and food intake exists for each person, then it would seem probable that you can’t create body mass from air ( 1+ 1 does not equal 3).

Only three possibilities can exist in rela-
tion to the determination of individual
weight: Consume nutrients less than, equal
to, or in excess of an average individual meta-
bolic rate. It should be clear that if a person
consumes more than is required by his or her
unique metabolic rate (at any level of activity),
then they will gain weight. Conversely, if they
do not consume the level of nutrients required
by their metabolic rate for body maintenance,
then they will lose weight.

Richard Cooper
Helendale, California
Odds and ends

We Heart Jeff Bridges

Just wanted to let you know that [May 2010] was one of the best issues I have read. Many good articles, but the best, far and away, was the article on Jeff Bridges.

How nice to read about someone who was raised with love and has mastered his craft without losing his values. I know [his] mom and dad would be very proud.

Marilyn Vollmer
Salome, Arizona
Go to your happy place

Disney theme parks should be enjoyed, not seen on the run (“Keeping the magic,” May 2010). Pick a different theme for the morning and then another for the evening.

Same for the next day. Take breaks, talk with your kids while you wait in line, teach patience,

LG style with an Android™ brain.

NEW! LG Ally™

• Choose Verizon Wireless and get up to $35

mail-in rebate with new 2-year activation.*

• Get a bonus accessory kit with every phone — includes vehicle charger, hands-free ear bud and case.

• Speak with a knowledgeable Wireless sales representative.

• Android 2. 1 OS with Google™ Experience • Integrates your Google and Facebook® contacts with LG Socialite • Takes you to thousands of apps and hundreds of widgets in Android Market™ • Supports push Gmail and Exchange

Visit the Costco wireless kiosk for complete details.

*Wireless Advocates mail-in rebate should be received within 16 weeks of submission and expires in 12 months. Service and product availability may vary by store. Activation fee/line: $35 ($25 for secondary Family SharePlan® lines with 2-yr. Agmts). IMPORTANT VERIZON WIRELESS CONSUMER INFORMATION: Subject to Cust. Agmt, Calling Plan & credit approval. Up to $175 early termination fee ($350

for advanced devices) & other charges. Device capabilities: Add’l charges & conditions apply. Network details and coverage maps at vzw.com. IMPORTANT COSTCO CONSUMER INFORMATION: Phones must be activated at the wireless kiosk at the time of purchase. Phones are only sold with new activation or qualified upgrade. Wireless Advocates, an Authorized Retailer, operates the wireless kiosks. All company names, trademarks, logos and copyrights not the property of Verizon Wireless are the property of their respective owners. Google, Android and Android Market are trademarks of Google, Inc.