Costco Connection - August 2010

DIALOGUEletters

Member comments Real online protection The article by David Horowitz about Spokeo (“Spokeo is spooky,” July 2010), while certainly informative, gave your read- ers nothing actionable to actually protect hemselves online. Instead of scaring people with “frightening” search engines, why not give them the tools to protect themselves and their information? “Anonymous Surfing on the Web” offers imple tips that anyone can use to make Web usage less public ( http://websearch.about.com/od/anonymoussurfingsafety/tp/hideand seek.htm). “Ten Ways to Protect Your Web Privacy” gives readers 10 easy things they can do right now to protect their searches and keep their information private ( http://websearch.about.com/od/enginesanddirectories/a/search privacy.htm).

BILL CARLSON

“Kids Safety on the Web” is a how-to guide for parents to help them keep their kids safe on the Web ( http://websearch.about.com/ od/safesearch/a/ sftychecklist.htm).

Wendy Boswell
Sherwood, Oregon

proper handling and cooking temperature. For this reason, safe handling instructions are available on every Foster Farms package and are also available at the company’s website, www.foster farms.com.

Debate goes on

In response to the July Debate,
“Should it be harder to filibuster?”

YES. The use of the filibuster lets senators unnecessarily hold up the process of enacting laws, often due to petty issues.

Laurie Bottum
Omaha, Nebraska

I grew up with farming and ranching and come from a family where agriculture has been a part of every generation. As an agricultural biologist I see so much anti-agricul-ture propaganda that doesn’t accurately portray what hardworking farmers and livestock producers really do day to day in order to feed the world. Farmers and ranchers are stewards of the land and deeply care about its well-being. It was quite refreshing to read your article [“Poultry in motion”], especially the part when you described the bias that you began your tour with and how those notions changed as your tour continued.

Many groups and media outlets lead us to believe that because the operation is large that it is less of a farm, leading to the loss of a personal touch, leaving greed and negligence to take its place. Of course, unfortunately, there are examples of this, but the overwhelming majority are in the business to produce an excellent product, where the quality of land and the welfare of the livestock are their top priorities.

Marcie Skelton
Tehama County, California

NO. I believe that the filibuster makes the minority voice relevant and often gives the Senate momentary “pause,” instead of rushing headlong along party lines on important legislation.

Richard Deen
Pike Road, Alabama

YES. Let’s stop killing time and get the government moving.

Foster Farms feedback

I received my July issue of The Costco Connection (“Poultry in motion”) the same day I recieved my issue of PCC Natural Markets Sound Consumer, which noted an article from the January [2010] issue of Consumer Reports magazine. The article, entitled “Chicken Safety,” says, “Most contaminated were Tyson and Foster Farms chickens. More than 80 percent tested positive for [sal-monella and campylobacter].” I hope Costco continues to encourage Foster Farms to improve the quality of their product.

Randy Elder
Lynnwood, Washington

Guest room guidance

A good article on “Guest room guidance” [July 2010]. Here are five additional requirements for a good host to supply:

1. Two towels and a washcloth (women need one for hair, one for the body, and there are still men and women who actually use washcloths!)

CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

Kat Wagner
Highlands Ranch, Colorado

NO. The original framers of the Constitution got it right in the first place. Leave it the way they wrote it.

Charlie Hunt
Royal Oaks, Michigan

Have something to say? Readers are encouraged to submit letters to our editors on any topic or issue covered in The Connection. Please include your full name and phone number or address. Send an e-mail to dialogue@ costco.com; or write to: Dialogue, The Costco Connection, P.O. Box 34088, Seattle, WA 98124-1088; or fax to (425) 313-6718. The editors reserve the right to edit letters for publication.

Foster Farms responds:
Foster Farms employs a Strategic Sampling
program above and beyond USDA regulations
to monitor the incidence of salmonella and
campylobacter, microbial bacteria that natu-
rally exist in raw poultry products. During 2009
the company tested, at its plants, more than
6,000 samples of chicken at an intermediate
point in the production process and found the
incidence of salmonella to be 3. 3 percent.

The comprehensive testing procedures used by Foster Farms are based on repeatable, verifiable scientific methodologies validated by the USDA’s Food Safety Assessment program. The most recent, independent testing by the USDA in 2009 found incidence levels of 3. 4 percent, further validating the Foster Farms testing program. Our test results have consistently been better than the requirements set by the USDA and we expect that they will continue to do so.

Experts fully agree that even minimal, trace levels of salmonella can be fully eradicated with

WHAT DO YOU think of this issue of The Connection Tell us and you could win a $100 Costco Cash card! Take a moment to complete our anonymous reader feedback survey by going to Costco.com and search “Connection.” Click “Reader Survey” on the welcome page. Upon completion, you will have the option to enter the drawing. The June winner is Barbara Kendall of Greenleaf, Idaho.