DIALOGUEletters
Debate goes on
PHOTODISC
In response to
the April Debate,
“Is obesity a disease?”
YES. For many, obesity has a genetic component. Despite their best efforts in making
proper dietary choices and leading an active
life, sometimes [they] cannot control obesity
by those measures alone.
Anna Campbell
Westland, Michigan
NO. If we conclude obesity is a disease,
whether it be one of the body, mind or culture,
then it seems inevitable we eventually will conclude both stupidity and ugliness are diseases.
William M. Kohnke
Elliston, Montana
Odds and ends
Don’t buy “tired” tires
I enjoyed reading your April story about
the benefits and advantages of buying tires at
Costco [“On the road again”]. I think you
overlooked one very important benefit:
Costco has a large product turnover and
therefore the tires are sold close to the manufacturer’s production date. One of the most
degrading aspects of a truck or car tire is age.
Consumers should be cautious of shops selling tires with huge discounts. They may have
been stored in a warehouse and aged, which
also means they have degraded. The produc-
Reader
survey
PLEASE TAKE a moment to complete our anonymous member information survey. Just go to Costco.
com and search “Connection.” Click
“Reader Survey” on the welcome
page. Upon completion, you will
have the option to enter a drawing
for a $100 Costco Cash card. The
March winner is Anne Gabelya
Miranian of Midlothian, Virginia.
8 ;e Costco Connection MAY 2010
tion date of all tires is required by the
Department of Transportation, so always
check those dates.
David Altscher
Belmont, California
Forever EV
I just finished reading Dan Daley’s article
on page 29 of your April issue [“Make your
RV an EV”].
I joined an EV club eight or nine years
ago and converted a 1992 Geo Metro to full
electric seven years ago. It had a top speed of
70 mph and range of 40 miles.
As an old-time EV nut I found it very
refreshing to read an article about electric cars
that was written by someone who knew what
he was talking about.
Dave Salzman
St. Helens, Oregon
Cleary connection
As a child growing up, I would rather be
outside playing baseball, kickball or whatever
than inside reading. Concerned, my mother
asked the local librarian for a recommendation
of a book I might enjoy. That started me on the
Beverly Cleary books, of which I couldn’t get
enough. It truly got me interested in reading.
I was so pleased to see your article on Cleary
[“Beverly Cleary’s world,” April 2010] and to be
reminded that, as a primary school teacher and
mother of two, I also introduced her books to
my students and my own children. She was a
gifted writer, and I thank her for giving me the
love of reading.
Cynthia Springall
San Diego, California
Serving sizes
As a clinical dietetic technician, I regularly see the consequences of poor diets and
obesity in my patients. I would like to thank
Costco Connection for April’s “Serving-size
situation” piece [David Horowitz, Consumer
Connection].
It’s a start, and we can all work together
to help improve the health and wellness of
this nation.
Christina Steed
Bellevue, Washington
More medication safety tips
In the “For Your Health” section of the
April issue, there’s a section called “Medication
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.
Correction
IN A BOOK REVIEW of The 19th Wife
[“Detecting a story,” April 2010], Brigham
Young was mistakenly identified as the
founder of the Latter Day Saints. The
founder of The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-Day Saints was Joseph Smith.
Brigham Young became leader after
Smith’s death, and was responsible for
bringing the church to its present location
in Salt Lake City, Utah.—Ed.
safety tips.” The first tip is to write down the
names and dosages of all your medications and
keep it with you at all times in your wallet.
You left out a nearly universal storage place
for this vital emergency information—the
“ICE” (“In Case of Emergency”) contact of your
cellphone. Most cellphones have an elaborate
ICE contact, with spots for multiple emergency
contact phone numbers and a personal-info
section. I have all my medications listed, as well
as my health insurance information, medical
conditions and drug allergies. All paramedics
and emergency personnel are trained to check
cellphones for ICE information.
Kathryn Lewis
Seattle, Washington
Kirkland Signature a breeze to tote
I enjoyed reading your article about
Costco’s signature luggage [“Kirkland
Signature is on a roll,” March 2010]. I have to
say Costco luggage lives up to its reputation
and then some.
My husband and I took my parents and
four of our children to Europe for three weeks;
we were each armed with a backpack and a
Costco suitcase (see above). After cobblestone
walks, mountain trails and hurried trains, I
can say that the luggage held up better than us.
Marguerite Dietrich
Hollister, California
Fuller full of wisdom
I enjoy reading the entire Costco
Connection, but especially appreciate David
W. Fuller’s perspective on the topics he
addresses. When a new issue arrives, From the
Editor’s Desk is always the first piece I read.
In those few short paragraphs Mr. Fuller
manages to consistently pack in a great deal
of quality thought and insight. My thanks for
the time and effort on behalf of your readers!
Phyllis Conant
Eugene, Oregon
