Editorials
Wednesday, December 3, 1997FOOD irradiation took a giant step when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the process to kill diseases in beef, lamb and pork. The OK came after a record recall of 25 million pounds of contaminated hamburger last August, but the movement to sanction irradiation has been gaining momentum for years. After three years of study, the FDA concluded that irradiation does not make meat radioactive, nor does it noticeably change taste, texture or appearance. Meat irradiation’s OK
could help HawaiiThe FDA decision is welcome because irradiation is an effective and safe method to kill bacteria, disease and insects. It is widely used on fruits, vegetables, grains and spices. The FDA approved its use on poultry seven years ago. The process is used in 35 countries.
Although there is as yet no effort in Hawaii to irradiate meat, irradiation has been an issue here for years because of its potential use as a way to disinfect papayas and other tropical fruits of fruit fly larvae. Currently papayas are subjected to heat to kill the larvae before export, but irradiation is considered more effective and does not affect the fruit's taste. Big Island Mayor Steve Yamashiro supports irradiation and the Hawaii County Council has approved $2 million for an irradiation plant. Some Hawaii fruits are currently being irradiated on the mainland.
Opponents of irradiation continue to fight the project by exploiting irrational fears, comparing the process with nuclear power and even nuclear weapons. But the scientific endorsements of its safety are overwhelming. Irradiation of papayas was studied by University of Hawaii scientists with favorable results.
The latest FDA action completes the approvals and could result in greater acceptance of irradiation for all foods, including the papayas and exotic fruits grown here. For Hawaii, struggling with a weak economy, irradiation could strengthen diversified agriculture by helping to increase exports to the mainland and Japan.
HE became a national hero and his name a household word but the San Francisco Board of Supervisors wasn't impressed by Colin Powell. Because the retired general and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff had once threatened to resign if homosexuals were allowed in the military, the board rejected a resolution commending Powell for his help in raising $1.4 million for local youth programs. Snubbing Colin Powell
Supervisor Tom Ammiano, a longtime supporter of gay rights, said Powell's name was "a red flag" to gays. He made the motion to send the resolution to committee, where it will probably die. Its sponsor, Supervisor Gavin Newsom, said he will not reintroduce it.
Mayor Willie Brown, certainly no gay-basher, said the supervisors had committed "a terrible faux pas" by refusing to commend the general -- and extended his own thanks on behalf of the city. "To make it into an anti-gay thing is crazy," Brown said.
With its large and politically active homosexual community, San Francisco may be the only city in the country where Colin Powell would be snubbed. He is, after all, one of the most popular figures in the nation and the potential candidate in the 1996 election whom President Clinton most feared.
The incident is significant as a demonstration of the growing clout of the gay-rights movement. In Hawaii, of course, that movement has won a major victory in the courts on the issue of same-sex marriage, although the last word on the issue has yet to be said.
IN the Philippines' efforts to attract foreign investors, no mention, understandably, is made of a nagging problem: kidnapping. For several years the abduction of businessmen and their children has been a popular racket. Most of the targets are ethnic Chinese, a small minority that has produced many successful businessmen, but there have been cases involving white Americans and other Westerners as well. Kidnapping protest
Yesterday the Chinese community in Manila closed its shops and schools to protest the killing of a Filipino-Chinese businessman by his kidnappers. The victim, Gordon Tan, was killed last week as he fought with gunmen trying to abduct him. A few hours before the funeral procession, another Chinese trader was seized. Hundreds of businessmen, office workers and students joined the procession, carrying signs proclaiming, "Kidnappers, your day will come."
But will it? Despite exhortations by President Fidel Ramos and other leaders, the abductions continue unabated. There have been 204 kidnappings so far this year; 17 persons have been killed by kidnappers. A citizens group estimates that the kidnappers have collected $8 million in ransom in the first 11 months of 1998 -- three times the amount received last year.
Ramos has repeatedly ordered the police to crack down on kidnap gangs but they continue to operate with virtual impunity. There have been repeated charges that soldiers and police officers are involved, which would explain why the gangs can survive.
The kidnapping problem reflects the failure of efforts to clean up the law-enforcement agencies. The overthrow of Ferdinand Marcos in 1986 resulted in the restoration of democracy, but it did not end government corruption. As long as kidnapping continues, it will be a deterrent to the government's efforts to attract foreign investment.
One of the demonstrators, businessman Enrique Lim, commented, "Who among foreign investors would like to risk their neck coming over? Making money is one thing but life is more precious." It's hard to quarrel with that reasoning.
Rupert E. Phillips, CEO
John M. Flanagan, Editor & Publisher
David Shapiro, Managing Editor
Diane Yukihiro Chang, Senior Editor & Editorial Page Editor
Frank Bridgewater & Michael Rovner, Assistant Managing Editors
A.A. Smyser, Contributing Editor
