Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!news.media.mit.edu!americast.com!usa-post Newsgroups: usa-today.issues From: usa-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: usa-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: issues Wed, Apr 22 1992 Date: Wed, 22 Apr 92 05:41:50 EDT Message-ID: 04-22 0000 DECISIONLINE: Issues & Debate USA TODAY Update April 22, 1992 Source: USA TODAY:Gannett National Information Network Here are some of the issues and topics being debated across the nation Wednesday morning in USA TODAY: Earth; Abortion. TODAY'S DEBATE - EARTH DAY: USA TODAY'S OPINION: Wondering how to honor Earth Day? Look no further than your backyard. The pampered patch of green you see may be hazardous to the planet's health. In pursuit of perfection, we douse our lawns with 70 million pounds of pesticides, herbicides and fungicides a year. Some of those products poison more than weeds and pests: They hurt earthworms, birds that eat them, helpful natural predators, pets and homeowners. Yet most consumers have no idea that lawn care can be dangerous. They have themselves, the government and marketers to blame for their ignorance. ... The government adds to their confusion. Most products bear an "EPA registration," often interpreted as an Environmental Protection Agency seal of approval. Far from it. EPA has never tested the majority of registered pesticides for human health hazards like cancer, birth defects, genetic damage and neurological disorders. And no agency collects data on health problems resulting from lawn chemical exposure. ... And one more thing: Learn to love your lawn even if it's slightly less than perfect. The Earth will thank you. OTHER VIEW: ALLEN JAMES, executive director of Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment: When we think of beautiful lawns and gardens, pesticides frequently come to mind. However, lawn chemicals add more than beauty. They have health and environmental benefits as well. Lawn chemicals provide effective control for many dangerous plants, like poison ivy, and allergy-causing weeds which make millions of people suffer every year. It may be surprising to learn that pesticides are among the most thoroughly researched, tested and regulated products today. Each pesticide undergoes 120 separate environmental, animal and human safety tests before registration by the Environmental Protection Agency for use by homeowners or professionals. On average, only one in 20,000 chemicals makes it from the laboratory to the marketplace. VOICES ACROSS THE NATION ON COMPROMISE ON ABORTION: GREEN BAY, Wis., Valerie Jerabek, 33, business librarian: I don't really know if there is a compromise to it. I feel it's every individual person's decision to make. I don't think anybody can make a decision for another human being. NORTH CHICAGO, Ill., Dwayne B. Davis, 26, supervisor: The people on both sides are so set in their ways, I don't think there's going to be any compromise. The people on one side feel they're saving lives, and the others don't want anyone interfering with their lives. It's a personal thing. There's no middle line in that. LOS ANGELES, Calif., Vivian Chang, 22, student: There is no compromise. Everyone's got their own opinions. I feel that people have the right to choose and the Supreme Court can't make the decision for everybody. I don't want to speculate what the outcome is going to be. KIRKWOOD, Mo., Jack Greer, 42, journalism student: There must be some compromise. It's tearing our country apart. Everyone is right, but at the same time, everyone is wrong. No one wants to see a living thing killed. If a woman's life is in jeopardy, or in the case of rape or incest, that woman must have a choice. AUSTIN, Texas, Charles McKinney, 82, retired: There can't be a compromise, because of the strong feelings, the physical fights between the two factions. Each side is pretty solidified in their beliefs. I am pro-choice, because of the population explosion all over the world. Women should control their own bodies. TOPIC - ABORTION: Vice President Dan Quayle was interviewed by USA TODAY's editorial staff. WEDNESDAY, THE SUPREME COURT WILL LOOK AT PENN.'S ABORTION STATUTE. I look at that Pennsylvania statute and I think their governor and state legislature are probably more in tuned with the American people then the media and some of our critics think. The Pennsylvania statute is a reasonable statute. Look at what it is: 24-hour waiting period, parental consent for someone under 18, informing the spouse when an abortion is to occur. Is that unreasonable? Is that out of the mainstream? I don't think it is. WHAT ROLE WILL ABORTION PLAY IN THE ELECTION? It's a major issue. It's one that divides Americans better than unites. You can get a good discussion and what not I'm sure at this table or at any table. As a matter of fact, we even have discussions about this at our family dinner table on the abortion issue. But from a political point of view, the sides are fairly well-drawn. I don't think it will be a determining factor in the election. WHERE DO YOU SEE THE CAMPAIGN NOW? Our chances are quite good considering the opposition. The president's got a lot of issues that are facing America. It will come down to who best can lead this country for the next four years. The issue of character, values, who can provide the vision for America. When the final vote is taken, I feel very confident the president will be reelected. Issues & Debate Editor: Michele Coleman. (1-919-855-3491) Making copies of USA TODAY Update (Copyright, 1992) for further distribution violates federal law. This article is copyright 1992 Gannett News Service. 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