Fluoride idea has echoes of Monty Python

Letters Page, Bolton Evening News, 28th May 2002.

This Is Lancashire letters

ONE of the most famous scenes from the series "Monty Python's Flying Circus" is the "dead parrot" sketch.

In this sketch, a pet shop owner sells a dead parrot (aka: the "Norwegian Blue") to a naive customer (played by John Cleese).

Similarities exist to the Greater Manchester Health Authority (GMHA) trying to sell water fluoridation to the masses. In this particular "sketch", the GMHA are trying to convince us that the dead parrot (fluoridation) they are trying to sell to Joe Public is alive and well.

Now I think I am capable of recognising a dead parrot when I see one. I also recognise an attempt to sell the idea of artificially-fluoridated water in the same way.

In the original sketch, the parrot was described by John Cleese as an "ex-parrot". In other in other words, it had "gone to meet its maker". Actually, it was only kept upright because its feet had been nailed to its perch, only to (eventually) fall and lie motionless on the floor of its cage.

In a similar way, fluoridation is also a long-dead idea kept "alive" by creative salesmanship and certified by shoddy science, political spin and numerous other "dodgy" practices. These are the substitutes used in the place of nails, but with the same effect. In other words, fluoridation cannot stand on its own two feet, it requires the skilful manipulation of the truth to keep it upright on its perch.

If only the pet shop owner had the guile of the pro-fluoride lobby, we would all now own a dead parrot and be convinced it was alive and well.

Chris Holdcroft

(Address supplied)