Sadly, a rare statesman has passed from this life. ["Gaylord Nelson dies at age 89"] Senator Gaylord Nelson was primarily known for his environmental leadership, particularly founding Earth Day in 1970. He served for 18 years in the Senate where he sponsored numerous environmental protection bills. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1995 for his leadership on conservation.

Nelson was a uncommon voice for sanity in population matters, both worldwide and domestic. Like many early environmentalists, he valued preserving the earth more than adhering to the censorship of political correctness.

When asked, “What is the number one environmental problem facing the earth today?” Nelson answered:

“If you had to choose just one, it would have to be population…. The bigger the population gets, the more serious the problems become…. We have to address the population issue. The United Nations, with the U.S. supporting it, took the position in Cairo in 1994 that every country was responsible for stabilizing its own population. It can be done. But in this country, it’s phony to say ‘I’m for the environment but not for limiting immigration.’ It’s just a fact that we can’t take all the people who want to come here. And you don’t have to be a racist to realize that. However, the subject has been driven out of public discussion because everybody is afraid of being called racist if they say they want any limits on immigration.”

In his 2002 book Beyond Earth Day, Nelson remarked about immigration,

“Never has an issue with such major consequences for this country been so ignored.”

Amen to that.

Thank you, Gaylord Nelson, for a life of service to this country.

If you were still not quite certain what to barbeque for your friends for your Independence Day cookout, the New York Times would like you to consider some dishes from predominantly Muslim countries.

In her June 29th story titled “Burgers without Borders,” Julia Moskin recommends Syrian Beef Kebabs, Pakistani Seekh Kebabs or Turkish Adana Kebabs.

To each his own, I suppose. But it seems to me that Independence Day is the time for good old-fashioned American food.

Here’s my menu: hot dogs, potato salad, corn on the cob, lemonade and, of course, the Independence Day Bombe.

I’ll match mine against Moskin’s any day.