Rescuing the animals left behind

10/9/2005

Thank you for your Oct. 4 editorial about the animal aspect of the Katrina disaster ("Compassion for the animals"). Last month, members of PETA's rescue team drove 32 dogs from New Orleans to our Norfolk, Va., headquarters to be placed in foster care until their guardians can be found.

These and thousands of other animals - and their guardians - may not have needed rescuing in the first place if officials had made arrangements for people to evacuate with their animals.

Weeks after Katrina struck, people were still risking their lives to stay in New Orleans so that they could care for their own animals and for animals their neighbors left behind. Others lost their lives trying to protect their animals, if the signs reading "Owners dead" on the cages at the emergency animal shelter in Gonzales, La., are any indication.

Fortunately, as you noted, some positive developments have emerged from this tragedy. Rita evacuees from Galveston were permitted to bring their animals on buses. U.S. Reps. Tom Lantos, Christopher Shays, and Barney Frank have introduced a bipartisan bill that would require that government disaster plans include provisions for animals.

These changes are vital, if not for the animals' sake, then for the sake of the people who would rather die than leave them.

Alisa Mullins

People for the Ethical

Treatment of Animals

Norfolk, Va.

TMACOG's role is planning for future

A Sept. 28 letter to the editor had questions about how the Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments (TMACOG) develops projections about population changes and business growth. The role of TMACOG is to facilitate discussions about the future of the region and we are pleased that the writer took the time to investigate and respond to the survey. Public input is vital to achieving the best possible outcomes in planning for the future.

TMACOG's projections are based on analyses of demographic trends from census data and other measurable information. They are not based on any developer's proposals but on those trends and existing local government plans. When combined with public input, projections help us all decide where to improve roads, add bike paths, or make other transportation changes.

TMACOG's population projections are based on demographic trends including birth rates, death rates, and in- and out-migration. The population of the City of Toledo has been declining since the 1970s, while the population of Lucas, Wood, and Monroe counties is up very slightly. Average household size has declined 23 percent in the same time and area (fewer people per house, fewer people in the neighborhood). Based on current conditions, these trends are expected to continue.

Employment projections are based on trends reported by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. Despite the loss of population in Toledo, the region is expected to see increases in new job development with employees commuting from surrounding areas.

As TMACOG continues work on a long-term plan for transportation in Lucas and Wood counties and in southern Monroe County ("On the Move: 2007-2035 Transportation Plan"), all residents are encouraged to look for further information at local libraries or on www.tmacog.org. The On the Move plan will be completed, with public input, in 2007.

Anthony L. Reams

President

TMACOG

Evolution, Creation both require faith

The members of Hope Baptist Church in Toledo would be happy to host an evolution symposium. I am wondering if evolutionists are aware that the Creation Science Evangelism organization of Pensacola, Fla., has a standing offer of a $250,000 reward for anyone who can prove, empirically, the theory of evolution.

Why so much? Because evolution is only a theory that has never been proven. That's why it is still called the theory of evolution.

Neither can one scientifically prove the existence of God. If it were possible, then only morons would be atheists. Creationists have faith that God does exist, the heavens declare the glory of God, and the things of the earth show his handiwork. Creationists believe, through faith, that God always existed, and the Bible is God's word. After all, if evolutionists are allowed to believe that matter always existed (see First Law of Thermodynamics), why is it silly for creationists to believe God always existed?

Evolution and Creation are theories that require great faith on the part of those professing their viewpoint to be true. The case for intelligent design is to provide a contrasting viewpoint to our origin. That is all. Werner von Braun stated that it is just scientific honesty to explore all possibilities. "It would be an error to overlook the possibility that the universe was planned rather than happened by chance."

I suppose Darwin himself said it best when he said "To suppose that the eye, with all its inimitable contrivances for adjusting the focus to different distances, for admitting different amounts of light, and for the correction of spherical and chromatic aberration, could have been formed by natural selection, seems, I freely confess, absurd in the highest possible degree."

Tom Dooley

Cloister Road

Hens are mistreated in Ohio factory farms

Egg factory-farms are notorious for their manure containment problems ("State moving to shut down Ohio Fresh Eggs' operations," Oct. 1). Even worse is their routine mistreatment of the chickens who are confined inside their warehouses.

Hens are packed side by side inside tiny wire cages, too small for them even to spread their wings. In order to increase egg production, they're starved for up to two weeks to shock their bodies into another egg-laying cycle. In short, these birds lead lives of daily frustration and suffering.

This mistreatment is simply too abusive for any humane consumer to support. We can each help these birds by both shunning eggs from caged birds and encouraging stores to discontinue the sale of these cruel products.

Josh Balk

Outreach Coordinator

Factory Farming Campaign

Humane Society

of the United States

Washington, D.C.

DeLay innocent until proven otherwise

I do not know Rep. Tom DeLay. All I really know about him is that he is Republican and he is from Texas.

Not being a student of journalism, I'm not certain, but I'd bet that most folks reading your headline assume he is guilty.

Being "One of America's Great Newspapers," I wonder if The Blade, bearing in mind that we are all innocent until proven guilty, will at least, if and when he should be found not guilty, afford him the same headline treatment.

John J. Spoerl

Perrysburg

In Bush decision a spooky coincidence

What a coincidence! Two days after a reporter makes a direct link between the White House and the leaking of a CIA agent's name, President Bush nominates his lawyer for the Supreme Court.

Mark Long

Holland