Can you say humorless? The Jan. 7 letter by Terri David [“The Misery Behind Bright Ideas”] made me think of a pinch-mouthed, squinty-eyed Scrooge. The writer is probably a vegetarian who’s never set foot on a farm and thus doesn’t know what happens to old animals. What does she imagine—they go trotting off to some lush pasture until their maker calls them home, then some kind soul comes along and digs a crater and buries them? If she’s not a vegetarian, she should get a look at how her daily ration of animal protein is produced. Now there’s appalling cruelty for you.
David clearly doesn’t know Mr. Sternberg [“Bright Ideas,” Commentary, Nov. 26, 2008], or she’d know he and his father were plying this trade well before the electric cattle prod was produced. She would also know that he is deeply committed to the Asheville community, which has benefited greatly from his long and generous philanthropy.
I grew up in the country with horses and chickens. I’m the daughter of a hunter and fisherman, and have participated in both those activities with my father. We lived across the road from a farmer who had pigs and beef feeder-cattle. I love animals, but I don’t romanticize them—except, maybe, for my beloved late kitty.
I saw no mention anywhere in Mr. Sternberg’s article of having had a fun-filled evening with friends interrupted. I think the writer needs to get a life.
— Sharon Kanter
Kinston
Dallas Taylor, I really like your picture on the Crosby, Stills and Nash album.
Yes. Ms. Kanter may not be aware of T.D. and his chain-letter writing gang of PETAphiles clogging up the editorial space.