Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Puppy mills are real and in need of regulation
Puppy mills are real and in need of regulation
In an op-ed published July 20, Walt Hutchens downplays the serious issue of puppy mills in Virginia ("Media mistrust based on experience"). If a photo speaks a thousand words, a video may speak a million, and anyone who wants to know the truth about the Humane Society of the United States' investigation need only view our inspectors' videos at humanesociety.org/puppymills.
The HSUS celebrates and encourages the joys of responsible pet ownership. We publish free guides on how to find the right dog, how to adopt a dog and how to find and screen a responsible dog breeder. This information can be seen on our Web site at humanesociety.org/puppy.
But while we celebrate the ownership of purebred and mixed-breed pets alike, the HSUS does take a firm and unapologetic stand against puppy mills -- facilities where dozens or even hundreds of dogs are crammed into cramped, filthy cages and bred continually, without regard for their health or well-being.
Puppy mills are very real, and regulation of these businesses is still in need of serious reform. The public need not believe everything they read, but they can believe their own eyes.
Deputy Director Stop Puppy Mills Campaign The Humane Society of the United States
'Natural' Mill Mountain is long gone
I was driving behind a car with a bumper sticker that said "Leave Mill Mountain Natural." There was a picture of a road going up the mountain to a big yellow star. Need I say more?
Photo showed beauty and heartbreak
The front page photo for the article "Age of Uncertainty: To love and protect" in the July 20 edition of The Roanoke Times was beautiful, poignant and heartbreaking. It described the pain, the disappointment, hard work and exhaustion loving caregivers experience all the time when they selflessly do what they feel must be done.
It is difficult to explain to those who have not experienced a situation where a loved one must be cared for, but that picture said it all. Thank you so much.
Gridlock is headed our way, someday
Re: "Kaine blasts fruitless special session," July 11 news story:
So the General Assembly came to Richmond for a special session on transportation and went home with what many of them wanted: a chance to posture and point fingers before the next election.
Led by House Majority Leader Morgan Griffith, the House of Delegates chose a path of massive resistance to any tax aimed at fixing the problem. I am reminded of the old auto repair commercial in which the mechanic says, "You can pay me now or pay me later," later being far more expensive.
The problems on Interstate 81 are not yet constant. You take your chances and hope for the best. There are places in the United States where a motorist knows he or she will come to a stop any time. In the early '70s, I lived in Los Angeles, where one planned for an hour's delay. Ditto for my sister in Kensington, Md., where there is gridlock every day on the Beltway.
This situation will reach us someday without action now. Perhaps when it comes, we can put up signs on I-81 commemorating this gridlock to Morgan Griffith.
New museum reflects the region's beauty
Re: the July 17 letter to the editor "Get rid of the fools who backed the art museum":
The beauty in any type of art is in the eyes of the beholder. One afternoon while crossing Williamson Road on Campbell Avenue, I glanced up at what I consider a beautiful addition to the city.
From the angle I was looking from, the new art museum looked like a regal and beautiful eagle getting ready for flight. The architect spent time in this area looking at the beautiful surrounding countryside and designed the art museum to reflect this beauty.
The art community in Roanoke is a growing and vital part of the city. I dare say that the money the city is spending will come back to it in increased tourism, which will benefit downtown restaurants, Hotel Roanoke, area businesses and the hotel industry.
I, for one, would like to say thank you to the visionaries who see the need to support the arts and who vote for changes in the valley that will eventually benefit us all.
This is America; English is spoken here
Re: Elizabeth Depoy's letter, "More Americans should learn another language," (July 19):
They say the greatness of a country can be measured by the number of people trying to get into it. Well, isn't it funny that there are no mass migrations to Mexico or France? Even when America is going through tough times, immigrants just keep on coming.
Depoy calls those who don't wish to learn another language rude, egotistical, lazy, close-minded and ignorant, but she and many others still fail to realize that this is America and English is our language.
Learn another language if you choose to; that's your right in this free country. But you shouldn't be called names if you choose not to.
Most immigrants are coming to our country illegally. Funny that Depoy doesn't refer to the incoming masses who don't wish to learn English with all the colorful names.
How many other countries are trying to shame their citizens into learning English to accommodate Americans visiting there?
Depoy should move elsewhere, where she wouldn't have to tolerate all of us rude, egotistical, lazy, close-minded and ignorant Americans.
Roanoke County needs to check police speeds
Re: "Policeman crashes cruiser during chase," July 18 news section:
Another accident involving speed and the Roanoke County police. Why is it that I'm not surprised? I'm seeing a trend that continues to make me wary, and wish for a stricter pursuit policy.
There are many "what-ifs" in any situation, but we are very lucky that only a telephone pole was struck this time. I'm no saint. I've been written up for speeding, but I was young and dumb. We are seeing highly trained officers getting involved in accidents due to speed that could have been avoided.
It should not be the police officer's right to decide that catching a speeder is worth endangering innocent lives by excessively speeding themselves. Roanoke County officials should take a serious look at what is taking place while their officers are on the road. Whether it's officers speeding, talking on the phone while driving over the limit, or crashing into vehicles or poles, something should be done.
Gas mileage that's truly unbelievable
Becky Witt of Salem ("Lots of reasons to keep the SUV," July 18 letter) stated that her Trailblazer gets "28 to 30 mpg on the highway and 25 to 27 in town." She either needs to brush up on elementary mathematical skills in order to calculate her Trailblazer's fuel economy or open up a consulting firm to help other SUV owners accomplish such astronomical mileage on a tank of gas.
Chevrolet's own Web site (www.chevrolet.com/trailblazer/specifications/ ) gives the fuel rating as 14 mpg city and 20 mpg highway. Without knowing Witt's model, I chose the best numbers; some models get only 12/16 mpg.
Witt is, of course, free to drive her SUV as long as she pays for the gas. Personally, I would like some transportation alternatives like buses, trains, bike lanes and paths, and pedestrian friendly sidewalks.
My 2000 Saturn station wagon truly does get 30/34 mpg, and I do not think it is good enough. It will have to do for now, but in the meantime, I am hoping for more environmentally friendly options to keep our valley air pristine and breathable and provide a better future for our children (including better math skills).
