Letters

Life is death

Re “Gimme shelter” (Apply Liberally, Jan. 19):

What about livestock animals? Huh? Do you so-called animal lovers ever think about all the cows, pigs and chickens slaughtered by the thousands each day for burgers, steaks and pet food? I didn’t think so.

And what about abortions? I bet you’re pro-abortion. You want no-kill shelters for dogs and cats, but go ahead and abort unborn babies, huh.

Toby Carruthers
Reno

Nobody likes to kill fetuses

Re “Anti-birth control petition filed” (Upfront, Jan. 19):

For the religious right, this would really be a victory. It is not practical and flies in the face of freedom of choice. I liked it when Clinton said something like, “I am not pro abortion but feel every woman has a right to choose.” I feel the same way. Yes, I have heard the argument that you may be aborting the next Einstein. How about the next drug baby or the next public assistance baby or for that matter the mom who has babies for the welfare check? In the petition, “all persons are endowed by their creator, Jesus Christ …” This is a religious statement and as such should be negated for governmental purposes. It tries to use the term “prenatal” to cover the argument as to when a fetus is actually viable. Jury is and has been stalled on that issue. How about when a fetus can survive outside of the mother? “An unborn child at any stage of development” is just an end around on this issue. Unless there are compelling medical reasons, I am very much against late-term abortions. However repugnant abortion may be to some, it is allowed under law. A constitutional amendment is ludicrous and a waste of politicians’ time. But then again, many will pander to the voters at this time. Who would want to alienate that part of the population by voting against this?

You’re qualified

Re “Government-approved voters?” (News, Jan. 26):

I’m 73 years old, on Social Security and Medcare. I don’t know if that qualifies me as a “senior citizen” or not.

When I go to Target for my medication each month and write out a check, do you know what the pharmacist asks me, even though I’ve gotten my prescriptions there for more than seven years? “Could I see your photo I.D.?”

When I go for a doctor’s appointment or a lab test, do you know what they will ask me, even though I have been going there for years, and they know me? “Could I see your insurance card and a photo I.D.?”

Reading “Government-approved voters?” made me wonder, what is so wrong with showing a photo I.D. to vote and to protect your vote?

I think that this should be required in this day and age, when identities are stolen, as we hear so often.

Charlene Aro
via email

Give me gluten

Re “Grainy season” (Feature story, Feb. 2):

Wow. Ashley Hennefer’s article on gluten claims that “it is estimated” that 40 percent of Americans are gluten intolerant. That pencils out to about 120 million people. “Estimated” by whom? Mickey Mouse? Elvis? Aliens from Mars? Someone selling “the antidote”? Truly, according to the U.S. Dept of Health and Human Services, less than 1 percent of the U.S. population actually has a diagnosable illness related to wheat consumption. That’s less than 3 million people. Not 120 million. Don’t get me wrong; I truly feel for those few people it affects. While we’re on the subject of allergies, food intolerances, etc., though, it turns out that about 7 million Americans are allergic to seafood, and another 3 million or so are allergic to nuts. Nonetheless, only about 10 people a year die from food allergies in this country, a small enough number that CDC considers it “statistically insignificant.” More people die from lawn mower accidents. Check out M. Broussards’s nice expose on the pharmaceutical (epi-pen) industy’s hyperinflation of food related fatality statistics in the U.S.: www.huffingtonpost.com/meredith-broussard/food-allergy-deaths-less_b_151462.html.

The truth is, just about any food substance has a very few unlucky chumps who have a negative reaction to it. That doesn’t excuse attempts by sensationalistic members of the hipster news media, who make claims that almost half the population are suffering from some desperate addiction to a mythically “poisonous” food substance. Look up “mass psychogenic illness,” “collective delusion” and “mass hysteria” sometime. So, thanks for providing us with unsubstantiated claims, half truths and claims of rampant “gluten addiction” without the support of any actual science. Meanwhile, I’ll be sure to carbo load on pasta before my next long, technical alpine climb, as I’ve been doing for a few decades.

C. Rosamond
Reno

Exceptional people

The inside-trading law is a joke because it has no teeth. Our senators and congressmen do not hold themselves accountable to any law they pass. What is the penalty for the new law? They exclude themselves from all of the laws we are held to obey. They might claim they must disclose, and when accused, go before an ethics committee. We have seen that show too many times already. When a sitting senator or congressman violates a specific law, he or she is “forced” to face the ethics committee. They can draw out the proceedings for years and if public outcry becomes overwhelming, they simply resign. Most of the time, they are not held accountable. Former Sen. John Ensign is a recent and good example. If we want real accountability in Congress, we must force them to remove the exemptions for themselves. I suppose they could give all of us the same exemption they enjoy, but, what would be the point of passing any law? Our lawmakers get away with this sort of stuff because we let them. We should be ashamed of ourselves for not paying attention to our lawmakers. I have heard too many times from friends and family that “it” does not affect me so why should I bother. This attitude, I believe, is the reason we have no control over our elected officials. Stop sitting on the sidelines and get involved. Do your part as a citizen! Get involved.

Anthony Matulich
Sutter

Thanks for the review

Re “Hot Topic” (Art of the State, Jan. 12):

I enjoyed Mark Dunagan’s review of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. I felt it was honest and humorous in places. As Dunagan pointed out, he had never seen the play before. Not surprising, as it is a very difficult show and rarely tackled since its debut on the big screen with Paul Newman and Elizabeth Taylor, both of whom turned in what some might say were their finest performances. But what RLT has done with this show is somewhat more impressive, as they are doing the 1975 play version, re-written by Tennessee Williams the way he originally envisioned it, without the cuts and re-writes forced upon him by Elia Kazan and Hollywood in the 1950s. This show by RLT is Cat as it was supposed to be, and a very ambitious and risky proposition in the process, as politically-correct adherents would have a field day with Mr. Williams’ language and subject matter in any decade over the last 60 years. But that is the point: This play is about truth, and both the freedom and pain it brings. Congrats to Mark Dunagan for voicing his truth on what he found in this production, and kudos for the RN&R for covering what I feel is a very courageous and daunting production. Good luck to Dunagan, I look forward to many more insightful reviews in years to come, and good luck, or, break a leg, RLT, you’ve begun your next 77 years with a bang!

Gary Eugene Cremeans
Reno