THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, May 17, 1996 TAG: 9605170730
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Long : 122 lines
Concerning PETA, I'm hoping the citizens of southeastern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina do not ignore this organization. If we choose to do so, matters will only become worse.
How can this group place animal rights above humans, when so many people are suffering from many types of abuses? If they wish to address animal abuse, then protest the bull fights, dog fights and cock fights. Travel to Europe, Southeast Asia and Latin America to champion animal rights. (Those countries would not tolerate them for long!)
Sport fishing is a multi-million dollar business that supports not only local economics but cooperates with local, state and federal agencies to protect our fisheries so future generations may enjoy it.
I teach my children to respect and enjoy nature, and to practice catch and release. I myself work to protect our environment at work and home. But I do not believe one should force their opinions or beliefs by force, intimidation or harassment. These tactics are borderline terrorist methods and should not be condoned!
If PETA is so concerned about abuses, then they should address child, spousal and abuse of the elderly. Look after the homeless and the hungry, not the sportsperson.
It appears as if the membership of PETA is being guided by a handful of attention seeking, misguided, self-righteous people with too much time on their hands.
M.B. McIntyre City should retain curbside recycling program
I am a recent graduate of the University of Virginia. As a student in Charlottesville, I lived both on and off campus. While I lived in dormitories, recycling was a big issue and became a way of life.
Each time my recycling bin became full I would take it down to the smelly, overflowing community drop off center on campus. When I moved off campus recycling became easier. Curbside recycling service was available and I could control the smell and storage of my recyclables. This was truly a blessing as I had a busy college schedule and did not have the time to go to the drop off center.
As a returning citizen, it sure is wonderful and convenient to have curbside recycling services, even if the plastics are confusing and colored glass isn't taken. I would like to commend the Southeastern Public Service Authority, for its recycling program and the efforts they take to save landfill space and the residence peace of mind. I don't believe that after all these years of having the convenient service I would ever go back to uncontrolled drop off centers.
Virginia R. Loomis
April 25
I am a new member of the Southeastern Public Service Authority (SPSA) curbside recycling league. As of last September my house was put on a route for recycling collection, and it has been a wonderful learning experience for me as well as my 3-year-old daughter.
Before we had the convenience of curbside pick up, we were only recycling magazines at a drop off center near the North Carolina line. Now that we have the service, we are recycling everything we can and have become aware of what we purchase at the grocery store, i.e. clear glass and certain plastics.
This is a new project for my family but will be the lifestyle of my daughter and many other children in Virginia Beach. I would have a problem keeping up with recycling if it was ever to go back to a drop off only program and am grateful for the service. It is nice to see a community come together for the environment and our children's future. Many thanks to SPSA and the city of Virginia Beach for its support toward SPSA's projects are due.
Jennifer Vaughan
April 19 PETA'S efforts worthy
This is in response to Lee Tolliver's April 19 article on ``PETA, confusing young anglers.'' First of all, PETA and other animal rights groups are right, and the adults pushing fish torturing as an amusement for children are wrong.
Are we not supposed to be teaching our youth to respect and care for all life? Well, fishing along with other forms of animal abuse, hunting, animal circus acts, rodeos, etc. . . all are contradictions to our be kind message.
As far as PETA wanting to take away people's livelihoods is also not true. The plan would be to educate and help these people to find a cruelty-free way to make a living.
The revenues raised by fishing licenses is, as far as I'm concerned, blood money. And I'm sure there are many more constructive ways to raise money for the ``environment.''
PETA is not here to take away anyone's rights. If people would relax and listen, they would realize they have nothing to worry about and we might all learn something.
Let's take children hiking, canoeing, snorkeling, nature walking and biking - just to name a few healthy, constructive not destructive activities - and teach them about nature and everything in it.
Just because fishing is a tradition to some, does not make it right. It's time to start raising a kinder, gentler generation.
Teaching our children that Mother Nature and all the creatures, large and small, need to share this planet. Teaching them anything less is confusing them.
And people who make time to be the voices for the voiceless and easily exploited should be commended. And those who spend their spare time - paying big bucks trying to inflict pain and suffering on others - they are the ones who need to ``get a life.''
Anne Burky
April 26 This mom got unexpected gift
Being a little down in the dumps and wanting some crab cakes I decided to head for the Duck-In. So here I am at a table for four, all alone and on Mother's Day.
Just as I finished eating, a lady from the next table came over to my table. She said she saw me sitting by myself and came over to wish me a Happy Mother's Day. She said she lives in the Kings Grant area. (Please forgive me, I forgot your name.)
We sat and talked for about 10 minutes. What a very, very nice and friendly gesture. Thank you for helping to make my Mother's Day a little cheerier.
Kathy George
May 13 by CNB