THE PEOPLE SPEAK IN THIS WEEK’S ‘LETTERS TO THE EDITOR’

Letter From A Concerned Citizen

     I am grieving over our America that was founded on Godly principles of law and order. Many no longer values police protection when it is needed now more than ever in the history of our country. I don’t condone lawless undisciplined police; however, I applaud police officers (the bulk of them) who watch over our cities and communities and keep us safe. I never thought I’d see the day when a large portion of the population would be so deceived. They have thrown our babies out with the bath water, (meaning our good policemen.) As a therapist (counselor) I can assure you that our problems will not be solved with health and social workers. We lack the authority and power that is rightly needed.

     We need police for our protection. I have justified anger over the lawlessness and destruction of people and property that is happening now. This lawlessness is a contagious disease that many are caught up in and are not even aware they are being controlled by the mob. American people come back to sanity. Mothers, Fathers, have you parented your children in Godly principles of honoring other people’s property? I am appalled by what is happening in our nation, I want to applaud our Decatur Police and County Sheriffs for Decatur, Illinois and surrounding areas. They have kept uncontrolled lawlessness out of our city. I am proud of our local police that risk their lives every day for our safety. Let’s continue to pray for their safety.

Anita F. Mason M.A.; L.M.F.T., Decatur

Rezoning For A Quick Buck In Decatur

Dear Editor:

     The decision of the Decatur City Planning Commission to rezone properties of the Temple B’Nai Abraham in the 1300 block of West Eldorado street and the old Fire Station #3 to B-1 Neighborhood Shopping District will significantly affect the character of the surrounding neighborhood and diminish the historical significance of the Entrance to Fairview Park. City staff recommendations to approve the rezoning is short-sighted and is another example of destroying established neighborhoods for a quick buck.

      The Decatur City Council should look for an alternative solution given the overabundance of vacant strip shopping malls in Decatur.

Steven Luker, Decatur

Dissecting Animals Has No Place In Modern Classroom

Dear Editor,

     Schools may or may not return to normal this fall, but there’s one thing that shouldn’t: animal dissection. The thought of animal dissection conjures images of Galen barbarically slicing apart monkeys and, later, pigs to explore anatomy. Who would have guessed that almost 2,000 years later, humans would continue this cruel and archaic practice? Educators who use animals for dissection are teaching a dangerous lesson: Slicing open an animal who was once alive and didn’t want to be killed is a macabre show of force over those who look different from us.

     Because of young people’s natural affinity for animals, a growing number of students refuse to dissect animals, but not all students are given a humane option, and some are forced to choose between participating and failing. Dissecting animals isn’t relevant or necessary.

     Today’s modern science teaching tools include interactive digital dissection software for almost every species in the animal kingdom, virtual and augmented reality lessons, and even hands-on dissectible models. These tools are humane and efficacious, according to more than 50 peer-reviewed papers. Dissecting animals has no place in a modern classroom. Let’s usher in a new era in science education and commit to ending animal dissection.

Samantha Suiter, M.A., Science Education Manager

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Norfolk, VA

Why We Need to Do a Better Job Policing the Streets of Social Media

     Imagine you buy a billboard on a busy downtown street in a major metropolitan area. Then, one day, the Ku Klux Klan holds a rally right in the middle of that street, and most of the photos appearing in media coverage feature your billboard right behind the heads of everyone spewing hate speech. That’s some pretty bad PR. But it gets worse. Now imagine a large share of the people who see those images misinterpret them as your company’s endorsement of the Ku Klux Klan – as if you put that billboard up just for the rally to show your support of racism – and your marketing people are spending all their time explaining you had no idea that rally was even going to take place. It’s enough to make you swear off billboard advertising altogether, isn’t it? And it’s a pretty fair analogy of what’s happening right now in social media.

     Last week, The Anti-Defamation League issued an open letter to Facebook with the hashtag #StopHateForProfit, imploring Mark Zuckerberg and his team to institute much stronger measures for limiting or eliminating any content featuring sexism, racism or any other hate speech based on discriminatory ideology. At the same time, Coca-Cola, Unilever, Eddie Bauer and dozens of other brands have declared a moratorium on advertising on Facebook, YouTube and other social platforms as a vote of “no confidence” when it comes to ensuring their ads won’t appear near content that conflicts with their corporate values. Is this fair? You bet it is.

     Not long ago, I wrote another editorial regarding Twitter’s newly-proposed policy of flagging inaccurate, inflammatory language in an effort to serve the greater good. One of the most important points I tried to make is that the First Amendment guarantees our right to free speech as long as it doesn’t incite illegal activity or violence – in any form – against others. Facebook and most other social platforms fall tragically short when it comes to protecting its readers and advertisers from being exposed to, or associated with, such content.

Michael Priem, CEO of Modern Impact, Minneapolis

Hot Dogs Belong On A Grill, Not In A Car

Dear Editor,

     As we approach the dog days of summer, it is important to remember that hot dogs belong on the grill, not in a vehicle. Canines can easily overheat and die when left in a hot car. When a dog’s internal body temperature exceeds 105.8°F, it can suffer from heatstroke, which has a 50 percent fatality rate. Even when dogs survive, many suffer permanent brain damage.

     The temperature inside a car can increase drastically very quickly, making it lethal for dogs in as little as 6 minutes. On hot days, ensure your pets are in environments that are either shaded, well ventilated or temperature-controlled with access to ample, clean water. Our dogs are always watching out for us, remember to return the favor.

Robin R. Ganzert, Ph.D. President and CEO,

American Humane Washington, DC

 

Columns and “Letters To The Editor” are the opinions of the writers and not necessarily the opinion of the Decatur Tribune editor and publisher, staff, or advertisers. One one letter to the editor from the same person will be printed within a 30-day period. No anonymous letters will be printed.