Thursday, July 24, 2008

Takoma Park's Resolution On Foie Gras Is Laudable

Kudos to the Takoma Park City Council for its resolution opposing the production and sale of foie gras, the liver of a force-fed duck or goose ["Takoma Park Officials Frown Upon Foie Gras," Extra, July 10]. Opposing egregious animal cruelty does not mean focusing on trivia or ignoring human rights issues; a humane, modern and ethical society should -- and can -- take steps to minimize human and animal suffering. It's heartening to see more and more cities acknowledging that our broadening ethical framework includes animals.

Jon Camp

Takoma Park

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As a longtime Takoma Park resident and a former animal control officer in the District, I applaud the Takoma Park City Council for passing a resolution opposing the production of foie gras. This cruelty-laden pâté is made by shoving a tube down birds' throats and pumping large quantities of food into their stomachs, causing their livers to swell and become diseased. I have no doubt that if dogs or cats were subjected to similar abuses, it would lead to criminal prosecution.

By unanimously passing a resolution condemning foie gras production, the Takoma Park City Council is sending a message that this form of animal cruelty is too appalling to be condoned in a civilized society.

Erica Meier

Takoma Park

With the usual fanfare and bravado, Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett (D), council President Michael Knapp (D-Upcounty), council member Valerie Ervin (D-Silver Spring) and Superintendent of Schools Jerry D. Weast recently rolled out yet another county government handout, a free "open" lunch site for students. Targeted at the Silver Spring cluster encompassing John F. Kennedy High School, Argyle Middle School and Georgian Forest, Strathmore and Bel Pre elementary schools, the program will provide a summer of free lunches and bus service to the 3,500 . . . students who attend these institutions.

Touted as the "first" in the county, it surely will lead to a series of free lunches, transportation services, security details, additional school staffing, higher energy bills and related bureaucracy at other needy school clusters in the county. And there are many. Weast has sanctioned the use of many of his elementary schools for the Montgomery Cares taxpayer-funded health clinics targeted at the growing Hispanic . . . population. With our hospitals on the brink of financial ruin due to overuse by nonpaying residents, plans are underway to expand Montgomery Cares to multiple county high schools to combat the poor health of the immigrant population and serious risk of spreading diseases to the general population.

Is there a better way? Earlier this year, Leggett, Knapp and the rest of the County Council worked closely with Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) and Annapolis to solve our state and county budget problems. The result: the largest tax increases in Maryland history at a time when our national economy is shedding jobs. Instead of developing an environment in Montgomery County in which citizens can find employment and affordable housing, pay for their medical care and feed their families, our elected officials are going to "help us" every step of the way.

Our young people should not grow up expecting government handouts as a given. County government statements regarding "creating a services model for students that will improve school performance by breaking down institutional barriers, reducing educational and social disparities and addressing issues associated with the impact of poverty" is mere rhetoric typical of a self-perpetuating, tax-dollar-hungry bureaucracy. Hand a man a fish, and he eats for one day; teach a man to fish, and he eats for a lifetime.

Brad Botwin

Director , Help Save Maryland

Rockville