Letters to the Editor 02/10/2016

To the Editor:

"I know it when I see it."

In 1964, Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart quoted this often-used colloquial expression as a test for obscenity in Jacobellis v. Ohio. Anyone, whether military or civilian that has worked with classified information as a central part of their job and sees that same information, whether on an unmarked email or a napkin "know classified when they see it"!

Hillary Clinton's latest what-difference-does-it-make excuse claiming her emails weren't marked as classified sets an all-time record for political equivocation.

As more information validates her emails in fact contained information sensitive to our national security, on an unsecured server, I think it's pretty safe Hillary "knew it when she saw it." As a potential Commander in Chief, Hillary Clinton's apparent lackadaisical attitude on such a serious issue is unconscionable.

Jeff Mackey

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To the Editor:

Wanted to share something with our community that happened this past week. I was approaching the doors at one of our local businesses (I think it was our post office) and noticed a young boy arriving at the same time as me. We were both going to arrive at the doors at the exact same time. Much to my surprise, he hurried up to beat me to the door and opened it for me! Wow, I was very touched by the manners and respect that this youth had for his elders. It touched me deeply and confirmed that manners and respect are not totally gone in our youth.

His kindness and thoughtfulness impacted me in a great way. Wish I could personally thank him...

Bruce Merrell

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To the Editor:

This Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, the 40-day period before Easter, when many Christians abstain from animal foods in remembrance of Jesus' 40 days of fasting in the desert before launching his ministry.

But meat-free Lent is much more than a symbol of religious devotion to Christ. It helps reduce the risk of chronic disease, environmental degradation, and animal abuse. Dozens of medical reports have linked consumption of animal products with elevated risk of heart failure, stroke, cancer, and other killer diseases. A 2007 U.N. report named meat production as the largest source of greenhouse gases and water pollution. Undercover investigations have documented farm animals being beaten, caged, crowded, deprived, mutilated and shocked.

Lent offers a superb opportunity to honor Christ's powerful message of compassion and love by adopting a meat-free diet for Lent and beyond. After all, it's the diet mandated in Genesis 1:29 and observed in the Garden of Eden.

Our supermarket offers a rich array of plant-based meat and dairy alternatives, as well as the more traditional vegetables, fruits, and grains. Entering "vegan recipes" in our favorite search engine offers more products, recipes, and transition tips than we can use.

Skyler Nash