They make cat program work

I would like to thank you for the editorial (Aug. 1) on our Linn County Feral Cat Program.

This program is successful because of the efforts of many others; mayors and city counselors of Lebanon, Sweet Home and Albany gave resources to help mitigate this growing problem. Also, recognition goes to all the wonderful volunteers of local cat-care agencies who make this program a success due to all their work. Last, thanks to Linn County Treasurer Michelle Hawkins, who pays the participating veterinarians, and Linn County Dog Control Supervisor John Adair, who administers this program.

With everyone working together, we will continue to have an impact.

Cliff Wooten, Linn County Commissioner

Hope in brain research

The Democrat-Herald article on Sunday, July 20, about brains and sexuality was of particular interest to me as I was just reading “Change Your Brain, Change Your Life,” by Dr. Daniel G. Amen. Some of us saw him on the last OPB fundraiser. He used a more-definitive, sophisticated machine called SPECT (Single Photon Emission Computerized Tomography), which looks at blood flow and brain activity in each tiny photo slice. With that, it can be seen where the brain is abnormally active. And knowing better what action each part of the brain is responsible for and what correct pharmaceuticals can be used to correct that. He reports much success for depression, anxiety, obsessiveness, temper, fear, panic and other life-defeating problems that people have. He doesn’t specifically discuss homosexuality in this book, but if its difference from normal can be found in the brain, as the Sunday article suggests, then surely a medicine can be found to cure that too. This sounds like a great hope for those so afflicted if, as they say, they don’t choose to be that way, they just are. As depressives don’t choose to be that way, they just are.

This book is in the Albany library but is in such demand that it must be reserved.

M.E. Bennett, Albany

That rule wouldn't work

Re: “The planes above” (editorial, Aug. 6).

Obviously you were making an opinion when you are not a pilot. I am a licensed pilot. And your interesting “Rule No. 1” is a bit ridiculous, don’t you think? You could make the same rule for motor vehicles: Rule No. 1 has to be to avoid driving in areas of built-up/heavy traffic as much as can be done.

The tragedy in Gearhart was one of those terrible things that happen and the investigation hopefully will find the cause and contributing factors. Being a small-aircraft pilot myself, I am not sure why that pilot took off into fog, but there are conditions where that is legal and safe, if properly done. I’m not going to second-guess anything.

The general public should know that all of those small planes must be taken apart and thoroughly inspected every year. But they are machines. Machines break and in the extremely remote chance that would happen while over an area where the pilot has absolutely no choice but to try for a large yard or street, he or she will do everything not to hurt anyone. Pilots have no death wish as far as I know.

Ted Running, Albany

Ancient saying is still valid

Thanks for publishing my letter in the Aug. 5 issue. The heading you used was great, but the message was much less dramatic give the fact that you did not include the dates of Sophocles’ life. Would you please publish it again using all of what I’d submitted: “Nobody has a more sacred obligation to obey the law than those who make the law.” — Sophocles (496 B.C. — 406 B.C.)

The point of my sending you Sophocles’ quote was to note the responsibility of the leaders to obey the laws they made in his lifetime, and even more so today! By not including the dates of his life, I believe it lessened the impact of my statement.

Evelyn Madison, Lebanon