Cherish babies, sue the doc

It saddens me that the California octuplets were born into negative media coverage. They should be oohed and aahed over and given gifts of clothing, diapers, college scholarships and a minibus with eight tiny car seats and six more car seats for their older siblings.

But instead, their mother unwisely chose to birth, in her expectation, a single baby or a set of twins, as were her prior experiences.

Because of her mental problems Ms. Suleman should have sought counsel of a psychiatrist instead of a fertility doctor. Of her six older children, three are disabled. She used the same DNA mixture for her octuplets. What are the chances that some of them will be disabled?

The fertility doctor should be sued, by the state of California, for child support and medical insurance.

Charlotte Dougherty, Albany

Humane choice of food

Kudos to Young Voices writer Emily Traylor for giving kids helpful tips on eating a healthy vegetarian diet ("Avoiding meat? Heed this tips," Feb. 5). Vegetarian kids should be proud that they are not only saving animals and the environment, but inspiring other young people to make wholesome, humane food choices.

According to the late pediatrician Dr. Benjamin Spock, "Children who grow up getting their nutrition from plant foods rather than meats have a tremendous health advantage. They are less likely to develop weight problems, diabetes, high blood pressure, and some forms of cancer." It takes significantly less water, land, grain, energy and other resources to produce a vegetarian diet than a meat-based one, and each vegetarian saves more than 100 animals every year.

People of all ages can be good to their bodies, animals and the environment by eating a balanced vegetarian diet, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes and all the healthful foods made from them. See www.GoVeg.com for a free vegetarian starter kit.

Heather Moore, Norfolk, Virginia

Moore is a senior writer for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

No way to treat animals

Emily Traylor's article on meatless meals is a great reminder that these foods are a wise choice for teens and people of every age ("Avoiding meat? Heed these tips," Feb. 5). As someone who became vegetarian as a teen, I was delighted to read her thoughts.

Vegetarian foods are healthier and a more humane alternative to meat, dairy and eggs from animals on factory farms. These massive operations cram hundreds of millions of farm animals into tiny cages where they can barely move their entire lives. We wouldn't treat our pets that way, and it's simply wrong to subject farm animals to that cruelty, too.

Factory farms also pollute our soil, air and water.

Happily, there is an ever-growing variety of meatless foods, and readers can check out free recipes at humanesociety.org/recipes.

Erin Williams, Washington, D.C.

Williams is communications director, Factory Farming Campaign, the Humane Society of the United States.

Why just two dogs?

The Albany City Council members still haven't answered the burning question about the two-dog ordinance. What is/are the problem(s) they are trying to solve? The problem, according to council member Bill Coburn, (Democrat-Herald, Feb. 5), is that if the city lifts the limit then potentially there could be more dogs barking and running at large. "What happens to those dogs caught running around city streets?" asks Coburn. "Would Linn County dog control be able to take in all of those dogs or would the shelter be able to handle the influx?"

Good grief, councilor Coburn makes it sound like we're going to have a canine version of Alfred Hitchcock's "The Birds" if this ordinance is dropped.

It seems to us it is Councilor Coburn's responsibility to provide the data and documentation to support that claim. Is there a fact-based account of what he's predicting if the ordinance is lifted or is this just a best guess?

Before the ordinance went into effect 25 years ago was there dog anarchy? If so, where is the data to support that? It is unacceptable to make comments that can't be backed up with facts.

We just don't envision a huge "influx" of dogs if this ordinance is lifted. Not every dog owner in Albany is going to add 14 dogs to the household. We think the city council should have to provide solid and compelling evidence on why the two-dog limit should continue. It is a little unsettling to us that the city council can tell us how many dogs we are allowed to have in our own home. It's almost like living in a gated community. Next we will be told what color we have to paint our house. If this two-dog ordinance stands we will be starting a grassroots movement for a two-cat ordinance in Albany.

We were disappointed to learn of the informal council meeting Feb. 4. The last we heard there was to be a meeting about this matter on Feb. 11. Now it sounds like this may be postponed and rescheduled for March 9. Hopefully, the city council will keep the Albany citizens informed and let everybody know in advance when the next meeting will be held even if it is impromptu or "informal."

Please write or email the city council members. We elect the city officials and they are supposed to represent us in an unbiased manner. You can reach them at 333 Broadalbin St. S.W./P.O. Box 490, Albany, OR 97321-0144, or at www.ci.albany.or.us or (541) 917-7500.

Rick and Katie Leventhal, Albany

Gaza war gained nothing

What has Israel gained by invading Gaza and killing more than 1,000 persons, over half of whom were children and women? Only more hatred on the part of the victims, more terrorists, and more incoming rockets. One war generates the next. What has Hamas gained by firing over 15,000 rockets into Israel over the last few years which have killed a total of 16 Israelis? Only stiffened resistance and assured retaliation.

Both sides suffered property destruction, Gaza's totaling billions of dollars. All nations glorify war and lift up their military heroes. I am not belittling or disrespecting the sacrifice soldiers have made on the battle field obeying orders and defending freedom as they were taught.

I am suggesting that Rudyard Kipling was telling the truth about the soldiers who died in WWI: "If they ask why we died, tell them because our fathers lied."

And it's an indictment on Christianity that history's bloodiest wars have been fought between so-called "Christian" nations. The antithesis of everything Christ taught. War is contrary to the will of God. It's folly to ask God to bless or take sides in military conflicts.

When diplomacy has been used to resolve conflicts and war avoided, it seldom makes headlines. Do yourself a favor and read "The Myth of A Christian Nation" by Gregory Boyd, 2005.

Ray Kauffman, Palm Desert, Calif.

The writer lives in the mid-valley part of the time.