Letters 3/7/02

March 6, 2002

Suitable for framing
I‘m writing about your Sept. 20th issue, which was devoted mainly to David Johnson. The front page picture was 105 square inches, there were 97 1/2 column inches about Mr. Johnson, and a 6 x 8 photo of him, suitable for framing.
I question the veracity of this article. Was it a paid advertisement, propaganda or public relations? I have found Mr. Downes to be a very good reporter, with well reasoned articles. On this issue, however, he only got one side of the story. For the complete story on this land swap, please check the Michigan Land Use Institute‘s websight www.mlui.org . There you will find several articles that tell the other side of the story.
Mr. Johnson did an end-run around the legal process and bought this island with political contributions. Attorney General Jennifer Granholm is checking into the legalities of this so-called “swap.“
I also noted that after the swap was done, Northern Express only devoted two inches to the issue. This was disappointing to me, since I enjoy the objective reporting of the paper. Here‘s hoping justice will prevail, and the people of Michigan will get this jewel of an island back into public hands, where it belongs.

Rosalie Pelch • Beulah

The side of animals
I just finished reading Peggy Cassidy‘s letter “Not quite as cruel.“ She seems to think that it‘s just fine and dandy to take baby calves away from their mothers so she and others can drink the milk that nature intended for them. These young calves live in harsh confinement, chained at the neck in tiny crates to restrict their movement in order to keep their muscles tender. They are also fed an iron-deficient diet which causes severe anemia but which keeps their flesh white, making it more valuable when they are sold for meat.
Subjected to total sensory, deprivation and stripped of any measure of joy, 20% of veal calves will die before even reaching the typical slaughtering age of 16 weeks. I also have seen undercover investigative videos inside the chicken, beef and fur industries. I suggest she get the guts and go on PETATV.COM and see for herself. And I hope you do read “Slaughterhouse“ by Gail A. Eisntiz to better understand the other side. The side of animals.

Charlotte Bliss • Williamsburg