Why would you hurt?

Why would anyone ever hurt an innocent child?

I will never understand it. I have raised four children. I have nine grandchildren, and they are the most precious things that ever came into my life.

But when someone commits a crime against a child, one question, why are they just fined and let go? That is no way to help a child. I think they deserve the harshest punishment.

These children are scared for the rest of their life. But, still the molester goes unpunished.

Tammy Evans

West Portsmouth

Thanks for attending

The League of Women Voters would like to thank all citizens who attended Meet Your Candidates Night on Oct. 19 at the Welcome Center.

The candidates were well informed and articulate. Questions from the audience were answered clearly and in the appointed time. It was an evening well spent. All who attended learned information about the views of the running candidates and their positions.

The purpose of the league is to encourage everyone to get involved in your government. Voting is not just a right but a privilege. Know your government officials, know your candidates for office, study the issues, and vote Nov. 3. You can make a difference.

Applause to Moderator Marilee Stevenson, League President Sandra Reiser, and all of the candidates for a great job.

Rosalie Phillips

LWV publicity chair

Portsmouth

Don’t be swayed

by emotions on

animal products

We seem to be constantly hearing about the abuse and inhumane treatment to animals because we choose to incorporate this source of protein into our diets. Without getting into the issue as to whether eating meat is moral or immoral, let us look at the real facts and not be misled by a few extremists.

We keep hearing about the male chicks that are ground up in an abusive manner just because they are not egg producers. Do we have good doctors and bad doctors? Yes. Do we have good teachers and bad teachers? Yes. Do we have good packing plants and bad packing plants? Yes. We need to concentrate on the minority of packing plants that need to be more accountable and not just vote to rule out meat eating because of some band wagon renegades. Speaking from experience (and as an animal lover) while in college I worked in a top-notch meat lab /packaging plant. I can assure you that animals were treated and processed in humane conditions; this is the majority of processing plants.

So you choose not to eat meat because you think it inhumane ... that is your choice. But while you are saying this, let us look at the facts of non-edible and edible by-products we receive just from cattle. Do you eat candies, dairy products, desserts, diet products, jellies and marshmallows? Guess what, these items contain gelatin which comes from the connective tissues of cattle. Do you burn candles in your home, use crayons, cosmetics, detergents, floor wax, insecticides, mouthwash, perfume, plastic, photographic film, shaving cream, soaps, toothpaste or heaven forbid, do you have linoleum in your home? All of these products are made from fats and proteins from cattle.

Cattle are similar to humans organically. Because of this, our bodies will easily accept medication made with animal components. Some pharmaceutical items that we receive from cattle include (but not limited to) the following:

• Blood factors (for treating hemophilia and killing viruses);

• Chymotrypsin (promotes healing of burns);

• Collagen (used in plastic surgery and to make non-stick bandages);

• Glucagon (treats low blood sugar);

• Heparin (anticoagulant to treat blood clots);

• Insulin (for diabetes or high blood sugar); and

• Thrombin (coagulant which helps blood to clot).

The list goes on. And let us not forget what we are wearing. How many pairs of leather shoes do you own? Handbags, boots, belts, wallets, gloves, furniture coverings, automobile interiors all incorporate the beautiful soft leather that we so admire in today’s fashion industry. Did you also know that cattle inedible by-products also help you get to where you are going? The antifreeze that you are getting ready to put in your vehicle contains glycerol that is derived from fat. The asphalt that you are driving on contains a binding agent from beef fat. Beef fats and proteins also make auto and jet lubricants, outboard engine oil, high performance greases and brake fluid. Even your tires contain stearic acid which helps rubber to hold its shape. Sporting equipment ... yes, even sporting equipment contains beef by-products.

It seems like beef cattle (and other animals) are just about perfect for our use. Coincidence? You decide. But before you condemn 4-H’ers for showing animals at the fair or jump on a band wagon to stop the processing of animals for nutritional use, look at the total picture. Don’t be swayed by pamphlets and commercials that merely play on your emotions.

Melinda Stevens BS, MS

Home Economist

Casinos will damage Ohio, not help

Journalists who cover horse racing in Ohio know that casinos in big cities may result in some new jobs (certainly not 34,000), but expanded gambling in Ohio will probably destroy far more jobs than it creates. That’s why the Ohio chapter of the U.S. Harness Writers Association is on record as opposing passage of Issue 3.

Casinos will seriously damage Ohio agriculture by hurting farmers who raise horses and the people who race them.

It’s well known that the state of Ohio has a serious budget crisis and needs an infusion of revenue. How much money does Issue 3 provide for the state budget? Not one dime. What Issue 3 does is expand gambling to new areas and provide a monopoly in the Ohio constitution for casino operators.

I recently received a mailing from the proponents of Issue 3. It touts jobs and benefits to Ohio’s economy, but nowhere in the brochure does it mention what Issue 3 is all about: expanding gambling to new locations in Ohio.

If the supporters of Issue 3 are ashamed to even mention what they’re pushing, should Ohioans buy into their scheme? We say “no” on Issue 3.

Dean A. Hoffman

President

U.S. Harness Writers

Association

Ohio Chapter

Columbus