Shame on lax pet owners

The spike in the number of pet owners giving up animals to shelters is unconscionable. Pets are also being left to die in abandoned homes. What is wrong with us? Companion animals are not disposable items. There is no 'farm' where your animal will go. Every year up to 10 million dogs and cats are killed in the United States. Imagine filling every seat at Turner Field, executing everyone and disposing of the remains —- 200 times!

There are solutions to avoid these conditions:

> Do not purchase a pet when so many homeless animals die.

> Support legislation that severely curtails breeding, encourages sterilization and restricts give-up options for irresponsible owners.

> Don't get a pet unless you are willing to make a lifetime commitment.

Yes, we can do better. Much better.

DAVID BUTLER

Milton

Media deserves some credit for gas price hikes

As a stockholder in an oil company, I should like to thank all of the media for their steadfast promotion of the idea that the price of gas is sure to hit $4 in the not-too-far distant future.

This kind of promotion is sure to brace the masses for the sure-to-come price and make it easier to swallow upon arrival. Some might have thought it proper for the media to fight this petrol Frankenstein, but I, for one, am grateful they did not.

Now let us go forward with the idea of $5 dollars a gallon!!

MITCHELL GWINN SR.

Marietta

Support has limits

A hint to the Republicans for November.

I, like nearly a third of the voting public, consider myself an independent. Talk to me about balanced budgets, constitutional rights, patriotism, strong defense, strict constructionist judges, smaller government, lower taxes, school choice, local control, (legitimate) states rights, parental rights, civic responsibility, respect of the rule of law, and other staples of conservatism, and I will be with you.

Though I generally will not completely agree, we can discuss the role of religion in society, the rights of the unborn, and the requirements of good citizenship. I may even respect your views on the 'War on Drugs' and the 'War on Terrorism' as we can agree on the problem if not the solution.

But if you are stepping up to defend the administration of [President] George W. Bush and [Vice President] Dick Cheney on any front, if the ideals and actions of those two and their associates are what the Republican Party believes in, you can count on my vote going to the Democrats in November.

Don't take my word or the words of "liberals," just see what so many conservatives such as Bob Barr have had to say about Mr. Bush and Mr. Cheney and come to your senses. Or perhaps you just can't wait for [Sen. Barack] Obama or [Sen. Hillary] Clinton to take the oath.

MICHAEL HONOHAN

Marietta

'Classy lady' Reynolds appreciated in Cobb

The ASO [Atlanta Symphony Orchestra] recently hosted an icon in Debbie Reynolds. The first thing she did was ask if anyone under 50 was in the audience. At least 35-40 percent replied in the affirmative. She seemed genuinely surprised and surmised it was due to her "Will and Grace" exposure.

The second thing she did was explain that she had been on the road for a month of touring and apologized in advance for any voice imperfections (there were only a couple). Issues beyond her control at the tender age of 76, she explained.

This classy lady wowed the audience with her self-deprecating humor, lots of comedy and impressions (Mae West, Barbra Streisand) interspersed with some great songs. The ASO arrangements were their usual perfection.

In this time of economic strife, war and politics, it was great to go back into the past for a short time.

Why doesn't Hollywood get it? Family movies and musicals should not be a thing of the past.

AUDREY E. VALLEY

Sandy Springs