ENVIRONMENT
Trash, goose droppings far worse than cats
If the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers thinks that feral cats are such a danger to patrons at West Bank Park, they should look at other, more serious problems. A constant concern is the geese. You can’t walk without stepping in goose poop. Are they trapping and killing the geese? Don’t think so.
A lot of the park patrons are way more of a problem than the cats will ever be. They show no respect for their surroundings. They throw soft drink and beer cans; food and containers; soiled baby diapers and anything else they don’t want anywhere they want.
Animals dig in this trash for food and make an even bigger mess, and people expect the park maintenance employees to clean up after them. This could not be sanitary! Those of us who enjoy going to the park have to look at this mess.
If the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers spent time trying to help the cats rather than kill them, we would all be better off. Is there not anyone in this group who loves and respects animals, and their right to live?
There are so many people and organizations ready to help solve their “cat problem,” if the corps would just listen.
Rece Allen, Duluth
POLITICS
Don’t worry; Guam can handle military influx
Having served on Guam during World War II, I can assure Rep. Hank Johnson that the island is safe.
While I was there, we had two B-29 bases, plus other airfields. We also had two Marine divisions and headquarters for the 20th Air Force and the Central Command for the Pacific.
I am sure that the wartime population of Guam exceeded anything being planned now. As I recall, the island and even the jungle survived the massive military population just fine.
Mike Luckovich hit it “right on the head” (Opinion, April 2), and Rep. Johnson should do his homework.
Raymond Dubner, Stone Mountain
SOCIAL SECURITY
Like other entitlements, it leads straight to ruin
My answer to Elizabeth Wilson (“Socialism? Not in the eyes of the recipients!” Readers write, Opinion, April 1) is, no, you cannot have my Social Security or Medicare checks. However, I would gladly opt out of the system if they would return all the money I paid into it.
I’m 53 now, but I said this at 30; I said it at 40 and I say it now. And I would accept the deal without even the interest due me — well worth it if I could be free from this forced pyramid scheme.
But even if they wanted to make this deal, they couldn’t. Do you know why, Ms. Wilson? Because those systems are broke.
And now we have a shiny new health care program to join those entitlements. It is obvious where this road leads. Why must we go down it yet again?
Mike Anthony, Duluth
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