ANIMAL TRAPS

Brutal devices don’t discriminate

The use of body-gripping traps is barbaric, cruel and inhumane. The suffering of animals caught and held by leg-hold traps for long hours or days is unjustifiable: the struggle to be free, the agony of a limb imprisoned in sub-zero cold, the pain of injuries caused by the all-out fight to escape, the broken teeth from biting at the trap, the thirst, hunger, anxiety, terror, the menace of attack by other animals. And the way of death: The trapper clubs the animal then stands on its chest to cause suffocation.

Traps do not discriminate when they brutally lock their prey in their jaws. Catching pregnant wolves, pups, eagles, possums, foxes, bobcats, beavers, raccoons, muskrats, coyotes, skunks, martens, mink, otters, badgers, weasels and even domestic dogs — often these trapped animals are just thrown away.

It seems wrong that a state agency should promote and defend a practice so contemptuous toward animal suffering.

In my mind, heart and soul I cannot understand how anyone can torture any animal in this way — or how a state can allow it.

DIANE AYRES, Boise

BOAT SAFETY

Recklessness cost me my gear — and almost my life

Public safety and responsibility on waterways are imperative. On July 8, at Crown Point on Lake Cascade, because of the carelessness and irresponsibility of a boater, my boat was almost sunk.

The guy driving up to us was about 200 feet away and the wake from his boat completely filled my bass boat with water. We were just trolling off the point and in around 50 feet of water, 250 yards from any shore. The boat went on its side a couple of times, almost going under.

I lost tackle and poles, a cooler and several loose things we were fishing with. We paddled up to the sandy point and started assessing what was gone and clearing water from the entire boat. It was 4 p.m. on Friday afternoon when this happened.

I just wanted to let this person know how stupid his actions were and how much it cost me! I do not know yet if my boat can be repaired given all the electrical things inside were filled with water along with motor and batteries. By this man’s lack of caring about boating rules and of not coming back to help us — his recklessness almost cost us our lives.

RODNEY BORGEMAN, Garden Valley

JOB HUNT

Employer, consider the out-of-work applicant

Dear Employers:

I have been interviewing for four years in management or non-profits, but am far from limited to those. I have several complaints about the interview process.

I know when I have applied to a position just to get my foot in the door, you look and say, “Why would she want to work here, she is way over-qualified,” and I’m not considered. Value the experience we are willing to offer as a positive contribution to your organization.

I am discouraged when I go to an interview and the interviewer has no written questions. I know that each interview is different, so how would you compare who would be the best qualified? Many of us older unemployed need a paycheck to save our mortgage, feed our families and have insurance benefits.

Don’t judge us as unemployable just because we haven’t worked lately. Think, “This person has a job currently, and this one doesn’t,” and if we are both qualified, help the whole economy and hire the unemployed person.

BLENDA DAVIS, Boise

OIL SPILL

A problem all of us should worry about

Recently, 42,000 gallons of oil spewed into the Yellowstone River from a ruptured Exxon Mobil pipeline. This is the nesting area for migratory birds like the sandhill crane. What the heck, that is a problem over there. Why worry?

Because our Earth only has a limited supply of fossil fuel and one day it will be gone. Period. But right now Congress in considering legislation to speed up a permit for the Keystone XL tar sands oil pipeline to carry up to 20 times the amount of oil per day as the Yellowstone pipeline, and to cross the very same river.

I know, the Boise River isn’t being ruined, so why worry? Because we do share the small planet with billions of folks. We are all affected by such a disaster in the end, even if it happens in Iraq or China or anywhere. We share this space, and we all suffer the consequences of placing money before everything else.

Take a hard look, folks.

TOM EDGAR, Boise

SEN. MCGEE

Politician attempts to save himself

The people have been duped by money, greed and the ambitions of a public figure in an effort to retain all that was lost from a night of chaos. So is the story of Sen. John McGee. In an attempt to salvage whatever remains of his political future, he has elected to throw the people under the bus in a last-ditch effort.

In a public forum, John had no problems deflecting questions of that night, in lieu of memorable accomplishments of a politician scrambling for damage control.

The Idaho GOP is in a situation where its future is imperiled, and where nationally, hopes of gaining the White House in 2012 appear bleak.

Sen. McGee, it’s time to step down. You are the piano player on the Titanic, where the rats have even seen the outcome and have decided to abandon ship. Your colleagues are going to follow in hopes that they, too, can survive, perhaps hunker down and let the storm pass.

The public outcry will subside temporarily. The media will not touch upon the night of debauchery, but come re-election time we will remember

STEVE GRAVES, Meridian

POTATOES

Educate people about healthy spud recipes

Part of our Christmas tradition since 2003 is to have rosemary potato wedges, a recipe from Sunset magazine. If cooked on a nonstick cookie sheet, they have 210 calories. This compares to 500-600 calories in french fries. If potato growers want potatoes to have a better reputation, they should help educate people with better ways to cook them.

It is a pity the “Hey, Harvard, Don’t Mess with Our Spud” article didn’t explain more. Another problem with the potato is that it has to be cooked, and the cooked starch causes glucose spikes that can lead to diabetes. After seeing my grandmother roll around in a wheelchair due to an amputated leg, and spend time in the hospital in a coma and with wounds that would not heal, I am convinced that it’s a disease worth avoiding.

The “Soda Tax? Tater Tax?” article on the same page made me wonder if it wasn’t April Fool’s day instead of the Fourth of July: “The next study might find that an order of fries and a Coke are better for you than previously believed.” Good joke!

JACQUELYN JARBOE, Boise

INSURANCE EXCHANGES

Avoid conflicts with board appointees

Say no to insurance representatives on the Idaho Health Insurance Exchange Governing Board.

Less attention has been paid to the provision in the Affordable Care Act that requires states to set up a competitive marketplace where small businesses can purchase health coverage at a decent price for their employees. Some states have allowed insurance companies to sit on the governing board of the exchange as voting members and other states have not.

Insurance companies and representatives should not have voting seats on the Idaho Health Insurance Exchange Board because there is a direct conflict of interest. Simply put, an insurance company or representative that stands to make a profit from the exchange should not be on the board determining the prices and types of plans available under the exchange.

If the purpose of the exchange is to provide affordable health insurance options for small businesses, then a person who represents the interests of small businesses should be on the exchange governing board. There really is no place for insurance companies and representatives as voting board members.

DAVE SILVA, Boise