Fair board lacks compassion

Re "Farm animal birth exhibit is back" (Page A1, July 13): Pregnancy is a dangerous, sensitive time for all mammals, from humans to cows. For animals unused to humans, it is even more imperative to keep them calm and with access to a private area.

Cows on ranches do not seek out the audience of cowboys. Pigs in the wild do not climb into a metal crate sitting at a train station. Both find a safe, quiet area to give birth.

The State Fair is a raucous place. It is the least ideal place to give birth. That the State Fair board refuses to back down from its adamant support of a needless display is testament to its inability to support progressive and compassionate treatment of animals. There is much to do at the State Fair. Switching out the live birthing exhibit won't diminish the enjoyment for fairgoers.

– Marji Beach, Grass Valley

Cows are victims of cruelty

I love how those in favor of the birthing exhibit are calling a cow's birth "the miracle of life." A dairy cow is artificially inseminated and kept pregnant year after year. Her "miracle babies" are ripped away from her and the male calves are used for veal, so we can milk her until her udders become swollen and infected. Then, after six years of this miserable existence when she has nothing left to give, she is ground up into hamburger. All this, only to give us cancer, diabetes and heart disease. This is no miracle; this is human cruelty and gluttony at its worst.

– Camilla Kendall,

Rancho Cordova

Birthing exhibit ruins fair

I have many fond memories growing up in Sacramento and Newcastle when going to Cal Expo. It was so exciting, despite the heat. However, I'm now writing in dismay that the executives of the fair are allowing an inhumane event to happen – a live birth exhibit. Last year the mother cow escaped and she and her unborn baby were shot and killed. This is appalling. The State Fair is a fun place and should be fun and safe for all, including cows and their young.

– Megaen Kelly, Newcastle

Runaway cow was dangerous

I strongly oppose live birth exhibitions at the State Fair. Exhibitions of animals always involve a lot of stress and suffering, including noise, unfamiliar surroundings and bright lights. Last year's incident, besides the cruelty to the poor pregnant cow who died and the anguish experienced by animal lovers, was dangerous to the public. Someone could easily have gotten trampled and killed.

– Dorothy Ellen Whitsell, Sacramento

Vets wrong to defend exhibit

How can a veterinarian not understand the absolute vulnerability to harm realized by a female mammal giving birth?

Lord, save us from the specialists!

– Gloria P. Tarr, Sacramento

Gerrymandering alive and well

Re "Panel has served city well with its council remap" (Editorials, July 12): The definition of gerrymandering is to redistrict in a manner to enhance one's political position.

The voters of California have rejected the political redistricting process at the ballot box. But in spite of voters' preference, we see the city and The Bee heralding the most recent gerrymandering of our districts.

Isn't the appointment of staff members and special-interest groups to redistrict our city just a ruse to entrench their respective interests?

If special-interest groups like the gay and African American communities want to advance their interests, isn't the ballot box the place to start?

– Brian McCarthy, Sacramento

Greenhaven belongs in Pocket

Your editorial claims that the remapping plans "split relatively few neighborhoods so that voters with similar concerns are in the same district."

I am a resident of Greenhaven and very much a member of the Pocket community. I have lived here for 33 years. My doctor and dentist, grocery store, fitness center, pharmacy, library, etc. are in the Pocket.

My friends and family members live in the Pocket. Some of my grandchildren will go to school here. I volunteer yearly at the July Fourth parade. I take walks and attend various meetings in the Pocket.

All but one of the redistricting maps indicate that my interests lie with those of Land Park residents or south Sac residents.

I've spoken with friends and neighbors and we really miss being a part of our own neighborhood. We have been stepchildren for 10 years. It is time to give us our identity back.

– Lorri Doig, Sacramento

Circumcision debate ridiculous

Re "Measure rightly challenges need for circumcision" (Viewpoints, July 12): Tina Kimmel's article against circumcision illustrates how something of non-importance in California can attract more attention than it's worth. The fact that we now have the National Organization of Circumcision Information Resource Centers, Intact America and Bay Area Intactivists only proves to me that there are more nuts in this state than there are at the almond factory in downtown Sacramento.

The claim that child abuse is the result of circumcision is about as relevant as my claim of mental abuse due to reading The Bee.

– John Drury, Sacramento

CalSTRS explains pension fix

Re "Can Legislature finally crack down on spiking?" (Editorials, July 9): The Bee's recent pension spiking coverage questioned why CalSTRS seeks to amend Sen. Joe Simitian's anti-spiking bill (SB 27) to apply only to new hires. That's because legal precedent and contractual obligations make it impossible to change the rules midstream without negating decades of constitutional protections. It doesn't mean we condone behavior that can be construed as spiking.

We have focused for years on building strong systems to deliver timely, accurate benefits and will continue to expand upon these as part of our risk-based review program, which identifies large pay increases during the final compensation period and inconsistent pay raises throughout a member's career.

CalSTRS takes great care to thoroughly investigate cases and perform audits to determine the best response before taking actions that affect a member's retirement income for life.

– Ed Derman, Sacramento, deputy CEO, California State Teachers' Retirement System

This is true heroism

Re "Army Ranger receives the Medal of Honor" (Nation in brief, July 13): Tears came to my eyes after reading about Army Ranger Sgt. 1st Class Leroy Petry, who was only the second living recipient to be awarded the Medal of Honor since Vietnam. The picture showing him shaking hands with President Barack Obama with his prosthetic hand is a powerful image.

Just like Michael Monsoor, the Navy SEAL from California who died in 2006 throwing himself on a grenade to save his fellow SEALs, and many, many other heroes in our country's war history, Sgt. Petry's selfless actions defines true heroism. To say I'm humbled and so proud truly is an understatement.

– Lorna Quinn, Carmichael

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