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Letters to the Editor
Send us a note by using the form below. Not all letters will be posted, however, we reserve the right to post any abusive letters at our discretion with or without consent.
Dear Editor,
Date 20 May 2008
Discrimination and racism has existed in America since the very early days of colonization. In the Declaration of Independence, our founding fathers declared "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal." and yet, it would be another 189 years before Americans would be equal by law.
It has been suggested that with the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, America had finally overcame its ugly past of racism and discrimination. As we entered into the new millennium, the author wondered if America had really set aside its biases and discriminatory practices. The author interviewed eight people as he developed the foundations for this book.
One of the people he was honored to interview was Brian Swann, the brother of famous footballer Lynn Swann. Brian shared his story of a racial motivated encounter that he and his brother's had experienced in the 1970's in San Francisco, California, at the hands of the San Francisco Police Department. Each of the eight people interviewed for this book brought with them a different experience and viewpoint as it relates to discrimination and racism in America, and more specifically, white male privilege in America. The author brought these eight individual viewpoints together, and told their story as they relate to American history, from the early days of colonization through the present day. Mark Rosenkranz (rosenkranz4@sbcglobal.net)
Dear Editor,
Date: 15 May 2008
I read your article about breastfeeding and quite enjoyed it as well as learned from it. The article said there was information on laws protecting the right of mothers to breastfeed in public but I could not find the information. As a police officer, I occasionally have to deal with ignorant citizens who want to sign a complaint against a woman breastfeeding in public and I would love to be armed with the law that gives them the right. If you could send them to me I will also make the information available to the supervisor. Marie Miller (mmiller@ci.moscow.id.us).
Dear Editor,
Date: 22 March 2008
Regarding the Howes story. The child's death was horrible, but blaming another child was equally horrible. The baby's mother was totally irresponsible and one of the poorest excuses for parenthood.
Sandra K. Griffis (griffis_sandra@yahoo.com)
Dear Editor,
Date: 6 September 2007.
Stevens is charged with selling videos and other "abuse" videos. I am not standing up for him. I say the man should be shot. But yet Michael Vick the QB for the Atlanta Falcons is charged 6 years max and $350,000 fine? I say Vick should be charged the same because he gave them the dogs to do it. And further more I believe that he shouldn't be let off because he's a national football star.
This man needs the same punishment as someone who recorded,trained but was not found to have dogs on his premises. Michael Vick had 66 Pitbulls on his premises if that isn't suspicious I do not know what is. If he went up against a federal court and charged $350,000 I say for him to go up against a animal protection court. Stevens faces up to 15 years in prison for his crimes and a maximum fine of $750,000.
It is not to criticize anyone anywhere but to prove a point: Every man is equal so why shouldn't they be punished the same not balanced on reputation. It contradicts the whole point in one being charged with 6 years prison max and another being charged with "almost" the same thing.
Except being charged double the price but with alot less income. Michael Vick earns around 72,000,000 a year. $350,000 isn't that much harm to his paycheck. He could pay it off in 1 game. Six years later he would be back in the NFL for the Falcon's again unless... he was completely banned from the NFL permanently no appeals apparent. This man should be hit hard for what he has done and what he has yet to commit.
Thank you for your time in reading my letter. - David Santana
Dear Editor,
I found your article about Royal Pet Store via google after a random
search to see if there was actually anything published about them (with
respect to animal treatment). Thank you for taking the time and having
the courage to publish your experience.
I had thought about boarding my
dog there but went elsewhere, based on a gut instinct. I live in the
Jefferson Manor neighborhood adjacent to the store and walk by there
nearly every day to and from the metro. It's sad, but not surprising,
to hear the reality of what's going on there from someone who has worked
there.
We actually got our dog from there in Feb. '04, shortly after
moving to the neighborhood. My confusion over their refusal to provide
me information about the breeder later contributed to me learning much
about the reality of pet stores and I won't buy a pet from a pet store
again, although we cherish our dog very much.
Regards,
Nate
Dear Editor,
Amanda Weiner should be ashamed of herself for expressing her thoughts in
such crass words. Amanda - express your views by all means, but keep it focused
- treehunging whores - really!
War is not good for humanity - war kills people. By the way, U.S. entered Iraq
illegally, therefore the war we created is illegal. There's an old saying, "To
lose a child in war in a tragedy. To lose a child in an illegal war is a
travasity."
PEB
Dear Editor,
I am pro-life. Here in the Midwest (and perhaps throughout the U.S.), a pro-life t.v. ad is
currently running, with a woman presenting a question to the viewers which I
feel is of quite worthy of consideration. The question she presents is something
to this effect: "Why, when I didn't want [to be pregnant], it WASN'T a baby ,
but when I DID want it, it WAS [a baby]? Think about it."
Britt Conine
Dear Editor,
The folks at the shop were reading your article today, as well as one
written by one former employee named Amanda. The names were all right, but the
facts were twisted just enough to be damaging, which I'm sure was what was
intended, given that Amanda seems to be still bitter a whole year after not
receiving the raise she requested. (Editor's Note: Amanda was still working at the Royal Pet Shop and Kennel when she submitted the information to AnaiRhoads.org). She was a good worker, but forever late.
I appreciate your concern about our not issuing "papers" for our stock. Puppy
mills always give "papers." We used puppy mills and they delivered
their stock and then asked where the dumpster was. We watched in horror as they
pitched a half dozen dead animals into the bin! Some of our stock does arrive with "papers," but we don't pass them on to the buyers for several reasons.
First, the stock is pet quality, raised in
peoples' homes more for disposition than for color, conformation, and all of
that, so if the customer tried to show the dog we sold them, they would probably
be laughed out of the ring, despite the fact that their animal would most likely
be a superior pet to the inbred wrecks that are trotted out at Westminster. (Editor's Note: The Royal Pet Shop and Kennel claim their canines are purebreed quality. Several customers have reported to AnaiRhoads.org that they were told the animal was purebreed, but as the dog grew - the breed was clearly mixed).
Second, we want to encourage people to have their pets spayed or neutered, (Editor's Note: We have gathered an extensive list of people who deny this shop ever encouraged spaying/neutering) and
not to try to breed them themselves. Our breeders are experienced hobbyists who
have been at it for years. Sometimes a first-time backyard breeder offers us
puppies, and they are usually quite a mess. Too often a would-be breeder finds
out he has bitten off more than he can chew! Raising nice puppies is a lot of
work, and brings very little profit! This is a labor of love.
Third, we don't want people to pester our breeders with every little problem.
Whereas some concerns are valid, a lot of people who originally purchase a puppy
as a pet suddenly become disgruntled would-be show dog owners, and get all upset
because their puppy's legs are too long or one ear falls over and it isn't a
show dog. Since we don't offer the breeders health papers, we have the puppies
re-checked by a local vet (Editor's Note: The Royal Pet Shop and Kennel has business with this vet). And they are actually pretty tough on us! When
animals don't pass the health check, we hold them back and treat them until they
are able to go out for sale. And further offer the customer a re-check and a
limited guarantee.
Of course, all of the above places the on us on the customer to either trust us
or take their business elsewhere.
Nobody forces anybody to buy our animals. We don't offer papers, but we do offer
this:
"Our puppies aren't "seconds," and we stand by our product. We take excellent
care of our stock, feed the best food, and deal effectively with any health
problems. If a puppy gets sick, it receives first-rate veterinary care and
first-rate nursing care until it recovers. We have only lost one puppy over the
past year because a congenital intestinal problem slipped by the breeder's vet.
The only time we return puppies to the breeder is when we suspect them of
dumping "seconds" on us, and then we quit using them. We like it when our
customers are happy, because then our puppies are happy too."
My boss has no idea I'm writing this, and he would probably give me the devil
for dignifying your accusations with a response, but I believe your concerns are
sincere. We may not be perfect, but we try pretty darn hard. I know how things
work at the shop because I drive the puppies to the vet, clean their kennels,
play with them, and help take care of them when they are sick---which is pretty
seldom. (Editor's Note: Reports to AnaiRhoads.org show a disturbing pattern of ill animals).
I recently learned that some of my relations in the midwest raise puppies in
their homes and sell them to shops like ours. I think we actually sold several
of my Iowa cousin's Viszlas!
Everybody at the shop except the kennel manager (Editor's Note: The Kennel manager was quoted stating he has purchased a dog from this shop and was "satisfied" with his choice). has at least one dog from the
shop. (The kennel manager lives in a little apartment near the store.) The owner has
two and I have three. A former employer of mine had one she got from us for
twelve happy years. We use our kennel when we go away. We believe in what we
have to offer.
Unfortunately, there are a lot of former employees out there who disappeared or
got fired because they were allergic to work, didn't like to get their hands
dirty, or were unreliable. A few even shoplifted. At the end of the year, the
boss sends out a stack of W-2 forms thick as a deck of cards, although we only
ever employ 5 or 6 people at a time. So there are plenty of folks out there
with issues and axes to grind. And there are former customers out there who
never got over the "terrible twos," and had to be tossed out because they threw
tantrums when they didn't get their way. So I'm sure you can find plenty of
people willing to complain about Royal Pet Shop and Kennel, but how many of them
are willing to tell the truth?
Sincerely,
Nancy S.
Dear Editor,
I read both of your stories about the Royal Pet Shop & Kennel located in Virginia and I sadly admit I purchased a puppy from them. The puppy died nearly 2 weeks later from worms. I had no idea. I raised dogs most of my life and since moving to Virginia I had not owned a puppy or any pet for that matter, so I went over to see what this store had.
The animals appeared weak, but I really didn't think anything of it at the time. I will not disclose my name or even what breed of dog I had purchased because I don't want to get into any trouble, but what I can tell you is, this place needs to be shut down. They mistreat all of the pets there. Some of the employees are slobs themselves, how much will they do for the animals? I didn't see any food in any of the cages there either.
If you decide to post my Letter to the Editor, please allow me to make a plea - Please do not buy from this place!
Thank you,
Name and E-mail witheld.
Dear Editor,
That was a great article you wrote on the man found guilty of selling
dog fighting videos. Although I've found several other articles on the same man, I can't find out what his actual sentence was in April. Did you hear what his disposition was?
Thanks in advance,
Dave Bernazani.
hodave40@hotmail.com
Dear Dave,
We do know that he was facing 15 years in prison and up to $750,000 in fines, but no one really did a follow-up to know what the final sentence was.
However, here is an interesting post by the accused, Bob Stevens, where he claims he is a "law-abiding" citizen. http://www.pbreporter.com/Bob%20Stevens.htm
Stevens believes he has done nothing wrong despite selling videos that show canines cornering and mutilating a pig. He was found guilty for a reason, but he cannot fathom why.
Thank you for writing in,
Anai Rhoads (Editor)
Dear Editor,
I recently had a baby boy and was contemplating what to do about his vaccinations.
We asked the doctor if we could delay the vaccines until my son was older. The doctor became angry with me saying that my boy can get very ill and/or even die without the shots. I looked up the laws in my state and know my rights now. Thank you for telling
the public that by signing those waivers it could spell trouble later on. I plan to type out a letter and sign it instead. At least I know MY wording is my own and not sneaky wishy-washy speak doctors and lawyers use to trap us. Thank you again! Mel Gaynor from
Seattle, WA USA
Dear Editor,
I am dumbfounded by the lack of concern displayed by the Governor of Louisiana! Not only
did the administration and the state triple the dysfunction going on there but then
they ignored the animals left behind after hurricane Katrina. Some of those people only had their pets left in life to begin with. I am outraged by this incompetence! Where is the humanity? Harrison Park, Madison, WI, USA.
Dear Editor,
I read your article about Hayworth's plan to revise the current immigration policy.
As a resident of Arizona, I can honestly tell you that this topic really hits home
for me because my family and I live close to the border.
There are so many Mexican men and women that only want to provide for their families.
I look at my family and understand the need and I wish the same for everyone, not just Americans. This country has too much and is more than capable of sharing. Thanks for listening, Janet Friedmann from Nogalis, AZ.
Dear Editor,
I am writing to thank you for discussing prison rape and abuse. I find there are
so many things in this country that are dismissed, and this taboo topic happens to
be one of them.
Our society tends to parody and mock prison abuse in such absurd ways. It is refreshing to
read an article that brings it all to light. Thank you. Amanda Schmidt from Clear Water, FL.
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