LETTERS IN THE EDITOR'S MAILBAG.

Byline: The Register-Guard

Cougar population increased

I read with interest Jeff Long's guest viewpoint about the fallout from Measure 18 (Register-Guard, March 29). I seem to remember the initiative campaign a little differently.

Oregonians were told that the measure's backers were not opposed to cougar or bear hunting, just the use of hounds or bait. In fact, I remember them trotting out representatives who claimed to be hunters who only wanted to ensure that the fairest methods were used.

Well, they got their wish and took wildlife management out of the hands of professional biologists. We've experienced the dramatic increase in bear and cougar populations warned about by the measure's opponents.

Not to belabor the obvious, but this is the simplest explanation for the increase in cougars bagged by hunters and run over by cars.

PAUL FURNARI

Veneta

UO needs more cage-free eggs

I was disappointed not to see an article in The Register-Guard about Burger King's recent announcement to commit to buying a larger portion of its animal products from more humane farming conditions, such as cage-free egg farms and pig farms that do not confine pregnant pigs in gestation crates.

This is part of a nationwide trend in major corporations, restaurants and universities switching farming methods that are less cruel. States like Florida and Arizona are outlawing cages for certain farmed animals.

This issue comes back to roost in Eugene because students at the University of Oregon have been working for more than a year to convince the university's dining halls to stop spending tens of thousands of dollars a year supporting miserable battery egg conditions. So far, UO's Director of Housing Food Services, Tom Driscoll, has only offered a cage-free egg option at just one of the many dining halls, which has not shifted much financial support over to humane farmers.

This, ironically, puts Burgerville and Burger King ahead of the UO when it comes to pushing farmed-animal welfare reforms. But I do commend UO for offering more vegetarian and vegan options than you find at fast food joints.

Ultimately, the most ethical thing we can do for other animals is to stop exploiting and killing them.

CARRIE

PACKWOOD FREEMAN

Eugene

Acts were uncivil disobedience

On March 17, demonstrators in Portland defecated on the American flag and burned an American soldier in effigy. Such acts should constitute an expression of extreme hatred by depraved, unprincipled people, much as we would consider burning of a cross.

However, those seeing their political power or agendas adorned and enhanced by such expressions of disorder and injustice can quietly regard these acts tolerantly and affec- tionately.

Safe harbor from any outrage resides within selective, doctrinaire free speech logic untempered by wisdom. If liberal politicians and advocates will not now disavow these acts, then when and what actions constitute a moral boundary between utility for political career and agenda, and derangements incompatible with reasonable discourse in a free society?

Throughout the world, political benefit regularly accrues from the continuum of mob actions involving disruption of traffic, property destruction, assault, murder, torture, terrorism and genocide. Is there a point at which we should expect people to reject political benefits by saying actions are beyond the pale and constitute uncivil disobedience for Oregon?

NOLAN NELSON

Eugene

Not enough baby seals to club

I read the article about the shortage of baby fur seals to club. With global warming, most of the baby seals drowned this year due to lack of ice and the hunters were out of luck.

What a shame. I wonder if we can expect a new wave of recruits into the ranks of environmentalists from these poor hunters?

GREG NORMAN

Eugene

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