> SOUTHERN INDIANA — Reader not happy with hunting tradition

Albert Schweitzer said, “When will we reach the point that hunting, the pleasure in killing animals for sport, will be regarded as a mental aberration?”

I believe that time has come because people no longer hunt for food, they hunt for the thrill of the kill, and it’s sad to say, but those people actually enjoy killing. Some eat their kills, but I believe most are only interested in the animals as trophies.

Our government, businesses and private organizations support them. They have TV shows, websites and social networks where they can brag about their kills. Hunters often try to justify their “sport” by claiming it prevents deer overpopulation. When the Hidden Valley Lake Property Owners Association in Lawrenceburg declared deer to be a nuisance, many showed up to help eliminate the pests. Bloomington officials are considering a similar plan, saying it’s cheaper to shoot them than use conservation methods.

There are people who make a living providing animals for these people to shoot. They call them “game preserves,” where animals are released in enclosed areas, from which they cannot escape, then the hunters go shoot them. In my opinion, these preserves are no different from houses of prostitution in that there is no need to go find a street-walker when you can go to a house and pick one out.

During this past Indiana State legislative session, a bill was passed by the Senate that would allow hunters to use silencers, so that they can stealthily continue the slaughter. Fortunately, no action was taken in the House, but this bill will probably be reintroduced in the next session.

Author Joseph Wood Krutch said, “When a man wantonly destroys the works of man we call him a vandal, but when he destroys the works of God we call him a sportsman.”

These people actually think they are “good guys” and they teach their children to kill. Newspapers print pictures of them smiling by dead animals. I realize hunting has always been considered a tradition: A tradition of killing. They kill millions every year and orphan many more, all for their pathetic idea of “recreation.”

Albert Schweitzer also said, “The thinking man must oppose all cruel customs no matter now deeply rooted in tradition or surrounded by a halo.”

More people need to become “thinking” men and speak out to end this senseless slaughter.

— James Wilson, Speed



‘Taste’ committee member says thanks

  The members of the Taste of Jeffersonville Committee would like to thank Kye Hoehn for her continuing support. We also would like to thank the individuals and businesses who donated items for our silent auction, the sponsors of this year’s event, the restaurants that participated and the members of the community who showed their support by attending our event.  

Monies raised have helped to fund a variety of worthwhile projects such as RiverStage, Carnegie Library Foundation, Clark Memorial Foundation, City Beautification Group, Jeffersonville Main Street, Safety Town, the Jeffersonville Fire Department memorial, Community in Schools, and the Freedom and Holiday parades, to name just a few. Thanks to everyone’s support, the Taste of Jeffersonville will be able to continue in this effort.

We would like to congratulate and recognize the winners of the Best of Taste 2012: First place — Schimpff’s Confectionery; Second place — Aramark; Third place — Cast Iron Grill.

— Pat Elder, Taste of Jeffersonville Committee