Winston-Salem Journal LTE's MO 12/19/11

Types of farmers

I became quite concerned when I read the Dec. 13 article "U.S. farmers post one of best years ever," because there were no distinctions made between types of farmers. The farmers who are referred to in the article farm hundreds, maybe even thousands, of acres of commodity produce such as corn, wheat, rice, cotton or soybeans. Or they farm one vegetable over huge acreages. They could raise hundreds or thousands of cows. And, yes, it is likely that with their subsidies (funded by taxpayers' money) they made more profit this year than in years past.

This is not the case for the many family farmers who sustainably or organically raise vegetables or meat animals for the growing number of people concerned about what they eat. Small farmers who strategically diversify their crops to prevent disease and pest infestations and use animal-based fertilizers and no chemical pesticides, fungicides or fertilizers typically do not qualify for subsidies or crop insurance. These farmers are not making huge profits, if any.

It's important to make these kinds of distinctions when talking about farmers.

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LAURA C. FRAZIER

Kernersville

Respecting our officers

Nearly every day we read or hear of some law-enforcement officer being shot or killed in the line of duty, doing his or her best to protect us. In my neighborhood and in those of my acquaintances in other areas, there has been a rash of various types of crime, and no particular race involved.

To be sure, there has been racial profiling in all parts of the country, and this should not be tolerated. But we expect stringent law enforcement in all neighborhoods where any type of criminal activity is prevalent. In many, if not in most of these areas, the residents themselves have requested surveillance. If the situation worsens, and I fear it will, more of us will be using our gun permits.

Let's give our officers respect and encouragement for doing their job and without hazardous duty compensation.

Personally, I wish them all a safe and healthy new year. I hope others will, too.

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BOB G. TANNEHILL

Winston-Salem

Caring for pets

I appreciate the concerns raised by the Dec. 9 letter "Heartbroken" regarding the unfortunate euthanasia of a 3-week-old kitten at the Forsyth County Animal Shelter. I have some suggestions on what is clearly a sad and persistent community problem.

Although non-profit groups do foster abandoned animals, they are inundated with society's "disposable pets" but short on funds and volunteers, especially foster families.

Although not intuitive, increasing the mandatory holding period (currently five days for licensed pets, three days for healthy strays and no guarantees for owner-surrenders) to seven days may not help. Because of shelter overcrowding, if they routinely kept sick, injured or very young animals that require both an extended stay and extra care, the result would be euthanizing healthy, adoptable animals to make room for the others. Also, adoptions could decrease due to a limited selection of immediately adoptable pets.

Unfortunately, there are limited resources to fight a battle created by the failure of many people to take responsibility for their pets, so difficult choices are made.

What can we do? First, when making year-end donations, we can write checks to a local non-profit for spay/neuter services. Second, volunteer at the shelter or with a rescue group. Third, ensure that we know how to properly care for and train our pets. The result is a higher pet-retention rate and fewer animals brought to the shelter.

There's more, but if we all did the above, there could be room for the next 3-week-old kitten.

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KEITH MURPHY

Winston-Salem

Murphy is a member of the Forsyth County Animal Control Advisory Board. — the editor

United and great

Our country, up until now known as the United States of America, may sometime in the future be referred to as the States of America because of the lack of appreciation for what made this country united and great.

We have some who feel they should not have to recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States of America even though their right to be here was part of the reason for the battles fought and lives lost to preserve the freedoms our citizens and immigrants now enjoy ("Board leaves Pledge policy as is," Dec. 14). Our flag is a symbol of the unity and freedoms we enjoy, and one of those is a freedom afforded even to those who swear no allegiance to it.

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LOUIS W. JONES

Winston-Salem