Nina Smith says she will eat a McDonald’s burger if I write another pro-vegetarian letter to the editor [“Fries With That?”, Feb. 14]). So be it; I can’t make her a compassionate person. Judging by the maturity of her statements, I’m guessing she’s probably too young to drive. Hopefully, her parents will take her for counseling instead of a burger. Threatening to harm or be complicit in the harming of a living being unless someone behaves as you command is what terrorists do. I sincerely hope she gets the help she needs.
It’s a good thing that Ms. Smith doesn’t have access to all of the letters I’ve written over the past few decades. If she’s willing to harm animals because I’m against it, where will her perverse logic and behavior end? If she read my letters speaking out against discrimination of individuals because of the color of their skin, their gender or their sexual orientation, would she abuse people of color, women and gays and lesbians? If my next letter is about being kind to dogs and cats, will she choke a kitten or kick a puppy?
The policies and submission guidelines of the Mountain Xpress state: “The Letters section seeks to promote thoughtful, diverse community dialogue.” Ignoring this policy by printing Ms. Smith’s threat is an embarrassment not just to the paper, but to the entire community. There is a shortage of intelligent conversation in America, and Asheville doesn’t need a newspaper that’s the print equivalent of the Howard Stern or Jerry Springer show.
About that burger: You simply cannot eat one without supporting animal cruelty. I encourage readers with open minds and the ability to feel empathy to watch a short video at www.meat.org. Why be complicit in so much cruelty?
