Your Views for November 16

Turkey alternatives

Why pardon a turkey?

President Donald Trump is getting his pardon pen ready as the Robert Mueller investigation starts indicting his associates. On Wednesday, he planned to practice on two very innocent Minnesota turkeys.

The other 244 million turkeys killed in the United States this year have not been so lucky. They were raised in crowded sheds filled with toxic fumes. Their beaks and toes were clipped to prevent stress-induced aggression. At 16 weeks of age, slaughterhouse workers cut their throats and dumped them in boiling water to remove their feathers.

Consumers pay a heavy price, too. Turkey flesh is laced with cholesterol and saturated fats that elevate risk of chronic killer diseases. Intense prolonged cooking is required to destroy deadly pathogens lurking inside.

Now, for the good news: Per capita consumption of turkeys is down by a whopping 34 percent from a 1996 high of 303 million, as one-third of our population is actively reducing meat consumption. Our supermarkets carry a rich variety of convenient, delicious, healthful plant-based meat products, including several oven-ready roasts.

This Thanksgiving holiday, as we give thanks for life and good fortune, let’s also skip the gratuitous violence and grant our own pardon to an innocent animal.

Hal Takano

Kailua-Kona

Audits needed

Regarding proposed raises for some county workers: Are you kidding?

We have awful county roads and streets.

The transit system has a big percentage of the buses not running for lack of maintenance.

Buses stolen. The bus yard is a mess and not organized. The water system that has not operated at full capacity for how long? This, making residents ration water usage.

Bridges are falling apart and how many county departments are dysfunctional?

Before raises are even considered, all county divisions should be audited.

Bob Dukat

Pahoa