Not funny to make light
of animal rights issues

Copyright © 2006 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc.

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Your "Plants have feelings, too ..." editorial of July 3 is offensive in its cheeky tone and its illogic. You make light of animal rights issues, which are actually complex and weighty. You glibly conclude that if we acknowledge animal rights as a legitimate societal concern "we wouldn't eat anything."

I suggest you educate yourselves here. The fundamental question is: Can it suffer? If -- whatever it is -- can, we have a moral duty to avoid harming it. Especially for reasons of human vanity, preference or comfort.

I have read no conclusive evidence that plants suffer when harvested. You use a guise of "vegetable worship" to sidestep the real point. Which is: How much suffering has your dietary habit caused today?

Pat Burdick

Smithfield