LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
A deeply flawed wolf hunt
Using dogs to hunt wolves is unconscionable. But in Wisconsin, it is legal.
As a sentient human being, I was sickened by certain information in the comprehensive wolf hunt article by Paul Smith in the Feb. 28 Journal Sentinel (“How wolf management became so contentious”).
He reports that Wisconsin is the only state that allows wolves to be hunted using dogs. While this fact might be glossed over by some, I recall attending an annual state Department of Natural Resources meeting in 2012 when the now present law was on the agenda. I spoke to the majority of hunters and outdoors persons in attendance and was met with polite indifference to my comments.
I think of perfectly acceptable deer hunts at which clean shots are humanely employed, and it seems to me that the act of aiming and shooting would be more appealing than observing one’s hounds pulling apart a defenseless wolf.
The hurried February hunt killed 82% more wolves than planned by the DNR, most killed using dogs. A lot of massacres in the northern woods of Wisconsin!
This is a very controversial issue, and I am waiting to hear answers about how to protect and smartly manage the health of our native wildlife populations.
Marilyn Schaller Oconomowoc
Swear on the Constitution
Perhaps there should be a change in the oath taken by all federal officials.
Instead of placing their hands on the bible of their choosing, it may be better to have them place their hand on a copy of the United States Constitution and swear to uphold it.
The Bible wasn’t written in 1776, and there are some 500 versions currently in print. There is only one Constitution.
Maybe people like Sen. Ron Johnson would remember what they swore to uphold rather than their personal advantage of being in power.
Marty Gregory Two Rivers
Thank Trump for the vaccines
The other day when President Joe Biden was commemorating the 500,000 COVID-19 deaths, I couldn’t help but think how many millions would have died if former President Donald Trump had not pushed for the development of a vaccine with the Warp Speed program. Multiple vaccines were developed within about six months rather than the four to five years it would normally have taken.
Without the vaccines, it is only speculative how far into the future we would continue to wear masks, socially distance, see partially filled venues and perhaps some degree of force used to get a restive populace to comply. I think perhaps four to five years.
I am 80 years old and got my first vaccination shot last week. I thank the former president nightly for his foresight and faith in America’s ability to come through in a crisis.
M.D. Radke Glendale