Readers comment on caging tigers and other big cats, U.S. energy policy and more

Big cat safety

Recently, a worker at Wooten's Airboat Tours in Naples was mauled on his hands and arms by a tiger that was being fed by another worker. Less than three months ago at the Naples Zoo, an unauthorized contract worker stuck his arm into a tiger's cage. The endangered Malaysian tiger grabbed his arm and refused to let go and was killed by a deputy.

The large, majestic cats are native to Asia, Russia, India or Africa. They deserve a wild life, not being caged for human enjoyment, nor kept as pets in a basement or small backyard enclosure, nor bred to give up their cubs for cub petting at the mall.

It is estimated that between 10,000 and 20,000 tigers are kept in captivity. This is more than the total number of tigers in the wild.

Call Rep. Kat Cammack and Sens. Rick Scott and Marco Rubio and ask them to support the "Big Cat Public Safety Act," HR 263/S 1210. This act prohibits private ownership and breeding of large cats. Find more information at BigCatAct.com.

Work to keep big cats in the wild — for their safety and for ours.

Gail Keeler, Gainesville

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Partisan gaslighting

Ed Harmon’s recent commentary is a fine example of partisan gaslighting.

Our brief period of energy independence came in 2019 and 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic as traveling was greatly curtailed. When the pandemic waned in 2022, crude oil prices rose in response to increased demand. The Ukrainian conflict further exploded crude oil prices.

Transportation accounts for most of all oil consumed. Barack Obama set standards for autos at 55 miles per gallon by 2025. Donald Trump rescinded these standards to 40 miles per gallon by 2026. Numerous studies have shown that leaving the Obama standards in place would have resulted in less usage of crude oil.

Trump also proposed opening up federal onshore and offshore leases, which would have taken 10 years to complete before any oil flowed into refineries. He also allowed the Keystone pipeline to move forward to import more high-sulfur crude from Canada, a pipeline which would have been built and in service if Enbridge had chosen to build a line along its rights of way and not a new route over important aquafers and native indigenous lands.

Trump meant more crude oil consumed.

Ron Kamzelski, Cedar Key

Unknown consequences

What we don’t know may hurt us.

I spent several years in the Army indirectly working for the National Security Agency. My job was to listen to phone calls at the upper levels of the East German government and military. In my training for such work, I learned how useful such knowledge may be and that the general public is told very little about what we learn through such and other types of surveillance.

While the public is incensed by the invasion of Ukraine and the violence against it and, understandably, wishes that the United States would do more, we do not know the consequences for doing so Perhaps our government knows. Would further actions start World War III? Or would Vladimir Putin merely retreat with his tail between his legs?

The latter is highly unlikely. As for the former ... I will defer to the knowledge of our intelligence agencies and our president on this matter. What I do know is that Joe Biden is no wimp.

Thomas R. Weller, High Springs

Tree replenishment program

Trees in Alachua County are being cut down at an alarming rate. The Gainesville City Commission and the Alachua County Commission could work together to implement a tree replenishment program.

The program would: a) ensure that developers replant so many trees for every one cut down either on site or elsewhere and b) inform organizations and citizens where citizens could obtain tree seedlings and where to plant them.

The physical act of planting a tree would be meaningful to many people of all ages. Staff support and instructions would be provided. Specific times and locations of planting areas could be printed in The Sun.

Bill Gilbert, Gainesville

Record of service

I cannot believe Andy Marlette, in a recent editorial cartoon, had the nerve to insult Americans and ask if they would defend their country like the Ukrainians are. My father, my stepfather and my grandfather served in World War II, two of them as pilots in the Pacific for the entire duration. My two uncles served during the Vietnam era: one in Vietnam and the other in the submarine corps.

So, the answer to Marlette's question is "yes," Americans can and do serve their country and we don’t need some lame cartoonist questioning the willingness of people to fight and possibly die for this country. Shame on you!

James Totherow, Archer

Deserving of support

On March 3, I had the distinct pleasure of hearing the Williston Middle/High School Symphonic Band at its District 4 Music Performance Assessment (MPA).

In my experience, bands of its size and instrumentation that I have heard have not been highly successful in their endeavors. I have heard the Williston band in rehearsal on two or three occasions, but what I heard March 3 was magnificent.

If you haven’t heard yet, the band attained a rating of straight “superior” in concert and sight-reading. This, with the “superior” rating it received in the Marching MPA, qualifies them to go to the state MPA. In my opinion, this is quite an accomplishment for a band its size, with a first-year director.

Joseph Davis is a hard-working, talented man who has brought the band to new heights. He, along with the band, deserves your support and recognition. Together, they are putting Williston back on the map of great high school musical groups.

You will have an opportunity to hear the band on May 19, when it presents its spring concert at the Williston Middle/High School cafetorium. I urge you to come out and hear them. They definitely deserve your support!

Don Stark, Williston

Double-edged sword

Of all of the bills passed this year that limit personal liberties and home rule, none has gotten more press than the "don't say gay" bill. It seems this bill can be interpreted in two ways. One is the intended stifling of gay families’ rights. The opposite view is that it gives liberty to both sides to sue. Any parent who feels infringed can sue the school.

The first dozen lawsuits to be filed should come from gay parents who think their children are being "made uncomfortable" in the classroom if they cannot discuss their same-sex parents. This bill is a two-edged sword. It will swing both directions.

Jane Mallett, Hawthorne

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This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Letters to the editor for April 3, 2022