The "only recommendation that the Committee can properly make is that force-feeding of ducks and geese should stop and that this could best be achieved by the prohibition of the production, importation, distribution and sale of foie gras," as committee member Dr. Dennis J. Alexander concluded.
The foie gras industry wants consumers to believe that force-feeding birds until their livers become diseased and engorged far beyond their normal, healthy size is "humane." Citizens and governments of 15 countries, state of California, and city of Chicago, who have all legislated against foie gras, disagree. Force-feeding ducks and geese through a pipe thrust down their throats merely for the sake of a so-called "delicacy" is clearly unnecessary and clearly inhumane.
Miyun Park
Vice President, Farm Animal Welfare
The Humane Society of the United States
Washington
mpark@humanesociety.org
Trans-fat ban
I can understand the local bakeries and restaurants complaining about their inability to continue to kill us with trans-fat laced goodies. However, I can't understand someone writing to the paper and calling the trans-fat ban "taking away another one of our freedoms" ("City's trans-fat ban infringes on freedom," June 14). I would make a large wager that those who are opposed to the ban are significantly overweight and/or smokers.
How about the chutzpah of people at places like Stock's Bakery in Port Richmond complaining about the ban ("Bakers frosted by trans fat ban," June 1). They need to be happy about their past profits earned clogging people's arteries.
Sam Barnes
Philadelphia
Share surplus
Thanks Gov. Rendell for the good news on our economy ("Pa.'s economic recovery is strong," June 14). But what would really cheer me up would be for him to share the state's surplus and cut our taxes. Any chance?
Vince McNichol
Lafayette Hill
