What creature wouldn't react negatively to a pinch test?
Regarding the Local news article about Billy the Flood Dog ("Society Seeks Trainers to Tame the Truly Unruly," Nov. 6): I can't believe that the Western Pennsylvania Humane Society would not allow Margaret Effinger to adopt this dog after she rescued him. He was not aggressive toward her or her two dogs, but the Humane Society was going to euthanize him because he didn't pass the "pinch" test? This test is cruel and inhumane!

These dogs are already scared because they are in unfamiliar surroundings and with strangers who start grabbing at them and pinching between their toes! And if they growl because it hurts, they are euthanized? Now they want trainers to come in and train these dogs?

Observe the dog/cat for a period of time, and if he is getting along with the staff/other dogs/people, etc., then he is adoptable. Stop the "pinch" test!

SANDRA L. REECH
Level Green

Inhumane obstacles
I am currently being inundated with mail from the Humane Society to renew my membership. Incidents like Billy the Flood Dog make me wonder if my money is being well spent. The limitations on adopting animals makes it more and more difficult for average people to adopt. Animals are being destroyed, when they might have found new families without the restrictions. At what point does "protecting" cross to "overprotecting."

People who pay large sums of money for pet shop animals often get ones that are much more anti-social than Billy appears to be. Most of those difficult animals continue to have a loving home, where their families adapt to their neurotic behaviors. Why does the Humane Society put itself up as judge and jury?

I know people abuse animals and we need someone to protect those who cannot speak for themselves, but it seems to me that the protection is going too far. I sure hope Billy doesn't get put down. I can guarantee I will find a better way to spend my money than supporting the Humane Society if he does.

REGINA HENRICH
Harrisville

Disillusioned Dems
This letter is in response to Jessica Cunningham Stillwell's letter "About Moral Values" (Nov. 4). It is that type of thinking that shows just how disillusioned the Democrats have become. The Democrats of old had true moral values but have since morphed into a "government should do everything for and make good judgments for me because I can't think for myself" group.

Moral values are not about a president or government ensuring that each one of us has a job. Going out and finding a job to put food on the table is your responsibility; the moral value to have is showing up for work on time and doing the best job you can to earn your paycheck. This country was not founded to give handouts, as is consistently believed by Democrats.

"Doing whatever you can to prevent people from dying in a war" is an oxymoron -- people die in war by definition. Soldiers know full well what they are signing up for. I am a vet, as are many members of my family, some of whom are still serving. And if the Democrats were "doing whatever they can to prevent people from dying," maybe their candidate would have voted for funding for equipment that better protects them.

The moral value is being able to make the tough decision for the overall good and sticking by your decision in the face of adversity, whatever the subject.

ENZO GRILLI
Bethel Park

Critical thinking
One frightening outcome of the election was the extent to which many Bush supporters claimed that they were motivated by ideology and a belief in claims by the right wing that have been thoroughly discredited. It is easy to call for the media to be more aggressive in distinguishing facts from faith-based claims and for candidates to stop lying. However, this is unlikely to happen.

I suggest that the school system is a more promising opportunity. Teaching youth to think is even more important than imparting facts and specific skills. Learning to assess the source and credibility of data and to subject it to honest analysis is a critical skill for objective decision-making without which many citizens are subject to the type of manipulation we witnessed in this election.

Movements and governments motivated by ideology have brought ruin in the form of the crusades, the Inquisition, fascism, communism and, now, Islamic extremism. A literate population equipped with the intellectual tools to think critically is the best defense against the manipulation that threatens the country.

RAY REAVES
Squirrel Hill

Agenda: Demonize
What strange times we live in when the Democratic Party uses words like "Christian" and "religious" as insults.

Earlier this year, in The New Yorker magazine, Al Gore described the faith of George W. Bush as "a particular kind of religiosity. It's the American version of the same fundamentalist impulse that we see in Saudi Arabia ... ."

The liberal agenda is to demonize Christians, to make faith in God a liability and, at least, to equate Christian faith with the terrorist sects of the Mideast. This goal clearly illustrates the intent of the liberal agenda as one that includes deconstructing the America that endured the last 200-plus years.

The liberals in power do not represent their constituency and they do not represent the United States.

JACQUE ADAMIAK
O'Hara

Porn invasion
Regarding "Porn Dealer Scoffs at Feds" (Nov. 2), Extreme Associates owner Rob Black (real name Robert D. Zicari) feels violent porn that depicts real sex and simulated violence of women having their throats slit after being raped is about consenting adults. H. Louis Sirkin, Extreme Associates lawyer, argues that people have the right to view porn in the privacy of their homes.

I agree with U.S. Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan and Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Kaufman that this has nothing to do with invasion of anyone's privacy. The invasion of pornographers on our contemporary community standards needs to be stopped.

There are many who said this year's presidential election was about moral values. Hollywood and others involved in the entertainment industry's agenda to get the vote out for John Kerry failed. The efforts of many churches along with mainstream America prevailed. The majority knows George W. Bush stands for moral stability. God bless President Bush and God bless America.

JANICE WHITE
DuBois