How about giving thanks for kindness?
On Thanksgiving, how about a “time out” for turkey dinners, at least until turkeys die painlessly?
An undercover investigation of a Butterball turkey slaughterhouse lasted 40 days. Workers called “live-hangers” unload the turkeys from transport trucks and shackle them upside-down by their legs on the slaughter line. Some were kicked, slammed against walls, hung by broken legs, and used as punching bags “” seemingly for fun. One worker stomped on a live turkey’s head until her skull exploded. Another slammed a bird so forcefully against a handrail that he caused her spine to be exposed.
Whoever finds these behaviors and worse hard to believe “” as any kind person would “” please check the undercover video footage at ButterballCruelty.com. It makes one wonder; does the nature of this industry attract inherently cruel people?
While the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act does not protect turkeys, a new technology called “controlled-atmosphere killing” would put them “to sleep” quickly and painlessly. Companies such as Pilgrim’s Pride, Tyson Foods, ConAgra, Kroger, Wal-Mart, Safeway, Albertsons, Applebee’s, McDonald’s and Wendy’s could phase in this blessing. That’s if shareholders who cared enough about mercy urged them to.
Kindness would be a fine thing to give thanks for.
Prudy Tallman Wood, La Jolla

Drunk driving horrors: ignorance isn’t bliss
I read in the paper today that a 19-year-old Point Loma kid was sentenced to spend the next seven years of his life in state prison for running down and killing a 25-year-old-pedestrian as he drove drunk through PB.
The man who was killed was in law school over at USD. At the sentencing hearing, his mom and sister spoke about how much they missed him. Reading the story reminded me of the young Mission Beach father killed by the drunk driver in the VW van, as he rode his bike up West Mission Bay Drive on Fourth of July two years ago. His wife was right behind him, on her bike, as he was plowed into and killed. I think about his little boy every time I drive by that spot near Seaforth Sportsfishing.
It also reminded me of the drunken mortgage broker who, while disregarding his passengers’ pleas to slow down as he accelerated though the streets of PB, plowed into the cab driver earlier this year, killing him. The cab driver had four kids and a wife.
I can’t help but think about them whenever I pass the intersection at Ingraham and Riviera. I just don’t understand it. I just don’t understand how people can be so selfish and stupid. After having spent three years of my professional life prosecuting drunk drivers for the City Attorney’s office here in town, I have repeatedly admonished everyone I know that drinking and driving is a really bad idea.
I often feel as though my expressions are water off a duck’s back. I really wish that every one I know could have joined me for the absolutely horrific two hours that I spend at a MADD impact panel as part of my prosecutor initiation at the City Attorney’s office.
Two full hours spent listening to the survivors of folks violently killed by drunks. It was awful. For anyone who drives drunk from time to time, I would encourage you to call MADD (760) 746-6233 and find out when the next impact panel is scheduled. Ignorance isn’t bliss. Why not find out the worst that can happen. It will be worth your time. None of my kids will be getting a driver’s license without first attending.
Chip Flaherty, Ocean Beach

Trestles, toll road don’t mix
The area in San Diego County where the toll road is being proposed is the business of all San Diegans, including the City Council. I grew up on Point Loma and now reside in San Clemente, though my parents still live on the peninsula.
The area where the toll road is proposed is a pristine riparian forest not found in too many places. It is a beautiful beach with three cobblestone point-breaks in a relatively small area. The creek comes out of the mountains to the beach, breaks through the sand berm in the winter time and deposits literally tons of sand out into the ocean and onto the reef. Not only is the area for surfers, there are many different species of birds for the bird watchers. Beavers, snakes, deer, bobcats and salmon also inhabit this area. But foremost, it is a place that is seemingly away from it all. A giant freeway loop, split and merge would destroy that feeling.
Matt Russell, San Clemente