Oh, Lardy!

I found the Theory of Relativity as interpreted in the feature “Lard Whips Butter” (April 28) to set an interesting new standard in comparative analysis. According to The Times’ Food section writers, lard is better than butter.

Yeah, sure . . . and Eric is cuddlier than Lyle.

Butter is evil stuff. That lard is a trace less evil should not constitute its recommendation. As a 44-year-old who’s been a vegetarian half her life, I can state from personal experience that changing to a plant-based diet was the kindest act I could perform--for my own health and that of the animals who don’t get eaten by me.

Lard eaters like Michelle Huneven (“Everything but the Squeal”) are prone to rationalize the killing of pigs like her late pet Joey by nostalgically recreating memories of pigs at play in pastoral settings. Today’s reality for pigs is a rotten life of confinement within concrete and metal-slatted modules.

Maybe the hard-of-heart (and arteries) regard lard-laced chocolate chip cookies as comfort food, but that’s damn cold comfort for pigs.

--HOLLAND VAN DIEREN

Pasadena

I am not a vegetarian--I do eat meat. But I do not understand how you could publish an article (“Everything but the Squeal”) that is so cold and inhumane. Everyone I know would consider killing and eating a pig totally unthinkable, even if the pet is a pig.

Los Angeles has many organizations that are concerned with animal rights. Get with what is happening in 1994 in Los Angeles. This is a modern city with enlightened people who have enlightened ideas--one of which is humanity toward animals. How could you print an article so disgusting and backward? The Food section needs to catch up with the times.

--DONNA GRAYSON

Venice

Thank you for having the courage to take a stand against the nutrition fascists who are trying to take the flavor out of American cooking. As if it’s not bad enough that American manufacturers have given us tasteless, pre-packaged “food” to raise our kids on, now we’ve got nutrition experts, supposedly looking out for our own good, telling us that all fats--especially flavor-giving fats like lard--are evil. But it’s not the fats themselves that are evil, rather it’s sheer overindulgence, gluttony, that should be avoided. Moderation in all things--lard included--is the key to a happy life.

--CAROL REDDING

Gardena

Thank you so much for refreshing my memory on why I no longer subscribe to The Times. The April 28 issue was bizarre to the point of gross! Lard, of all things, is being touted as a preferred ingredient in recipes? There is no way you could convince me that lard is great. Perhaps you have some connection to those who make pacemakers and bypass instruments!

--D. KENTNOR

Industry