Bombing Bird Habitats in the Name of Defense

Re “Senate OKs Broad Waiver for Pentagon on Migratory Birds,” Nov. 14: Neither President Bush nor those whom he surrounds himself with have ever shown concern for the home we all share, planet Earth. But now, in the guise of defense, comes another piece of legislation proving not merely callousness but total blindness. The U.S. military will be allowed to bomb areas on which migratory birds, some already endangered, depend for survival.

Kill, kill, kill is the refrain. Frogs, whales, dolphins, birds, etc. The circle of life has been ripped and has given way to a murderous ellipse, the apogee of which was reached when a nameless government lawyer stated that the forthcoming bird kill should be appreciated by bird-watchers who “get more enjoyment spotting a rare bird than they do spotting a common one.” I’m sick with disgust.

Michele Mooney

Van Nuys

*

Judge Emmet G. Sullivan was justified in reprimanding the Defense Department and its lawyer for using the argument that bird lovers would benefit when the military kills birds because “bird-watchers get more enjoyment spotting a rare bird than they do spotting a common one.” Is this really the level of thinking of our Defense Department?

Perhaps the government lawyer should start hitting himself on the head so he can realize the enjoyment when he stops.

Roy Richardson

Huntington Beach