Animal magnetism

One can only guess at the motivation behind T.J. Simers’ mean-spirited column about Barbaro [Jan. 30]. It is not news that people become overly attached and sentimental regarding animals, sports figures and the desperately injured, and it is not surprising that the Barbaro story, which embodied all three, produced an international response.

But if it weren’t for misplaced attachments, hero worship and sentimentality, the L.A. Times sports section would be two pages of statistics, and columnists like Simers would be out of a job.

Choosing to pick on the mawkish Barbaro Nation when they’re down says far more about Simers than it does about them.

MARILYN MITCHELL

Dana Point

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Simers refers to looking up the definitions of “courageous” and “courage.” He should have looked up “ignorance” and “arrogance,” while also looking up “determination,” “will” and “heart,” all of which a champion is made of and which Barbaro and his connections have displayed to the utmost.

As a three-time Kentucky Derby-winning jockey, I find it more than insulting that he would write an article about our sport, the oldest in America, with such total disregard for the facts and the loss of a champion.

GARY STEVENS

Sierra Madre

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Yes, T.J. Simers, they do shoot horses. They have always shot horses. But we’re human beings and looking out for those less fortunate is what we do. From the beached whale to the stray dog that gets hit by a car, we as humans try to save those who can’t save themselves.

Barbaro’s catastrophic injury allowed doctors to break new ground in an area where the death shot was standard procedure. And the millions of dollars raised will help further research and development into maintaining an animal that is so precious to so many of us.

For you, T.J., I’m sorry your dog ran away when you were young, it made you a mean SOB.

ED GREDVIG

Altadena

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Leave it to resident simpleton T.J. Simers to bag on people for their love and concern for Barbaro. With Simers’ Homer Simpson-like synapses, could we expect anything less? His “act,” if you can call it that, grew old years ago. Perhaps it’s bliss for Simers to be a slow-witted squirrel, to keep from having to think deeper than the shallow water he exists in.

GREGG FREEMAN

Thousand Oaks

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The once-respectable L.A. Times sinks to a new low with its shock columnist T.J. Simers. His bombastic insults of humans have become so tired that he has turned to debasing the tragic death of an outstanding racehorse and those who are grieving the loss.

Of what value is this half-page of ridicule vomited from the ignorant mouth of a guy who only cries when he loses a bet at the track?

KATHY HARTY

Arcadia

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Do you have a heart, T.J.? Is there blood in your veins?

I suggest you write about the overpaid athletes on the Dodgers, Angels or Lakers. Don’t write about horse racing because you obviously hate the sport and you don’t know anything about it.

FERNANDO VELAZQUEZ

Fontana

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The value, the respect, the love that horse brought into the world in three years surpassed anything Simers will ever be able to generate if he lives to 100. Personally, I’d rather watch Barbaro run a few more steps than ever read another word from Simers.

MICHAEL VALENTE

San Clemente

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It is my fondest hope that when T.J. Simers dies, he approaches the pearly gates to find an equine St. Peter who would then send him directly to a hell where he would sit in an auto repair waiting room with Kevin Brown as company and nothing on the TV but women’s basketball and soccer.

GLEN CREASON

Glassell Park

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Imagine you were a 9-year-old girl whose pet dog had just died. Then imagine T.J. Simers was your father. Think of the comfort Dad will bring you when he puts his hand on your shoulder and says, “It’s just a dead dog.”

GLENN M. LANGDON

Garden Grove

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One thing Barbaro had that Simers will never have is class.

JEFF PRESCOTT

La Jolla