Letters to the editor for Feb. 10
Don’t wait to hit North Korea
North Korea has been a declared enemy nation for several years. Recently it has demonstrated that a long-range missile has been developed that might have the capability to hit the United States mainland or launch a satellite containing a nuclear bomb that can orbit the sky above the United States.
If such a bomb were detonated at a high altitude, it might be able to knock out the electric grid over the entire United States. The United Nations has ruled that this recent test is in violation of North Korea’s agreements with the U.N.
Rather than waiting for an attack by North Korea and living with that threat, Congress should pass a resolution to specifically authorize President Obama to use an EMP (electromagnetic pulse) weapon to destroy North Korea’s illegal long-range missiles and launch sites. Granted that an attack might risk a war with North Korea, however an EMP strike would destroy the electronic systems without causing the loss of lives, so it is less likely to be condemned by the international community. We may be running out of time to make a pre-emptive strike so we need to act soon and cannot wait until the next president is elected.
Charles W. Parker
Rock Hill
Go meat-free during Lenten season
Today marks the beginning of Lent, the 40-day period before Easter, when many Christians abstain from animal foods in remembrance of Jesus’ 40 days of fasting in the desert before launching his ministry.
But meat-free Lent is much more than a symbol of religious devotion to Christ. It helps reduce the risk of chronic disease, environmental degradation and animal abuse.
A 2007 U.N. report named meat production as the largest source of greenhouse gases and water pollution. Undercover investigations have documented farm animals being beaten, caged, crowded, deprived, mutilated and shocked.
Lent offers a superb opportunity to honor Christ’s powerful message of compassion and love by adopting a meat-free diet for Lent and beyond. After all, it’s the diet mandated in Genesis I-29 and observed in the Garden of Eden.
Richard Horchow
Rock Hill
This story was originally published February 10, 2016 at 1:03 PM with the headline "Letters to the editor for Feb. 10."