Avian Flu

The recent killings of millions of defenseless birds in Hong Kong (Dec. 30) should serve as a reminder of the fantastic price that man’s consumption of animal flesh exacts on society, animals and the environment. “Mad cow disease,” E. coli, salmonella, brucellosis, heart disease, obesity . . . the list of things that meat can do to our bodies goes on and on.

How much more must we torture ourselves and gentle animals before we realize that a change to a cruelty-free, vegetarian diet is really the best thing we could do for ourselves as a world community?

DOUG ARENDT

San Bernardino