海角大神

Meat meaning

I love the Monitor articles about the environment, wildlife, and animal welfare. I read with interest 鈥淲hy farmers have a beef with alternative 鈥榤eat鈥� 鈥� in the Feb. 18 issue.

One definition of meat, from the Webster鈥檚 New World dictionary, is 鈥渢he flesh of animals used as food.鈥� But another archaic meaning is 鈥渇ood of any kind, nourishment, sustenance, the edible part of anything.鈥�

It is not difficult to understand why ranchers and farmers desire a monopoly on the word meat using the first definition. But for the well-being of our planet, as well as our own, we all should consider moving toward the adoption of the non-animal definition of meat.

This could lead to more environmentally sustainable and compassionate consumption and leave a gentler footprint on our world.

Tempie Stahlin

Dexter, Michigan

Rereading 鈥楳ockingbird鈥�

Sara Miller Llana鈥檚 March 25 article 鈥淭o shelve a 鈥楳ockingbird鈥�: Is it time for Scout and Atticus to retire?鈥� was very interesting 鈥� especially the way it developed a growing controversy between the way Harper Lee鈥檚 鈥淭o Kill a Mockingbird鈥� was told in 1960 and the way it would be told today.

The fact that 鈥淢ockingbird鈥� has been popular for nearly 60 years shows that it is a relevant book. And the fact that there are arguments against using it now in classrooms and theaters shows that the world has, in fact, changed during those years.

As a teacher, I believe that the best way to use 鈥淢ockingbird鈥� is to read it, and then read a newer book written on a similar topic. Questions will come up about the differences between the two, and that will generate a dialog that clarifies where we were before 1960, where we are now, and where we need to go.

That is a solid foundation for building critical thinking skills, something we sorely lack in this nation.聽

Jim Martin

Vancouver, Washington