I am writing regarding two front page stories in your 2/26/25 edition: “Family seeks information about shot cows” and “Bird is the word at this breakfast”.

Two cows were shot in the head in the head by an unknown killer. The local farmers were “completely devastated”, understandably, especially considering the kids in the farm family were excited to have a calf.

I found the other article related in that it also had to do with animal life, and death. The largest picture on the front page included a falcon “enjoying a mouse snack”. The second story was not nearly as sad, unless you happen to have a pet mouse.

Death is to be expected. But the cruel taking of innocent life, as in the case of the cattle, should bring anger and hopefully justice if the killer is caught. As far as the mouse goes, many would just chalk it up to the survival of the fittest.

So what is the tie between the stories and why am I writing? Simply because for someone to be loose with a gun killing cattle, which the kids in the story probably loved dearly, especially the calf, no doubt is troublesome to any compassionate human being. I’ll comment on the mouse latter.

The thing that distresses me is that there are animal lovers who would be happy to execute the person who shot the cattle, but at the same time would have no sympathy for an unborn child being dismembered and disposed of like so much garbage, or poisoned to death with an “abortion pill” (since somehow that doesn’t seem so mean). And the doctor or pharmacist that assisted in the homicide goes undetected, because for at least 50 years the pro-death crowd has promoted the myth that they are only helping a woman exercise her “right to choose”.

At this point I will dive into my world view that molds my thinking on the issue of protecting the unborn child’s right to live, once conception has occurred (be it planned or accidental). That unborn child has just as much right to live as the mother and maybe more so, considering the child has never done anything to hurt anyone, a claim none of us could honestly make.

But I’ll admit my belief in the Bible has certainly shaped my world view more than the history of our country. Legal protection for babies that God created to be delivered would be a blessing. Remember “Thou shalt not kill? Beyond that Christ said I am the way, the truth and the life. God created life. It’s up to us to protect it.

I’m afraid I’m out of space. The mouse will have to fend for himself.

Mark Akers

Enumclaw