As a homeowner who has lived next to Duke Forest for 22 years, I am dismayed by Duke's decision to close the forest to public access five days a week for four months to allow bow hunters to kill deer. One reason cited for this decision -- overpopulation of deer -- is misleading. The real truth is that diminishing habitat, caused by human development, has pushed the deer into smaller areas. Duke's mandate is a perfect example of an attempt to solve a problem by treating symptoms, instead of addressing the cause.
Homeowners who complain to Duke about deer eating their vegetation ought to reconsider their "Martha Stewart"-sanitized idea of living in the country. This demonstrates a profound disconnection from the natural world, which I feel is at the core of many of the greatest challenges we currently face. Humans have invaded the deer's territory so we need to accommodate them, not try to "manage" them. Duke, as an educational institution, is missing an enormous opportunity to educate others about how to live in harmony with nature.
A local wildlife rehabilitation expert told me that bow hunting is a very cruel way to kill animals, as they rarely die immediately. During Duke's hunt last year, she received many calls from homeowners traumatized by the sight of a deer pierced by an arrow dying in their yard.
There must be other options.
JANE NORTON
Durham
Speak out now
Ordinary Americans are being shut out of the health care debate by powerful industry lobbyists. They want to scare us away from supporting meaningful reform, telling us that reforms will take away our choices and further our economic crisis.
But as President Obama said in his address to Congress, "our health care problem is our deficit problem." Health care reform is a necessary part of mending our economy and providing options to those who don't have any. We cannot afford to be distracted by lobbyists who want to muddle the debate.
Every day, Americans in our community have to choose between paying their mortgage or their health care. They pinch pennies to pay for their children's hospital bills, and are denied coverage because of preexisting conditions. This is not sustainable and it is not right.
Reform can make health care dependable for those who have it and affordable for those who don't. The fight for change will ultimately depend on whether or not everyday people speak out. If we want to get health care costs under control and increase accessibility, then we need to make ourselves heard.
RACHEL WEISS
Raleigh
