In reference to the Dec. 26 article “Death penalty in decline,” I wanted to express my complete disgust with the way justice is handled in this state.
Specifically, when it comes to weighing the importance of life for humans versus animals, I find it completely absurd that a cold-blooded murderer or a multiple rapist or any other “out of control” individual who has lost his or her “human-ness” and thereby goes on a killing spree — like we saw in the Boston bombing or Sandy Hook Elementary or the Gabby Gifford’s shooting or the murder and dismemberment of little Zara Baker — that these type of people are excused from the death penalty and given a life sentence or less (as in the case of Zara Baker’s stepmother). Yet on the flip side of “justice,” Animal Control of Rowan County has free rein to scoop up helpless or abandoned dogs and cats and gas them to death!
What about giving an animal the same choice these criminals get … namely, a life sentence? We, the taxpayers, pay to keep murderers in prison, so why not animals who have done no wrong? All they’re guilty of is trying to survive and get something to eat. For that, they are sent to the gas chamber. I’ve got a problem with that.
I’d rather my taxes go to take care of an innocent animal than keep up a cold-blooded murderer who gets three meals a day, a color TV to watch, a warm place to live and a basketball court to shoot baskets!
— Vickie Cionta
Rockwell

Regarding the Jan. 27 “Yesterday” photo of the officer and the old cars:
The person who contacted the Post about the photo being more current than 1939 is right. As near as I can determine, the autos in the photo are 1940 automobiles. To wit — a 1940 Ford, 1940 Dodges and 1940 Studebaker. I can’t determine the year of the cars behind the officer.
— Grady Holshouser
Salisbury
President Obama has proposed raising the federal minimum wage to $10.10 per hour. How would you vote on this issue?
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