What a poignant and sad story you printed about the 4-H children having to give up their beloved animals they had cared for almost a year ("Emotions high at Howard County Fair livestock sale"). In my opinion, the lesson this practice teaches kids is not one of practicality; that these animals are grown for eating. These kids are learning to dispose of creatures they love and stuff their feelings about them. I only hope the children retain enough independent thinking so they can eventually make their own choices about compassion and our treatment of other living creatures on the planet.
Linda Reed
Ellicott City