Owners should control ‘free-range’ cats

Years ago, I submitted a “My Nickel’s Worth” piece that was directed to the owners of what were termed “free-range” cats, whose pets roam neighborhoods freely, chasing and killing birds and small animals for sport, as well as defecating in yards.

We do not tolerate such behavior by dogs or any other pet or domestic animal. Leash laws were created to prevent dogs from the behavior permitted by their owners.

When you choose a pet, your responsibilities extend beyond its care and feeding, especially when that pet leaves your property, causing damage elsewhere.

There were no published responses to my request for an explanation or justification from free-range cat owners who permit this to occur. Is there one?

Don Golden

Bend

Asian countries look to U.S. for strength

In reading your front page analysis on the U.S. role in the world, let me add my recent experience.

My brother lives in Singapore, and while on vacation there in November we would together watch the news. He would look to me for assurance that Trump would win. In his and many Asian countries, America appeared to be much weakened in the last few years and needed a strong, firm hand to help keep the nations safe. “We look to America for so much, and a weak economy and military leaves us afraid!” I assured him the American people are not weak, and I expected we would change course with Trump. The people spoke and the turnaround is evident, and for the rest of the world peace through strength helps them sleep better at night.

Georgina Murray

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March not covered by a woman

This is going to be short and sweet, just like the coverage you gave to the Women’s March in Bend. Too bad there wasn’t a lot of coverage about the march, plus how it was not written by a woman! Janet Stevens would have been the best person to write the article; she is compassionate, kind and a woman. But then again you are a conservative paper!

Michele Knowles

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Disappointed in coverage of march

Let me add my name to the women who are disappointed about your understated coverage of the Jan. 20 Women’s March.

The horrifying stories of sexual assault, molestation of young girls by cretins like Larry Nassar and harassment and unequal pay in the workplace, to name a few, surely make the march newsworthy. We’re serious about creating change in 2018.

Michelle Thomsen

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Children need access to health care

In light of Larry Nassar’s recent conviction of child abuse with numerous young women stepping forward with charges of molestation that took place often in a doctor’s office, a necessary reminder must be mentioned.

This is that over 20 million children in America do not even have access to basic health care. The fact that a mandatory reporter of child abuse was the perpetrator himself is beyond horrible; however, the majority of abused children are abused by a family member or a close member of the family.

It is critical to our Central Oregon communities to remove barriers to health care, education and community programs, as this in and of itself offers greater opportunity for prevention and intervention. This is equally an important injustice and demonstrates the abuse of power, similar to Nassar. Lack of access to care presents the same case and point of abuse of power on a societal level by preying on the weakest, who more often than not, are the underserved and vulnerable members of our communities.

Leah Lewis

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Articles show double-think

In the Jan. 24 issue of The Bulletin, two articles on pages A4 and A5 seemed to be in curious juxtaposition to me.

On Page A5, “The fear of growing ‘numb’ to a once-rare horror” was referring to school murders becoming more prevalent.

On the opposite page in the editorials is Sally Bradshaw’s letter pleading to keep abortion legal.

So, the taking of life on one end is to be condoned, but not accepted “along the way” (in schools).

Double-think is what I call it!!

Charlotte Kolzow

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