Luxury item
This is in response to “Daley special: Foie gras back on the menu” (Page 1, May 15). With all of the gang violence, drugs, foreclosures and increasing costs of food, gasoline and health care, I find it ridiculous that people are worrying about a luxury food item that only the wealthy can afford to eat.
Come on, Chicago, let’s focus on the priorities here.
— Courtney Thomas, Chicago
Inhumane decision
I just wanted to say how disappointed that I am about the dismissal on the ban on foie gras here in the city. I just can’t understand why people would feel that stuffing a duck or a goose in order to inflate its liver for human consumption is right or in fact humane, because it is not.
So why are we doing this then?
For greed and for money, which, by the way, are damaging our society now. This is so very cruel and inhumane to do this to these animals that it literally makes me sick to think of.
These City Council members had the choice to so the right thing or wrong and it’s obvious they chose the wrong one.
— Roseanne Silva, Chicago
Ignoring cruelty
Chicagoans should be concerned that the foie gras ban was repealed last week by the City Council without a hearing or debate. In April 2006, the ordinance passed 48-1 and many praised the City of Chicago for its humane decision. Now, Chicago will be known for bypassing legislative procedures in an effort to please the restaurant industry.
Historically this menu choice has been touted as a delicacy, but many Americans, when educated about foie gras, support a ban on the force-feeding of birds. Unfortunately the aldermen present for the repeal vote were unable to hear about the egregious practice used in the production of foie gras because Ald. Joe Moore was not permitted to present the facts.
Foie gras is produced using the inhumane procedure of shoving a metal pipe down the throats of ducks and geese and force-feeding them a corn substance to enlarge their livers. This cruel method leaves ducks and geese in a tortuous state, unable to properly breathe or even walk and stand.
In repealing the ban on foie gras, the City Council showed a total disregard for animal welfare and constituents’ opinions by denying hearing and debate opportunities for aldermen.
Animals used in food production deserve to be treated humanely and protected from cruelty.
— Amanda Day, Chicago
