Lenning’s attack of circus ban way off base

I am responding to the letter by Diane Lenning (Dec. 5) regarding

the “Circus Ordinance.” This letter is full of lies, innuendo and

misappropriated statements.

I live in Huntington Beach and have lived here for 28 years. I am

against circuses with animals; I spoke at the City Council meeting.

There were many other people from Huntington Beach who were there to

support the issue and they also spoke. Where was Lenning? Was she

asleep in the back of the chamber?

I would like to thank Debbie Cook, Connie Boardman and the rest of

the City Council members who voted for this ordinance.

There is no reason to have animals in circuses; most civilized

counties have already banned animals performing in circuses,

including Great Britain, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, India and others.

Lenning says she is a teacher -- compassion is one of the most

important qualities to teach. Lenning should consider this for her

future classes.

I seem to remember her name -- didn’t she run for City Council?

Maybe it’s sour grapes, as she lost. I spoke from the heart. We do

not need to exploit and torture animals for some warped pleasure of a

very small minority.

I am stunned by Lenning’s rhetoric “propaganda villainizing (not a

correct English word) diatribes.” To use these words about ordinary

citizens who are just concerned about cruelty to animals in circuses

is totally out of line, unfair and ridiculous. We are not

“extremists.”

All cities in the United States will ban animals in circuses in

the near future.Let them go to the same way as bear baiting, fox

hunting and throwing Christians to the lions.

The circus ordinance was the last issue on the City Council agenda

and was not addressed until almost midnight.

As for Lenning’s statement regarding government over-regulation,

don’t you think we are already there? Read your newspapers.

* MAUREEN SHRUBSOLE is a Huntington Beach resident. To contribute

to “Sounding Off” e-mail us at [email protected] or fax us at (714)

9065-7174.