Real ID is here
Your article (“Civil-Liberties Tug-of-War,” by Deirdre Fulton, June 22) was very good. We already have a “real ID:” it’s called a passport. The reason conservatives don’t want everyone to get a passport is that they don’t want Americans to go overseas. Americans who go overseas 1) spend their money elsewhere and 2) gain a much more rounded view of the world and both the positive and negative impacts of our overseas policies.
By the way, this is also the other reason (in addition to strengthened exports) they support the weakened dollar. Keeps people at home, spending their money right here, where they can watch Fox News and get all the perspective they need on America.
Scott Winchester
Buxton
Consider the pets
This letter is in response to Al Diamon’s column of June 22, 2007, entitled “Man Bites Dog.” I want to thank Mr. Diamon for bringing up this issue as it is not only complex but important to the animals whose lives are saved through inter-state transport and adoption here in Maine and across the country.
This issue of dog and cat importation in Maine is a complex one that deserves careful consideration. While some shelters and rescue groups import in a responsible and safe manner, others do not and we need to balance the safety and care of Maine’s pet population with the desire to help prevent needless euthanasia of animals in other states.
The proposed regulations would bring Maine shelters and rescue groups into accordance with rules already in place for pet stores who import dogs and cats, requiring a permit to import, proof of vaccinations, a health certificate, and a quarantine period once they arrive in Maine, to make sure that they are not carrying communicable diseases. These are reasonable and should not cause a hardship to shelters and rescue groups already doing a good job of importation. While the quarantine may be a sticky subject, as long as the state allows the use of private homes as well as shelter facilities, this should not prove to be too troublesome.
The issue of registration/licensing of rescue groups is an interesting point and will assuredly have many opposing viewpoints. Shelters are required to be licensed and inspected. Why shouldn’t rescue groups be held to the same standards? They are filling essentially the same role, aren’t they?
Overall, this complex issue is one that is open for public comment through the State Department of Agriculture’s Web site (www.maine.gov/agriculture) and will have a public hearing on July 16. If you have an opinion on this issue, then let your voice be heard. For more information on animal importation, visit animalsheltering.org.
Katie Lisnik
Maine State Director, Humane Society of the United States
Portland
