Normally I get involved with saving turtles but I love all animals, and it nearly broke my heart when I had to kill a beautiful cardinal last week.

While out for a walk in my neighborhood, I spotted the pretty red bird writhing in agony. He could not walk but spun around in circles, eventually hitting his head on the concrete over and over again.

Then I noticed a little sign that had been poked into the ground near the obviously dying bird. It said, "Pesticide Application - Stay Off!"

Remembering a book I read long ago, "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson, the story in front of me became immediately clear.

I empathize with homeowners who want the perfect lawn, and I bet they don't want their wild birds or pets or kids or grandchildren to get hurt. I imagine they carefully and conscientiously asked questions of the pesticide-applying employee and were told what I often hear in the course of being a real estate broker, "It won't hurt anything but the weeds."

Feeling sorry for the cardinal's suffering and wanting to prevent neighborhood cats or dogs from ingesting a pesticide-laced bird, I ran home, got my garden gloves and a plastic bag, put the thrashing bird into the bag and tied it shut.

Then I drove over the creature about 10 times until I was sure the bag looked flat. After that I placed the remains into my garbage can while praying for the cardinal's soul to go to a more beautiful place than this.

Angelika T.L. Byorth, Lincoln

Realizing global warming

I have to confess that I was one of those who felt the science of global warming was nothing but a bunch of hooey. Thanks to the Journal Star ("Report: Sheep shrinking because of global warming," July 3), I have gained a new respect for the consequences of allowing this assault to continue. We all owe our thanks to the researchers who brought this to light.

According to the article, brave scientists journeyed to the Scottish island of Hirta to study an isolated flock of sheep. Since 1985, they gave their dedicated efforts to weighing each individual sheep and determining that, on average, a 1-year-old sheep now weighs 3.3 ounces less than it did in 1985. By much further study, they determined that this is entirely because of global warming.

Sheep lovers of the world unite! We cannot afford to tolerate flocks of emaciated sheep running around. Ex-Vice President Al Gore has dedicated his reputation and fortune to alleviating this scourge of sheepkind. I urge people to contact our representatives in Congress immediately to make sure the tax and trade bill passes.

Terry L. Vonderschmidt, Beatrice

U.S. fights for freedom

The American commitment in Vietnam, by the loss of life and many injured, proves our sincerity in establishing freedom throughout the world. We Americans are willing to give our lives to establish and defend First Amendment freedom. Our rewards are not always immediate, as the victory of Vietnam shows, but the victory is clearly one of the greatest accomplishments of the century. Namely the seeding of Asia with freedom.

We now instill this spirit in the other peoples of the world so they can effectively fight their own battles for freedom. Free societies can more efficiently create wealth for individual nations. The harvest from our free economy is strong evidence for pursuing democratic ideals.

We have won the conflict of Vietnam. It has taken nearly 34 years to have our efforts realized into full gains. The Vietnam veterans held the line in Vietnam long enough to allow other countries time to prepare themselves. They have given many people of the world a chance to live in freedom.

Steve Svoboda, Lincoln