May 10, 2008 04:00 am Hoodwinking the public A recent Record-Eagle article, "Cougar is Spotted in Empire," referenced the state Departent of Natural Resources Web site as stating, "The last known wild cougar in Michigan was killed in 1906 near Newberry." This is either Web site mismanagement or wildlife mismanagement -- and the DNR knows it. The DNR, the agency charged with protecting our rarest life forms, put the cougar on the state's list of endangered species in 1987, and in 1994 sponsored a book entitled, "Endangered and Threatened Wildlife of Michigan," by David C. Evers, that acknowledged a small, and probably breeding cougar population in Michigan. The DNR then reversed its position and has been denying that the cougar exists for the last 12 years. Meanwhile, DNR biologists have reviewed clear photos and videos of cougars, examined tracks (as recently as a month ago near Escanaba), and on Feb. 3, 2005, issued a press release confirming a cougar had been hit by a car in Menominee County, and the hair removed from the bumper by state trooper Mike Borski tested positive for cougar DNA. The DNR's attempt to hoodwink the public must end, and cleaning the deceit from its Web site is a good place to start. Dennis Fijalkowsk The writer is executive director, Michigan Wildlife Conservancy, in Bath, Mich. Time for common sense If you like these high gas prices, then re-elect Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow. Their plan will not bring one drop of oil to the market, expand one refinery or allow nuclear power. It is time for common sense, not hatred of oil companies. Use your vote. Richard Schneider Outrageous column I am outraged by the April 30 column by Thomas Sowell ("Obama: An old newness"), giving no evidence that Obama is more "arrogant" than any other who believes he or she would make a good president. Who can cite examples he was "foolishly deceptive" and "ultimately dangerous"? Contrary-wise, he never shouts, but speaks calmly, is seen by voters as more honest, with a well-conceived military, as well as a diplomatic strategy to deal with enemies abroad. Sowell misreads the 1930s, when I was becoming a history teacher. Yet he constantly has supported the neglect of Republicans on crucial human issues! Curiously, strange positions for a black writer! Grafton "Mac" Thomas Voter ID cards I disagree with "Other Views" in the your Sat., May 3 edition, written by the San Jose Mercury News about the voter ID ruling. The chances of qualified voters being denied the right to vote are far less than the chances of voter fraud. Almost everyone has a government-issued photo ID. Most elderly citizens vote and many use absentee ballets. Anyone who can get to the polls to vote can certainly get a free state-issued photo ID. What is regrettable is that the Supreme Court decision was not 9-0 and that one of the major political parties opposed it. Carl Wroubel
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Laingsburg
Interlochen
Northport
Williamsburg
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