Thoughts on this letter to the editor?

[mclem10011]

But in my opinion, the letter comes off as a pissed off person, spewing some numbers from a book or website or two. Any of us can look up numbers, and like has been pointed out paint the whole industry as evil. If we didn't bother to really investigate the business, and tell the rest of the story. We all know the industry has issues, and certainly the equine athletes don't lives don't always end the way we all would want. However, from reading all the great peoples words on this board, hearing the wonderful interviews that Steve conducts, and from just watching and reading about the sport, this article is way to one sided. No matter how well intended the writer may or may not have been intending to sound. IMO

"Now I don't have to tell you good folks what's been happening in our beloved little town. Sheriff murdered, crops burned, stores looted, people stampeded, and cattle raped. The time has come to act, and act fast. I'm leaving."

[Suffolk Shippers]

It can't be denied that death on track is a very unfortunate aspect of racing, and I think if she wanted to make that point, she could have without comparing it to the Mike Vick case or saying just downright inaccurate stuff, like the lines about Barbaro.

I know most of us are die hard gamblers in the game, and I am, too...but deep down I think we all have an affection for the animal. Mike Vick had no affection for the dogs in his sick ring. I would never in my life remain to bet on a race where the horses were basically running to the death, which is basically what this woman is saying. She says that the horses are bred to die in a cruel fashion, which is not at all true.

She raises a valid point about racing's dark side, but her rationale to back it up is just conjecture and very flawed. Wrong, as well.