Wolf management in the Western states; cellphone use behind the wheel; Donald Trump's presidential debate

Wolves are beautiful animals with complex social lives that occupied this land long before we did. They are an integral part of the ecosystem. To me there is something offensive about wanting to eliminate a predator because it is killing the game it needs for food, just so we can kill the same game for sport.

Our large brains may have put us at the top of the heap, but sometimes I wonder if evolution left out a few genes with instructions on how to use those brains in ways that benefit all of nature's creations.

Ruth Stern

Shadow Hills

The fact that Western cultures demonized wolves must be balanced with the rise of professional wildlife management.

Wolves, mountain lions and grizzly bears help balance game animal populations. When their numbers put game animals at risk, professional wildlife managers combine hunters with predators.

Not told in J. William Gibson's piece is the slaughter of 77 horses, 111 sheep, two dogs and two horses in Montana by 497 wolves in a single year, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Readers may recall a Times story from October 2009 telling us of the "carcasses of 122 purebred adult sheep strewn in bloody heaps … an example of the ability of wolves to kill for the pure pleasure of it."

Wolves have recovered in the Northern Rocky Mountains and are now game animals managed by wildlife professionals, but they will remain the iconic

animal of wildlife special interests.

Gordon Morris Bakken

Santa Ana

The writer, a professor of history at Cal State Fullerton, is the author of 23 books on the American West.

Calling for common sense

Re "Smartphones, dumb drivers," Editorial, Dec. 8

In supporting a total ban on cellphone use in vehicles, you state, "Drivers are distracted by their conversations." If that's true, then let's ban all conversations in cars.

Let's ban passengers so you can't talk to them. Let's ban radios so you can't get distracted by a song. Knowing how distracting a screaming child can be, let's ban all children from cars.

The problem isn't the cellphones; it's the drivers. Ban cellphones and something else will distract these people.

Car cellphones are an easy target, but they're not the problem. Unfortunately, you can't legislate away carelessness.

Ken Kurtis

Los Angeles

On my car's steering column there are controls for 15 functions; the dash and over-the-windshield console have an additional 15; the in-dash touchscreen controls 36 functions, not counting GPS, and absolutely requires one hand, both eyes and a large chunk of attention to utilize. Throw in a hands-free phone system and I'm afraid we've gotten to the point where you should not be allowed to operate a vehicle while operating a vehicle.

Errol Miller

Chino

The government can curb the use of cellphones (including smartphones) while driving by giving law enforcement the authority to confiscate a phone for 48 hours. The fines California has established surely aren't doing the job.

Dave Perez

Placentia

There's plenty to debate

Re "Debating Trump's debate," Editorial, Dec. 8

"Does being a self-promoting blowhard disqualify you from hosting a presidential debate?" Of course not, and the Constitution guarantees Donald Trump's right to make stupid statements.

The question is, should candidates grant Trump any legitimacy by agreeing to participate in his debate and run the risk of turning their campaigns into jokes?

You would think Republicans would have learned their lesson when Rick Perry's poll numbers dropped after mentioning he had dinner with Trump and indicating he had questions regarding the president's birth certificate.

Bravo Ron Paul, Mitt Romney and Jon Huntsman Jr. for having declined Trump's invitation.

Michael Solomon

Canoga Park

I can't verify this, but I was talking to a guy I know from New York, and he said that the theme music for The Donald's debate will be "Send in the Clowns."

Al Brill

Arroyo Grande, Calif.

Faith and science

Re "Spreading the global warming gospel," Dec. 7

It's heartening to read that there are Christians who accept the indisputable science on climate.

I've always thought the "drill, baby, drill" mantra is anathema to evangelical politicians, who believe that God made man to have dominion over the Earth (Genesis 1:26) and that God so loved the world that he gave his only son (John 3:16).

Hopefully, professor Katharine Hayhoe's Christian background will assist her in spreading the word to those who should be the most passionate about fighting man-made global warming.

David Olmstead

Ventura

Indefensible

Re " 'The 21st century form of war,' " Dec. 5