Letters: Chickens are intelligent and feel pain. Why is it ‘radical' to not eat them?

San Francisco Chronicle​

06-05-2025

Regarding 'This California student could go to prison for taking four chickens. Was it a crime or a rescue?' (Bay Area, SFChronicle.com, May 1): The animal rights activist group Direct Action Everywhere is described as 'radical' for its effort to protect animals. But we should ask ourselves: Why is this considered radical?
A 2017 study found that chickens are 'just as cognitively, emotionally and socially complex as most other birds and mammals in many areas,' which is supported by other scientific studies. And I can personally attest to chickens' intelligence, having raised them as pets.
If chickens feel distress and pain, and if we can live healthy without eating them or their eggs, and if we believe causing unnecessary harm to animals is wrong, then perhaps it's time to normalize this 'radical' idea.
Let's align our actions with our values, take advantage of the wealth of information at our disposal, and learn to feed ourselves without being cruel to chickens or any other animal.
Genji Lim, Berkeley
Zuckerberg can afford it
Regarding 'Mark Zuckerberg is worth billions. Why is his nonprofit school closing due to lack of funding?' (Bay Area, SFChronicle.com, April 29): Once again, well-meaning philanthropists have failed to demonstrate the courage and stamina to live up to their lofty ideals.
Hundreds of families embraced and supported the Primary School. Innovation and impact take time.
The Primary School could become a model for schools serving vulnerable populations across the country. Instead, Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan are walking away. The reality is that they could fully endow the school, and it would be loose change for them.
This is a shameful chapter for their foundation. I urge them to rethink this decision.
Alec Lee, San Francisco
Democracy at stake
On Sunday's 'Meet the Press,' host Kristen Welker asked President Donald Trump, 'Don't you need to uphold the Constitution of the United States as president?' Trump responded: 'I don't know. I have to respond by saying, again, I have brilliant lawyers that work for me.'
He doesn't know? I am not a 'brilliant lawyer,' but I know that upholding the Constitution is the main job of the president. He failed to put his hand on the Bible but swore to uphold the Constitution.
His shocking answer sounds like grounds for impeachment or some other legal way to remove him from office. He is a traitor to his country.
We, as a nation, need to deal with this now, before things get even worse. Look what happened in other countries (Germany) when citizens let their values and the rule of law get chipped away by people like Trump.
Right now is like Game 7 for our democracy. Blue Öyster Cult said it all in the title of its 1975 album: 'On Your Feet or On Your Knees.'
Bill Parks, Palo Alto
Cuts are maddening
Now they've come for AmeriCorps, and I feel compelled to speak out.
I confirmed plans last week with an AmeriCorps employee working with the San Francisco Environment Department to come speak in my classroom at George Washington High School in the city. She was going to teach students more about San Francisco's updated climate action plan.
The next day, she sent an email saying that she would no longer be able to come. Her position was being cut.
With no advanced warning, here is a recent college graduate, an alumnus of our public San Francisco schools, who is now out of work. Her colleague at the Environment Department did the presentation in her place, but that is beside the point.
I pay thousands of dollars in taxes each year to help ensure the U.S. is a livable country for all, where people who want to give back to our society through things like AmeriCorps have the opportunity to do so.
I do not pay my taxes to enrich the already wealthy, which is what the Trump administration has made clear is its goal. I am left saddened and angry. This is not OK.