Humans are able to do some things that animals just cannot do

In response to Raymond Kostanty’s letter of Sept. 20, I agree. There are occasions where taxpayer dollars can be better utilized, such as education and health care. While a study on bog turtles may have been in vain, I question his view on human interests being at the top of the environmental chain.

Protection of the environment is not Draconian. What makes humans superior, and who decided this? Is it our ability to reason? Or is it that we create only to later destroy? Which new species are coming into existence "all the time"? I haven’t seen any new elephants, tigers or leopards.

These glorious creatures are in the express lane to extinction because of "human interest" … interest in their ivory and coats. A poacher with a machete is not natural selection.

Without environmental balance, all life will cease to exist. Changes in "lesser" life serve as an indication to large-scale environmental problems.

However, we certainly are more intelligent than cute Disney dolphins. Dolphins are not smart enough to give birth to drug-ad-dicted offspring, start forest fires, engage in gang-related drive-by shootings, or run fascist, oppressive governments. They also cannot take credit for chemical warfare, global warming, murder, rape, etc. Yes, Mr. Kostanty, we humans are definitely more superior.

Erica A. Stagg

Freehold Township