Going vegan
As “The Big Bang Theory” rolls into a record 12th season this week, most of the gang exploring mysteries of the universe have gone vegan, opting for plant-based eating.
Leading actress Kaley Cuoco (Penny) also campaigns against Canadian slaughter of baby seals. Mayim Bialik (Amy) and Kunal Ayyar (Raj) are asking the U.S. to join the European Union in ending cruel cosmetic testing on animals. Johnny Galecki (Leonard) did it for personal health.
Dozens of other celebrity entertainers went vegan in recent years. They include Casey Affleck, Pamela Anderson, Alec Baldwin, Bob Barker, Beyonce, James Cameron, Jessica Chastain, Miley Cyrus, Ellen DeGeneres, Emily Deschanel, Peter Dinklage, Sara Gilbert, Ariana Grande, Daryl Hannah, Woody Harrelson, Anne Hathaway, Jennifer Lopez, Madonna, Tobey Maguire, Demi Moore, Michelle Pfeiffer, Joaquin Phoenix, Brad Pitt, Natalie Portman, Alicia Silverstone and Stevie Wonder.
Most seek to avoid oppressing and killing animals. Some look to reduce their risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, stroke and cancer. Still others care about the devastating impacts of animal agriculture on climate change, water quality and wildlife habitats.
Compelling reasons for every one of us, as we get ready for “The Big Bang Theory” No. 12!
Washi Hamada
Kailua-Kona
Need another road
In your paper on Sept. 3, Susan Nakamura wrote a letter to the editor, “Connector road needed,” where she describes grim what-if scenarios that could have happened during Hurricane Lane, which caused flooding and closed off Highway 130 on Aug 24.
She couldn’t have been more on point. A grim scenario DID happen on the night of Aug 24.
My father, 74, had a stroke that night in Hawaiian Paradise Park. The fire department and EMTs showed up quick and were professional. However, it still took my dad four hours to reach the hospital, and when it comes to strokes, time equals brain function.
The road being flooded that Susan mentioned couldn’t be crossed by the ambulance. So they had to call in a National Guard Humvee to put my dad in so they could make it across the flowing water. They then loaded him into another ambulance waiting on the other side of the flooded road.
My father’s stroke could have been less damaging to his brain if he could have received treatment sooner. His recovery is expected to take a year.
However, Susan’s proposal for having multiple roads going from Puna to Hilo would allow people to get to the hospital quicker, even with one road cut off.
My father was very grateful to Hawaii Fire Department, EMTs and the National Guard for improvising and finding a way to get him to the hospital under those difficult circumstances.
Matt Sol
Hawaiian Paradise Park