Kalle Oakes’ column about the passing of Barbaro (Jan. 31) is a clear example of the lack of compassion by far too many people in our society for all of God’s creatures. Barbaro was not just a “horse,” as Oakes referred to him.

Barbaro was a living, breathing creature with as much right to life as Oakes; the fact that this injury and subsequent passing was felt by so many gives me hope that the majority of our world is compassionate toward all. Barbaro was a great “athlete” and as such, should be treated the way any “human” athlete would be.

Oakes even goes on to say he has no concern if an animal dies in a house fire – in this case, it was cats. Does Oakes honestly believe that he is the only acceptable form of life? What a sad way to live.

As Albert Einstein said, “Any society which does not insist upon respect for all life must necessarily decay.”

Sandra Porter, West Paris