First Light Books
All Life Is Precious
RECEIVED Tue., Oct. 29, 2013
Dear Editor,
While I find the ocean and sea animals interesting, I won’t pretend to be devoted to either. But when I read the article “Is the Austin Aquarium Fishy?” [News, Oct. 18], I was genuinely upset. When most people hear about an aquarium, especially in a place like Austin, they imagine it to be almost magical in a way where everyone enjoys the experience. But the truth that is made abundantly apparent is that animals are often neglected and exploited for profit. Not only did this article show that through the statements of current and former employees, but also through various fabrications of the facts by the owner, Vince Covino. The article expertly exposes this enterprise by simply presenting quotes from Mr. Covino with evidence that supports the contrary.
I find it sad when animals are used and abused for purely greedy and superficial reasons. What makes it worse is the sheer amount of animals that were killed and for the most unnecessary of reasons. One of the most interesting quotes from Mr. Covino is "And that's wrong, it's morally wrong. No 8-year-old should be deprived to come see this amazing place because somebody promulgated a lie." To me, that is essentially saying that the brief happiness of a child, who will probably forget or stop caring about the aquarium after a short time, is apparently more important than the lives of hundreds of innocent animals. Life is precious, no matter what it is or how small it may be. So maybe it would be a good thing if this aquarium isn’t built. Then children wouldn’t be encouraged to support it without realizing the harm that it causes to the animals.
While I find the ocean and sea animals interesting, I won’t pretend to be devoted to either. But when I read the article “Is the Austin Aquarium Fishy?” [News, Oct. 18], I was genuinely upset. When most people hear about an aquarium, especially in a place like Austin, they imagine it to be almost magical in a way where everyone enjoys the experience. But the truth that is made abundantly apparent is that animals are often neglected and exploited for profit. Not only did this article show that through the statements of current and former employees, but also through various fabrications of the facts by the owner, Vince Covino. The article expertly exposes this enterprise by simply presenting quotes from Mr. Covino with evidence that supports the contrary.
I find it sad when animals are used and abused for purely greedy and superficial reasons. What makes it worse is the sheer amount of animals that were killed and for the most unnecessary of reasons. One of the most interesting quotes from Mr. Covino is "And that's wrong, it's morally wrong. No 8-year-old should be deprived to come see this amazing place because somebody promulgated a lie." To me, that is essentially saying that the brief happiness of a child, who will probably forget or stop caring about the aquarium after a short time, is apparently more important than the lives of hundreds of innocent animals. Life is precious, no matter what it is or how small it may be. So maybe it would be a good thing if this aquarium isn’t built. Then children wouldn’t be encouraged to support it without realizing the harm that it causes to the animals.
Sean Corbin
