I wanted to write in regard to the recent sting operations that have been taking place at the crosswalk on Heather and Cochran streets in Simi Valley.
From what I have observed, the Police Department has a female officer intentionally walk across Cochran during busy traffic hours, while officers on motorcycles wait to catch and pass out tickets to anyone who does not slow down. This, I believe, is unsafe and unfair.
The officer crossing the street not only threatens her life, but the life of the drivers. Due to the nature of the street -- the speed limit being 45 miles per hour, and Cochran being a four-lane street -- it is difficult for a driver to see a pedestrian in time to actually slow down and stop. Even if the driver does see the pedestrian and slows down, he could get rear-ended by the car behind him.
My dad has experienced, many times, stopping in the left-turn lane from Cochran onto Heather, when a pedestrian has started to cross the street. As the person nears our car turning left, they are completely blocked from the view of oncoming cars going west in the two right lanes on Cochran. Even when the eastbound cars see the pedestrian and slow down, we have witnessed many times the danger for pedestrians due to this blind spot from left-turning vehicles, as well as the sun setting in the afternoons adding to the difficulty in seeing pedestrians.
If the city really wants to make the crosswalk safe, they should install a crosswalk light.
It is unfair to citizens to hold repeated sting operations when the conditions on Cochran make it difficult to see pedestrians and safely stop. Considering the way the economy is currently, people cannot afford tickets. The Police Department should be more considerate to us civilians.
-- Christian Corralejo, Simi Valley

Re: Ruben Navarrette's July 2 essay, "Judicial activism? You bet":
Navarrette's perpetual pro-Hispanic agenda is really getting boring.
Navarrette supports the activist Supreme Court nominee, Sonia Sotomayor, and is pro-amnesty for illegal aliens. He generalizes about reverse discrimination based on his dishonest obfuscation of the facts in the New Haven, Conn., action, Ricci v. DeStefano, by the Supreme Court. The case has nothing to do with Princeton, and there was no "disparate impact" on minorities.
Navarrette twists the truth. The facts are very specific, and Navarrette's ranting doesn't change the facts. The decision was based not on a historic pass rate, as Navarrette argues, but on the specifics of one particular exam. White firefighters were denied promotion because Sotomayor upheld the lower court's decision, based on the fear of a potential lawsuit by black firefighters who did not pass the exam.
Sotomayor is not the sharpest pencil in the drawer -- by her own admission.
Standards should not be lowered to accommodate the less-qualified. I believe that fair-minded Americans would agree with the Supreme Court's decision.
If and when I need the services of our firefighters, I want to be assured that they are the best qualified, both mentally and physically, and I don't care what color they are.
The Star might save space on the Opinion page when it feels compelled to publish Navarrette's opinions. Just print his photo, name and subject -- no more -- and leave a couple of blank lines for the readers to fill in the expected Navarrette drivel.
-- Bill Gourlay, Westlake Village

My dad is 84. He's very spry, but he's getting on in years.
A couple of weeks ago he was playing with his grandchildren at The Lakes mall on Thousand Oaks Boulevard. They were on the grassy area in front of Ben and Jerry's, and he was trying to catch a ball. He tripped and fell flat on his back and broke his wrist in two places.
This was at 4 p.m., and there were a lot of people in front of Ben and Jerry's and just wandering about. My niece and nephew are under 10 years old, and they ran to him, realizing he was hurt.
While this was going on, at least four adults walked by, paid no attention and didn't ask the children or my father if they needed any help.
When I heard this, I was appalled by the lack of concern these people showed for an old man lying flat on his back with a broken wrist. This is not something I would think could happen in our community. The people who just walked by should be ashamed.
-- Karen Morton, Newbury Park

Re: your July 1 article, "Drivers ignoring message on phones":
I also have seen an increase of cell-phone use while driving. Unfortunately, until the citation has a bigger impact on the offending drivers, they will continue to try and get away with it.
How about revising the hands-free cell-phone law as follows:
First offense: a fine and seizure of the cell phone for 24 hours. The cell phone would be retrieved from the law enforcement office that issued the citation.
Second offense: an additional fine plus seizure of the cell phone for 48 hours. Again, the cell phone can be retrieved from the law enforcement office that issued the citation.
Third offense: an additional fine plus seizure of the cell phone for 72 hours, and the cell phone can be retrieved from the law enforcement office that issued the citation.
In the case of drivers under the age of 18, their parents would have to go to the law enforcement office and retrieve the cell phone and pay the fine.
I am sure any driver would think twice before using their phones while driving. In today's society, it seems people cannot do without their cell phones, so this may deter many from using or thinking of using their phones while driving.
-- Yolanda H. Lickson, Simi Valley

The U.S. Supreme Court, in its now common ruling of 5 to 4 -- the five being the well-known conservatives on the bench -- has ruled that someone convicted under old DNA technology, or before the technology was even available, cannot request new testing.
Chief Justice John Roberts wrote: The availability of conclusive DNA testing "cannot mean that every criminal conviction, or even every criminal conviction involving biological evidence, is suddenly in doubt."
But wouldn't we want to know if the correct person is sitting in jail and use every resource at our disposal, being a democracy and a nation that respects and honors the rule of law? Wasn't that the intent of the development of DNA testing since eyewitness testimony has proven so many times to be flawed if not complete lies?
Another ruling that is disturbing, and again was the usual 5-to-4, now puts the burden of proof on an older worker to prove he or she was fired for age, not the other way around where the employer had to prove that the firing was not due to the worker's age. Now it will be easy for an employer to simply get rid of someone because they are older, and "older" will be completely up to the interpretation of the employer. This ruling is particularly egregious as so many baby boomers are approaching retirement age, and many can't retire due to the state of our economy. What a better way to help employers not have to pay pensions! They will simply fire the person before they are eligible.
This country and its compassionate nature, as well as its longstanding adherence to the rule of law, has been very good to these gentlemen. They have a good paying job for life, if they want it, plus that job brings them the best healthcare in the world for the rest of their lives.
It is very hard to understand where these justices are coming from when only five people make these cruel decisions for the rest of us -- and we number in the millions, growing each day.
-- Carolyn Crandall, Camarillo

Re: Elton Gallegly's June 14 commentary, "Selling U.S. to China":
For years now, U.S. Rep. Gallegly, along with members of both the House and Senate, sat back and watched the United States sell itself to China by allowing China to buy up U.S. Treasury bonds instead of forming a prudent tax-and-spend policy that provides a balanced budget along with an adequate supply of social, educational and civil services.
Gallegly cries wolf over the common practice of inserting provisions into must-pass legislation, which was common practice for former President George Bush, Gallegly and congressional Republicans. This was done as recently as the credit reform act, which contained a gun law that allows an individual to bring a loaded gun into a wildlife refuge. What does a gun law have to do with credit reform? Nothing!
This is hypocrisy at its very worst.
With the myriad of issues facing our nation right now, Gallegly wastes our tax dollars by childishly pointing out what all members of his party do, himself included: adding provisions to must-pass legislation.
The actions in the Senate, with President Barack Obama inserting such provisions, is not what I support. Gallegly is living in a glass house and should not be throwing stones.
Gallegly attempts to move the blame for our economic crisis with childish complaints about Obama's actions, while he did nothing to fix General Motors or create more economic stability.
The addition of the International Monetary Fund provision was an educated one and is in no way anti-American.
The actions of Obama is not politics at its worst, is is politics. Gallegly failing on so many levels is politics at its worst.
-- Christopher James Grant, Ojai

We were all captivated by the images of our president and commander in chief nailing a pesky fly within the White House.
One can't help but speculate about the fly. Was it a spy fly, conceived by the North Koreans? Was it a science experiment fly that the first daughters accidentally let loose? Was it the proverbial fly on the wall that just wandered into the White House to see what was happening?
We'll never know. The quick reflexes of our fearless leader rendered the hapless fly into a motionless black speck on the otherwise spotless carpet, disposed of by one of the minions whose job it is to dispose of flies.
End of story? Oh no! The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals has suggested that the president should have used some device, known only to PETA fans, that would have trapped the fly for subsequent release out of doors.
How interesting.
We have horses on our property, and the flies, like stars in the sky, are far too numerous to count. Should PETA provide this magical device so I can release the flies out of doors? But they are already out of doors. We do trap them, with sticky tapes and fly traps, and we even use special diet supplements -- for the horses -- so they don't breed in the first place. But apparently I would offend the good people of PETA by destroying these creatures that, frankly, bug me.
I have contemplated the economic consequences of letting flies run -- or, should I say, fly -- loose. Imagine all the workers who make fly swatters suddenly as unemployed as the buggy whip makers of long ago. There are of course, all the people who make fly traps, sticky tapes and numerous potions to keep the fly population somewhat under control.
I think our president contemplated all of this as he carefully eyeballed that fly before striking a blow for free enterprise, my hero.
-- Robert Dempster, Camarillo

Summertime is here, school is out, and some folks feel the "need for speed," racing on our streets.
It is so sad that a young man lost his life in a street race on Victoria Avenue on June 20. He did not think it would be his last day alive when engaging in a race with a Corvette. Apparently he could not stop in time for a red light at Avocet Drive and crashed into an SUV, dying later that night at the hospital. I wish to extend my condolences to his family at this sad time.
My husband and I live within earshot of the crash scene, and Victoria Avenue between Moon Drive and Telephone Road seems to bring out the speed racer in many people. I hear it at all hours of the day and night. Sometimes I hear the crashes too, and I say a little prayer for whoever was injured in such a dangerous act of thrill-seeking.
I wonder if our community can utilize the Volunteers in Policing to set up frequent monitoring -- perhaps with camcorders -- and immediate reporting to the Ventura Police Department, which can then begin to arrest those who engage in this dangerous practice before anyone else loses their life.
As a facilitator of First Offender DUI classes in Santa Barbara, I let the students know how severe Santa Barbara courts deal out legal, financial and criminal consequences for those who drink and get behind the wheel to drive. I do not know whether alcohol played a part in this fatal accident, but I do know that even small amounts of alcohol can reduce judgment, reasoning and the ability to resist such a challenge on our streets.
Let's send a message that we care about all our community members and use the Volunteers in Policing to hold the speeders accountable and keep our streets safe for all.
It is my hope that no other drivers need lose their life to a street race on Victoria Avenue or in our community as a whole.
-- Anne Bauman-Chavez, Ventura

Re: your June 14 article, "101-Olivas Park roadway edges forward":
I read the article on the proposed extension of Olivas Park Road to Highway 101 with great interest. It is always good to hear that someone in government had a good idea, and this one is very good. It would ease traffic congestion and put some undeveloped land to good use.
But I think this deal could be worked to alleviate another issue that is facing our city: the issue of what to do with Wal-Mart.
The article stated that there could be some added commercial development of the area, which is another good idea because the city can use the tax money they would bring in.
My idea is for the city to contact Wal-Mart and ask them if they would want to build there, where they would be nearer the freeway and would probably have enough room for a superstore instead of building on an overcrowded street in the heart of town.
The city could even work out some type of land swap, where the city would get the old Kmart location to do with as they please. Perhaps the city could redevelop that area in coordination with the planned makeover of Victoria Avenue. I am thinking of a small park -- call it Victoria Gardens? -- with small shops interspersed. Starbucks would probably stake out a site.
Believe me, I am no fan of Wal-Mart for a number of reasons. But with the economy the way it is, any company that is offering to bring in jobs -- and many people would love to work for them or anyone else -- and tax revenue should be welcome in our town.
Wal-Mart also sells products at very reasonable prices, so all of the city's hard-working families would benefit from having the store nearby.
-- John Darling, Ventura

I am ashamed of California. I am ashamed it has taken me this long to protest what I consider the least moral, most egregious assault on those with the least power and the most to lose.
The governor's slashing of programs, all aimed at poor families, along with his rigid stance on taxes and the sacrosanct stance on Proposition 13, are surely not representative of an America that celebrates taking in the downtrodden, the poor and the disenfranchised. Putting the burden on the backs of the disabled and poor shows just who the spineless are among us.
The governor worries about businesses and corporate interests leaving our state if they are unduly taxed. Where will they be when they are the only ones left with no consumers for their goods?
I feel like our legislators have regressed to children fighting on the playground, and there are no teachers left to make them play fair because the rational educated middle classes have already been sacrificed.
I am a mother of a young adult with cystic fibrosis, the mother of a teacher, the wife of a practicing physician who happens to be a paraplegic. I am an occupational therapist who is substitute teaching in the Ojai Unified School District. I am a member of the human race who feels disgraced and horrified that we can "turn the other cheek," not to forgive, but to look away from the human trash heap we are creating with such thoughtless policies, only to fatten the coffers of those who thrive on that trash heap!
-- Marlene Schick, Oak View

Re: your June 29 article, "City manager cancels holiday fireworks":
On Monday there was a small article in the "In brief" section about the City of Santa Paula's decision not to have a fireworks display in celebration of the Fourth of July. Evidently this decision has nothing to do with finances but is some type of sympathy gesture for the employees the city had to lay off.
Let me see if I have this right. By not celebrating our Independence Day, the city is somehow making the unemployed feel better? By taking away a long-standing tradition and a free show, the city is helping the unemployed enjoy the holiday weekend and making it better for them?
People ask: What has happened to America? Where are the country's traditions, heritage and values? The actions of the City of Santa Paula speak volumes. It is deplorable that the city -- particularly with our troops deployed -- would choose to cancel this celebration. Shame on it.
-- Gene Dunn, Ventura

Shortly after the Northridge earthquake, my wife and I took a driving trip to San Francisco, going up Interstate 5 and returning on Highway 101. At nearly every bridge overpass were a series of three signs in each direction. These signs read "Earthquake retrofit," "Construction zone" and another had an image of a bridge. I can understand the construction zone sign, but rarely did we actually see anyone doing any work on the site.
What really struck me was they added hundreds of thousands of dollars to the overall project, just to let me know what they were doing. Did I really need to know that badly? How about holding a news conference and announcing the project and when it is expected to be completed?
More recently, I was doing some work for a local government agency, and the state wanted us to use a specific set of folders so that the report was organized in a manner they were familiar with when they came to do an inspection. I've got no problem with them providing folders that simplify their job, especially when it is free to the local agency. The issue was that the sender had included a business card (again, OK), but this card was inside a nicely embossed cardholder that had the state agency's seal.
I've been asked before why I sweat the small stuff. My answer has always been, "Because when you pay attention to the details, the big issues generally take care of themselves."
Cutting costs has to start somewhere, and our legislators in Sacramento -- and Washington, D.C. -- don't seem to be able to tighten their purse strings. It is time we started demanding accountability and put partisan politics and personal gain aside.
-- Gary Marshall, Santa Paula

Re: Carla Bonney's June 30 commentary, "Why I'm taking to the streets on the Fourth of July":
Where was Bonney last Fourth of July?
I bet she was home counting her money, savoring what then-President George Bush and the Republicans had done for her country during the previous seven years and hoping that the trend of the rich get richer would continue after Sarah Palin's inauguration.
Yes, Carla, there is a Santa Claus. But he won't be marching with you in this Fourth of July tea party parade. No, he'll be busy trying to fix the economic and global mess that your heroes left us. He'll be trying to deal with the disaster that's befallen California as a result of the minority holding the majority hostage. He'll be shooting off fireworks on the White House lawn, celebrating a president who does something about those less fortunate than Bonney and me -- who thinks that world domination isn't such a hot thing while global warming, stem cell research, market regulation, women's rights and jobs are.
But you go ahead and march, Carla. There will be plenty of room.
-- Fred Rothenberg, Ojai

So six bloody years after we invaded, we are vacating this violent scene.
Coincidentally, of course, the installed Iraqi government just opened the country's huge oil reserves to foreign investors under really favorable terms. Under Saddam Hussein, the oil was nationalized.
Mission accomplished, indeed.
-- Margaret Morris, Ventura

"'You vote for revenue and your career is over.' I don't know why we allow that kind of terrorism to exist. I guess it's about free speech, but it's extremely unfair." -- Liberal tax-and-spend House Speaker Karen Bass.
Bass has the whole world already laughing -- or crying -- about her "legislation," bankrupting the eighth largest economy in the world, bigger than hundreds of other countries. I am ashamed that such a large and great body politic has such a mental midget in a position of power and responsibility and that she has so humbled the state, the Legislature and herself in the process.
Stopping fools like her through legitimate political activity is not "terrorism." I can see how such soft-headed thinking got our late, great state in so much trouble. Could it be that the La Raza folks are right after all and that they should take California back?
Maybe Bass has it backwards and the government is actually -- economically and politically -- "terrorizing" the people, whom they are supposed to be working for.
When you vote for so much revenue that economic activity is severely curtailed, then you pile absurd regulation and hostility to business on top of that, then increase spending $20, $30, $40 billion above all that, then, yes, your career should be over.
I won't call Bass "speaker" until she shows some respect for the taxpayers.
Come to our Ventura Tea Party on Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Ventura County Government Center and see what terrorists we are.
-- George Miller, Oxnard

As the author of "Poor Richard's TIPS from the Great Depression," I particularly appreciate The Star's tips about careful shopping and wise use of resources.
Because I tend to buy extra of bargain-items we expect to need, we try to keep an eye on the use-by dates. To make that information more visible, my wife, Anita, recently started writing the dates with a black and bold Sharpie on the more-visible sides of the jar, can or package.
If we have overstocked, we donate to the food-service program at our church, or we pass along bargain items that exceed the needs of the two of us.
-- Richard Londgren, Thousand Oaks

The national debt under President Jimmy Carter was $1 trillion. Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush increased it to $4 trillion, Bill Clinton to $5.7 trillion, and George W. Bush to $10.7 trillion. Hence, 75 percent of the red ink in the entire history of this nation was run up by three Republican presidents in 20 years. That's quite a feat.
The national debt now stands at $11.36 trillion. Most of this $0.66 trillion increase was spent to clean up the global economic meltdown brought on by Republican ideology. It's peanuts compared to Republican spending. Clinton actually paid down national debt. He produced budget surpluses. No Republican has ever done this. And thanks to fiscally irresponsible Republicans, China has this country by the throat.
Please, teabaggers, get a clue! Hold your silly tea parties outside State Sen. Tony Strickland's offices. Ask Republicans to tax us more. The red ink was run up because we're not taxed enough.
-- Raymond Freeman, Thousand Oaks

Re: your June 27 article, "Coyotes blocked out, says resident":
On behalf of University Village Thousand Oaks retirement community, I would like to correct some misunderstanding regarding the wildlife corridors on our campus and our commitment to wildlife, including coyotes.
During the planning process, University Village worked closely with the Thousand Oaks senior environmental planner, Greg Smith, and the Department of Fish and Game to maintain multiple pathways for wildlife.
Contrary to local resident Mary Troness' concern, our community does not have a wrought iron fence that prevents wildlife travel. There is a significant gap in the fence on the western portion of the property, as well as a wildlife pass-through in another portion of the western fence. We also deliberately built a portion of the northern fence line as a split rail fence with wider gaps between the rails and under the fence to facilitate wildlife travel.
Throughout construction, our community focused on preserving the wildlife that surrounds and integrates with our campus, including spending more than $50,000 with wildlife biologists who monitored the old red-tailed hawk nest that used to sit high in a tree adjacent to the property.
On any given night, one can hear many coyotes on the property, and it is not uncommon to see one walking in the dedicated open space or streets inside our 65-acre campus.
I will make myself available to tour Troness around University Village so that she can see the fence design and hear and see the local coyotes on campus during the night. I would expect to also see myriad other wildlife on campus, including deer, hawks and even ducks (Star article "'Peabody Hotel West' at University Village" June 3, 2009). This should clear up the misunderstanding about our fence and illustrate the wildlife corridor that has been preserved.
-- Warren Spieker, Thousand Oaks
(The writer is vice president of University Village. -- Editor)

Re: your July 1 article, "GOP's Coleman concedes, sending Franken to Senate":
The Star reported that Minnesota has elected a clown to the U.S. Senate. Never fear, Minnesota: California has had a clown for a U.S. senator for as long as I can remember, and look how great things are here in the Golden State.
-- Mike Kohl, Simi Valley

Re: your June 28 article, "Westlake orders pot shop to close":
Proposition 215 passed in Ventura County with a 52 percent majority, and Proposition 215 undoubtedly has more support today. The strong public support for medical marijuana makes the hardline attitudes of the Westlake Village City Council against medical marijuana dispensaries difficult to understand. It appears that they are allowing minority anti-marijuana voices in the community to overrule the will of the public.
Anyone who upholds this lunacy does not deserve to hold public office.
-- Ralph Givens, Daly City

President John F. Kennedy, 1961: Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country.
President Barack Obama, 2009: Ask not what you can do for your country. Ask what your country can do for you.
-- Thurlow Partridge, Simi Valley

It occurs to me that the feds could increase revenue rather quickly by creating and selling commemorative Michael Jackson postage stamps.
-- Bill Gourlay, Westlake Village

For years I've been wanting to express my concern regarding the two crosswalks located on Loma Vista Road near Ventura College. I was elated to see that the city finally installed crosswalk light signals -- the first one located on Loma Vista Road near Ventura County Medical Center and near the Grossman Medical Building, followed by ones on Telegraph Road near St. Bonaventure High School and near Ventura College. These locations have heavy traffic and have by far improved the safety for those using these crosswalks.
My biggest concern, however, for years has been the need for crosswalks like these on Loma Vista Road near Ventura College. Those of us that who are longtime residents of Ventura can remember several accidents at these two locations over the years, including some resulting in serious injuries. At night, the lighting is almost non-existent, and I feel that it would be very beneficial if the City of Ventura would consider making these two crosswalks the next locations to install these extremely beneficial crosswalk lights.
I do have an issue regarding the color of the light. The current lights flash yellow when there are people crossing. It is my understanding that yellow means "slow down." Shouldn't the flashing lights be red? It's just a question and possibly a suggestion.
-- Sharon Gondeck, Ventura

California, as we know, has real problems, and like all problems, they are an effect of behavior, which is an effect of thinking. So, what thinking must change to resolve California's problems?
The current thinking that is reflected in behavior and problems is the belief that a politician or interest group can be better off by defeating another politician or interest group; that they can thrive at another's expense; that winning means another must lose. This thinking results in legislation everyone knows is beneficial being defeated because one party doesn't want the other party to claim success for a good idea. This thinking results in polarized gridlock in both government and society. This thinking is the cause of our problems.
If we change our thinking to: "I want to do what is best for the whole, whether or not I get 'credit,'" we find ourselves thriving much more than if we had been "victorious in having defeated our opponent." We find our talents really do gain expression. We find our self-respect grows, as does our peace of mind. Paradoxically, we find our contribution being more valued and respected and ideas more honestly considered. We end up getting more of what we thought we'd get through defeating the opponents by finding common ground, being flexible and working for the benefit of all.
It takes courage and motivation to change our thinking. The pain of doing what doesn't work continues to grow until we become open to a new way. How much pain will California go through before it accepts a new, more effective way of thinking?
When light and compassion rise up to meet the current level of openness, there will be constructive change. We're not there yet. This letter is intended to move us closer.
-- Scott Friedman, Camarillo

Whenever politicians want to spend more money, they always talk about waste, fraud and abuse. They always come up with a number, in the billions, in "savings" by eliminating the trio. They never eliminate waste, fraud and abuse without spending more money.
President Barack Obama spoke of a $1,000 hidden tax that we with insurance pay that is passed on to us from those who get care but don't have insurance. He acknowledges that this is not fair. He states that the care these people get is the most expensive. Is he promoting legislation to end this unfair tax you and I pay? No! In fact, he said that we would be "better off" paying to insure these persons. Thus, you have the Democrats' plan to make health insurance "affordable" to those without it. Make someone else pay for it!
Before anyone jumps on the government-solution bandwagon, consider this: If you have health coverage that you pay for yourself, no matter what you pay, 50 million people supposedly can't afford what you pay now. So, are your premiums going to go down? Don't count on it! Only by subsidizing it can government make insurance "affordable," which means you and I will pay.
Social Security and Medicare are facing insolvency. The system is broken. It has unfunded liabilities to the tune of $60 trillion! Forget the $2.4 trillion "trust fund." It doesn't exist! You and I have paid into it, but they have spent it and replaced it with government bonds.
Look at it this way: A $2.4 trillion surplus was taxed from you and me, but it is going to have to be collected again!
-- Brian D. Schwan, Ventura