Re: your Sept. 25 article, “Relying on immigrant labor,� part of the series, “Farming on the edge�:

I thank The Star for this informative article on immigrant labor. I wish everyone in the country could read it.

The farmers rely on immigrant labor, and that was what made the bracero program so attractive. The workers would come and make money and go home, not bringing their families with the children needing schooling, medical services, etc.

Why are taxes being raised to meet the needs of Ventura two top priorities: fire and police protection? If current tax revenues are not enough, why is the city building a huge sports park to serve less than 1 percent of the residents? This park will have a one-time cost approaching $100 million and future annual costs of $3 million.

We don't need higher taxes for fire and police protection. We need a City Council to wake up, get their priorities back on track and stop wasting their current tax revenues.

— Don Wells, Ventura

One government agency bad-mouthing another while ensconced on its own turf 
is not a pretty sight. Such was the case in Port Hueneme on September 20. The displays of self-righteousness were a wonder to behold.

Some rough calculations show that if the Day fire burns 200,000 acres, it will release 5 million tons of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Further, if the Day fire burns an entire month, how much will it cost taxpayers? I live in Fillmore, and rangers have told me that it is very difficult to contain this fire because the terrain is so rugged.

A few questions occurred to me. What if the state cut a few roads through the wilderness and created some manmade lakes or reservoirs of water in strategic places. Would this not help us in containing future wildfires? Doesn't this have a double effect of saving taxpayers money and reducing greenhouse gas emissions?

It is a shame that all The Star reports on is the negative side of what happens in Oxnard. There have been several opportunities to cover the nationally recognized district of homes that embrace the history of Oxnard. I wonder why it is that the 10th annual Historic Home Tour, which covered 12 precious pieces of Oxnard history, was never even mentioned. So sad, really.

— Sylvia Gabrie, Oxnard

Re: your Sept. 25 article, “Retiree benefits may bankrupt public agencies�:

California Assemblyman Keith Richman, R-Northridge, and other fiscally minded citizens have been pointing out this monstrous problem for years.
The problem is coming to the public eye because of new accounting laws, which force governments to show the numbers of these expenses.

Over the years, unions for public employees have threatened to strike if they don’t get their demands met. The government negotiators, who are not fiscally responsible, easily hand over benefits the union demands.

Re: your Sept. 26 Business article, “Poll: Some Americans think politics at play at the pump�:

This story reported that in a Gallup poll, 53 percent said they did not believe the Bush administration "deliberately manipulated" the price of gasoline, and 42 percent said they did believe so. But what headline did The Star put above the story? The headline may be a true statement, but it highlights the minority belief. This looks like a "deliberate manipulation" of public opinion because many people only skim the headlines. Such headlines should be printed in italic to indicate they are slanted!

— Paul Braun, Simi Valley

Re: Andres Oppenheimer’s Sept. 26 commentary, “Border fence bill simply a grand political deception�:

I am continually amazed at letters from Democrats who insist that the only thing Republicans care about is increasing corporate earnings or that the war on terror is a hoax. They rant about President Bush but seem oblivious and blatantly silent to daily murders of hundreds of Iraqi citizens, routine killings of families and shoppers in Israel, and bombings in Spain and England by Muslim extremists. They seem not to live next door to thousands of Ventura County neighbors who spend their lives worrying about their families, their communities, their livelihood and their health. These are the concerns of most Americans.

Re: Chip Bolcik's Sept. 22 letter, “Democrats do exist�:

I am writing to dispel Bolcik's beliefs about conservatives as expressed in his letter.

First of all, I have been personally involved with many other conservatives in many social "causes" over the past several decades. As coordinator and treasurer of the annual CROP Walk that raises money for hunger relief for nearly 20 years, I found many conservative among the volunteers.

Re: Raymond Greenberg's Sept. 25 letter, "Constitutional lesson":

Greenberg's apparent defense of Judge Anna Diggs Taylor's ruling against the Bush administration's terrorist surveillance program under the Fourth Amendment was misleading. He stated: "Virtually all Constitution scholars agree with her conclusion." The opposite is the case.

Re: your Sept. 24 article, “Housing scarce for farmworkers�:

The article left me dumbfounded. I guess agribusiness in the United States wants California taxpayers to not only subsidize their profits by paying for agribusiness employees’ healthcare, education of workers’ children, etc., in addition to price supports and subsidized water, but now this business expects taxpayers to pay for their employees’ housing.

Imagine if the U.S. automakers, airlines or steel manufacturers blithely expected the same thing.

My hat is off to the Oaks Christian football team and its lopsided victory over St. Bonaventure. Following an entire week and myriad articles in The Star dedicated to its program, Oaks Christian has proved the quality of its football team.

I did notice some glaring omissions when reading about them. For instance, I never saw a list of hometowns these boys come from — not about who they live with currently, but the actual location of their families.

I also never saw a list of financial aid any players may receive either.

Re: your Sept. 25 article, “Retiree benefits may bankrupt public agencies�:

The article was incomplete. It failed to consider how lucrative benefits for California's public employee unions currently affect the lifestyles of the state's private-sector employees and retirees. Private-sector employees and retirees find themselves facing pension cancellations and ever-increasing healthcare costs, while their tax dollars are being used to fund “guaranteed employment� for public employees.

In a perfect world, there would be no need for abortion. All parents would be loving and teach their children to be wonderful human beings. However, this is not a perfect world. Have you ever worked at a center for domestic violence? If not, you can't imagine the horrors some young women are confronted with in their own homes.

Re: Grant Marcus’ Sept. 22 letter, “Violating Hippocratic Oath�:

Mr. Marcus indicts the U.S. military for the “crime� of forcing terrorist combatants to undergo certain forms of coerced interrogation in order to forestall future terrorist acts. “Torture,� he screams, referring to sleep deprivation, stress positions, water boarding (whereby no one drowns), attention slapping and such other “extremes,� all of which are far less painful than the brutal beatings routinely practiced by the enemy and the beheadings from which there is absolutely no recovery.

If SB840 had not been vetoed by the governor, many of us now insured by our current retirement benefits would be in trouble. Many people I know worked at jobs for years for medical coverage at lower salaries so they could have these benefits. I do not believe that those already covered should be forced into socialized medicine, which is what the state plan would be. Why should we pay more for what we already have? And, we would pay more because when the state sets up a bureaucracy, that costs money.

Re: Timm Herdt’s Sept. 20 essay, “A tax that would go away�:

You write that this $4 billion tax is a “closed-looped tax� that goes away when it pays off the bonds it creates — money that can be spent outside of California and even outside of the United States, by the way.

Re: your Sept. 2 editorial, “True believers never give up�:

There are facts, which would hold up in a court of law, that cast the official government line into doubt. Why this is so, and why they have not been addressed, is the whole root of the “conspiracy movement.� Without the truth being brought out, supposition and innuendo must fill the void.

Now, I will admit that the most common “conspiracy� in government or business is the one where bureaucrats get together to cover each other’s behinds against being held responsible for the consequences of their own incompetence.

The dispute between Colin Powell and President Bush gave us a perfect example of how Bush uses the strawman tactic to attempt to fool the public.

Powell said, "The world is beginning to doubt the moral basis of our fight against terrorism."

Bush has no way of countering that true statement of fact. So he comes back with, "If there's any comparison between the compassion and the decency of the American people and the terrorist's tactics of extremists, it's flawed logic."

Re: Bryan Baker’s Sept. 22 letter, “What will Dantona do?�:

First, what he will not do: He will not violate the law and defraud donors by soliciting funds for his not-for-profit corporation when the corporation was suspended for not filing tax returns for four consecutive years like Peter Foy has done.

Second, he will not sit on the board of directors of right wing, out-of-the-mainstream, evangelical organizations expounding the death penalty for adultery and the demise of the U.S. Constitution for a new world order governed solely by the Bible, as Foy has done.

As a retired district manager of the Triunfo Sanitation District — and therefore someone who has no conflict of interest — I recommend the re-election of Chairwoman Norma Callero. She is a dedicated and knowledgeable district leader who has always acted in the best interest of Oak Park and Westlake residents served by Triunfo.

Re: your Sept. 26 article, “Foy declines to attend candidate forums�:

I was stunned to read that Peter Foy had declined to attend the candidate forum. I have attended these forums put on by the League of Women Voters in the past and they were always very informative. Maybe that is why Foy declined to take part; we really don’t know what his opinion is on any of the real issues facing the county.

Re: your Sept. 26 article, “Foy declines to attend candidate forums�:

It comes as no surprise to me that Peter Foy is refusing to debate Jim Dantona and to answer voter questions. Last spring, Simi and Moorpark classroom teachers and Simi school workers invited Foy, Dantona and Judy Mikels to be interviewed for a recommendation. Foy was the first to call back and schedule an interview, as did Dantona and Mikels.

My wife and I live in Moorpark and have done business and community service in Thousand Oaks for more than 15 years.

My neighbors in Thousand Oaks are experiencing the same thing we, in Moorpark, experienced a few years ago when Louis Masry moved to our town and declared his intention to run for City Council, criticizing our elected officials in an uninformed and arrogant manner. Louis used his father's fame as a birthright that he seems to think qualifies him for City Council.

I was outraged that the Thousand Oaks City Council voted to overturn a Planning Commission decision and allow Centex homes to pay $1 million instead of building four very-low-income units.

What kind of living unit can a family buy for $250,000 in this city?

Once again the city’s bloated bureaucracy thinks it is going to manage precious very-low-cost housing funds. Frankly, the city’s record in developing low-cost housing in a city whose population is fast approaching 130,000 is abominable. We need low-cost housing and very-low-cost housing now.

Re: your Sept. 24 article, “On ‘Hydrogen Highway’�:

This article left out the major issue: What source of energy will be used to separate the hydrogen from the oxygen, assuming it is obtained from water? The third law of thermodynamics says, “You cannot even break even.� That means that more energy will be used in separating hydrogen from oxygen than will be obtained when hydrogen is used for transportation. Perhaps the readers think that hydrogen is available without much energy output.

Here is what the Democrats should use against President Bush and the Republicans to deflect their advantage regarding the war on terror.

An effective political ad for the Democrats for the upcoming midterm elections would show a news clip of the recent meeting between the Prime Minister of Iraq, Nouri al-Maliki, kissing and hugging the President of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Re: your Sept. 15 article, “Mayoral candidates debate city’s finances�:

I must rebut and repudiate the statement by Mayor Tom Holden that "the city is committed to open, transparent government." That is the usual incredible and fallacious statement that Holden excels at.

For many years, Holden has been in the backroom cutting deals with millions of taxpayers’ money being virtually given away with no practical benefit to the citizens of Oxnard.

Re: Steven Showers’ Sept. 21 letter, “Democratic Party in moral decay�:

I have occasion to visit Juneau from time to time, and I'm always impressed with how much smarter the Alaskans are than us Californians. Here's what I mean:

While there's no doubt that Alaska politicians are every bit as concerned with the welfare of their constituents as those in California — in case you don't get the sarcasm, there's a major investigation going on up there right now into graft — the Alaskans located their capital in a remote corner of the state that is difficult, and sometimes impossible, to get to because there are no roads. Brilliant.

With all the recent hoopla about the pope’s comments, one thing seems glaringly not discussed by the Muslim community: Do the teachings of Islam — the Quran — really make reference to conversion by the sword? If so, how do Muslims defend this? Should the pope be castigated for referring to a true teaching of Islam?

The terrorists seem to believe as the pope said.

— Dave Miller, Simi Valley

The stories I have read in many publications are starting to frighten me. Before we invaded Iraq in 2003, we were hearing and reading about Saddam Hussein and his weapons of mass destruction. We invaded and found none. We are now stuck in a quagmire in Iraq that keeps eating up American resources and American lives — almost 3,000 American lives and even more Iraqi lives. And we do not see an end to Iraq on our horizon.

Now we see and hear more every day about Iran and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Are we trying to build him up into someone we need to liberate his people from? Do we want this “madman� to have nuclear weapons to threaten the region?

As I read the stories about immigration reform dying for this year, all I could think was: Thank goodness. Better nothing than legislation that does more harm than good.

I want to thank my congressman, Elton Gallegly, for digging in his heels and saying no to a compromise that would have rewarded millions of people for breaking our laws. Now is not the time for amnesty. Now is the time to show we have the courage as a nation to enforce our laws and secure our borders.

— Martha Bennett, Thousand Oaks

Re: George Sjostrom’s Sept. 2 commentary, “District judge impedes the war on terror�:

Although many have criticized Judge Anna Diggs Taylor's reasoning, virtually all Constitution scholars agree with her conclusion that warrantless eavesdropping in this country is unconstitutional under the Fourth Amendment and the doctrine of separation of powers. The president has no "inherent power.� The executive's powers are only those expressly granted by the Constitution or specific acts of Congress.

I’ve been increasingly worried about the difference in speed and size of vehicles in auto traffic lanes and bicycle lanes. Multiton cars and trucks at high speed blast past bikers, walkers, joggers and children, separated by mere inches. I watch people in cars cross that car/bike line every single day while they follow the curves on Agoura Road, just to the west of Kanan Road.

As a 28-year resident of Thousand Oaks, I'm rather amused and saddened by Louis Masry's attempt to buy himself a City Council seat. The facts are very clear for my amusement and sorrow:

1. Louis has lived in Thousand Oaks for all of the last five months.

2. Prior to that, he has never owned a home in our city.

3. Before renting his current home, he lived in Moorpark, where he failed in an attempt to be elected to their City Council, being soundly rejected by the Moorpark voters.

Normally I do not get involved in anything political anymore, but I would just like the people of Simi Valley to know the wonderful quality of people like Ray Cruz. I have only known this gentleman and his family for a year now, but I have very rarely met people as giving, loving and honest as they are.

I witnessed the deplorable tactics of the Jim Dantona campaign for supervisor during the primary. The one question that remains, however, is what Dantona will actually bring to the table and how he will positively represent our community. Will he simply bring a dirty mouth and greater influence for special interests and lobbyist groups? That’s what it looks like. Thanks, but I’ll pass. Peter Foy has my vote.

— Bryan Baker, Moorpark

I just saw Ferial Masry's interview on "Eye on the Issues� on cable, and I urge everyone to see the last broadcast with Ferial on Tuesday at 10 a.m., Channel 25. Don't miss this even if you have to tape it.

I wish to express my sincerest support for the re-election of Andy Fox to the Thousand Oaks City Council. Andy has taken a few unwarranted blows over the past years but has handled them with professionalism and diplomacy. He is always thoroughly versed on public matters, and his love for our community is strong and unwavering.

His efforts have made our city one of which I am tremendously proud. I consider myself fortunate to know such a talented and knowledgeable candidate.

Re: Alan & Norma Hale’s Sept. 13 letter, “Why so much concrete?�

I see others have also noticed the lovely gray concrete signs the Parks and Recreation Department is putting up around town.

A couple of months ago I noticed the "Rocky Pointe Natural Park" sign on Santa Susanna Pass Road. It really adds a lot. Of course, my first thought was gratitude toward the public-spirited stewards at the parks department. Nothing improves a pristine meadow like a warm, quaint, industrial concrete sign. It gives it that much-needed Van Nuys look. Maybe we could add a chain-link fence.

Recently, I did some campaigning for the November election. I was so heartened to learn there are many Democrats living and thriving in Ventura County. We moved here two years ago from New Jersey. I was shocked to learn how conservative this part of California seemed. For me, conservative equals self-interested and unwilling to look out for one's fellow man.

Former City Manager Donna Landeros, after ongoing negotiations with the City Council on renewal of her contract, resigned as city manager and agreed to leave in January 2004. It is obvious there were unresolved difficulties with the agreed-upon terms of the termination because City Council ended up paying her a full year’s salary of $172,000 as severance, despite her earlier agreement to leave in January. Council also gave her one year of health insurance coverage, plus up to one-year’s retirement fund, plus computer equipment, but stopped its generosity at her request to keep the provided city-owned automobile. Many citizens were outraged at this out-and-out giveaway and could not help but question the council’s decision and its obvious waste of taxpayers’ money.

I was greatly surprised when I read that the board of directors of the Easter Seals was considering closing the pool for handicapped persons on Henderson Road in Ventura.

I cannot understand the actions of the pool chief executive officer and directors of Easter Seals to close the pool Dec. 3l. This pool, heated at 94 degrees, is unique and essential for the disabled people who need physical therapy without body weight bearing that the pool water provides. It enables disabled persons to get physical exercise without harming the joints. Other types of physical therapy do not provide this.

At 1570 Thompson Blvd. in Ventura, the site of a former family-planning clinic, developers now plan to erect a condominium complex with 29 units. This in itself is not a problem. Ventura needs denser housing, and midtown Ventura certainly needs development that is not a cheap motel or auto lot.

However, the style and scale of this project are completely out of character with the historic bungalow neighborhood known as the Buenaventura Tract, where I and many concerned neighbors live. This neighborhood of mostly one-story homes dating from the 1920s and 1930s jars with the three stories and aggressively modern style of this condo project — a style that was determined with little or no input from the public.

I am concerned about the decision to allow a microwave transmission tower to be constructed above the area where our children gather in large numbers for their sporting events. Within 300 to 400 yards of this tower, there are two public schools, a swimming complex, a Boys & Girls Club and the public library.

I read about the recent censuring of the All Saints Church in Pasadena for anti-use of force remarks prior to the 2004 election. I would like assurances that right-wing evangelical churches are also being investigated for pro-use of force remarks prior to the 2004 election. The media reported many incidents of evangelical churches openly supporting President Bush and demonizing his opponent, John Kerry.

— Barclay Totten, Oxnard

Re: your Sept. 15 article, “Buy, fix and flip�:

I was surprised to see that you ran a story about reselling houses by a couple who sell homes for a living without going over a basic math plan. This does not bring much credibility to your financial page. The story stated that they paid $1.05 million for the house and sold it for $1.2 million. That’s a difference of $150,000. The couple stated that they put $80,000 into repairs and made $90,000 in profit. As most real estate agents will tell you this adds up to $20,000 more than they had.

Revelation 12:1 gives us the astronomical calendar at the time of the birth of Jesus. The "woman" and "the sun" tells that the birth was on constellation Virgo. The proximity of the moon tells us it was the new moon, the Jewish holiday of Rosh Hashanah, Tishri 1, the original New Year and creation. The head of the woman pointing to her crown, the 12 tribes of Israel, means that it was after sunset. The closest year that the moon was under her feet from the earth point of view was Sept. 11, 3 B.C. The date was familiar to all of us. No wonder the enemy of Jesus wanted that date to be remembered as a day of sorrow instead of joyfulness.

What a pleasure it is to drive across Ventura on newly resurfaced Foothill Road and Poli Street. It is great to see our city spend taxes on improvements that we can all enjoy — almost.

As you know, between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., you are prevented from completing your commute on Foothill and Poli due to the barricade at Ventura High School. Although it was claimed to be a “temporary fix� 13 years ago when Proposition A passed, the city and the school have chosen to continue this blockade the majority of every year.

Re: your Sept. 12 cartoon showing a lack of affordable housing as one reason for long commutes, leading to "Gridlocksville."

What would you say to someone who suggests that the best way to reduce traffic in your city is to build more houses? That is just what many pro-growth interests around the county, including newspapers clamoring for more high-density "affordable housing" projects, are doing.

Duane “Dog� Chapman accomplished what American and Mexican law enforcement agencies could not do: He took Andrew Luster off the streets and put him behind bars. Luster is a deviant predator of the worst sort, gaining his victims' trust, then drugging and raping them while videotaping it all for posterity. It is not much of a stretch to imagine that he was victimizing young women in this same manner while on the lam in Mexico.

On the question of torture: Solid research reveals that no useful intelligence is gained in this manner and that people will say anything to stop the pain and terror when they are being tortured. Why, oh why, has no one been shouting out about this stunning contradiction?

In trying to make sense of something that is beyond my understanding, I wonder: Could it be that this administration is guilty of schadenfreude? They are imperialist bullies, after all, the flip side of which is cowardice. The Bush administration is not willing to put the lives of their children or themselves on the line, and they are so cool about the atrocities of which they are guilty that one suspects sadism is likely a factor in this cruel and heartless behavior.

Re: Earl W. Wallace’s Sept. 17 letter, “9/11's legacy�:

It appears that it is Earl W. Wallace who is dangerously out of step. He wants to put handcuffs on our nation in order to soothe his distorted view of the Constitution, and he politicizes the events of that horrific day of Sept. 11.

On 9/11, I was at the Pentagon and saw the carnage up close.

Re: your Sept. 17 article, “Mexican Independence Day celebrated ‘Viva Mexico’:

Perhaps Rosa Gascoigne would see more Anglo faces in the crowds celebrating Mexican Independence Day if this country wasn't under direct attack from the citizens of Mexico who have illegally invaded the United States and believe it is their right to tear down our flag to be replaced by theirs.

A week ago, Los Robles Hospital workers, along with their co-workers at four other HCA-owned California hospitals, reached an agreement with management for a union contract with substantial improvements in wages, benefits and safe staffing. This is good news for Los Robles caregivers, good news for the hospital’s managers, and great news for patients in our community.

Re: The Star’s Sept. 15 full-page paid political advertisement:

From the content of this full-page ad, Peter Foy is going to learn what dirty politics is all about. The minions of his opponent, Jim Dantona, who so severely attacked Supervisor Judy Mikels in the primary election campaign, now are unleashing their venom on Foy.

I find it ironic that a candidate who has used a purported anti-drug youth baseball program to further his political ambitions should attack Mr. Foy for supposedly having a suspended charity.

Re: your Sept. 14 article, “Past problems resurface�:

The name may have changed from Aleic Street to Cuesta Del Mar. The pimps, prostitutes and drug dealers of the ‘70s and ‘80s may be gone from the area, but not much has really changed in South Oxnard.

I was a policeman in Port Hueneme during the ‘70s, as was Oxnard Police Chief John Crombach, and we dealt with many of the same problems. In the late ‘90s, as a sergeant with the Ventura County Sheriff's Department Crime Suppression Unit, my team had an opportunity to work the area, and I found that little had changed.

Re: your Sept. 1 editorial, “Stopping habit just got harder�:

Philip Morris USA does not believe that the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s conclusions about the trends in nicotine yields for Marlboro are supported by the data we submitted to them from 1997 to 2005.

Re: your Sept. 2 article, “School funding tied to number of students:

The Star quoted several school administrators who spoke of declining revenues due to declining enrollments. The same administrators are attributing the decrease to the high cost of housing. The Oxnard Elementary School District laid off 42 teachers due to the expected drop in enrollment. How many non-classified people were laid off?

Re: Todd Terres’ Sept. 14 letter, “Crosswalk laws�:

I thank Mr. Terres for pointing out some beneficial tips about the law and crosswalks. I'd like to expand a bit if I may.

Re: Barbara O’Leary’s Aug. 31 letter, “Emergency room a zoo�:

Of late, a genuine attempt has been made to thrash out the inordinate delays occurring in the emergency room — delays that result in much unrest and dissatisfaction among patients. This, I believe, is an ongoing problem and calls for the immediate attention of competent authorities.

I suggest that hospital authorities familiarize people with the kinds of ailments that fall within the purview of emergency and urgent care.

On a recent Sunday, we were down at Channel Islands Harbor enjoying the farmer's market and a classic auto show. Both of these events were extremely well-attended and enjoyable. But, I was ashamed of our harbor.

There should have been more public restrooms for a group this size. Lucky for me, one of the boaters had a key to a restroom and unlocked the door.

Not to overdo this matter, but when I kept reading the letters regarding the Venturan who went on a hunt with some friends and took a black bear, I found it a bit extreme that there were a couple of hostile responses to the hunter's success — for example, "No bravery here" and "Bear killing senseless." I thought at first that the writers were afraid that the bear carcass would go to waste, or that the hunt was illegal, or the hunter used unfair methods such as a helicopter and rockets.

After locating the article, I read the account of how the hunter took the bear, and it made for very interesting reading. I could not find any part of the hunt that was scandalous. It was all good friends, excitement, danger and fine memories!

Election campaigns certainly generate some entertaining material, but it’s a shame the first political flyer from Louis Masry begins with a negative campaign.

Rather than attacking incumbent council members, Mr. Masry would have better served his campaign if he used space in his flyer to give the specifics of his listed priorities: How would he reduce traffic congestion? How would he improve public safety? How would he reduce local taxes, and which ones? How would he reduce overcrowding in schools, the purview of the school board?

Re: your Sept. 9 article, “Panel says CIA rejected a Saddam link to al-Qaida�:

In George Bush’s October 2002 speech in Cincinnati, he laid the groundwork for Saddam Hussein having ties to al-Qaeda. In this speech, Bush stated that the ties went back a decade.

In the State Department’s 2001 annual report, “Patterns of Global Terrorism,� al-Qaida was not listed as an organization residing or operating in Iraq. If you check earlier State Department reports, you cannot find al-Qaida mentioned under Iraq.

My good friend and neighbor Raymond Cruz is seeking election to the Simi Valley Board of Education. I urge all Simi Valley voters to cast their vote for Ray. I know he will bring many talents to this critical position.

Ray understands the importance of public education and has demonstrated his passion for education by supporting and volunteering his time and energy to such programs as the School Improvement Program and Read Across America.

Re: Mike Pringer’s Sept. 8 letter, “‘Cut and run’ won’t work�:

This letter is an incredible example of full-speed-ahead-in-the-fog mindlessness.

Re: Mike Pringer’s Sept. 8 letter, “‘Cut and run’ won’t work�:

I'm so sick of those tired old Republican cliches! That's all they have. They have no new ideas and no real plan of action except to stay in Iraq indefinitely. I'm a housewife, not a general, but many military experts agree this war plan has not worked! That's why Democrats want to fire Rumsfeld and hire a secretary of Defense who can win a war. How's that for a plan?

I was quite disappointed when I opened the packet of "Happy Holidays" cards from the American Lung Association. There were no Thanksgiving cards; no Easter cards, no Presidents Day cards; not even a Martin Luther King's birthday card! There were only Christmas cards, but not one said "Merry Christmas." How come?

My wife and I went to see the Lemon Fest at the Pacific View Mall last weekend. There were no vendors with any lemon-related items. Nobody was even on theme, except for a baker who stuck a few lemons around their goods. No lemon-related shows were taking place. Only one food or drink vendor offered anything lemon-related — one item, a lemon sorbet. Oh, there was the booth selling Lemon Fest T-shirts and posters. Was I missing something?

— Kurt Triffet, Ventura

Webster’s Dictionary defines terrorism as the use of terrorizing methods. It defines torture as the act of inflicting excruciating pain, as punishment or revenge, as a means of getting a confession or information, or for sheer cruelty.

If we allow President Bush to sidestep the June 29 ruling of the Supreme Court and ignore the Geneva Convention, then truly we must call ourselves a terrorist nation. The time has come for us, the people he represents, to scream, “No, you will not do this!� We must come out of our apathy and speak up and make sure we are heard. Shame on us if we do not.

— Kathleen Koenig, Ventura

Re: your Sept. 7 editorial, “Police records should be open�:

I personally know of public employees in agencies outside of law enforcement who were facing serious accusations. In some cases, to the credit of the agencies, the errant employees were terminated, and the terminations were upheld by the Civil Service Commission. In one such case, I was a key witness.

Re: your Sept. 10 article, “Gridlock expected to double by 2030�:

I am a great believer in learning by past examples. Apparently Professor David Hartgen, like many transportation bureaucrats, doesn’t believe in learning from history. Of course, his writings and beliefs may be influenced by whoever is paying the bills for the Reason Foundation of Los Angeles.

There are two traffic rules of which many, if not most, people seem to be unaware that would make things flow more smoothly if everyone knew and observed. They both relate to crosswalks. I learned them in Traffic School, where I was because I didn't know another rule.

The first rule is in regard to when you are required to stop when the light changes from green. The law says that if any part of a vehicle is in the crosswalk before the light turns red — not yellow — it is legal to proceed through the intersection.

Re: your Sept. 9 article, “Schwarzenegger apologizes for ethnic remark�:

Aren’t we getting just a little sensitive? Arnold Schwarzenegger makes a passing remark in a private conversation referring to a Latina lawmaker, “They are all very hot.� And the Democrats are outraged and deeply offended. I’m sorry. I thought you needed a thicker skin than that to survive the political world!

Re: your Sept. 8 article, “New agency should run harbor, committee says�:

The first thing I thought when I read the article on Ventura County Supervisor John Flynn and his crony group of Channel Islands Harbor advisers was: Why is this not on the funny pages where it belongs?

Here is the county supervisor who, for not years but decades, has allowed the harbor and surrounding area to become one of the biggest blights in Southern California.
Under Supervisor Flynn's watch, the harbor area is empty of businesses.

Re: your Sept. 8 article, “New agency should run harbor, committee says�:

The attitude of the County Board of Supervisors on the issue of the management of Channel Islands Harbor continues to be unprofessional and unacceptable.

Four supervisors ignore the problems and think that bashing Supervisor John Flynn is their contribution to improving harbor management. Six highly competent county residents, members of the Citizens Independent Advisory Committee, have worked hard to prepare a professional report as to what the harbor management problems are and how to correct them.

To those who have decided not to vote in the next election because they feel their one vote doesn’t count:

You are right, because an uncast vote never counts! If you don’t like the idea of being a "no-account" voter, it is not too late to become informed on the issues and familiar with the voting records of the incumbents so you can send your decisions to Sacramento and Washington, D.C.

We still have a slim chance to return to "a government of the people, by the people and for the people" before we perish from the earth. Get off of the couch and vote!

— Bruce C. Davison, Ventura

Re: your Aug. 31 article, “Hunter kills 450-pound black bear near Ojai�:

I was wondering if I’m the only other hunter in Ventura County besides Clay Barbosa who enjoys reading an article about hunting in The Star. I’m sure that Clay would have liked to dispatch the bear with one shot, but sometimes that's not the case.

What makes me sick is all the bleeding hearts that condemn hunting while grilling beef that was killed in a slaughterhouse. Before they condemn hunters, they should go to a commercial slaughterhouse and take a tour.

Re: your Sept. 7 article, “County airport officials put tree plans on hold�:

This is in response to the debate over the trimming of trees near the Oxnard Airport.
The Wilson Neighborhood Council wants you to believe that they are creating a friendly neighborhood and preserving historic trees. The question is: When did historic trees, if they are that, become more important than human life?

The month of September has been named National Recovery Month by President Bush.

We would like to invite the Ventura County community to join in a celebration of recovery from addictions.

The Salvation Army operates a six-month, 100-bed drug and alcohol rehabilitation center in Carpinteria. We are having a special open house and barbecue Monday, Sept. 11, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. This is free and open to the public. We are right off Highway 101 at the Bailard exit in Carpinteria, at 6410 Cindy Lane. Call 684-6999 for more information.

On what would have otherwise been a peaceful morning at the beach, my family and I were startled by the sound of someone yelling. An obviously angry and out-of-control mother was yelling at her daughter. The teenager listened, then retreated to her chair and cried and cried. I wondered if this mother realized the damage done to this young woman's soul. The depth of her sobbing was difficult to ignore, and yet I did not go over to her for fear of being accused of interfering in someone else's business.

I truly believe that if we are to expect respect from our children, of all ages, then it is all of our business to be respectful to them. If uncontrolled anger is affecting our relationships with our children, then it is our responsibility to get some help.

Re: your Sept. 6 article, “‘You expect these things to happen,’ resident of area says�:

It is a sad state of affairs when citizens say, "You expect these things to happen." Whatever happened to the expectation of living in a peaceful neighborhood? Sounds to me like the people living in the area of North Ventura Road ought to be up in arms over the repeated shootings. Perhaps they should try cooperating with the police when these incidents occur. These senseless shootings and killings have got to stop. I just wish I had the answers.

— Ron Heller, Camarillo

Re: Roger Hernandez’ Sept. 7 essay, “Distinction between laws�:

This piece was insulting to the American people. What part of "illegal" does Mr. Hernandez not understand? More than 75 percent of the American people understand it, and that is our objection to people who cross our borders without permission or overstay their visas. No matter how Mr. Hernandez and others try to spin it, it's wrong and unacceptable. It's wrong that they should expect all the rights afforded to American citizens.

Re: Bill Gorback’s Sept. 7 letter, “Gouging unforgivable� and Steve Sakakini’s Sept. 7 letter, “Why is gas price so high?�

Bill Gorback and Steve Sakakini indulge in the usual conspiracy theories about gasoline pricing.

Why is there no talk about a political rally being held at a public school?

Please tell me why Democratic candidate for governor Phil Angelides gets to use a public school and schoolchildren to announce his endorsement by Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa?

I, for one, am completely mystified by the lack of concern by the media. Public schools are funded by all taxpayers, not just one political party. Why would a principal allow this to happen at his or her school? Could it be that political rallies are one of the questions on the high school exit exam?

— William F. Klepper, Simi Valley

Re: your Sept. 6 article, “‘You expect these things to happen,’ resident of area says�:

I was quite upset reading the caption regarding the recent Oxnard shooting. Once again, it seems people are making excuses and not citing the real problem. Poverty is not the cause of all crime in the Oxnard area. Lack of personal responsibility is.

Re: your Sept. 2 article, "Governor tries to solve prison overcrowding":

The governor did not have to propose legislation to build more prisons, which the Legislature defeated. Should he be considering invoking emergency powers to ease the overcrowding in California's prisons?

The obvious answer is to release prisoners serving indeterminate sentences — a term not fixed in advance by the court, but an "indeterminate period," such as seven, 10 or 15 years to life. The person is eligible for parole consideration after serving the minimum prison term specified by law for the crime committed.

Re: your Sept. 5 article, “Political activists vow to oust GOP�: Kudos (from the Greek word “kydos�) to the author, Raul Hernandez. Mr. Hernandez made my day when he correctly stated “Politicos took turns at the lectern….�

Perhaps one in 1,000 journalists understands that the speaker’s stand being referred to and shown in the photograph accompanying the article is a lectern (also spelled lecturn), not a podium, the word normally chosen.

Re: your Sept. 6 article, “Bush defends war in Iraq by citing bin Laden goals� and your Sept. 6 editorial, “Election drives Congress’ work�:

The Page One article exemplifies what is so drastically wrong with today's media. The article does not once mention that Bush himself has conceded that Iraq had nothing to do with Osama bin Laden or Sept. 11.

Re: your Sept. 4 article, “Activists cite contributions of immigrants, urge more support�:

There’s a lot of talk about immigrants and rights in this story, but maybe a few specifics are in order.

There is a simple way to defeat terrorists: Set a deadline beyond which cars sent to or manufactured in the United States must use alternative fuel, no exceptions.

It’s the oil money that makes them bold. Without that, they will have to crawl back in their caves. The cost of such a program would be only a small fraction of what we have and will spend on ill-conceived and bungled military adventures.

— Bernard Lehrer, Ventura

Re: your Sept. 2 article, “Multigrade classes an answer at shrinking Summit School�:

Following the death of my father in 1949, I was sent to live with my grandparents in the Upper Ojai. At that time, the Summit School was a one-room schoolhouse and offered a wonderful learning experience to its first- through eight-graders. I was a fourth-grader and sat in the fourth-grade row of desks.

What made my time there so special was that I could learn at my own speed. If I was capable, I would work from the fifth-grade workbook. Otherwise, I would work from the fourth-grade workbook.

Re: your Aug. 31 article, “Hunter kills 450-pound black bear near Ojai�:

The photo of the dead bear with his head being held up by the smiling shooter made me sick. I did not read beyond the photo, as is was obvious what the story was about.
For the life of me, I can't understand why someone would get pleasure for killing an animal. This shooter actually planned his day to commit this senseless killing.

I read a verse written many years ago by someone who said that we don't need to imagine what the devil looks like, we simply need to look at our fellow man.

Re: your Aug. 31 article, “Hunter kills 450-pound black bear near Ojai�:

I thank the shooter so much for displaying his act of composure and bravery when killing that 450-pound, unarmed, nonthreatening, harmless and beautiful bear. The next time my son and I are hiking or camping in the lovely area, I will be sure to explain to him why his generation will probably never see a wild bear, or other species as well.

Re: your Aug. 23 article, “Wage hike opinions differ�:

Some of the calculations need correcting. First of all, there are 4 1/3 weeks in a month. A monthly salary at $7.50 an hour would equal $1,300, and an annual salary would equal $15,600.

Also, $7.50 an hour is gross pay, not net. Net would probably be about $6.45 an hour, meaning it would take about 6.5 hours of work to buy 13 gallons of gas at $3.23 per gallon.

— Robert Ziegler, Ventura

I can’t help but notice that the city of Ventura has installed new dark green overhangs at many of the city's bus stops. The new overhangs look very nice and will provide great shelter during the rainy season and on hot days. However, where are the people going to sit?

I have not seen one bench placed under the new overhangs. Nor have I seen a single bus schedule posted at the new stops. Did the city ever think of the elderly riders who need a place to sit while waiting for the bus?

Re: Ann McFeatters’ Sept. 4 essay, “Mixed signals for workers�:

What history book is McFeatters using to define important dates in U.S. history?

All the sources I find attribute the origin of Labor Day in the United States either to the co-founder of the American Federation of Labor, Peter J. McGuire, or an official of the International Association of Machinists, rather than the dumping of May 1 to honor workers as something deemed by business "to be too akin to communism."

Re: your Sept. 1 article, “Health insurance reform bill sent to governor�:

History was made when SB840, universal healthcare, passed the California Legislature. While the Senate had voted in favor of the bill previously, this was the first time the Assembly had approved single-payer healthcare coverage. As we continue to suffer from an ailing, failing healthcare system, where is our Assembly representative, Audra Strickland? She was one of the few to vote "no."

Re: John Sherffius’ Aug. 31 cartoon:

The cartoon about the district attorney of Boulder, Colo., is dreadful, depraved and sick. I'm ashamed for The Star publishing such. The Star should apologize. So should the cartoonist and the Boulder Daily Camera.

— Hazel V. Munger, Newbury Park

Re: Joe Howry’s Sept. 3 essay, “Let’s go after the culprits�:

You have no idea how much I enjoyed Howry’s essay.

Yes, I am a smoker and have been smoking for 64 years. I am now 82 years old. I smoke eight to 10 cigarettes a day, most of which go up in smoke as I do my three to four puzzles a day.

Re: Chuck Thomas’ Sept. 2 commentary, “How science becomes another religion�:

Thomas’ conclusion that science and religion are both matters of faith is partially correct. The difference between the two is the object to which the faith is applied.
Thomas writes: “The Gospel (of the Bible) has stayed pretty much the same through many translations. But the Gospel according to science seems to change almost every day.�

Re: Jill Martinez’s Aug. 27 commentary, "Time for a plan to bring troops home from Iraq,� and Suzanne Gunther’s Sept. 1 letter, “Time to change direction�:

In other words, cut and run.

Gunther states, "we need a change of direction" in the upcoming elections and that "we're going nowhere and achieved little to make us safer from terrorism.�

As painful as it is, I will probably be voting for Ventura’s sales tax proposition in November.

Re: your Aug. 31 article, “Hunter kills 450-pound black bear near Ojai�:

I was wondering if I was the only one to become greatly disturbed by this report. How can anyone allow this?

Don’t get me wrong, I eat meat, I love my barbecued beef ribs and an occasional double cheeseburger. I hate the idea of killing any animal, but if it’s for food, I tell myself it must be OK. That's how it is in nature in the animal kingdom, and it’s much more brutal than man's meat industry methods.

Re: your Aug. 31 article, “Hunter kills 450-pound black bear near Ojai�:

The young man with the big grin pictured with the dead bear obviously enjoyed the “kill.� But one can hardly call putting three rifle shots, followed by one 9 mm bullet, into the animal a "good clean shot.�

Re: your Aug. 24 article, “Sewage, storm water runoff can make beaches dangerous�:

The Star’s front-page article reporting on how our shore waters provide a bacterial stew of gastroenteritis, dysentery and hepatitis may have been illuminating for many, but not for those of us who have contracted these maladies over the past several years.

How many more years will it be before The Star prints a daily list of which beaches are contaminated? Or would that upset the Chamber of Commerce?

— Bill Stratton, Faria Beach, Ventura

Re: your Sept. 3 article, “Inspector finds retail pricing errors weekly�:

Just loved the article on the Ventura County Weights and Measures Department. It proves you can fool all the people all the time. “Store officials� sure have found out that sloppy pricing can be hard on the bottom line after paying a “fine� of nearly $20,000 for 34 different retailers. That works out to less than $600 per incident. What a tragedy.

Re: my Sept. 1 commentary, “Which Middle East nations support bias?�:

I received a call informing me that my statistics for Israel’s religions added up to more than 110 percent. I must have copied them incorrectly, and I apologize. The following are statistics that I got from the Internet.

Wikipedia statistics for 2005: Jews 76.2 percent, Muslim 16.1 percent, Christian 2.1 percent, other 3.9 percent.

Answers.com for 2005: Jews 76.2 percent, Muslim 19.5 percent, other 3.9 percent.

Re: the Rev. Leslie R. Lanier’s Aug. 31 commentary, “Bible is right on women�:

Lanier quoted book and verse that, in effect, stated women are subordinate to men and could never have superiority over men. Thus, women like Condoleezza Rice and other executive types, women who direct men in their duties, are sinners — as are those men, such as President Bush, who put them in those positions.

Preceding Labor Day, there were several articles written about how we would see an increase in the price of gasoline because of the holiday weekend. Various reasons were given for the anticipated increase. Fortunately, the increase never appeared.
However, there is an interesting question that does not seem to have caught the attention of any writer or reader as far as I can tell. The question is: Why is the retail price of gasoline so high?

From Aug. 4 to Tuesday, gas prices dropped from $3.17 to $2.95 at the station around the corner. Since I haven't read of any significant improvement in conditions that might have caused this sudden change, I have come up with three theories of my own.

— The oil companies, knowing government regulators in charge of preventing price gouging would not act, took the summer traveler driver hostage. Now that they have gotten all they can from the summer demand, they have decided to drop the prices.

Re: your Aug. 31 article, “Hunter kills 450-pound black bear near Ojai�:

As I was perusing the Sports section looking for something on high school football, I ran across this awful picture of some thug standing over a dead bear holding the bear's ears.

Re: your Aug. 31 article, “Traffic lights at five Gonzales Road intersections to display speed limit�:

Chad Dornsife, a founding director of the nonprofit Best Highway Safeway Practices Institute, must have lost his marbles. He has sympathy for highway speedsters by not accepting the best idea yet of reminding them not only of the speed limit in that particular area, but the consequences of a heavy fine if they don't follow it. Plus, of course, it’s a reminder of the risk of losing a life or two.

Re: John Sherffius’ Aug. 31 cartoon:

I think The Star’s cartoon is unfair to the district attorney in Boulder, Colo.

While the suspect’s statement that was made to the news media — "I was there when JonBenet died" — did not amount to an admission of murder, it most certainly did make him present during the commission of a series of heinous felonies. However, his statement to the college professor most definitely was an admission of murder.

Re: your Aug. 31 article, “Hunter kills 450-pound black bear near Ojai�:

This story was simply disgusting in every way.

First of all, it shouldn't have been in the Sports section, as there was nothing sportsmanlike about it. Clay Barbosa barely gets out of his truck with his very powerful rifle and sees a bear? That's not hunting.

My 8-year-old granddaughter attended a summer day camp in which they make weekly trips to the beach. After her beach day, she was inspired to write the following letter:

"Dear Mayor I want Oxnard to be clean. There is always beer bottles at the beach and the parking lot. Love, Analyssa Jessie Alaniz."

I promised her I would send this letter to The Star because I know the mayor reads the newspaper.

— Irene Betancourt, Oxnard

I agree that Ned Lamont's victory in Connecticut was a lesson in democracy. What I don't agree with is the so-called "Democratic majority" in Connecticut.

It seems to me that we are not learning our history lesson from World War II. I was taught in high school that our reluctance to enter that war earlier led to our needing to use “the bomb� to save American lives. I firmly believe that we are at that same decision now with al-Qaida. If we don't keep on the offensive regarding terrorism, we will end up with a real mess requiring use of serious military force. I, for one, do not want to see that be required.

Just in case you think President Bush cares about New Orleans, remember that before he gave any federal contracts to that area, he took away the stipulation that the federal minimum wage had to be met. By the way, that was a law that was more than 50 years old.

— Tom Koenig, Ventura

As I wandered the part of Goleta where Vickie Cotton was last seen in mid-July, I was surprised that no flyers were visible in any of the storefront windows. A neighbor has disappeared, but somehow, with the passage of a few weeks, we have chosen to simply accept her absence. Have we come to believe that “these things happen?�

I cannot accept this. Our society cannot have become this dysfunctional. However much we treasure our liberty, independence and privacy, a person should not be able to simply “disappear� from our midst and generate a mere shrug of the shoulders from her neighbors.

The scared, angry politicians and their panicked enablers seek the moral clarity of desperate combat.

Re: your Aug. 31 article, “Traffic lights at five Gonzales Road intersections to display speed limit�:

We are really taking this too far. I thought I had seen it all when the city of Calabasas decorated the stop signs on Calabasas Parkway with a circle of flashing red lights. Then a little further down the road at the traffic circle, they put holders that contain bright flags for those who cross the street there. The object is to take a flag to make sure those who cross can be seen and, after crossing, they’re supposed to put the flag in the holder on the other side. I have never seen anyone use those flags, but they seem to keep disappearing.

Why am I not able to cry for our heroes? When I watch the news, I see our enemy marching through the streets with the bodies of their dead over their heads, and the families crying for their loss. I ask myself, “Do we have families in pain, families who have loved ones that have given their lives in this battle for 9/11?�

Why can't I see our dead and show my support for the loss of a loved one? Are we so lost in our fear of this war that we can't comfort the families that have paid a price we all fear? Is our government afraid to show us the pain of this battle because we may not stay the course? Who, what and where are the basic questions of freedom. Why are we not asking these questions?