Re: Bernie Ayling’s Dec. 21 letter, “Midtown welcomes comments�:

We appreciate all of the three community councils’ efforts through the years to provide a forum for Ventura citizens to be heard by the city. However, as nonprofit organizations, the councils are not allowed to become involved in city politics. Sometimes, that is where the pressure is needed to obtain a response.

I never thought I would ever miss Richard Nixon.

Faced with overwhelming evidence of a series of wrong decisions, Nixon chose to resign his presidency rather than subject this nation to the turmoil of impeachment.

Re: your Dec. 22 editorial, “Yes, it was a big deal�:

The editorial, which stated that it was a big deal that the first lady had a small tumor removed from her shin and that the White House was remiss in not telling the public immediately, raised some questions in my mind.

Is The Star not aware that many, many Americans have small lesions removed from their skin? It is a very common occurrence, and it is not at all alarming nor newsworthy that Laura Bush would experience this.

Re: David S. Ettinger’s Dec. 20 letter, “U.S. should apologize�:

Ettinger recommended we should apologize to the Iraqi people for the mess created after we deposed Saddam Hussein.

While his letter may be well-intentioned, here’s why we shouldn’t apologize:

Saddam was unique in that he had a long history of mayhem, attacking both Iran and Kuwait. Israel destroyed his nuclear capability in the ’80s, but he retained that knowledge base and vowed to export it.

It’s unfortunate that our troops are in Iraq. The fact that there are deaths is doubly so. The death of civilians simply heightens, egregiously, the tragedy and futility of warfare. But the waging of warfare with limitations on one group of combatants while the opponents are without so-called “rules of engagement� leaves me wondering whether I would not refuse to engage an enemy under such lose-lose conditions.

It seems to me our troops are being asked to fight with one hand behind their backs while their enemies have free access and no accountability to the rampant slaughter of their own lineage.

Re: Bob Munson’s Dec. 21 letter, “SUVs are safest�:

Mr. Munson states that “personal safety trumps everything.� Looking out for our personal safety is fine unless it is carried to an extreme, as he seems to advocate.
Mr. Munson says he feels for the polar bears, asthmatics and troops, but he really doesn’t care for them or he would also worry about the damage to the environment these rolling tanks — SUVs — do to the planet.

I was absolutely appalled to hear Supervisor John Flynn explain that we should have accountability in all branches of our county government. Now he proposes an audit of the County Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office. Our treasurer has admitted the shortcomings in his office, and he has corrected them with some new electronic means. He has refused to take his automatic raise in salary.

Re: Ira Cohen’s Dec. 21 letter, “New rules on war needed�:

New rules indeed.

Instead of suggesting that only red-state National Guard troops be sent to Iraq, along with card-carrying members of the National Rifle Association, how about Mr. Cohen remove his rose-colored glasses, turn off Air America and lower the volume on his Barbra Streisand CDs and realize how serious this war is.

Re: Bill Page’s Dec. 13 letter, “When is a baby a baby?�:

Here we go again with grave misconceptions about the development of a child in the womb.

It may be true that the Oxford American Dictionary defines the word “baby� as a “very young child or infant,� but this child or infant was the same a second before birth as when it could be seen with the eye.

Naval Base Ventura County's contribution to the environment is to close security at Point Mugu and have all contractors and visitors to the base drive to Port Hueneme to get their passes.

Upon arrival at Port Hueneme, you enter a small building outside the base, which has a smaller area than is actually needed, and wait in line with 10 or more other people trying to enter. There are approximately four windows — I don't know exactly because it was too crowded to wait in line. However, there was only one occupied window trying to help all who had the patience to wait.

Re: Les Leach’s Dec. 3 letter, “Time Warner saga�:

I called Time Warner Cable and made a request for an adjustment to my monthly service charge. The billing representative told me, “I can’t adjust your bill. The channels you lost went to digital packaging.� Nothing I said convinced him I was due a reduction.

—Barbara McHenry, Camarillo

Re: Victor John Okerblom’s Dec. 18 letter, “No wonder healthcare costs climb�:

Can we put a price on health? From Mr. Okerblom’s letter and the listing of the many charges he incurred, it seems to me that this was not a routine office visit.

My guess is he arrived with some kind of immediate health issue, maybe one that could have turned out to be life-threatening. On his arrival, I can only imagine the fee for making him healthy did not enter his mind. The particulars were not mentioned.
Which came first: the high cost of malpractice insurance, forcing doctors to raise their fees, or the high cost of medical services?

Re: your Dec. 21 article, “Oxnard approves loan to theater�:

This comment might help attract more people to our theater.

I love to get a bag of popcorn with butter every time I see a movie. I will generally travel to a Ventura theater to see a movie because their popcorn is excellent and the butter is real. I do this even though I prefer the comfort of our Oxnard theater. I don't know what it is that they put on the popcorn in the Oxnard theater, but it's not worth the money. Change the popcorn and use real butter, and you'll have a new lifelong customer.

— Vincent Barksdale, Oxnard

Poverty and lack of opportunity in their own country are two of the driving forces behind the huge influx of illegal immigrants. If opportunity were provided — education plus jobs — more people would stay in their own country.

For example, after World War II, war-torn France was given aid by the Marshall Plan, and that country recovered. If the United States gave aid to Mexico that made it prosper, desperation would no longer be forcing its people to risk their lives entering the United States illegally.

Re: Stuart Kingsley’s Dec. 13 letter, "Moon mission a waste":

Kingsley is concerned about the "many billions of dollars that NASA is going to spend on this adventure."

Re: James E. Ritchie’s Dec. 10 commentary, “Don’t hand out Bibles by school�:

A couple of the sentences used in this commentary were a bit concerning. The people handing out the Bibles were exercising their constitutional right to freedom of speech, yet were called “insidious.�

We do have protection via the Constitution and its amendments that guarantees a right to free press, freedom of speech and freedom of religion. Those in a great number of countries do not enjoy these protections.

Re: Bernard Lehrer’s Dec.14 letter, “Israel a priority�:

Lehrer insinuates Israel doesn’t want to occupy Palestinian land, and that only after repeated attacks in which civilians in the Jewish state were killed did Israel attack Palestine.

Lehrer has the shoe on the wrong foot. The Arab-Israeli conflict has been distorted by the media and the U.S. government so that the American public believes the Palestinians have always been guilty of attacking Israel. This couldn’t be farther from the truth.

Re: Jack Kocienski's Dec. 15 letter, “Good outweighs bad�:

The telling part of his letter about access to U.S. Rep. Elton Gallegly was, "Granted, he may not have town hall meetings and probably votes the party line in many cases. I've also found it difficult to get a personal audience with him."

I've lived in Ventura for almost four years now. I subscribe to both the Star and the Los Angeles Times. I'm surprised that I really don't know much about him, and I've tried to look.

On June 12, my daughter, Cindy Conolly, was run over by two Oxnard police officers, and I was told they are both back to work again. After this extreme negligence by these officers, how are they capable of doing this type of work again?

I would like for these officers to explain to me how they can go out and tell people they have broken the law and need to pay for their negligence? I want to know what the district attorney is still investigating, and why the city refuses to give us the officers’ statements. I am trying to deal with my daughter’s death every day and how easily it could have been avoided.

Re: Karrie Keyes’ Dec. 5 letter, “Plans would change midtown�:

All of us in midtown appreciate the efforts of the Bungalow Neighbors in bringing more attention to our part of town, especially in view of the upcoming zoning changes that will help us mold Ventura into an even better place than it is now.

It is important to note that the Midtown Ventura Community Council has been working continuously for close to 10 years to improve our midtown area with many successes, all achieved in a cooperative spirit with neighbors, the city and developers.

Re: Karrie Keyes’ Dec. 5 letter, “Plans would change midtown�:

All of us in midtown appreciate the efforts of the Bungalow Neighbors in bringing more attention to our part of town, especially in view of the upcoming zoning changes that will help us mold Ventura into an even better place than it is now.

It is important to note that the Midtown Ventura Community Council has been working continuously for close to 10 years to improve our midtown area with many successes, all achieved in a cooperative spirit with neighbors, the city and developers.

My wife and I were walking down at the Ventura Promenade and Pier about 8:30 in the morning, and it was such a beautiful sight.

It brought back many memories of the past. The first time we walked on the beach and the pier was with my wife and our 10-month-old daughter in April of 1957. That day I took an 8mm movie tape of our walk, and now, how I wish I had taken more movies and still photos of all that we saw that day. There were two ships docked at the pier. There was no Highway 101. The driveway under the pier was Route 1.

I feel very strongly that the information I have about the Behavioral Health Department of the Ventura County Health Care Agency needs to be made public.

They have a policy of hiring their psychiatrists only on a temporary basis. This is at a much higher cost than if they used permanent psychiatrists.

By hiring only temporary psychiatrists, clients aren’t given the chance to establish any kind of rapport with their doctors. This results in decreased quality of care at a much higher cost to the taxpayer. I feel that this is a very irresponsible and costly practice, which should be corrected as soon as possible.

Re: Steve Hoagland’s Dec. 5 letter, “Effective congressman needed�:

This letter would be excellent reading for all residents in the county. It explains many of our problems and how to correct them in the next election.

I recently read that County Treasurer-Tax Collector Larry Matheney has admitted to not doing his job. He did not provide the oversight required of his position. He violated the trust placed in him by all of us who elected him. He did not even attempt to assure the taxpayers of this county that the assets he was entrusted with were being properly handled because he did not establish the “accounting controls� expected of anyone who is responsible for handling cash.

Indeed, if the information in the newspaper is accurate, while under Mr. Matheney’s lack of supervision, his staff embezzled or stole or absconded with assets from those least able to defend themselves.

Dec. 13 marks the one-year date of the death of a man named Stanley Williams, affectionately known as “Tookie.� For those who have not heard of him or his story, he was an ex-gangster — one of the founders of the Crips street gang, in fact — turned humanitarian. Yes, that’s right, humanitarian. And ending his time in the “correctional facilities,� he was put to death by way of the gas chamber one year ago today.

Since his sentencing in 1981, Williams underwent different stages and changes in attitude.

Re: your Nov. 30 article, “Bloodless gems�:

The local jewelry stores warranting they sell no conflict stones would do better if they guaranteed their watch repair services.

A Tag Heuer watch ran perfectly on my wrist for 30 years. When it gained a few minutes, I turned it in to a jeweler at the mall. After paying $225, I had a watch that ran a week and stopped entirely. It’s an old watch, I was told. Its time ran out. No guarantee.

Re: your Dec. 15 article, “Diligent donors get more bang for their charity bucks�:
I was annoyed by this front-page story comparing the United Way and the Ventura County Rescue Mission.

Did it not strike the reporter that it’s wrong that the Rescue Mission spends a higher actual percent amount of its total expenses for all its wonderful good work — arranging for food, housing and clothing for many — than the United Way, which does little good work but writes checks to other worthwhile charities?

Re: Warren McQuinn’s Dec. 15 letter, “Small cars are best�:

I commend Warren McQuinn, age 14, for rebutting my letter that preferred larger vehicles over smaller ones.

Global warming, air pollution, and dependence on foreign oil are all legitimate issues. I empathize with the polar bears, asthmatics and our troops fighting in the oil-rich Mideast.

Re: Ed Jones’ Nov. 29 commentary, “Gallegly challenged to step up and address nation’s problems� and Michael Bradbury’s Dec. 3 response, “Lifetime of integrity, successes�:

I believe Mr. Jones is absolutely correct in his assessment of Elton Gallegly’s 20-plus years of service to the 24th Congressional District.

I believe it is time for Gallegly, Michael Bradbury and George W. Bush to saddle up and ride off into the sunset and do the lawyer and politician thing: lie, cheat, steal and destroy.

Re: your Dec. 9 article, “House OKs oil drilling off Gulf Coast�:

Independent oil and gas producers applaud Congress for acting in the best interest of America. The passage of the Tax Relief and Health Care Act (HR 6111) will allow the federal government to offer 8.3 million acres for leasing in the central Gulf of Mexico. This area is estimated to contain 1.26 billion barrels of oil and 5.8 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.

It seems infantile to attack County Treasurer-Tax Collector Larry Matheney for doing his job: reporting the results of the audit to the Board of Supervisors.

This control system was obviously in place and resulted in apprehending the culprits that were embezzling the funds. Obviously, the criminals were underlings of Mr. Matheney, and he swiftly came forward when he found out there was a problem. Of course it is embarrassing to have this happen in his department due to the appearance of impropriety, but until there are facts that directly implicate him, there should be no unfounded attacks on his credibility.

With the release of the Iraq Study Group Report, it’s obvious that “stay the course� has lost its last leg of support. The report was released by a conservative panel, all of which didn’t oppose the invasion/occupation of Iraq to begin with. That makes this recommendation even more impressive because it came from the president’s own backyard.

Re: Bob Wilson’s Dec. 14 letter, “Mean streets�:

Shame on my favorite local newspaper for printing the mean-spirited letter from Mr. Wilson.

I have had chronic fatigue syndrome for 40 years. For some, it is accompanied by fybromyalgia syndrome, called fibrositis until 1990, which I also have. My doctor gave me information about a quarterly newsletter from the American Fybromyalgia Syndrome Association/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in the early 1990s. That newsletter continues to provide helpful insight and advice. This association also funded basic research with donated funds before anyone else took up the challenge. They currently are funding 30 research projects. They have been in the forefront of the fight to help people with these difficult health problems.

Re: Rodney Sinclair’s Dec. 14 letter, “Employing the trick of distraction�:

Mr. Sinclair states, “The Bible commands us to respect our leaders.� Wow! That’s powerful stuff. And it doesn’t even allow any wiggle room.

How can I respect a leader who cons us into believing we’re going to retaliate for Sept. 11, passes up capturing Osama bin Laden and defeating the Taliban, and lies us into a sinkhole called Iraq?

Re: Bruce Merkin’s Dec. 14 letter, “Marijuana needs regulation�:

The possession or use of marijuana makes a person likely to commit theft or assault. This identification of the marijuana criminal is so perfect, it justifies stealing from them before they steal from us. Take their pot, take their cash, their cars, their freedom, their careers. Pot-heads are bad; stealing from them is good.

Re: Les Lugo's Dec. 14 letter, "Use Bible, not Quran":

Mr. Lugo says that Congress is "afraid to take a stand on issues that I feel weaken the beliefs of all Americans." He certainly doesn't speak for me, and I would hope that he isn't speaking for the majority of Americans.

We place our hands on books that hold our deepest beliefs, and we connect those beliefs to the promises we make. I find it amazing that Mr. Lugo would prefer that the new congressman, who is a Muslim, as his first act of office, lie.

The Iraq Study Group Report includes a section devoted to "National Reconciliation." It recognizes that psychological factors can play as significant a role in the restoration of a peaceful Iraq as diplomacy with Iran and Syria, training the Iraqi army, and the distribution of oil revenues. For example, the report says that "[a]ny successful effort at national reconciliation must involve those in the government finding ways and means to reconcile with former bitter enemies."

Re: Jeannette Bauer’s Dec. 15 letter, “Sex course a good idea�:

I agree that we need all the help we can get to promote the welfare of our youth in matters of sexuality. But Bauer is not alone in being lulled into believing Planned Parenthood is pro-parent. They are, in fact, very much two-faced.

I could not believe the disrespectful, drunken display put on by Danny DeVito on “The View,� when he seemed to have a great time mocking and insulting President Bush. Unfortunately, even the sober panel of women joined right in and seemed to enjoy and even encourage the “roast.�

Is there anyone else out there who is sick to death of hearing such disgraceful and classless jabs at our president? It’s evidently not very popular, especially in the celebrity world, to stand up for our president and what he’s trying to do, but it’s time to start speaking up!

Recently, Magic Johnson announced he is planning a large donation of funds to be used toward the treatment of AIDS in the black community. This is an admirable undertaking and is certainly needed, but I question his decision of treating only the black community.

AIDS can and does affect all races. Can you imagine the uproar and the backlash if a program for the treatment of AIDS was put into effect for whites only or for Hispanics only?

Although I am not a great fan of Ventura County Treasurer-Tax Collector Larry Matheney, I feel his prompt coming forth with his disclosure of the improprieties in the Public Guardian’s Office is to be acknowledged. It is not often an elected official will try to shake out his or her own dirty laundry in the public eye and then ask that his or her pay raise be rescinded, feeling unworthy of that raise. On that note, I am comforted by his actions.

I am writing to express my dismay and outrage over the discrimination of fathers by the Superior Court of Ventura County. The preconception that most fathers are “deadbeat dads� is alive and well in Ventura.

As a single mother and employee of Social Services, I am familiar with the courts and family services agencies in my hometown of Redding. In my dealings with these agencies, I have always been treated with respect. I urged my friend, a divorced father of two, to file papers with Ventura County Family Court concerning his children. I assured my friend that he would be treated fairly. My error was in assuming that Ventura County would not hold any preconceptions.

I had no idea that enrollment in Pleasant Valley School District is declining to the extent that as many as three schools could be closed. If that’s the case, why unify?

Los Altos Middle School should have closed last year. When two schools have enrollments of 900-plus, while Los Altos is fewer than 400, it makes no sense. The last superintendent caved in to parents’ wishes to keep it open. They’ll save money by closing and consolidating.

— Gary Traxler, Camarillo

Re: Don Shorts’ Nov. 30 letter, “Save the Wagon Wheel�:

Yes! Save the Wagon Wheel!

My family moved to Oxnard in 1961, and I remember the Colonial House and the Tradewinds restaurants. Living in the north side neighborhood, it wasn’t far to bike or hike to the Wagon Wheel area. There was a miniature golf course where the ice rink and empty stores are now.

At a time when Starbucks coffee shops are more prevalent than good doctors, I am dismayed by the recent treatment of a doctor by the city planners of Simi Valley.

Dr. Carrie Kubota is a brilliant optometrist who could have successfully established her practice in any city of her choice. She chose Simi Valley. Taking pride in the environment of her patients, she designed her interior offices with good aesthetics and convenient and safe accessibility.

Re: Mike Teobaldi’s Dec. 14 letter, “Councilman Bruno’s fault�:

The majority of the Westlake City Council, since the defeat of Measure Z, had publicly stated that they wanted the animosities caused by the election behind them and would strive for a unification of the opposing sides.

Re: your Dec. 12 article, “Search for missing climbers delayed�:

At the risk of sounding cruel, why should other people’s lives and assets be put at risk due to these climbers’ sheer arrogance and stupidity? Do they not get weather updates? Do they not plan these ascents for more accommodating weather? Why should local resources be stretched and tax dollars spent for these men’s derring-do and bragging rights?

Despite what you might think of the Board of Supervisors' package of salary increases, Larry Matheney should be commended, if not for his performance as county treasurer-tax collector, then for his ability and candidness to air the problems that affect the county treasurer-tax collector’s office.

I will bet on Larry Matheny to do what's needed to correct any problems and manage a well-run office for the benefit of all Ventura County residents.

— William Kellar, Ventura

Seniors and their families need to be more aware of their loved ones’ belongings when taking them to the emergency room.

Recently, my mom was taken to the ER on a Sunday afternoon immediately after being seen by her urgent care doctor in Thousand Oaks. My mom was disoriented, so our immediate concern was her receiving emergency medical care. Unfortunately, we didn’t pay attention to what was on her, other then to notice, in the car on the way to the hospital, that she was wearing her wedding ring as usual. She was admitted, but a room wasn’t available. She stayed the rest of the day and night in the ER. A bed was found for her the next day.

Re: Ed Jones’ Dec. 12 commentary, “Another letter to Gallegly questioning his leadership�:

One thing you would think a so-called political veteran like Ed Jones would learn is the difference between solicited and unsolicited advice.

Re: Ed Jones’ Dec. 12 commentary, “Another letter to Gallegly questioning his leadership�:

After reading Professor Jones’ open letter to Rep. Elton Gallegly, I applaud his suggestion regarding an open forum involving Gallegly. The information presented by Jones was very informative; I would hope that Gallegly’s views on the issues raised would be just as informative. A forum with both gentlemen addressing the issues — Iraq, taxation and immigration — would be extremely enlightening for our community.

— Mervyn Kopp, Thousand Oaks

Re: Ed Jones’ Dec. 12 commentary, “Another letter to Gallegly questioning his leadership� and his Nov. 29 commentary, “Gallegly challenged to step up and address nation’s problems�:

Ed Jones' commentaries clearly indicate how much Jones misses the action of political life. While it is not surprising that he finds a junior college classroom confining, it is really amazing that such an environment has given him such wisdom on national and international issues when his own background was limited to city and county matters. Pierce College must be a very heady place.

As a college student attending Moorpark College and living in Camarillo, I am looking forward to transferring to a university to further my education. There is much excitement and anticipation about my future. However, I can’t help but be concerned when I realize that I may not be able to return to Ventura County and buy a home due to a lack of affordable housing.

The 109th Congress ended with a reputation of being the worst Congress in memory. The only group that performed worse was the American voting public. With the exception of a relatively few seat exchanges, the 110th Congress will start with the same old faces that composed the 109th. The voters had a golden opportunity to throw the bums out in November, but the average voter thought that the bums belonged to somebody else and were not their own legislators. It is laughable to think that the 110th Congress will somehow be different.

The recent issues being raised about the Ventura County tax office and its organization, fraud and loss of taxpayers’ money and the stealing of senior citizens’ funds — as well as the granting of raises — demands answers, not excuses. Nowhere do we see anyone taking responsibility.

Words like “integrity� and “doing the right thing� are all being expressed, in some cases in support of the tax collector for his turning down a raise of 9 percent when his office is in a shambles and is being rocked by employees stealing people’s money.

Re: Claudia Satori’s Dec. 12 letter, “Class goes too far�:

I strongly disagree with the letter criticizing the Conejo Recreation and Park District for offering a free workshop to assist parents with the challenging task of talking to their children about sex.

A recent study shows that even a limited nuclear exchange would cause a “nuclear winter.� Does this mean that it would counteract "the greatest threat to the planet" — global warming? Therefore, doesn't it behoove us to immediately save the planet by immediately initiating the launch sequences? Arrgghhh! Where's Dr. Strangelove when you need him?

— Stephen J. Schrader, Ventura

Re: Ed Jones’ Dec. 12 commentary, “Another letter to Gallegly questioning his leadership�:

Professor Jones’ second editorial does appear to be less a personal attack on U.S. Rep. Elton Gallegly, although I do wonder why the headline suggests that he is still questioning Gallegly's leadership.

If I am not mistaken, Treasurer-Tax Collector Larry Matheney has been responsible for the public guardian function for almost four years. Why did it take him all this time to detail this ugly scene to the supervisors? And why didn't the supervisors do something when news of this first broke? Is it because we have a bunch of incompetent people who are too worried about the boating center fiasco to be responsible about running this county? They not only should rescind Mr. Matheney's 9 percent raise, they should ask for his resignation.

Maybe the taxpayers of this county need to remember how incompetent our supervisors really are and vote these people out of office.

— Wayne Christlieb, Oxnard

On Nov. 4, The Star had an ad on Page B2 for the city of Simi Valley household hazardous waste program, indicating that appointments were required. So I called that day to make an appointment for the “third Saturday,� which was Nov. 18. The message indicated that they were no longer accepting appointments for November; further, they were closed in December, so the next available time would be Jan. 20. Appointments for January could not be made until Dec. 18 .

Re: Anthony Zepeda’s Dec. 12 letter, “Boeing seeks reprieve�:

I agree with Mr. Zepeda regarding Boeing's hopes that water pollution regulations will be relaxed because of the damage sustained by the 2005 fire at the Santa Susana Field Lab. I'd like to add that I am shocked that some of the comments being generated from the Rocketdyne issue have been to the effect that the "Nimbys" are somehow plotting against the poor developer again.

Re: Jules Rabalais’s letter “Wage parity is a waste�:

The Ventura County Board of Supervisors is not responsible for the wage increase given to the Ventura County transportation executive director. The Ventura County Transportation Commission, of which I am a member, is. And, just for the record, Ginger Gherardi is worth every penny of it.

— Barbra Williamson, Simi Valley

Re: Bob Munson’s Dec. 4 letter, “Small price to pay�:

If more people bought smaller cars, rather than more people buying larger cars, the accident rate and fatality rate would be greatly decreased because a smaller car going against a larger car will result in the complete destruction of the smaller car. However, a smaller car going against a smaller car will be far less devastating. Smaller cars are cheaper, more gas-efficient, more ecologically adept and easier to drive. The answer to the small car vs. big car crashes would be for everyone to buy a small car and not prolong the problem by buying an SUV or truck.

— Warren McQuinn, Age 14, Moorpark

Re: your Dec. 12 letters under the heading, “Westlake Village City Council�:

It appears as though some of Jim Bruno’s supporters are upset that he was not nominated as the next mayor of Westlake, and they blame it on his opposition to the Lowe’s facility in the Westlake North Specific Plan. They are wrong. It wasn’t his opposition to the project that upset people, it was the fact that he used the politics of personal attack when he questioned the integrity of Kris Carraway-Bowman, a leading proponent of the project.

A “solution� to the Middle East problem always somehow involves Israel being put on the table to be carved up and fed to Muslim states — and maybe that way they will love us again.

Israel doesn’t want to occupy “Palestinian� land. It is there at great cost and sacrifice only after repeated unprovoked attacks in which its enemies used this land as a launching pad to kill civilians and destroy the Jewish state.

Re: James E. Ritchie’s Dec. 10 commentary, “Don't hand out Bibles by school�:

What an amusing letter! I couldn't quite figure out if Mr. Ritchie was mad because there was a man handing out Bibles near a school, or because his kid took one home. It seems to me that regardless of what it is, if his kid is taking anything from a stranger, ice cream or otherwise, his own parenting skills are suspect.

— Nancy Low, Camarillo

Where is the praise for County Treasurer-Tax Collector Larry Matheney for doing the right thing?

Over many years I have read opinions from elected officials and political pundits, and one thing they all tend to praise and demand from each other is truth, disclosure and transparency. Mr. Matheney has provided the county just that: a straightforward accounting, clear and concise. He is a model for full disclosure, and if we want more of that from all of our officials, wouldn’t it make sense to bring on the praise so that other officials can learn what we voters want?

Re: your Dec. 11 editorial, “Heading to the moon for good�:

Your editorial waxes eloquent about the prospect of a manned space station on the moon. You speak of “the potential and opportunity of space exploration.� Pray tell us what exactly are these potentials and opportunities that would justify the many billions of dollars that NASA is going to spend on this adventure? We have so many problems on our own planet that go unaddressed because of lack of money. How can we possibly justify wasting billions on satisfying the curiosity of a small number of people while 3 billion people go to bed hungry every night? You must know that half the world’s population has no ready access to clean water. What about them?

We received a note from Southern California Edison several weeks ago that said power outages might occur from 9 a.m. to 9 a.m. on Dec. 9. After reading it several times, we decided they'd made an error and disregarded the note. On Dec. 9, our neighborhood power went off at about 6 p.m. About 8 p.m., I called Edison and was advised that the power would be restored by 9 a.m. Sunday. Fine!

Sunday evening at 8:48 p.m., the power was again shut off to our neighborhood. About 10 p.m., I again called Edison and was advised that the power would be restored by 1 a.m. Monday.

I took my three boys, ages 6 and 3-year-old twins, to see “The Santa Clause 3� this past Saturday. It was a matinee, and it was a G-rated movie.

The boys, after 10 minutes of previews and 20 minutes of the movie, announced they had to go to the restroom. We all left the theater but left our drinks and sweaters there.

I took them to the restroom and let them play in the lobby a bit to get the wiggles out. The manager came up to me and said there had been a complaint by a woman that the boys were running around the theater.

Re: James E. Ritchie’s Dec. 10 commentary, “Don't hand out Bibles by school�:

Shocked and awed — that is how I felt reading Mr. Ritchie’s lucid and logical concern about Bibles being handed out near Cabrillo Middle School. As stated, "the moral and ethical implications" of such an act "is beyond toleration." To think that an American would dare to compel children against their wills to receive a Bible and forcibly convert to Christianity — surely something must be done. After all, the New Testament teaches hatred for all people, rebellion against authority (especially parents), encourages alcohol and drug use, and promotes all forms of immorality, sexual and otherwise.

Re: Jere Robings' Dec. 10 commentary, “Spiral toward despair�:

Mr. Robings’ heartbreaking story of his grandson raises many issues, and one can only hope this young man finally gets the sort of serious, structured help he needs. But one point Robings makes needs some further thought.

Re: your Dec. 6 article, “Oxnard to welcome tourists�:

This article really struck my funny bone. The thought of an Oxnard Visitor's Center to promote tourism in the Oxnard area is truly hilarious. I am not trying to be cynical, but a tourist is to Oxnard what an agnostic is to the Vatican.

Having resided in Ventura County for almost 50 years, I can recall when Oxnard was a respectable place to live, work and visit. I worked for six years in Oxnard in the late 1950s and early ‘60s. Oxnard was a safe and respectable community back then.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez’s landslide victory, deemed generally free and fair by international observers, should send two clear messages to Washington.

First, Venezuelans support their president, thanks to his vast social programs.

Second, our policy aimed at driving him from power has failed.

Re: Conny Kurtenbach's Dec. 6 letter, "Setting the record straight":

Kurtenbach wrote, "For your information, a fetus becomes a baby on the day it is conceived."

I wonder what reference material he was citing. I chose the Oxford American Dictionary, which defines the word "baby" as a "very young child or infant." Nowhere does it mention conception in its definition.

— Bill Page, Oxnard

On Dec. 7, a man dressed in a black suit, who was just barely standing outside public school property, was handing out New Testament Bibles, published by the Gideons. My son, Michael, brought home one of these Bibles.

This was not the first time this has happened at my son’s school, Cabrillo Middle School, in Ventura, but I had thought the first incident, last year, would be the last. It was not.

I attended the Nov. 6 meeting of the board of directors of the Pleasant Valley Recreation & Park District and was appalled by the views and comments of newly elected board member Bob Kelley regarding a new and decent dog park in Camarillo. He stated that he felt the district’s parks should be for use by people, not dogs.

What Kelley failed to realize is that dogs are accompanied by their “human� owners who are enjoying the park as much as their dogs, while socializing with other owners.

Re: your Dec. 6 article, “Supervisors vote to settle Hwy. 118 suit�:

A handful of people has stopped any improvement on Highway 118. For what reason? To preserve their rural lifestyle?

This inadequate road is hampering agriculture, something I would think is the main ingredient of those belonging to Save Our Somis’ rural lifestyle.

And what about preserving life? Do these people care that there was a horrible accident just recently on Highway 118 at Balcom Canyon Road?

Disgust is the word!

The elected officials and paid administrators at all levels of government cannot be trusted with the revenues generated by the private sector any longer. Private companies go away when they cannot compete in the business environment.
The private sector needs to take a larger role in the oversight of government.
The funds provided by the private sector cannot be allowed to be squandered by the various governmental agencies.

Nov. 14, the Ventura County Air Quality Control Board unanimously voted to hold the Cabrillo Port liquefied natural gas proposal to Ventura County air quality standards. No longer will it be able to ignore the rules and pollute our air.

As you would expect, the president of this foreign-owned multinational corporation, Renee Klimczak, thinks the ruling irrelevant and insists the company is above our laws.

Re: your Dec. 9 article, “Slain man had dodged death twice�:

I would be surprised if anything was ever done or if the appropriate department was even notified after John Marmo found two bombs. He probably was told, like I have been many times, “No crime was actually committed, so there’s not much we can do.�

And, if he was anything like me, he replied, “I guess when you finally have to tote me off in a body bag, then you can say a crime was committed, but then it’s too late for me.�

Re: your Nov. 30 article, “Resident won’t fold on card club dream�:

Pete Bokron, who is 84, wants to open a card club in Oxnard by getting signatures from registered voters. Mr. Bokron said, “I’m out after it, and I’m going to get it.�

Well, I am a 45-year resident of Oxnard and about Mr. Bokron’s age, and I’m here to tell him that we will both be pushing up daisies before the citizens of Oxnard will agree to a card club in the city of Oxnard. I believe he is entitled to his dreams, but not in the city of Oxnard. I say this for the following obvious reasons:

Re: your Dec. 10 article, “Proper staffing must be goal�:

I applaud your recognition that some of the Public Guardian’s Office problems could be attributed to the understaffing and funding for staff to oversee the department.

Recent articles about our elected county treasurer-tax collector, Larry Matheney, reflect the man's true character. He discovered after his initial election that he had inherited a department, the Public Guardian's Office, with numerous problems at the public expense. He saw that criminal prosecutions were undertaken, conducted a thorough investigation and made internal changes.

Re: your Dec. 8 article, “Matheney asks board to rescind raise�:

Wow! That Larry Matheney, the county treasurer-tax collector, is a man of integrity. You don’t see the sheriff taking a cut in pay whenever a deputy messes up. Our local politicians not only don’t take responsibility, they actually look for an aide to blame. If the editor of this newspaper took a cut in pay every time a reporter got the story wrong, he would be working for free.

— Leo Bowman, Ventura

You have to be kidding me! My tax dollars are going to present a program by Planned Parenthood through our park district?

From a Conejo Recreation and Park District flyer: “‘It's Best To Start Early, But It's Never Too Late:’ Adult practical tips to help parents share their values and talk with their kids about sex. Instructors: Scott McCann, Ph.D., and Virginia Benson, Planned Parenthood community health educators. Center: Thousand Oaks Teen Center. Class: 9047.171. Dates: 3/13/2007. From age 18 to age 99. Days: T. Hours: 7 to 8:30 p.m. Duration: 1 day. Fee: $0.00�

I am thoroughly disgusted. I am sorry to say I live in the city of Westlake Village. I can’t believe the City Council members would be so vindictive as to break the 25-year tradition of the mayor pro tem becoming the new mayor. It was very clear that Jim Bruno was targeted because he was on the side of the will of the people. He was the only council member who was there for the people who elected him, as he should be. But as they say, no good deed goes unpunished.

A newly elected congressman by the name of Keith Ellison, who is a Muslim, wants to be sworn in using the Quran instead of the Bible. I think this is a slap in the face for all America.

I am so tired of members of both houses of Congress being afraid to take a stand on issues that I feel weaken the beliefs of all Americans. It appears they don't want to step on anybody's toes for fear of being called racist.

I think it’s about time Congress stopped worrying about being politically correct all the time and doing what is right for the people of their country.

Sen. Maurice Johannessen saw the Nazis occupy his native Norway. He learned the value of freedom and got the California Legislature to proclaim Dec. 15 as Bill of Rights Day, in recognition of its ratification in 1791.

Many think we have to give up our rights to defeat terrorism (witness the Patriot Act), or protect the children, the environment or those with sensitive ears. After Sept. 11, almost half thought the First Amendment "went too far." The most recent survey of the First Amendment Center showed that 40 percent thought the press has too much freedom.

Dec. 6, I had the unpleasant experience to witness a particularly sad display of political payback at its vindictive worst during the meeting convened for the purpose of electing the next mayor and mayor pro tem of Westlake Village.

In past years, the office of mayor was ceremonially passed to the sitting mayor pro tem.

Not this year.

Wednesday, the California State Water Resources Control Board will decide whether to issue an order that would, in effect, lift water pollution regulations on Boeing’s Santa Susana Field Laboratory for four years. Boeing argues that damage from the Topanga fires of 2005 has rendered it incapable of complying with pollution limits. Instead of putting pressure on Boeing to comply with state regulations as soon as possible, the water board is primed to grant Boeing the four-year reprieve.

Re: Ann Wilson’s Dec. 4 letter, “Missing KKZZ format�:

I agree 100 percent or more with Ann Wilson. The format and content of KKZZ is not good.

The music of the “old� KKZZ, nor the presentation and comments of Lisa Osborne and Les Nelson of “Breakfast with Les,� cannot be matched. And where is Lisa Osborne now?

Re: your Dec. 6 article, “International meeting on Holocaust planned�:

Who's Iran kidding? Having just returned from Munich, Germany, and taken a guided tour of the concentration camp in Dachau, all the Iranian authorities have to do instead of holding an "international conference of scholars from 30 countries to examine a range of issues such as whether the gas chambers were real" is to take their “guests� to any one of the many Nazi concentration camps throughout Germany and Eastern Europe to witness with their own eyes the actual living proof that the murder of 9 million Jews, Catholics, Gypsies and gays actually took place.

Re: your Dec. 7 article, “Supervisors may rescind Matheney’s pay boost�:

I was disappointed about the coverage of Supervisors Steve Bennett and Kathy Long showboating about Treasurer-Tax Collector Larry Matheney's raise.

I would guess they were upset he might set a new standard for government by not trying to cover up a problem he inherited and was the result of lack of oversight by the supervisors before transferring the responsibility to his domain.

— James M. Crosser, Ventura

Re: Edwin C. Burnham’s Dec. 7 commentary, “Firefighters’ hazing, horseplay merely antics�:

Firefighter horseplay merely antics? I, too, am a retired Los Angeles firefighter, and I spent 30 years witnessing unprofessional behavior behind closed doors. I shake my head in disgust, as I also could be a millionaire if I had chosen to sue from the things that happened to me. So repulsive are they, I cannot print them in this letter.

I wanted to keep my job so I kept quiet and endured. There are scars and no pride whatsoever from the lowlife childish behavior of some insensitive idiots.

Mark McGuire does not belong in the baseball hall of fame. His steroid use should make him ineligible. The fact he never admitted using steroids — with the exception of his “I won’t talk about the past� speech in front of Congress — and never tested positive (when there was no testing program in place) don’t hold much sway.

During the first 10 years of McGuire’s career, he averaged approximately 36.6 home runs per season and one home run for every 14.8 at bats. During the last six years of his career — beginning in 1996 when he began to blow up like Popeye the Sailor — when baseball players’ skills and home-run power would typically be going downhill, he averaged 51 home runs per year and one home run for every 8.25 at bats.

What is going on with our esteemed county supervisors?

First, a couple of weeks ago, they decided to give the director of transportation a $14,000-plus pay raise because she announced that she was going to retire in a year — such a nice going-away present. Now she will get to use her unused vacation, plus the pay raises, and retire at a higher salary that she earned while working — also, do not forget the cost of her 100 percent medical costs.

Re: your Dec. 7 article, “Supervisors may rescind Matheney’s pay boost�:

May? The supervisors are “shell-shocked� about disclosures of fraud, waste and abuse in the Public Guardian’s Office?

Weren’t the supervisors aware of the ongoing audit? Treasurer-Tax Collector Larry Matheney reports directly to them, his big pay raises comes right out of taxpayers’ wallets and these current disclosures raise disturbing questions about the integrity of county government.

Re: Karrie Keyes’ Dec. 5 letter, “Plans would change midtown�:

Karrie Keyes’ letter alerting readers to tonight's workshop on midtown is a welcome reminder that Ventura actively promotes citizen participation in planning decisions. Some of the information in her letter, however, requires clarification.

She acknowledges that the current coding along Main Street and Thompson Boulevard is "antiquated." Right now, the existing zoning along Main and Thompson allows exactly the kind of "massive, tall buildings" that Ms. Keyes opposes. So it is unfair to blame city government for trying to fix it.

I am always amazed at the outcry for road improvements after a major highway crash has occurred. Highway 118 a good example.

No one ever asks for the Department of Motor Vehicles to improve testing for licensed drivers. No one can make a highway any safer than the idiots who drive on it. I think a simple IQ test could take at least 25 percent of the bad drivers off the road. True accidents are rare, but bad driving is rampant.

Re: Rodney Sinclair’s Dec. 5 letter, “Wasted time did become wasted�:

As Jesus obviously professed a liberal view in his teachings, Sinclair begins his letter with a contradiction in declaring himself a "conservative Christian.� He obviously has 
a problem with name-calling. He objects to what he engages in with "Bush-baiting left.� I suspect he identifies with President Bush, as both seem not to pay any attention to what they say or how they say it.

Re: Les Leach’s Dec. 3 letter, “Time Warner saga�:

We also were disappointed that Time Warner removed Turner Classic Movies, Animal Planet and other channels from our level of service. Thanks to the city councils of Camarillo and Thousand Oaks, some of us have a choice in cable TV providers. Verizon is now offering cable TV service in some areas of the county. I happen to be in a neighborhood that has been liberated.

I’ve been reading a lot about changes to Conejo Valley Days and my friend, Jean Duffy, and it’s not right. It’s time for you to put your time where your mouth is and become a member of one of organizations that belong to Conejo Valley Activities Corp. It makes CVD happen.

Re: your Dec. 6 article, “Guardian’s Office chief airs agency’s ‘dirty laundry’�:

Isn't it interesting this report comes out after county Treasurer-Tax Collector Larry Matheney's re-election and a couple of weeks before his incompetence is rewarded with a 9 percent raise?

Coincidence? I think not.

Re: Kim Lamb Gregory’s Dec. 3 article, “Behind the portrait�:

This article was absolutely fascinating. Kim Lamb Gregory’s journalistic style portrayed the heart and soul of the Nemerov family. There was a definite artistic vein that ran from the father with his fashion flair, to the son who received poet laureate acclaim, to Diane Arbus, a famous photographer, to Renee Nemerov Brown, with her artistic talent as a painter and sculptor. All of them have contributed significantly to the artistic world in their own separate way.

Re: Sandra Sanders’ Nov. 29 letter, “Bilingual guarantee�:

This letter expressed sadness at the "state of our educational system" due to The Star's readers who are so "ignorant" as to complain about bilingual ballots. The reasoning was that the treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo “guaranteed that the ceded territories north of the border would be bilingual."

Re: T. Valson Abraham’s Nov. 10 commentary, “Religious groups under fire in India�:

As a Christian pursuing a Ph.D. in the anthropology of religion and involved in interfaith dialogue, I grieve with my Indian friends over the commentary by Abraham because it encourages a distorted view of India.

India has more than a billion citizens. It is the heir of a 5,000-year-old civilization characterized by religious tolerance from its beginnings.

Re: Lee Keller’s Nov. 21 commentary, “Longer school day is not the answer� and Michael A. Moodian's Nov. 7 commentary, "It is time to lengthen school day":

Common sense seems to be missing in both Keller's and Moodian's commentaries on the state of modern education. They both are suggesting treating the symptoms and not the root cause of the current deficiencies.

The Thousand Oaks Traffic Commission recently held a public meeting to hear comments on recommendations for addressing traffic concerns on Lynn Road between the 23 and 101 freeways. Lynn Road is a four-lane street on which traffic has increased greatly due to, among other things, construction on the 23 freeway. Accident data apparently confirm the fact that Lynn Road is significantly more dangerous than normal.

Re: your Nov. 29 article, “Parents help make the grade at new school�:

The Ventura charter School of Arts and Global Education is a vibrant, exciting educational option for Ventura County families. It is a community woven together by children, their families and the Ventura charter school staff into a rich tapestry within the framework of the state standards. Parent interests and talents shape many of the enrichment activities. Indeed, my fourth-grade daughter sits knitting Christmas presents as I write this, a skill she learned in school this year. But it is in the integrated projects that the differences between the Ventura charter school and traditional classrooms really become apparent.

Re: your Nov. 29 article, “Parents help make the grade at new school�:

As a parent with two children in the School of Arts and Global Education charter school, I would like to thank The Star for the excellent article about Ventura's most recent alternative to a traditional public education. My two children are experiencing all that the article mentioned, including foreign language, cooking, music, art and science in a warm and loving environment.

Re: Dale Pearce’s Nov. 30 letter, “Stay home, Lucy�:

Mr. Pearce suggests that Lucy might be safer “back in the Olduvai Gorge.� This gorge is in Tanzania, approximately 1,000 miles south of Hagar, in Ethiopia, where Lucy was found. In addition, only replicas of Lucy are on exhibition, while the real Lucy remains in Addis Ababa, so Mr. Pearce need not be concerned for her safety whilst traveling.

— Bernard Roberts, Ojai

Re: Patrick S. O’Malley’s Dec. 1 letter, “Need or greed?�

I found myself in the same situation regarding Time Warner Cable. However, I received something from my telephone and Internet subscriber. Verizon has come out with FIOS TV, and I am paying no more than I was paying for the basic cable. To rent the boxes, it is an additional $4, and $10 if you want the HDTV box. I am getting all the channels I was getting before, including the Hallmark Channel that Adelphia took away years ago, which I am sure is included in Time Warner's package.