Why does a Ventura County transportation bus with a GOVENTURA.ORG sign painted on it have Wyoming license plates?

For months now I have seen this bus on my daily commute to work. I would have expected that by now, the bus would have been registered in California if it was bought out of state.

Re: your Nov. 29 article, “Is there a doctor in ‘House’: Physicians weigh in on how hit TV show diverges from the real practice of medicine�:

Whoa! What a shocker to find out that Dr. Gregory House is not typical of today's doctors! What an investigative coup by Dr. Cesar Aristeiguieta! Next, you'll be telling me that the three-hour DNA identification analysis in “CSI� is a hoax, and it actually takes many days to test DNA.

Re: Terry Paulson’s Nov. 26 essay, “Universal healthcare hurts�:

Certainly, there’s plenty of room for debate about the pros and cons of universal healthcare. As usual, however, Paulson has no interest in serious debate. Instead, he chooses to simply bash the system he doesn’t like, while exaggerating the merits of the system he prefers.

Re: Helen Boswell's Nov. 28 letter, "Why bilingual ballots?":

The letter writer implores citizens to "demand an explanation" from officeholders as to why the county and state print bilingual ballots. The "explanation" is an easy one and has been for more than 30 years: Bilingual ballots are required by federal law.

Re: your Nov. 27 article, “Experts urge two autism screenings — before age 2�:
I thank The Star for the excellent article on autism.

The article notes, “Screening for autism at 18 and 24 months will lead to earlier diagnosis and intervention.� The downside is that it will undoubtedly result in many frightened parents.

Re: Kenneth Zaccaria’s Nov. 25 letter, “No accountability�:

Zaccaria overlooked an important point. Any employer will be held responsible for injuries caused by an employee while working.

Re: Kevin McElroy's Nov. 21 commentary, "Democrats: Negotiate with foreign tyrants, but never Republicans":

One can only wonder what planet McElroy is living on. Not one sane politician on either side of the aisle denies that this country is facing a looming fiscal crisis largely due to several of the most popular and altruistic social programs in the country, Medicare and Social Security. Denial of this fiscal crisis is not what drives Democrats to disagree with President Bush. It is simply that we do not trust him to deal with this problem.

We are reaching out to ensure Pleasant Valley School District teachers are compensated appropriately — and soon. We live in a district where the property-tax base should be more than high enough to support providing solid salaries and competitive benefit packages without sacrificing any other aspect of our children's educational needs. We should lead other districts in this regard, as we closed two schools and have not been forced to spend in other ways when growth outpaces resources. Where are funds being diverted that could be any more important than paying our teachers?

It is amazing to me that the city of Oxnard does not have a leash-free dog park. I see a lot of dog owners with no place to go. The closest place is Camarillo.

With all of the other parks around, I would think a dog park would be on the agenda. If there are any of you out there who agree, please write to the cities and request these parks be built. There is an example of a perfect park in Hillsboro, Ore. I am sure someone there would supply pictures and plans.

— Dick Kerns, Oxnard

I recently had a prescription filled for 1000 milligrams of Metformin at a local chain drugstore. It cost $38 for 30-day supply. When these were gone, I decided to check to see what Wal-Mart would charge. They said $4 for 30 days. You can also get a 90-day supply. That, to me, is a no-brainer.

— Jim Clark, Fillmore

Re: your Nov. 29 article, “Kmart confirms store to close Jan. 9�:

There have been so many negative letters submitted describing the evils of Wal-Mart and why it does not belong in Ventura and specifically the Victoria Avenue corridor. These same authors should put some energy into researching Sears’ business practices as the corporate owner of Kmart. It would have been interesting if, suddenly, big box Kmart had successfully quadrupled sales at that location. Would these same individuals have demanded they close or be evicted because they caused all the same negative effects as they perceive Wal-Mart might inflict upon us? That would never have happened or been allowed to proceed.

Re: Kenneth Zaccaria’s Nov. 25 letter, “No accountability�:

I am now aware that a cushy government job is being an Oxnard cop. I was confused because a couple of months ago, I read of the governor recognizing an officer who is still disabled after a gunfight with an armed parolee resulted in the officer's legs being broken from bullet wounds and his partner being shot in the neck.

Re: Colleen Cason's Nov. 25 column, “Doctor put her own life on the line for patients�:

Cason’s excellent column on the late Dr. Claudia Jensen was a fitting tribute to the life of such a principled and compassionate medical practitioner. As an advocate for California's medical marijuana patients, I have met many of Dr. Jensen's former patients. There is no doubt that she is deeply missed by her community.

Dr. Jensen's patients are now seeing new physicians, but unfortunately, many must still risk false arrest at the hands of state and local law enforcement, simply because they live in Ventura County.

We all want peace and tranquility. Yet day by day, week by week, we read how much person Type A is sickened by person Type B, person Type C despises the opinions of Type D, Type E wants to delete editorials by Type F — or simply delete Type F — ad infinitum. Of such stuff are wars made. Of such stuff nations fall.

If Type A lived next door to Type B, would he lay on the vitriol face to face? Would any of us express our hatred of any public official face to face? Can't we discuss our disagreements like mature adults, rather than like kids on the playground? Or perhaps that would make dull reading.

Re: Patrick S. O’Malley’s Nov. 27 letter, “Republicanese defined�:

Kudos to O'Malley for his astute Republicanese glossary. Well written!

— Sandy Burris, Oxnard

Re: Terry Paulson’s Nov. 26 essay, “Universal healthcare hurts�:

Mr. Paulson thinks that universal healthcare costs too much and performs poorly. His article seems to assume that healthcare in this country is free, without premiums, co-pays, denied claims, etc. Actually, we spend 15 percent of gross domestic product on healthcare, yet we have worse public health than Estonia and the worst infant mortality rate in the industrialized world. France spends only 11 percent of GDP but outperforms the United States in every measure of public health, and its system is ranked number one by the World Health Organization. Per dollar, per man hour, French workers are the most productive in the world. Coincidence?

The 326-acre Rancho Potrero Park has created quite a debate.

I have not met or heard a single person who does not support adding a trailhead parking lot adjacent to Lynn Road so everyone in the community can access the park.
In my opinion, there are two key issues.

Re: your Nov. 18 article, “Audit is first to address artifacts�:

So, tens of thousands of Ronald Reagan mementos and artifacts have gone missing from the Simi Valley presidential library. We can view this from several angles.

— Commie pinkos like myself would never want to touch or even handle any of this stuff. (Cue line from the movie “Time Bandits:� "Mom, Dad! It's evil! Don't touch it!")

— I guess all that defunding of libraries and social endeavors is actually biting conservatives in the backside.

Re: Thomas E. Pypeman’s Nov. 26 letter, “What is ‘winning’ in Iraq?� and Peter Wilson’s Nov. 27 letter, “Already won in Iraq�:

I take it Wilson and Pypeman, a retired Army lieutenant colonel, do not want the United States to win in Iraq.

First, I appreciate Pypeman’s service to our country. In responding to my Nov. 20 letter, “O’Reilly on the mark,� Pypeman did describe me as a middle-aged man who never saw service. I tried in 1964, but my hearing kept me out.

It is my opinion that the American Civil Liberties Union has not done enough to separate state and religion. For starters, why is that our cities are allowed to be named after saints — Santa Barbara, Santa Monica, Los Angeles (Our Lady of Angels), San Antonio, Corpus Christi and St. Louis, just to name a few? I mean, after all, why do I have to be subjected to cities that are associated with religion? You call this "separation of state and religion?"

Why has the ACLU allowed private and public sectors to use the term "holiday?" This term is absolutely politically incorrect. What does that term derive from? Could it be "holy day?"

It is great news that the California Department of Transportation is possibly ahead of schedule with the 23 Freeway project, but one has to be suspect in how they were able to get so far ahead of schedule. Were any corners cut at the expense of drivers’ safety? Only time will tell.

I am sure that the contractors will receive millions of dollars in taxpayer money for beating the projected finish date. How about spending some of that bonus on maintaining a graffiti-free corridor? The tens of thousands of daily commuters who have traveled this corridor on a daily basis are often subjected to the gang-scrawled graffiti that only grows by the day.

Re: your Nov. 25 editorial, “Hate crimes decline good�:

I applaud The Star for its editorial regarding the interpretation of recent hate crime statistics in the county. Once statistics are produced, especially those that profess a positive trend, the media has a tendency to herald the news as proof positive that things are so much better.

I sincerely hope that the persons responsible for the most recent Malibu fire contact a lawyer, then immediately turn themselves in for the following reasons:

— The residents living near the party site have certainly given the police descriptions of the cars and trucks that have frequented the parties at the cave area.

— The perpetrators’ friends and their friends know who was going to be at the party that night.

Re: Richard Larsen's Nov. 20 essay, "Go ahead, let fools rant":

At the risk of being attacked for my opinion, I state that I like Bill O'Reilly's commentaries and believe he is "fair and balanced." Please continue to include his commentary in your fine newspaper.

— Roy Wilhelm, Ventura

I am totally amused at the people who do not like Bill O'Reilly. Could the problem be that he is right most of the time? He does not cater to the right — when they are wrong, he tells them. He tries to get both points of view on the subject. He is a direct interviewer who could care less if it helps the right or the left.

If we leave Iraq before we have finished what we started, we would be asking them to come over here and hit us again, not to mention how many Iraqis would be killed. Right now, they are too busy trying to get us out of Iraq. I would rather fight this war over there than in my own backyard.

Re: Bill Hodge’s Nov. 27 letter, “Weekly political laugh�:

Is Hodge talking about The Star’s Richard Larsen or President Bush? One needs only to listen to Bush verbalize anything to get a good laugh. Obviously, Hodge only hears what he wants to, like most ultraconservatives.

— George Pohoski, Camarillo

I have been reading the comments about Bill O'Reilly in The Star with great interest because I need a good laugh early in the week.

Re: Chuck Thomas’ Nov. 24 commentary, “Latest high-tech reinvention of books�:

This commentary introduced the cybergeneration’s preamble to Kindle, the electronic book from Amazon. It provided as background support the following fact: “The National Endowment for the Arts concludes that only 22 percent of American 17-year-olds read every day for the sheer pleasure of reading.�

Re: Mary Rickman’s Nov. 20 letter, “English only, please�:

I want to add my voice to this letter.

My remarks go to the voting ballot. It is my understanding that a minimal amount of English is required to become a citizen. Since noncitizens do not have the right to vote, why do the county and state print bilingual ballots?

Re: your Nov. 25 editorial, “Hate crimes decline good�:

Rubbish! "Hate" crimes are classified as such depending on the race of the perpetrator and the victim. Most hate crimes, if they don't comport with political correctness, are never charged as such.

— Ron Lutey, Camarillo

Re: your Nov. 17 article, “Message from the Christian right�:

So, Christian conservatives at the John Jay Institute for Faith, Society and Law are “learning how to spread their moral beliefs in a thoughtful manner, without beating people over the head with their faith.� Hallelujah!

While it's fresh in my mind, I have a little complaint about our Thousand Oaks/Westlake Village Police Department.

Right about the noon lunch hour on Nov. 20, the traffic light at Westlake Boulevard and Thousand Oaks Boulevard was malfunctioning, with only red flashing lights. Everybody knows that that intersection is the busiest in the whole Conejo Valley, with lots of offices around and people going to lunch and shopping. It took me 20 minutes to get from the Townsgate Road-Westlake Boulevard intersection to the Corner Bakery Café on Westlake. Had I known, I would have walked!

Grading and construction in the Mountclef Ridge Wildlife Corridor has been halted, but only temporarily. A permanent end to the destruction of this critical habitat is needed.

There can be no doubt that the project approved by the city of Thousand Oaks violates its own regulations. This lot lies in a Hillside Protected Development zone. The ordinance requires that for a property of this steepness, any development be the minimum and that grading be minimized.

The Malibu fires are devastating both emotionally and financially. I find it difficult to see why little or no effort is made to be pro-active. Areas that experience crime have formed Neighborhood Watch programs that have been moderately successful in minimizing crime.

What I am suggesting is a program for Malibu and surrounding areas.

At my school, Hueneme High, there is a rule against wearing hats that aren’t plain school colors. I understand why you shouldn’t be allowed to wear hats that represent professional sports teams or gangs because that can cause controversy between students. But I see no good reason why a brand hat like Volcom or Quiksilver, or a hat that has the name of a band on it, should not be allowed. I just wanted to suggest that the school change the rule to only hats that, upon being worn, can cause trouble between students or ones that are inappropriate aren’t to be worn on campus.

— Mitchell Prizzi, Oxnard

I can’t wait for Wal-Mart to come to Ventura! The Oxnard store is so overcrowded that we dread to go there. Recently, because it was Sunday, we went to Kmart instead to avoid the traffic on Highway 101 and because we needed items. As I walked around the store, I thought how nice it would be if it were a Wal-Mart! Everything I needed was overpriced from $1 to $3.

Re: your Nov. 19 article, “Visually impaired seek services�:

I read with much interest the article on the visually impaired students here in the county. When I was only 5 years old I was diagnosed with glaucoma — very rare for one so young. Doctors told my parents that I would be blind by the age of 14. I went through countless eye surgeries for glaucoma, cataracts and cornea transplants, not to mention the arsenal of eye drops I had to put up with. All the while, I got through grade school, high school, college and finally law school. I have lost most of the vision in my right eye, and my left eye has seen better days, but I never let it keep me from doing what I wanted to do.

I am the parent of an elementary school teacher in the Pleasant Valley School District. My daughter has both bachelor’s and master’s degrees, she speaks English and Spanish and she gets great reviews from her superiors at school. I am very proud of her. She loves her job, her students, her fellow teachers, and she feels much supported by her principal.

It’s amazing how expensive it is to have two eyelashes plucked — an action that takes less than 10 seconds.

I recently had a routine checkup at an ophthalmologist’s office, part of Miramar Medical Group in Ventura. There were no problems, and I was about to leave when the doctor said he noticed a couple of eyelashes that should be removed. Picking up his tweezers, he plucked the lashes in less than 10 seconds.

Re: your Nov. 21 article, “City settles with family in beach death case�:

This is so typical of how government employees have no accountability or responsibility for their crimes or incompetence, and in fact do not even get fired from their cushy jobs after committing horrible acts.

Just because Oxnard Police Officers Frank Brisslinger and Martin Polo decided to play "beach cowboy" with county equipment, the taxpayers fork over millions and a poor women is dead. If I committed this act, I would have lost my home and other assets to pay this claim, but these two county cowboys don't even lose their jobs.

Re: your Nov. 17 Pa Ventura, “To coast watchers�:

After reading Pa Ventura's comment equating the oil spill in San Francisco Bay to offshore oil drilling and oil transportation, I felt a response was necessary.

First of all, the ship was not transporting oil, nor was it connected with offshore oil drilling. The ship was transporting foreign supplies, which we have become dependent upon. The accident, which occurred in pea-soup fog, was a human error in misreading the instruments on board. Ships of this nature make thousands of trips in and out of the bay every year.

Re: Richard Larsen’s Nov. 20 essay, “Go ahead, let fools rant�:

I’m perplexed. Larsen complains that Bill O’Reilly and other conservatives “have nothing else to do but trash anyone who doesn’t believe as they do,� but he then goes on to trash conservatives as a bunch of “shrill,� “whiny,� “snooty� McCarthyists. Incredibly, Larsen seems to be just as accurately describing himself when he talks about those who use “fear-mongering� and “labels without proof to create hysteria.�

Why do you need to register as a Democrat, and why do you need to vote for Democratic candidates on the state and federal level?

Because we need a Democrat in the White House and a Democrat-controlled Senate and Congress and state Legislature, with a Democrat as governor. Only then will we begin to see our country getting out of Iraq and bringing our troops home.

We need Democrats to begin the positive steps to oppose global warming and climate change, to restore our nation’s civil liberties and make the necessary adjustments to Social Security.

I know that the holiday season is rapidly approaching. I can tell by the increased volume of unwanted and unasked-for catalogs that clog my mailbox.

The sheer waste of trees and the energy usage needed to print and distribute the 20 billion catalogs mailed each year in the United States is unconscionable in today’s growing awareness of global warming and its relationship to energy use and the role of trees in our ecosystem.

The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries held a meeting last week, and the United States was warned by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez not to attack Iran. Chavez also urged the OPEC countries to adapt the oil weapon and to use its power to “assert itself as an active political agent.�

In 1973 during the Yom Kippur war, OPEC used the oil weapon to pressure the United States to stop its support of Israel.

Re: your Nov. 19 article, “Attacks in Iraq fewest since January 2006�:

Can you imagine what would have happened to this "war" if President Bush and Vice President Cheney had listened to the military generals they removed from being in charge because they all said we need 300,000 to 400,000 troops? There would have been no looting when we got in, a quicker end and many fewer of our troops sustaining injury and death!

Our inexperienced leaders sacrifice our young people to show they can do this war with less expense — and, as we know, it costs us much more in many ways!

— Sheldon L. Schein, M.D., Oxnard

Re: your Nov. 18 article, “Slaying victim’s father still shadowing O.J. Simpson�:

I know it is very hard to accept the death of a child, and I have no love for O.J. Simpson, but after reading this article, I have to question Fred Goldman's sanity and that of his daughter. With O.J.’s latest troubles, he most likely will get life in prison.

Now Mr. Goldman says that on the night of June 12, 1994, his son, Ron, made a choice to stand and fight and didn't run away. I think Ron was jumped and then fought, but I don't think he faced off against O.J., as Mr. Goldman seems to be getting at.

Re: Richard Larsen’s Nov. 20 essay, “Go ahead, let fools rant�:

Being an avid reader of the Opinion pages of The Star, I want to thank Larsen for his well thought-out and intelligent essay. There have been many times when I’ve asked myself, “Why does The Star continue to carry a syndicated column written by Bill O'Reilly?� Larsen just answered my question.

Re: Richard Larsen's Nov. 20 essay, “Go ahead, let fools rant�:

Hooray! Larsen’s article could not have said it better on the how and why there is a division in this country.

To add to this, I'd like to answer this question by one of The Star’s readers: Do you want the United States to win in Iraq?" This is a ridiculous question! To win what? To kill more than 500,000 people to make their country a democracy? To having the people in Iraq say, “Thank you for occupying our county for no reason?� To taking more of their oil? To having the world respect us for our "just" action?

I attended an event to honor and support Ventura County's families with loved ones in Iraq and Afghanistan. The event was held at The Oaks mall on Nov. 18, from 3 to 5 p.m. I wanted to show my support, as I am a Vietnam veteran and I remember how hard it was for the families with loved ones fighting that war.

The speakers and the presentations to the families were very moving, but I was very saddened to see the low turnout from our community.

Re: your Nov. 18 article, “Healthcare maze�:

While I have deep sympathy for Victor Vega's dire medical problem, the issue of his lack of medical insurance and/or government-provided coverage — MediCal for low-income folks — is fundamentally due to his choice, not society's nor the government’s lack of medical coverage availability.

I have been selling individual and group medical coverage in California for 35 years. I have been commended by various insurers for obtaining coverage for those individuals who had no prior coverage, whether individual or group coverage.

Re: Richard Larsen’s Nov. 20 essay, “Go ahead, let fools rant�:

It is commendable that Richard Larsen wants to allow Bill O'Reilly's commentaries to remain, even though many of his cronies want the column removed. I found his column refreshing in that he wants to allow Bill and the rest of us "fools" to "rant." He states we have "been shown to be wrong on all of our arguments." "All" is a pretty self-righteous word when used in this way. In fact, Mr. O'Reilly can barely compete with Mr. Larsen's arrogance.

Why has there not been anything in the paper or on TV or radio concerning the fact that Wonder Bread, Millbrook bread and Hostess products are no longer available in the stores? They just disappeared overnight. Why? Is there some big secret out there? I heard that Interstate Bakeries was going bankrupt and that sales were being ended in Southern California because Californians were too health-conscious and wouldn’t eat mass-produced bakery products. I can’t believe this. How about shedding some light on the subject?

— Paul R. Beauvais, Newbury Park

Re: Bill O’Reilly’s Nov. 17 commentary, “No getting around it, ‘Redacted’ betrays the troops�:

O’Reilly states that Mark Cuban’s movie puts troops are risk. That’s highly unlikely. More probable is that O’Reilly’s comments will serve to incite more fanatics who think O’Reilly represents mainstream American attitudes, just as President Bush’s Iraq invasion has motivated more suicide bombers in the Middle East.

I, along with many other citizens of this great country, am sick and tired of seeing coupons printed in both English and Spanish. That also includes telephone services that make you press “1" for the English language, along with many other forms of advertisements!

Most citizens of the United States of America believe the official language of this country is English, not Spanish, Chinese or any other language.

With apologies to strict Catholics and others who are against birth control and abortion: Earth warming, droughts, hunger, water shortages, starvation, wars, crimes, genocide, flooding, deforestation, species extinction, smog, poisonous atmosphere, disease, fires, homelessness, juvenile pregnancy, children having children, infant abandonment and murder and many more of man’s plagues have one common cause — overpopulation.

Re: Bill O’Reilly’s Nov. 17 commentary, “No getting around it, ‘Redacted’ betrays the troops�:

O’Reilly forgets that Arabs have televisions and computers. The movie “Redacted� won’t make any difference, as it is based on facts that have been broadcast around the Arab world for years. But it’s time for Americans to see the truth and demand an exit strategy from Vice President Cheney’s pathetic little attempt at empire-building.

How many barrels of oil have we had from Iraq, exactly? Empty barrels like O’Reilly make the most noise.

The new season of “As PVSD Turns� has begun.

Just when our community thought it could breathe a sigh of relief, the Pleasant Valley School District board has, yet again, shown our community just how it doesn’t stand by its promises.

I am alarmed that Ventura’s City Council would actually consider allowing Wal-Mart to set up shop in the Kmart shopping center on Victoria Avenue. I have nothing against Wal-Mart. I enjoy shopping at the Wal-Mart we already have in Oxnard.

The problem is that Ventura simply cannot handle the traffic. Victoria is already an extremely busy corridor that carries most of the Government Center traffic from Highway 101. I work close to the Government Center on Victoria Avenue and must leave my building throughout the day to drive to other locations.

Re: your Nov. 18 article, “Miss Tillie hands out 600 turkeys�:

Her efforts are laudable.

Of note among those assisting in the food drive is our elected delegate to the House of Representatives, Elton Gallegly, who, according to the article, contributed 60 turkeys for the project.

Re: your Nov. 16 article, “Recipient of kidney finally finds, thanks family of the young donor�:

Thank you so much for the beautiful article on the emotional meeting between Daniel Ronco and the Rohrer family. The story of their generous gift of their son's kidney, and Daniel's outstanding recovery, are a perfect reminder of what Thanksgiving and America are all about.

Based on the letters to the editor regarding Bill O'Reilly's regular Saturday column, I'd say O’Reilly is doing a great job. He is a master at pointing out the foibles and hypocrisies of the looney left and their spokespersons such as Rosie O'Donnell, Robert Redford and George Clooney. Apparently, some Star readers don't want to read this. Well, they can always tune in to the news on CBS, NBC and ABC to get a more "balanced" viewpoint.

One of the letter writers asked The Star to stop publishing O'Reilly and substitute it with Amy Goodman, whom I've never heard of but who, I presume, is a liberal. Well, I say keep publishing O'Reilly's column. He speaks for conservatives like me.

Re: David Collins’ Nov. 14 commentary, “Blame Ottoman Empire for genocide, not modern-day Turkey�:

No one I know, Armenians included, blames modern day Turks for the Armenian genocide of 1915. It is a historical fact that the genocide was planned and perpetrated by the rulers of Turkey in 1915. Interested readers will find many books available on this infamous period in history by eminent genocide scholars, eyewitnesses and even U.S. State Department consular officers stationed in Turkey at that time.

Re: Dale McFeatters’ Nov. 17 commentary, “Hillary bashing — the new GOP game�:

It appears that McFeatters has forgotten that the political arena in America can become a vicious mud-slinging affair, and that those people who enter that arena should develop thick skin, and that whining is not appropriate.

McFeatters writes that the Republicans are throwing mud at Sen. Hillary Clinton but failed to point out that her own political foes, John Edwards and Barack Obama, jumped on her because of her waffling on the issue of drivers licenses for illegal aliens and that the liberal press has lambasted her on that issue.

A couple of years ago, I had a discussion with my doctor about the various statin medications that are used to reduce cholesterol levels in the blood. My doctor, a well-known cardiologist, quipped that these drugs are so safe and beneficial they should be added to the water supply!

My main issue with fluoridation is it is not the water district’s position to medicate its citizens by adding this waste product of the phosphate fertilizer industry (Fluorosilicic acid) into our water supply. No doctor would ever consider prescribing any medication or supplement without a complete medical history for each individual patient.

When I start to read a news story, if it begins with a folksy and unimportant anecdote, I skip it.

I know The Star’s stories come from all over the place from various "news" sources, so it might be hard to do this. But please, edit them and get rid of the fluff. "When Joe Shmoe came into work one morning, he was thinking about his son's dog who..." is not news. What actually happened to Joe is news.

Re: your Nov. 18 article, “Rising sea level certain, U.N. climate study says":

I read this article and would have laughed if it were not so economically destructive to follow their prescription for a problem we probably don't have. Are we to just swallow the U.N.-Al Gore line without even questioning it?

Re: your Nov. 5 letters package, "On torture":

The Star recently published my letter (Nov. 1, “U.S. methods not torture�) denouncing severe torture that often leads to death and expressing chagrin that the U.S. interrogation methods for insurgent detainees — methods that do no resultant physical harm — get top billing in the press.

Brian De Palma is spineless and clearly lacking in the courage. His movie “Redacted� makes sweeping statements attacking people serving their country. He chooses to tell a one-sided story.

As a Marine Corps father, I resent his misuse of the media for his pursuit of money. My son does no such things that he depicted. None of the Marines who have stayed at my home while on leave have done such things. To the man, each Marine was committed to the concept of serving their country and protecting those who could not protect themselves.

Re: David Collins’ Nov. 14 commentary, “Blame Ottoman Empire for genocide, not modern-day Turkey�:

David Collins’ analysis of the genocide of the Christian peoples of the Middle East and particularly in Turkey is bereft of historical fact and accuracy. He misquotes me and projects an unwarranted hostility based on assumptions. I cited the authority of Henry Morgenthau, the American ambassador to Turkey during those terrible times, who wrote a definitive history of the genocides, which were not limited to Armenians. Henry Morgenthau was not a Christian but a compassionate Jew.

Re: Judith McLaughlin’s Nov. 15 letter, “Competition won’t hurt�:

Congratulations to Judith McLaughlin from Santa Paula. Apparently she recognizes the reason they don't want a Wal-Mart in Ventura. I'd say it must be that new, bigger-than-supercenter store across from the old K-mart store — that and the unions, plus the bigger chains that are afraid of the competition.

The mom-and-pop stores were put out by the big chains, not Wal-Mart.

Re: your Nov. 15 article, “Alleged hospital gifts scrutinized�:

The philosopher Diogenes is said to have wandered the streets of Athens each day carrying a lighted lantern. When asked why, he replied he was looking for an honest man.

Tell Diogenes to leave Athens and come to Ventura. We have an unnamed doctor who was given a $15,000 watch by Michael Bakst of Community Memorial Hospital. The doctor's response? He gave the watch back. (What Bakst then did with the watch, which was paid for out of hospital funds, is unclear from The Star account.)

Re: David Collins’ Nov. 14 commentary, “Blame Ottoman Empire for genocide, not modern-day Turkey�:

This article about the Ottoman Empire's role in events more than 90 years ago and not holding today's Republic of Turkey and Turkish people responsible is right on the money.

Re: Stanislaus Pulle’s Nov 6 article, “Waterboarding and torturing the Constitution�:

In writing about torture, Dr. Pulle may be legally right but morally work. The argument that the ends justify the means — which is essentially what he argues — may or may not have elicited the vital information the doctor claims it has. But in using such odious means we earn the opprobrium of the world, and rightfully so.

Further, in so easily discarding cherished moral and legal principles, we would do well to remember Ben Franklin’s warning: “Those who would trade a little freedom for a little security deserve neither and will probably lose both.�

Re: Judith McLaughlin’s Nov. 15 letter, “Competition won’t hurt�:

I wondered at the audacity of Judith McLaughlin of Santa Paula to suggest that Ventura needs a Wal-Mart Supercenter! The place suggested for it over the months has been at the K-mart store on Victoria Avenue, which would almost completely stifle traffic on Victoria from Foothill Road to Highway 101. Can you imagine the increase in truck traffic alone to supply a Wal-Mart?

As he flies around the globe, spewing out tons of carbon dioxide, Al Gore warns us all about the dangers of doing exactly what he's doing — but we're doing only about one-twentieth of what he does! But it's OK, folks, because he's purchasing "carbon offsets."

Carbon offsets are the largest feel-good-about-yourself scam since the Catholic Church was selling "indulgences." With indulgences, you could basically sin all you want as long as you paid the church for a worthless piece of paper that got you into heaven, or at least a shorter stay in purgatory.

Re: Sean Paroski’s Nov. 13 commentary, “Housing-need study has obvious flaws�:

Mr. Paroski makes a good point that bureaucrats in Sacramento should not dictate to local governments how much housing is needed. His proposed solution is, however, worse than the problem.

He suggests, “Maybe by easing up on the permits and regulations, we can make it more profitable to build homes in California.� This is exactly what we don’t need: new housing based upon the profits and greed of real estate developers.

I am Sophear Riem’s mother, and my family and I would like to thank all the people who donated money to us after Sophear was murdered at a bachelor’s party this month. My former co-workers at Skurka Camarillo donated $130, my husband’s co-workers at Advanced Motion in Camarillo donated $60 and family and friends donated an additional $40. We would like all of you to know that we are not keeping this money for ourselves but are donating it to living people who are in need, in honor of Sophear’s life. Each holiday season until now, Sophear and I would donate to people in need, and now he doesn’t have that chance.

As a member of the media, I am continually embarrassed at the editorial decisions made by the corporate mainstream empire. I am a photojournalist and therefore spend much of my time "working" in the street, with the people, rather than behind the plush walls of a Murdochian office. The people want Dennis Kucinich. And those who don't simply haven't heard of him, thanks in large part to the media’s editorial decisions.

I recently covered three very provocative, educated, critical speakers.

Patch Adams, a man with more than 40 years of global service, said: "The only candidate actually running for president is Kucinich."

Re: Timm Herdt’s Nov. 15 essay, "’08 state budget may face shortfall":

The essay stated, "The state budget that had a projected $4 billion surplus when it was adopted in August will end the year nearly $2 billion in the red." I can hear State Sen. Tom McClintock screaming, "I told you so," all the way from Sacramento.

Re: your Nov. 4 article, “Instructional gardens,� and the accompanying photo:

A picture is worth a thousand words. In the photo, it appears that the parents are doing most of the work at the instructional gardens. What is that teaching the students?

— Ralph Coolman, Ventura

Pending before the city of Thousand Oaks is the Home Depot project on Hampshire Road, just off Highway 101. As of this date, the city has not issued a full environmental impact report. It is expected to be released before the upcoming holidays.

This is exactly what Home Depot would want. It is a corporate tactic — minimize public comment. The holidays will definitely limit comments as citizens are busy getting ready for both Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Congress tried to pass needed bills for healthcare, alternative energy, supporting veterans, funding response to fires and flood and withdrawal from a costly war in Iraq. Unfortunately the good work of Congress is vetoed by President Bush with the direction and support of Vice President Cheney. This wastes the time and energy of Congress to responsibly solve our energy, healthcare and security problems.

Cheney ignores the Constitution, considering himself above the law. Therefore, I respectfully request that an impeachment bill go forward and that our representatives vote yes to impeach Vice President Cheney.

I was looking for something to do this Veterans Day and viewed the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum Web site, knowing that in the past the museum had events honoring our military. On both Nov. 11 and 12, there were scheduled speakers and bands to celebrate this important day. The Web site indicated further that veterans and active-duty military would be admitted free and all others would pay the regular price of admission.

Now that President Bush has, seemingly, expended the cache of lies he has held in reserve for his reasons to attack Iraq, it is time for the American people to face the real reason why Bush acted as he did: All he ever wanted was Iraq’s oil.

Even the hard-boiled fringe minority, which is now his only base, should be able to see the truth of the situation.

There are two dairies in California that produce raw milk. They are Organic Pastures Dairy, located in Fresno, and Claravale Dairy, located in Watsonville. Those two dairies and the milk they produce are threatened with extinction come January 2008. A law, AB1735, was quietly passed without public notice or fanfare. It makes the production of raw milk in California pretty much impossible.

I recently shopped at Vons in Santa Paula, and that is the reason I feel I must voice my opinion on the prospect of a Wal-Mart Supercenter in Ventura.

I believe the only stores in Ventura and the surrounding area that need to be worried about competition from Wal-Mart are the big chain grocery stores where we are all forced to pay high prices. Our wonderful and unique Mom-and-Pop stores have nothing to fear. They will still be wonderful and unique, and the locals and tourists who shop these stores now are not going to look in Wal-Mart for the interesting goods that these shops offer.

After years of camping at Ventura County parks, we now find that they have implemented a reservation system for Hobson Beach. This park has been first-come, first-served for many years, and it works well. There are only 31 sites available.

I now find that certain select people have been able to reserve spaces. However, when I called to do this, I was told via their message system that no reservations were available. Does this seem fair, or do I detect a note of discrimination?

— Mary Kuebler, Winnetka, Calif.

Re: your Nov. 14 edition:

I must say that Nov. 14, 2007, must be noted as quite a news day for The Star.
The front page brings us the groundbreaking news that chlamydia is on the rise. Shocking!

Then, just inside on the second page, we find Paris Hilton has found a cause worthy of her stature — drunk elephants. Yes, Paris, I agree, we should not make alcohol available to elephants. (Kind of reminds you of the old days at the Elephant Bar.)

Re: Mike & Ruth Anne Nelson’s Nov. 13 letter, "Say thanks to troops":

I hardly know where to begin in response to the Nelsons’ letter.

Their continuation of the myth that Iraq had something to do with the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks? Even the Bush administration has backed off this notion.

The blithe repetition of the mantra that al-Qaida has not attacked on American soil since 9/11? Technically true, but it ignores attacks in London, Madrid and Istanbul, among other places.

Re: Mike & Ruth Anne Nelson’s Nov. 13 letter, "Say thanks to troops":

The Nelsons indicate that because we have troops fighting and dying in Iraq and Afghanistan, we at home are protected from attack by al-Qaida. They credit President Bush for keeping us safe because there have been no further attacks since Sept. 11.

Islamic terrorists, whatever name they are given, are operating in numerous countries and are not restricted to the boundaries of any single nation, whether we are fighting there or not. To praise Bush for protecting the United States is conservative, right-wing thinking.

I am very disappointed that Christy Weir was re-elected to Ventura City Council. She claims to be in favor of the historic preservation of the city of Ventura, but her comments and actions regarding St. Mary's Cemetery (Memorial Park) disprove this.

Part of the problem may be that she is not a Ventura native. Perhaps we should make a rule that City Council members should have to be native to our city.

Now that the brushfires are out or under control, the fire victims must face the burdens of rebuilding, an important story the media has ignored.

How long will it take to rebuild? How much will it cost?

It will take five to six years to rebuild, at a cost of 25 percent to 50 percent higher than the homeowner anticipated.

My recent experience in Thousand Oaks will illustrate the problems.

Re: your Nov. 13 article, “Casa San Juan celebrates 10 years�:

Housing prices in our lovely state of California are continuing to rise all the time. It is becoming increasingly harder to afford to live here, especially if you are a single-parent household. That is why Casa San Juan is such a blessing to our community. It is an apartment complex that offers affordable housing at 30 percent of the family’s annual income, and because of this, many families are able to afford living in this great complex in Oxnard. More opportunities are needed like this to accommodate for the unreasonably high cost of living. I love to see people reaching out and helping others find comfort and help when they are in need.

— Kelly McGowan, Simi Valley

Re: Jere Robings’ Nov. 13 letter, “Free enterprise hurdle�:

Robings refers to a petition to put a measure on Thousand Oaks’ ballot requiring voter approval before large developments that tie up traffic could be approved. That’s the only point he gets right in his letter.

Robings is wrong when he worries that Macy’s could keep a Nordstrom out of the Oaks mall if the “Right to Vote on Traffic Congestion� initiative passed; the people would decide. Personally, I doubt voters would vote to keep a development like that out, and I think Robings’ alarm is nothing more than fearmongering.

Re: Jere Robings’ Nov. 13 letter, “Free enterprise hurdle�:

Robings misrepresented a few basic issues regarding the right to vote on the traffic congestion initiative.

The initiative addresses quality-of-life issues that would be affected by large development projects in Thousand Oaks. The Thousand Oaks general plan clearly states:

Re: your Nov. 9 editorial, “Put away tinfoil hat�:

If the author of this editorial wanted to honest with the readers, then a logical conclusion would have to be offered.

Re: your Nov. 1 article, “Police investigate Flynn phone flap�:

Oxnard Councilman Tim Flynn said, "All hell’s gonna break loose."

Rupert Giles at Sunnydale High School said to Buffy the Vampire Slayer: "When you live atop a mystical convergence, it's only a matter of time before a fresh hell breaks loose. Now is the time to train more strictly, hunt and patrol more keenly, hone your skills day and night."

Re: your Nov. 11 article, “Award winning author dies�:

The Star’s story on Norman Mailer somehow missed perhaps the most important event in his life: his successful efforts to free the murderer Jack Henry Abbott from prison in 1981. Within a month of his release, Abbott murdered again. If there were any signs of remorse or acknowledgement of Mailer’s own stupidity in pushing for Abbott's release, I never heard about it.

— Ron Lutey, Camarillo

"First thing we'll do is kill all the lawyers." That famous quote from Shakespeare's play, “Henry VI, Part 2� was not spoken by an unhappy litigant but, in fact, by a character who was plotting the overthrow of the government in what was called Cade's Rebellion.

Pakistani President Gen. Pervez Musharraf knows his Shakespeare. He, with the stroke of a pen, set aside his country's constitution, fired the Supreme Court justices and declared martial law, while canceling elections and removing civil liberties.

Enough is enough! After spending 30 minutes today opening the requests for charitable donations that arrive in the mail, I've had it. We were on vacation for two weeks in September, and when we returned, we had so many requests for donations it took 90 minutes to open all of them.

It is not unreasonable to expect these organizations to send out requests, but wouldn't it make more sense not to send mailing labels, calendars, wrapping paper, pocket calendars, religious items, key chains, etc., but to use the money that is spent on those items towards the research for which they are requesting funds?

Re: John Krist’s Nov. 8 commentary, “�Flunking the fitness test�:

The premise here is based on a lot of opinion but little scientific fact. The research on steelhead at Hood River assumes accurate counts can be established on wild versus hatchery fish — impossible. The writer implies that steelhead and salmon are interchangeable in terms of spawning habits — not true. Steelhead do not just run up the river-of-choice, spawn and die as salmon do. They go back and forth between river and ocean as a natural part of their life pattern.

Re: Gerald Harman’s Nov. 9 letter, “Waterboarding torture,� a response to Françoise Dubois’ Nov. 5 letter, “Logical fallacies,� and Russell Burgos’ Nov. 6 letter, “A challenge�:

I wear the disapproval of people like Gerald Harman like a badge of honor. I hope Mr. Burgos does, as well.

— Françoise Dubois, Newbury Park

If American corporations outsourced to Mexico, employment in Mexico would improve and we'd have fewer illegal aliens crossing our borders and possibly less anti-freeze in our toothpaste.

Let's face it: If we build a 17-foot wall, they'll build an 18-foot ladder.

— John Blumenthal, Westlake Village

Re: Bill O’Reilly’s Nov. 10 commentary, “NBC scraped the bottom in its courting of Rosie�:

I wonder why O'Reilly has a bee in his bonnet about Rosie O'Donnell and MSNBC? I can understand his ire with MSNBC, since Keith Olbermann takes advantage of every opportunity to disparage O'Reilly and Fox News. But why O'Donnell? Could it be that O'Reilly sees a reflection of himself when he views O'Donnell — perhaps illustrating the axiom, "It takes one wingnut to recognize another?"

Re: Bill O’Reilly’s Nov. 10 commentary, “NBC scraped the bottom in its courting of Rosie�:

Bill O’Reilly needs to simmer down before he attacks Rosie O’Donnell again. Sinking to a new low, he derides the hiatus in her negotiations with NBC.

He should know himself that negotiations do not always proceed on a smooth track. Take, for instance, his own negotiations to settle his sexual harassment lawsuit. O’Donnell merely commented on the truth of the matter — which he did not deny — and did not give him the automatic free pass he has come to expect.

Re: your Nov. 8 article, “Bush, Sarkozy united on policy�:

The Star chose to bury on Page 8 French President Nicolas Sarkozy's supportive visit to Washington and his admiration for America. Had Sarkozy criticized President Bush, does anyone believe this would not have found its way to Page 1? Thank you, editors, for such a fine example of media bias.

— Richard Zeman, Newbury Park

Whose idea was it to fluoridate our water?

I find it so incredibly idiotic that, once again, by invoking the "children" card, all of us will be poisoned. Drinking water, unless you're swishing it around your mouth for minutes, touches your teeth for maybe a second. But it goes into those precious organs that barely survive the inundation of the other chemicals that are in what we eat.

The free enterprise system has served this country well for centuries. Competition among retailers not only keeps prices down but expands our choices of product.

The free enterprise system in Thousand Oaks is now being threatened, not by government, but by a merchant who wants to keep a competitor out. Imagine shopping at The Oaks if Macy’s had kept Nordstrom or J.C. Penney out of the mall, or if one car dealer had prevented the others from building a dealership. Shopping options would be severely limited, and prices would be higher.

Those choosing to shove fluoride down the throats of entire populations commonly tell us fluoride is a public health wonder and the science behind it is sound. Those pushing fluoride on us tell us to trust government scientists who say fluoride is good for us, although they never discuss the issue with those who have found that the scientific studies behind fluoride were very inadequate indeed, and that the widely acclaimed benefits on fluoride dental health may be more imagined than real.

I was born in Ventura County more than 70 years ago and have lived in Oxnard since 1956. I have watched Oxnard grow from 40,000 in population to nearly 200,000. Initially I was a renter, but I bought a new house in south Oxnard in a former lemon orchard.

I recently saw the movie “Saw IV.� Overall, it was a great movie, and I give it two thumbs up, but I have heard people saying that the movie is gory and sick-minded.
Is regulating the media a good idea for the American people? Are movies like “Saw IV� and “Brokeback Mountain� good examples of what society is going to lean toward?

As most people might know, Hollywood wants movies that will shock the minds of the people. Therefore, why should people nag if they choose to pay and watch the movie of their own will?

I would like to inform the citizens of Oxnard that the city has given a green light to Home Depot to build a store where Kmart presently is, at Channel Islands Boulevard and Ventura Road.

It appears the people in south Oxnard lose the only full-out department store in south Oxnard unless we do something about it. There’s a brand new hardware store at 637 W. Channel Islands Blvd. that that can supply the south side’s hardware needs.

Congratulations to injured workers in California! Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has seen fit to sign AB 338 by Joe Coto, D-San Jose, and AB 1073 by Pedro Nava, D-Santa Barbara. The governor decided injured workers under the state’s Workers Compensation system should get a little something back that was taken away by SB 899. I guess a little something is better than nothing at all.

It has come to my attention that the state of California paid an enormous amount of money to a New Zealand hunting firm to eliminate the pigs from Santa Cruz Island.

I know hundreds of hunters who would have gladly paid the $18 for a pig tag and paid a boat to bring them to and back from the island, not to mention the butchers that some of us take our wild game to for processing. The chemically unaltered meat could have been used to feed the homeless.

Re: Hector A. Mondragon’s Nov. 8 letter, "We're all in it together":

Mondragon makes a statement that many European "illegals" came to the United States in the 1800s. They were not illegal. They came by ship, by invitation, under a quota system, and they were welcomed legally at Ellis Island in New York Harbor. My father and parents, along with Martha Stewart’s family, came here on a ship from Poland in 1906. This is quite different from climbing a border fence without invitation.

— William Wolny, Oxnard

Re: your Nov. 1 article, “Police investigate Flynn phone flap�:

I cannot believe the Oxnard assistant city manager, supported by the city manager, reported Councilman Tim Flynn to the Oxnard Police for making a threatening call. I read a transcript of the message left by Councilman Flynn for the assistant city manager and do not consider it threatening, nor does the Oxnard Police, as they found there was no wrongdoing by Councilman Flynn.

Re: Ramon Vasquez’s Nov. 8 letter, "No one needs O'Reilly":

I beg Mr. Vasquez’s pardon, he is way off the mark. We traditionalists need Bill O'Reilly. Some days, his is the lone voice of reason in a sea of progressiveness, expressing an opinion rebutting the secular progressive viewpoint. There is nothing middle-of-the-road or fair and balanced about the progressive's point of view.

The so-called progressives don't want to hear anything remotely close to any other person's viewpoint, much less a traditionalist's viewpoint. They just want to shut them up, a la Mr. Vasquez.

Re: your Nov. 7 article, “Council’s veterans win�:

This article about Carl Morehouse and Ventura’s City Council election contained the following paragraph:

"The vote of the people is the ultimate endorsement," said Morehouse, who didn't receive the endorsement of the business community, the local newspaper or the city's police and fire unions. "This is a reflection that Ventura citizens are happy with the council composition and where the city is going."

This is not the time to surrender and withdraw from Iraq. If we withdraw, the conflict comes to our shores, and we are on the defensive. We then have to wait, and when al-Qaida strikes us again, Americans die here.

Instead, al-Qaida is now forced to fight us in Iraq and Afghanistan and expend their money and manpower there. President Bush understood this soon after Sept. 11. If we go on the offensive, then we dictate where the battleground will be, not them.
It is has been a successful strategy. Al-Qaida has been unable to make another terrorist attack on this country despite wanting to do so.

Hooray for Calavo for bringing Maui Gold pineapples to the "mainland." I just returned from Maui, where the Sheraton served the most incredibly delicious pineapples, and I was told they were Maui Golds. I tried to bring some home but was unable to. So thank you, Calavo, for bringing these sweet, delicious pineapples to our door.

— Jan Thornton, Camarillo

Re: your Nov. 7 article, “Effort fights blood diseases�:

God used a stem cell transplant to save my husband's life six months ago at UCLA after being diagnosed with an aggressive leukemia in May of 2006.

The stem cells came from an umbilical cord that was donated to the national registry.
My husband is a 30-year-old father of two from Ojai. Without people participating in this donation process, our kids would not have their daddy. We are grateful, so grateful, that the parents chose to donate to the national registry. It is very difficult to find a match.

Re: your Nov. 8 article, “High school dropout rate higher after 1st exit exam�:

It seems to me that a) exit testing ensures that incompetent students, who would otherwise have been given a diploma, are no longer being certified and b) the catastrophic influence of the children of illegal aliens on the lowering of academic achievement is undeniable.

— Bill Gourlay, Westlake Village

Re: Françoise Dubois’ Nov. 5 letter, “Logical fallacies,� Russell Burgos’ Nov. 6 letter, “A challenge� and other recent letters about waterboarding:

I'm not really convinced that waterboarding is torture. No one's going to die. No bones are being broken. Thousands of lives may be saved and have been, regardless of what Dubois states.

Re: your Nov. 1 article, “Police investigate Flynn phone flap�:

It sounds like Oxnard Councilman Tim Flynn is suffering from PMS — Powerless Male Syndrome. What? Wouldn't the same be said if it were Assistant City Manager Karen Burnham who had made the call and railed against him?

— Marilyn May, Ventura

Re: Ernie Serrano's Nov. 7 letter, "Cul-de-sac overcrowded":

Ernie, I feel your pain!

As is the policy of our federal government, our local government is picking and choosing what laws and/or codes to enforce. The fact that code enforcement states that the shortage of houses is so great they can't or won't do anything in regards to multiple families living in single-family homes is outrageous! This is a huge problem in all of Ventura County, and our mayors, elected officials and code enforcement has turned a blind eye as well as a deaf ear.

Re: your Nov. 7 article, “Effort fights blood diseases�:

Thanks to The Star for this article and bravo to Amber McCarty for having the heart and courage to stand by her convictions.

I know firsthand that donated stem cells can be a life saver. In September 2006, my brother was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia. Thankfully, I was a 10-point donor match. My adult stem cells and donor lymphocytes saved my brother’s life. It has been nine months since the transplant, and he is enjoying life with his wife and three children.

During the past couple of weeks, I’ve been reading the constant bashing of “illegal aliens� and the church that is “harboring illegals� in the comments sections of The Star.

This is bigger than Liliana and the United Church of Christ in Simi Valley.

Re: Deroy Murdock’s Nov. 5 commentary, “Three cheers for waterboarding al-Qaida leaders!� and your Nov. 6 letters:

It did not surprise me to read several columns by neocons supporting the use of torture in the so-called “war on terrorism.� I was relieved to read several letters to the editor condemning the use of torture, even if it is a “kinder� form than that used in many other countries. Well, that was why the United States sent many prisoners to other countries — to be tortured more professionally!

However, no one mentioned the following fact:

As I watched the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Joe Torre news conference, I couldn't help but notice on the stage three legends: Vin Scully, Tommy Lasorda and Joe Torre. One word: Wow!

— Andy Hall, Camarillo

Re: Dan K. Thomasson’s Nov. 6 essay, “No easy solution in sight�:

Thomasson is right: There is no easy solution, especially if landscape contractors, agribusinesses, etc., continue to ignore our laws. And with the homeowner helping perpetuate the problem, of course there is no solution.

Matters would be different if the landscape employees were next-door neighbors of the landscape contractor and the homeowner — and Thomasson, for that matter.

Calabasas' attempt to ban smoking in apartments is nothing more than a ploy for the city to gain publicity and national recognition.

The city's current smoking ordinance was simply based on a councilmember's desire to gain a seat in the state Assembly (a failure) using the national coverage from the smoking ordinance as a means to gain notoriety, much like the city's recent attempt to gain a national award from the National Civic League, also a failure that cost taxpayers $30,000.

It has become painfully obvious the only way Californians will obtain meaningful healthcare reform is to take it out of the hands of the insurance-lobby-funded politicians in Sacramento, be they Democrats like Assembly Speaker Fabian Nuñez or our celebrity Republican governor.

Ventura’s Green Initiative is a great step in the right direction and I think one that most citizens of Ventura support. It is clear that being "green" is becoming a popular trend, and I applaud the city for taking a step in this direction.

But becoming a truly "green" city will take much more than recycling or going solar. We need to begin planning for the future, to update our aging infrastructure to mitigate the environmental impacts of our city. Nowhere is this more evident than how we manage and use water.

Re: Amanda Borjas’ Nov. 3 letter, “How old to trick or treat?�:

I recently read this letter about how old you should be to trick or treat in Santa Paula. I can say this year we had some of the nicest Halloween trick-or-treaters — very small and very big. Who cares how old they are if they are respectful and just having fun? All the kids who came to the door were very cute and respectful and having a lot of fun.

I live in the middle of town, and we had them by the carloads. I have grandchildren who went, and they commented on how nice everyone was. They had a blast.

Re: your Nov. 7 article, “Deadliest year for troops�:

The subhead reads: “Annual toll in Iraq reaches 853; Pentagon says progress made.�

Progress. Yeah, sure.

— Marvin Petal, Oxnard

Re: your Oct. 30 article, “State to decide if methyl iodide OK�:

This article shows there is confusion and misinformation concerning the registration of new pest control tools in agriculture. In order for a new tool to be registered in California, both the safety and effectiveness of the compound must be verified. The only way to prove the effectiveness is to test it in an actual agricultural setting. Farmers are enlisted to help with these tests. This is similar to trials conducted by pharmaceutical companies to prove the effectiveness of a new drug.

Re: Deroy Murdock’s Nov. 5 commentary, “Three cheers for waterboarding al-Qaida leaders!�

Careful, now, Mr. Murdock: You must not regurgitate Bush administration propaganda and pretend it is serious journalism.

This administration gives phony town hall meetings and fake news conferences knowing that stenographers like Murdock will trot it out uncritically. Josef Stalin would be proud.

Re: George Vye's Nov. 5 commentary, "Get used to it; we're toast":

I agree with Vye that everyone should see the documentary, "Dimming the Sun" and draw their own conclusions. I disagree with him on only two points: first, that we are all toast, and second, that it is bizarre to think it is possible for certain kinds of particulate pollution to absorb the sun's radiation and warm the atmosphere.

We the people seem to be losing our control to big government and big business.

In the community of Thousand Oaks, we have two major companies that dictate the lives of thousands of people here. Both are going through a crisis. How are they handling the crisis, and what part are they playing in mitigating the hardship for their employees who faithfully served them? Are the dismissals cold and calculating, or are they caring and compassionate? It’s now that their reputations and business practices are on the line.

Re: Bill O’Reilly’s Nov. 3 commentary, “Liberal media’s message: Don’t worry, be happy�:

It’s too bad, but Bill O'Reilly is writing exactly what Osama bin Laden wants him to.
Bin Laden has said in his broadcasts he is not going to attack us with an army but is going to cause the United States to collapse economically. He spends $1,000 making a video, and we spend $100 billion or more reacting. Bush vetoes a $5 billion-a-year bill to help provide healthcare for children in the United States and meanwhile requests another $200 billion to help cover the costs of the war in Iraq and Afghanistan for one year.

I find it highly ironic that the GOP finds itself in trouble on the illegal immigration issue. Of course, it is a problem of their own making. After all, it was Ronald Reagan who gave us the amnesty of 1986. And it was the Republicans, who controlled Congress from 1994 until this year, who conveniently looked the other way as 12 million more illegals crossed our borders.

And now there is George Bush, co-sponsor with Ted Kennedy on the latest amnesty proposal, who has spent his career pandering to Mexico's presidents on the issue instead of berating them for Mexico's terrible treatment of its underclass.

Having read the various opinions about adding more fluoride to our water supply, it dawned on me that there are several unanswered questions about fluoride.

How much does this stuff cost per gallon?

How many gallons will be flushed down our toilets?

Can you shower or bathe in it?

I would like to comment on how rude the Borchard Park skatepark officials were to us bike riders on Friday.

The park announced it would be opening the skatepark to bikes on Nov. 2 on Fridays only, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. I went down to the park to ride my bike, and, to my dismay, the bike sessions had been canceled.

Re: Ann McFeatters’ Oct. 22 essay, "Spending money wisely":

For those who have not been paying attention, McFeatters provides some astounding statistics. The presidential candidates are close to spending $400 million already and will spend about $1 billion on this election, not even counting federal matching funds.

McFeatters aptly describes most of the candidates, such as Hillary Clinton: "Presidents are like kids in candy stores – there's so much they want to do, so much they want to spend to burnish their legacy, that it becomes just too easy to kick the can down the road and say tomorrow's taxpayers will pick up the tab."

At a recent meeting, the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy put the Newbury Park wetlands, with their rare Southern tarplant, on its " wish list" of properties to purchase as open space. The ball is now in Shato Holdings’ court. Will they negotiate with the conservancy and allow this ecosystem to continue? Or will future generations be without?

There are many pieces of information about wetlands on www.myspace.com/sandbarwillow, such as the fact that we've destroyed over 90 percent of wetland habitat in California so far. There is also the contact information of Shato Holdings for those who wish to express their views.

Re: Deroy Murdock’s Nov. 5 commentary, “Three cheers for waterboarding al-Qaida leaders!�

It is a pleasure to learn that that Murdock is such a fan of waterboarding. After all, he can point to several alleged "successes" in the war on terror that have been produced by waterboarding.

I have a question for the members of the sanctuary movement for Liliana:

If she crossed the border illegally in 1998 at the age of 19 and has been here almost 10 years and states her goal is to assimilate, why did she need an interpreter for an interview she gave last week?

If she has not learned the language, which is key for assimilation, in almost 10 years, why would one think this would happen if she were allowed to stay any longer?

— William F. Klepper, Simi Valley

Last September, our son, who attended Los Cerritos Middle School, made the mistake of leaving his Boy Scout pocketknife in his backpack. He was in the school band and would enter the grounds an hour early every day to fulfill his physical education requirement. His mother, an active member of the PTA, instructed him to take his keys with him because she might be late getting back from the Book Fair she was attending to at a local elementary school. He had just received his key this summer and had attached his pocketknife to it for safekeeping. This was also the first time he was ever required to take his keys.

Re: your Nov. 1 article, “Cabrillo sues Santa Paula over affordable housing denial�:

Let’s have a better balance, please.

In September, I wrote a letter commenting on a Santa Paula City Council meeting where Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation threatened to sue our city for denying a non-compliant Cabrillo project. Well, Cabrillo and their CEO, Rodney Fernandez, have now filed suit.

Incredible spin! Recent reports on the Senate’s approval of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program read: "The bill would limit coverage to children in families with annual incomes below 300 percent of the federal poverty level."

Sorry, but the recent Senate approval of SCHIP funding expands, not limits, coverage to families of four making up to $61,548.00.

— Martha Highfield, Ph.D., R.N., Professor of Nursing, CSU Northridge

I learned an interesting lesson last week, and I thought it worth sharing.

I own and operate a message board Web site for automotive enthusiasts. For the past three years, each August, we have asked the members who are proud of their vehicles to submit a nice picture of it, and in September, all of the Web site members get to vote for the 12 they feel are the best. We then have an online store print and sell for us a 2008 Member's Rides Calendar, with each winner’s car representing a month.

Re: your Nov. 1 article, “Cabrillo sues Santa Paula over affordable housing denial�:

I hope this lawsuit stirs a lot of anxiety into Santa Paulans who do not want any more low-income housing in our community until Santa Paula is able to reform itself from the pitfalls of the present high-density, low-income developments that have gripped this city.

Re: Deroy Murdock’s Nov. 5 commentary, “Three cheers for waterboarding al-Qaida leaders!�

Only one thing comes to mind after reading Murdock's commentary: As an American, it is repugnant!

— Carolyn Kramer, Camarillo

I've just finished my 13th straight 12-hour day working to get the good people of Malibu back in telephone service. I'd like to thank a few people for some specific things.

First, to the people of Malibu: Thank you for being patient with Southern California Edison, Charter Cable and Verizon. We all have tried to restore service as quickly as possible. In many areas, we were burned completely to the ground.

Each Saturday I anxiously await Bill O'Reilly's rant. I don't read his column, I just count the number of "lefts" in it. Last week there were four.

O’Reilly is the ultimate apologist for this moronic administration. He screams "left" as though he were the recipient of a giant wedgie.

— Bill Armstrong, Camarillo

Now that the presidential debates are in full swing, most people are talking about the various candidates. For me, I believe all this campaigning is more than a year too early, but that’s just one man’s opinion.

What I feel is more important is our congressional representatives. At the moment, their ratings are even lower than President Bush’s. I have tried to put myself in their place and ask why they haven’t spoken out more forcefully about what they would like to accomplish and why they haven’t succeeded. I have come up the following conclusion — excuse, if you will:

I would like Wal-Mart spokesman Aaron Rios to know that it is his potential customers (or lack of) that are part of the special interests trying to stop Wal-Mart. There are no customers to serve in Ventura when they are banding together in their best efforts to keep a Wal-Mart Supercenter out of the Kmart site.

It is the residents and voters in Ventura who are fighting to keep out Wal-Mart. We are all aware that we can drive to Oxnard to patronize a Wal-Mart Supercenter if we feel so inclined.

Re: your Oct. 25 article, “Opponents seek to get Wal-Mart on the ballot�:

After reading the article about the proposed Wal-Mart Supercenter, I became very irritated. It is too late for Wal-Mart to start touting a better healthcare program for employees and how it plans to "go green.� That is all alluring talk to help them slide into Ventura. Wal-Mart’s past track record shows how they really treat the local communities. Unfortunately, it is all about the green.

Re: your Oct. 25 article, “Opponents seek to get Wal-Mart on the ballot�:

The Star ran a factual and accurate article about the opposition to Wal-Mart that is rapidly snowballing in Ventura.

The latest manifestation of this opposition was a town-hall meeting attended by 200 concerned Ventura residents at Poinsettia Elementary School on Oct. 18. A previous town-hall meeting at the Ventura Unitarian Church a month earlier also drew a crowd of about 200 residents.

Some time ago, when I learned that Wal-Mart might put a store where Kmart is located on Victoria Avenue, I was very disappointed. I thought to myself, “Why? There is already a Wal-Mart in Oxnard.�

Because of my concern, I attended an excellent and informative meeting Oct. 18 at Poinsettia Elementary School concerning the proposed Wal-Mart. I was sorry that no council member could attend because of prior commitments.

Personally, I would like to see that area developed in a more sensible way, which would more adequately and fairly serve all the people of Ventura.

— Liane Froerer, Ventura

Re: your Oct. 25 article, “Opponents seek to get Wal-Mart on the ballot�:

In the article, Aaron Rios, the Wal-Mart spokesman, said, "It's very clear these are special interests trying to stop our ability to serve our customers."

But who exactly are these special interests? I've attended two of the town-hall meetings put on the by the Stop Wal-Mart Coalition, and I can say that a broad range of people attended these meetings and pointed out a variety of reasons to oppose Wal-Mart.

Re: the Oct. 24 letters by E. Kent Williams, “Flier decides vote,� and Ron Nobel, “Change the course�:

As a local retailer for some 40-plus years, I beg to differ regarding criticism of current council members and City Hall policy and process.

Having built several buildings at Victoria Avenue and Highway 101, I feel I have had great responsive collaboration from the City Council and staffers. I also feel from personal experience that “quality projects� are well received and get plenty of encouragement.

I have no "special interest" in the proposed Wal-Mart store. I am, however, a 30-year resident of Ventura. Even though we have grown a lot as a city during my residency, we still manage to maintain a somewhat "small-town" feel. If we allow a national chain store with a proven record of driving out "mom-and-pop stores" into our town, a part of what makes us unique will surely be lost.

— Anne Rubin, Ventura

Until recently, I thought Wal-Mart was just another store competing for my business. I’d ask myself: “Are they any worse than other chain stores? Aren’t they really just being very competitive, anyway? Why should I (or you) care about Wal-Mart’s business practices?�

I live two blocks from Victoria Avenue and Ralston Street. I do not want a superstore — especially a Wal-Mart — where the Kmart is.

I am not a special-interest group. I am just a resident and taxpayer in Ventura. I do not shop at Wal-Mart and do not want the traffic, etc., created by this store coming to our city.

— Elaine Martinez, Ventura

Ventura Unified School District is lucky to have such a talented person running for board trustee. Monique Dollonne is far and away the best-educated candidate in the race. Besides being fluent in her native French, this education professional is also bilingual in her mother’s Castilian Spanish.

Is the anti-Monique letter crowd lashing out at her with lies because they have an inferiority complex?

Re: your Oct. 31 article, “Four vie for three seats on water board serving Oak View�:
The purpose of this letter is to correct the inaccuracies contained in The Star’s article.
We wish to clarify the following:

— The Ventura River County Water District serves parts of Ojai, Mira Monte, Oak View and Casitas Springs.

— George Galgas said that board members voted themselves a 60 percent raise but did not give employees a pay raise. The board approved a $10, or 6.7 percent, increase in fees in 2006, the first such increase in more than 12 years.

It was refreshing to read about a candidate with positive solutions to our serious drought conditions we are about to experience. I'm referring to candidate George Galgas for Ventura River County Water District. He has the vision to act now, with resolve and confidence in meeting today’s water challenges. A vote for George Galgas is a vote of reassurance in a job well done.

— Priscilla Stuart, Ojai

There are some things more important than money. I will agree that money is necessary to run a business, a home and a community. However, if that becomes the only matter of importance, then our village is doomed.

Imagine that, in your own home, money for some reason becomes tight. Are you going to rent out rooms to anyone to generate that additional income? Are you going to turn your front lawn into a parking lot for revenue? I don’t think so. You are going to look at your expenses, cutting wherever and whenever you can. You will invest differently and spend differently. You will look to income-generating ventures that will not destroy the sanctity of your home.

Several years ago, my wife asked me, "If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?" Without hesitation, I said, “Ventura.�

I have lived here more than 10 years now. Ventura is a unique California beach community. The challenge we face is to preserve the uniqueness that Ventura represents. Adding a Wal-Mart on Victoria Avenue will be a downgrade to the special quality of our town. It will be another step toward the bland, big-box America that is all over the place. In addition to losing our uniqueness, we would be supporting Wal-Mart's undesirable labor practices.

When I worked part-time, it was my privilege and honor to volunteer on election days at polling places in Ventura, to volunteer at the police storefront downtown, to volunteer as recording secretary with the newly formed Downtown Community Council, to serve on the county Grand Jury and to participate in myriad activities on behalf of children, from coaching soccer to newsletter writing. I even ran for City Council myself back in the early ’90s.

While serving as an ambassador for the Ventura Chamber of Commerce, I had several occasions to observe Mayor Carl Morehouse in action. I was very favorably impressed with his attitude and the way he supported local businesses.

The mayor is also a patron of the arts, and along with his wife, Jana, was kind enough to attend the book launch party for my novel, “Poison Pen,� at Nona's Courtyard Cafe in March. That wasn't part of his official duties, and there were no reporters there. It was simply an example of the way he supports the citizens of Ventura. I hope everyone will vote for Carl Morehouse on Tuesday and give him another term on the City Council.

— Sheila Lowe, Ventura

During my time in public office I have had the opportunity to know and work with most of the other city council members in our area. We, in Ventura County, are fortunate to have some extraordinarily talented and dedicated people serving in local government. None has more talent and dedication to his community than Ventura Mayor Carl Morehouse.

I have just received my “Schedule of Proposed Water Increase� from the city of Port Hueneme.

I am amazed, firstly, that I as a single person am paying $41.58 per month for the luxury of having water piped in, and secondly that there is a proposed increase of up to 19 percent starting in February 2008 — and rumors of another increase to follow if this one gets in!

Every day, I read in The Star, I see on television and I read in magazines how water is wasted by everyone, how we need to conserve it by every means imaginable. Most of these things are small, but important, to the overall usage of water.

Has anyone in a position of power, such as Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, ever thought about all the water wasted by the hotels and casinos along the strip in Las Vegas, with their huge water fountains that may be considered very pretty, but are also very wasteful?

In this day and age, with all the problems we have in our world and country, could we not have a commentary by someone like Bill O'Reilly? We need someone middle of the road, open-minded, fair and balanced to offer progressive thoughtfulness. People in a progressive society deserve optimism, intelligence, the chance to come together to solve our differences and find solutions — everything O'Reilly is not.

— Ramon Vasquez, Camarillo

It is in a funky little trailer, behind the Public Health Department, surrounded by the beautiful hills of Ventura, where people perform miracles on a daily basis.

It’s called the Immunology Clinic, and the staff there, headed up by a stately, handsome man by the name of John Prichard, M.D., and an extraordinarily compassionate nurse named Margaret, is nothing short of incredible.

They saved the life of my best friend.

Years ago, there were those who conflated Osama bin Laden, the ostensible mastermind of the hijacked airliner attacks, with Iraq's Saddam Hussein, the fallacious pursuer of weapons of mass destruction or their related program activities.

This year, there are those who conflate Osama bin Laden with Iran's Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who desires nuclear power for civilian and political use.

Re: Patrick O'Malley's Oct. 31 letter, "O'Reilly hits new low":

Talk about a disgusting and contemptible tirade with very little relation to the truth.
O'Malley obviously has little knowledge of O'Reilly's positions, politically or personally. O'Reilly continuously blasts so-called neocons as well as ultra-liberals. Sometimes it seems his commentary is the only thing on the Opinion page that makes any sense at all.

Re: Terry Paulson’s Oct. 30 essay, "Faith and political obsession":

I'm confused. After making some good points about the importance of religion — namely Christianity — being free of politics, and politics being free of religion, I came upon Paulson's statement, "Christians should be sharing the good news of salvation rather than promoting sanctuary for illegal immigrants or leading the fight against global warming."

Re: Frank Ward’s Oct. 31 letter, “Kids need stability�:

I strongly support Frank Ward's request that The Star investigate whether our county is providing innocent children reasonable stablility in their lives when they are under county care. If Frank's concerns are well-founded — and I suspect they are — we simply must fix the problem. We owe it to our common humanity.

— Michael R. Rhodes, Oxnard

With all due respect to my fellow community members, I urge you to look harder, talk to more people and consider the broader spectrum of issues regarding education before casting your good names in support of Monique Dollonne.

I, too, know Dollonne, and I will tell you that what you hear on the surface is not enough to make a decision as important as choosing the right candidate to serve our children in the Ventura Unified School District.

Re: Allan Byrne's Oct. 19 commentary, “Don’t impeach Cheney merely on allegations�:

In his commentary, Byrne makes a plea to citizens to withdraw their support for initiatives to impeach Vice President Dick Cheney on the grounds that the allegations against Cheney have not been proved and that the impeachment process will divide the nation and aid our enemies.

Re: your Oct. 20 photo accompanying the article, “Community improvement�:

The caption on this front-page photo describing the removal of "barbed" wire is incorrect. The wire shown is standard 4-by-4-inch galvanized wire, available at any home builders store! La Colonia has enough problems without suggesting that barbed wire is necessary!

— Rick Esler, Newbury Park

Thank goodness that legislation signed by the governor is helping college students figure out the prices of marked-up textbooks, and publishers will have to include information on revisions made to new editions.

It’s hard enough for students like me to scrounge up money and pay $300 or more a semester for books that will be hardly used in the future. These days, with the high costs of books and everything else in our economy, it’s best to go online and look for the most affordable prices. I’ve had to buy the international textbooks because they were a lot cheaper, yet they included the same information as the U.S. edition.

As Mark Twain said, "Buy land, they aren't making it any more." If Rancho Potrero is converted to a huge social-gathering place, then it is also gone forever. This would be a huge loss to every person not only in our city, but to all our visitors who also enjoy open space.

It would a huge mistake to change this park in any way, except to possibly add a few picnic tables scattered throughout and some trails. It is a beautiful and tranquil little piece of paradise, where we can be in the country without going far from our lovely city.

What does Simi Valley have that Thousand Oaks doesn’t? “Bella.� I went to see this film over the weekend at Simi Plaza 10. I knew it won a film festival award, but having seen little in the way of publicity, I wasn’t expecting a lot. What a pleasant surprise to discover a well-written and very well-acted film. It’s been awhile since I came out of a theater feeling glad I went.

See “Bella.� You’ll be glad you did.

— Dorothy Hage, Newbury Park

Re: your Oct. 21 article, “Middle school’s plan for birth control irks some�:

Children having sex, that is what this effort is promoting. If middle school consists of children between the ages of 10 and 14 years old, then there is no business for them to have birth control. Having an education and an awareness regarding the risks of sex is one thing, but to give children the idea that it is OK for them to have sex at such a young age is wrong.

I wish to offer my full support to Bill Fulton, Christy Weir and Jerry Martin for Ventura City Council. Each has received the public safety endorsement of both police officers and firefighters.

When Fulton ran for City Council four years ago, I was president of the Ventura City Firefighters Association. I came to know of him through his prior contributions in the print media addressing the city’s growth and development policies and clearly outlining the city’s fiscal health as it related to tax-revenue sources.

It has been my privilege to live in this beautiful city for 65 years. I even served on the City Council for nine years. I’ve followed city government the whole time and seen good councils and bad ones along the way.

I’ve already voted to keep the three incumbents for another term and recommend them to everyone. If you’re not comfortable with any of them, I recommend Jerry Martin as a good alternate.

I support the re-election of Christy Weir to the Ventura City Council. Christy has served our city well for the past four years and deserves to return to the council for another term.

What I admire most in Christy as a council member is her ability to get things done. I have seen her tackle a subject, get its essence and, when possible, plan and effectuate its resolution. In the process, she is able to get “buy-in,� creating a consensus from the various constituencies involved.

We, the teachers of Montalvo School, discovered firsthand how Monique Dollonne’s involvement in our school actually eroded our ability to teach and focus on our students. When administrators didn’t let her get her way, she:

— Publicly cast suspicion on our school’s budget. (The California Department of Education found nothing out of compliance with our budget.)

— Made false accusations to numerous governmental agencies. This required our principal, district and state to waste countless hours and resources dealing with these accusations, which were found to be baseless.

I found out that most of the people who are sending the letters to the editor regarding Monique Dollonne for school board are Ventura Unified School District employees or administrators.

Let’s look at some facts. In Cliff Rodrigues’ Sunday commentary, “No nonsense, negativity needed,� he mentioned that Dollonne requested information on the VUSD budget, which is under the public act request. We all have a right to see it. This was a simple request: Where is the $15 million going? Rodrigues claimed she received the information; she claims she did not.

After reading most of the letters The Star has published and talking to some of the Ventura Unified School District teachers, my vote for the school district’s board goes to Debbie Golden and Barbara Fitzgerald. Our district is in good shape and is meeting the educational needs of its students.

Please vote for Golden and Fitzgerald on Nov. 6.

— Bill Schneider, Ventura
(The writer is a former president of the Ventura Unified Education Association. — Editor)

I am voting for change. Out of all the schools in Ventura Unified School District, we have two schools that are scoring high? What is wrong with this picture? The present board has had plenty of time to make changes.

I am asking all to vote for Monique Dollonne, someone who isn’t afraid to ask the questions and keep fighting for the answers.

I’ve read the letters to the editor. Why are people so upset that a parent asked for proof of how money was being spent? Don’t we as parents have that right?