What makes Elena Kagan qualified to be a Supreme Court Justice?

Here is what makes her unqualified; She has never been a judge. She has never instructed a jury. She has never ruled on a point of law. She has never tried a criminal case, a civil case or even a traffic case. She has never admitted evidence or ruled out evidence. She has never ruled on the exclusionary rule, the Miranda doctrine, an unlawful search and seizure or any other constitutional issue. She has never had to decide if a witness was telling the truth or not. She has never heard a witness, a plaintiff or a victim as a judge. She has never made a decision on the guilt, or innocence of a person. She has never ruled on a life or death issue.

What she is qualified for, is a classroom, not the Supreme Court of our land.

Rick Freeman,
Simi Valley

I am very pleased about Ventura County Supervisor Linda Parks' recent re-election and want to commend her responsiveness to her east county constituents.

On Monday, June 28, I e-mailed the Ventura County Public Works Department and carbon copied Supervisor Parks' office to describe a large street pothole that had developed following this winter's heavy rains.

On Tuesday, June 29, I received an e-mail from Supervisor Parks' assistant communicating the long-term street resurfacing plans for Oak Park, thanking me for sharing the news and indicating that they would coordinate with the Public Works Department.

On Wednesday, June 30, the pothole in question and several smaller ones in the area were patched and repaired, rendering the street drivable again at normal speed.

It only took two days from notification to the remediation of the pothole(s).

Thank you Ventura County Public Works and Supervisor Parks for your rapid response to Oak Park in the East County.

Scott Tesar,
Oak Park

Santa Paulans are being polled regarding another Fagan Canyon development. The pollster mentions 1,900 units, nearly matching the excessive Centex proposal rejected by voters. Centex reported spending $1,790,000 in a failed effort to persuade us to approve its project. Voters not only rejected it, they also replaced the council members promoting it. Only one remains, Gabino Aguirre, and he faces voters this fall.

Since the Fagan fiasco, voters have approved 500 units for Adams Canyon and 1,500 homes in East Area One (Limoneira). Both of these developments conform to our existing plan and have access to the freeway without dumping traffic onto our two-lane streets. Pending LAFCO action, the Limoneira project is ready to proceed. By insisting on unrealistic numbers, Fagan developers lost their place in line.

In fairness to Limoneira and for the sake of sanity, we need to first complete what has already been approved. Council members should insist that developers relate their proposals to our existing general plan.

When a former council asked LAFCO to include Fagan Canyon in the city's sphere of influence, the city employed Rincon Associates to recommend specific numbers. The consultant recommended that Fagan be restricted to 450 units, citing four limiting factors: Topography, drainage, access and traffic problems. The general plan thus limits Fagan to 450 units. None of these limiting factors have changed.

Let's be sympathetic to the owners of Fagan, but they need to realize their limitations and work out something compatible with the general plan that will not severely affect existing residences. Four hundred and fifty well-planned, high-quality homes, along with a tourist attraction similar to the Ojai Valley Inn and Spa would provide an excellent return for owners. The final proposal will require voter approval, so emphasize quality and be realistic.

Delton Lee Johnson,
Santa Paula

Re: Colleen Cason's June 27 column, "Time we came to our census":

Contrary to Cason, there is something at stake when the census goes beyond the Constitutional mandate to count the people. The alternative to "getting our share of $400 billion of federal money" is simply not to take it out of our wallets in the first place.

We used to have a "safety net" for maybe 10 percent of the population who needed "temporary" assistance. But now, ObamaCare proposes continuous and permanent subsidies for families making $88,000 a year.

I also cannot believe federal money is being pursued to fix up the Norwegian Grade, a road used only by some Moorpark and Thousand Oaks residents. Why should a resident of Rhode Island pay a dime for this road?

Why do census officials need to know your age and even your date of birth? The census site also discloses that state governments use race data "to determine congressional, state and local voting districts." Perhaps this is why we have gerrymandered districts that shield incumbents from any real competition.

Libertarians believe such questions have no place in our form of government. In 2000, the Libertarian presidential candidate Harry Browne asked: "Would you give up your favorite federal programs if it meant you never had to pay income tax again? And your children would never have to pay income tax? And your grandchildren?"

Yes, it is time we came to our senses. It is time to understand that federal money is not free, is not without strings. It creates dependency, and it is not being paid for by us, but is rather a huge debt passed onto our grandchildren.

Bruce K. Bell,
Moorpark

The June 30th edition of The Star carried several pictures that show what we, as a nation, are doing in our lives.

Again, one picture is worth a thousand words.

On one page, hundreds of people, mostly young, standing for hoursin a line to dull their minds even more on the mindless pap shoveled out by the Hollywood crowd, and willing to pay the money required to be dulled even more.

On another page a teenager, who had the fortitude to pursue a goal. It required hard training, preparation, endurance, and although her goal was not achieved, she tried. Her failure was not because of self lack, but of forces beyond her control. Also, this young lady had parents and family who loved and respected her enough to support her efforts.

To the rest of the "Never done, never been and never will" persons in this world who still stand there eyes rolling and tongues flapping, I can only say get some backbone and work for a goal.

To the Sunderland family: thank you for the great example of what parents and family should be, and to Abby Sunderland, fair winds and following seas.

~ Don Davidson,
Port Hueneme

I would like to point out a few things about Santa Rosa Park. First, what is proposed at the park is not an equestrian center.

An equestrian center is a place where numerous horses live and have many amenities, like multiple arenas, hot walkers, wash racks, round pens, etc. Santa Rosa Park is in use right now as a community park and it will remain that way. I'm sure some of those who wrote in, have never even been there to see it. It has very nice restrooms, a large parking area, picnic tables with barbecues and trees. It is used by hikers and families daily.

The addition of a riding arena adds to the usefulness for the general public. The park will be able to host all kinds of community events, including fairs, car shows, large picnic groups and more. If horse shows are held there, rental fees go back to the county to help with maintenance.

Not all people who own horses are rich, those of us who do, work hard to maintain them.
They are a wonderful asset to a family. They teach children responsibility, independence, get kids and adults outside working and playing together. That beats sitting in front of the TV or playing games on the computer. Most kids who grow up with horses are self-reliant, self-motivated and caring when adults.

Our horse group does a lot of charity work to benefit the nonhorse owning residents of the county. I would like to use the park to host our annual "Saddle up for St. Jude" trail ride this fall. All benefits going help children with all forms of cancer at St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital.

Thank you Ventura County Parks Department for this nice community park.

~ Susan Fleczok,
Simi Valley

Mr. Navarette's writings continue to spew his belief that all Latinos support Illegal immigration. There is a huge base of Latino citizens who work hard, pay taxes, and raise families, who also feel the weight of the cost of illegal immigration. This is the population that Meg Whitman is reaching out to through her advertising. The people legally living in California are tired of increased taxes and fees, reduced services and the overcrowded classrooms, not to mention the senseless violent crime that has people living in fear and anxiety.

I also commend Whitman for being willing to put up a lot of her own money to fund her campaign. She obviously feels strongly that as governor, she can get California back on track.

Navarette's guy is Attorney General Jerry Brown, the 72-year-old career politician who has been in the pocket of the large labor unions for the past 30-plus years. Brown's record can be tied to California's problems through past actions. For sure, the union's wallets will be opened wide in support of Brown's liberal agenda.

Guidance for Whitman's campaign strategy is listening to residents' needs, goals and concerns and then developing a plan to make the state a great place to live in and to do business.

We already know what Brown's plan and road map is for the state. We have seen him in elective office for many years too long, and he has been a part of steering California into the big ditch it's in now!

I suggest that Navarette look up "Illegal" in his dictionary and then write a column on why it's OK to break U.S. immigration laws. I look forward to his rationalization for breaking our laws as a start to residency.

~ Ron Busick,
Camarillo

Re: your June 30 editorial, "Abby's home safe; now what?":

Let me get this straight, one 15-year-old girl died Tuesday of a drug overdose after attending a weekend rave at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Another girl, a 16-year-old sailor, arrived home safely after traveling solo 12,000 nautical miles halfway around the world.

Which situation merited a strident, jump-on-the-band-wagon, call for an inquisition of possible irresponsible parenting? The Star has picked situation No. 2.

~ Martha Highfield,
Agoura Hills

Re: Raymond Freeman's June 29 letter, "Conservative ideology":

Freeman seems to think that:

1. Roosevelt got us out of the depression.


2. Conservatives gave toxic assets that caused the financial meltdown.

1. Roosevelt did not get us out of the depression. In 1939 the unemployment rate, according to the govermnent's own numbers, was 17.05 percent. Obviously seven years of government spending did not do the job. World War II was the impetus to bring back full employment.
2. The financial meltdown came about because the government (under both political parties) forced banks to make loans to people who couldn't qualify for loans. This created a "time bomb" that was sure to explode.

Of course Wall Street exploded the bomb by packaging and repackaging these unsecured loans, and telling investors that they were secure because they were backed by real estate. They were not secure for two reasons:

1. Many homebuyers couldn't afford the home.


2. The government permitted, in fact encouraged, 100 percent loans so people who did not have the appropriate financial resources could buy a home.

And finally we had Barney Frank and his Congressional Financial Subcommittee telling everyone that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were financially sound. How could they be when they were guaranteeing 100 percent loans, many of which were made to people who were financially incapable of paying?

~ Ralph Mauriello,
Moorpark

President Obama's approval rating is now below 50 percent. Aside from the fact that other presidents have suffered this also, what this points out is that American voters may have elected an unqualified person to be president.

I will not address his qualifications, what is important is that history may show that the American public was deeply swayed by rhetoric and promises of unspecified changes.

Any one elected president would have inherited a poor economy, rampant selfishness by unregulated or poorly regulated businesses that only enriched a few and a military situation more political than realistic.

The entire scenario screams for change, but it need not be a policy of hack here and there with tough, intimidating and pompous rhetoric thrown in, but one with a surgical approach, one more palatable to businesses and not one that leaves loopholes and creates a panic to increase profits for the future and before change kicks in.

In two more years either this president matures in office, does not take advice or comments so personally and does not try to run the country to suit his purposes. He must understand that he is not an expert at anything, which is why he has advisers.

If you want to place blame for our problems, then place it where it truly belongs - on the voters. Each of us who voted should analyze our reasons for our vote. Did we do any research on candidates and issues, or did we cast a "hope I'm right vote"? Were we swayed by high-sounding, nonspecific promises? Were we persuaded by appearances, mannerisms and speech, or did we blindly vote the party line?

In November we will have another opportunity to effect positive change in policies. This is our country, so, let's do our homework starting now.

~ Leo G. Alvarez,
Oxnard

Re: your June 23 editorial, "McChrystal out; Petraeus in":

History does repeat itself. We have another Democrat president who lacks the will to do what is necessary to avoid another World War II or even another 9/11 and has an ego that, although he himself says, "War is greater than any man even a president," can't take truthful statements from a qualified leader.

Look at history Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Congress dithered away crucial time and allowed Hitler to overrun Europe. Then, at Yalta and Potsdam, enslaved half of Europe to avoid stopping Stalin. How many millions died in WWII and by Stalin's programs because Roosevelt and Harry S. Truman wouldn't listen to Churchill.

Then, President Truman fired Gen. Douglas MacArthur for advocating stopping the Yalu River from being a sanctuary because he didn't have the will to actually free the people of Korea. Now, we pay with the idiot in N..Korea who continually challenges our will with nuclear weapons and missiles. Then, we had "no mining of Haiphong or bomb Hanoi."

Don't fight to win for the principles of freedom and most particularly don't have a strategy that doesn't tie the hands of the military. Be sure to think that the media is all-knowing in spite of the real sentiments of the responsible public.

Then, have a president who is more concerned with "apologizing" for our country defending against terrorists and appeasing sworn enemies for our reaction to radical Islamic fundamentalism's actual actions against our allies and our country. He spends four crucial months dithering and catering to the media and minorities instead of decisive action. Then, fires the general for reminding people. The president should apologize to McChrystal and the American public for his ineptitude.

~ James M. Crosser,
Ventura

Considering that a "high-speed rail system" is one of the plans that Linda Parks approves of, why was this not an issue to Audra Strickland. She could have done the following:

1. Showed where this kind of idea has failed in the past.


2. Showed how it is not economical to build and run. You can't just run a high-speed system on the old rail tracks. You would have to start with a brand new system from the ground up.


3. Compare what the cost of Metrolink is to what an even higher cost system would mean to taxpayers and patrons.


4. Consider the empty seats in the Metrolink system today.

~ William "Bill" Hicks,
Newbury Park

Re: your June 28 article, "Police arrest more than 500 at G-20":

I've been reading articles in The Star the last couple of days about the police vs. protesters activities at the Toronto conference. The main content of the articles is always how the police are faring. I always heard that news stories should cover the who, what, when, where, why and how of a story. I'm really curious now about the what and the why of the protesters' behavior. What, or why, are they protesting?

~ Brook Evans,
Camarillo

Gen. Stanley McChrystal should be relieved of duty. Any high ranking military officer who agrees to an interview with "Rolling Stone" shows astounding lack of judgement.

~ Bernie Milligan,
Ventura

Re: your June 26 article, "Obama prods Congress to finish financial overhaul":

I saw the card castle come crashing down in late '08. It had been weighted with gold at the top and toothpicks holding it up at the bottom. I'm sick of excuses and I completely gape in disbelief at people who want to hand everything over to the same people who enabled this disaster to take place, who equate a bull market with bull-loney, and I don't mean this administration, whose job from day one was to be handed the mop and the bucket ... and from many, no patience and no slack. Well, they're trying.

I want reform, and I want it in writing and I want it to become law. I want to see loan applications written in English, vs. legalese. I want credit cards that are fair, or I don't want credit cards. Enough vampire fees 'por nada,' and friendly rates that can turn on you like a pit bull.

I want Wall Street brought to heel, too. The financial barons think they're gods on Mt. Olympus. They're not; they're jackals who pick us off and pick our bones. I want them brought down to Earth with the rest of us. When they screw up, let them take the consequences like I have to. What I want is reform, regulation, and realism, not reverse motion.

~ Craig Reardon,
Agoura Hills

Re: your June 26 article, "Obama prods Congress to finish financial overhaul":

Having friends who were forced to pay punitively high interest rates on credit card debt as well as being led into mortgages that have ballooned to the extent that they were forced out of their homes, it is time that the credit industry was forced to be reasonable in their rates and fully disclose to their customers and eliminate hidden fees or agreements hidden in fine print of contracts.

Congress must be forced to help citizens (us common people) get out of the control of controlling corporate interests and Wall Street lobbyists and vote on bills that are fair and protect us rather than expose us to the problems that now exist.

Borrowers must be provided with clear, precise information that will enable them to make realistic decisions in terms of their finances. Severe penalties should be established for predatory lenders.

No more bailouts for banks or other institutions that take risks with our money.

~ Donald Hoffman,
Oxnard

Re: your June 26 article, "Obama prods Congress to finish financial overhaul":

I don't want American taxpayers to be asked to bail out the big banks ever again. I want to be absolutely clear about this.

~ George D Mouroulis,
Oxnard

Re: your June 26 article, "Obama prods Congress to finish financial overhaul":

The egregious offenses of the banking and investment community, which almost led to a second Great Depression must not be allowed to occur again. We the people need protection from the greed that has hurt us all and most certainly will occur again unless the Wall Street financial reform bill is made into law. I urge all our elected officials to vote for this legislation. Take note: no more bank bailouts.

Paul Wiener,
Camarillo

Re: Dr. Michael Jamison's June 27 column, "One doctor's healthcare Solution":

Jamison expresses the need for health care for illegal immigrants and the failure of Congress to pass effective healthcare and immigration reform. All of us can agree with the critical need for a guest worker program and the shortfalls of our healthcare system. He proposes "selling" U.S. citizenship for $2,500 per person or $5,000 per family with the money going to hospitals and doctors for healthc are. I think his plan lacks deep thought and is self-serving.

A one-time payment of $2,500 will do little for the long-term problem. We need border control and a guest worker program for areas where there is a documented shortage of labor with health insurance provided by the employer; all agree on this. We need to remove the citizenship option as part of the process. It is unfair to reward those who are here illegally while others wait their turn.

Instead of fining the immigrant, we should fine those who exploit them for cheap labor. Immigration control is a process to bring the best talent to this country. Which is better for the country, a surgeon from India or an unskilled laborer from South America?

If we examine healthcare plans in Taiwan, Japan, Germany, France and the United Kingdom, one thing they all have is a national uniform fee schedule. While these healthcare plans differ with some being government run and some being private, the recipients all pay the same fees based on a schedule. In this country, we have medical discounting with healthcare plans receiving a discount of half or more over an uninsured patient. Why should the same operation cost more for an uninsured person? Why should drugs made in the U.S. be sold in Canada for less than they are here.

~ John Ferritto,
Ventura

News for the week of June 21, 2010, was fascinating. A Ventura County family of four needed an annual income of $82,000. The unemployment rate in Ventura County is more than 12 percent.

Senate Republicans killed an unemployment extension because that was a disincentive to the unemployed taking available jobs for less money. Thus, the Republicans were expressing "tough love" for the unemployed. However, there are 3 million jobs for 15 million unemployed nationally, most being at little more than minimum wage. Even if all illegal immigrants were removed from the country, freeing up more jobs at minimum wage, and if such jobs were available in Ventura County, at $8 per hour, a family of four could not pay the rent and have food. Of course, poverty is good.

We need more jobs paying higher wages to support the economy, whether they be public or private, and candidates like Whitman and Fiorina agree, but when they ran their companies, they exported jobs to Asia, not because of California laws or taxes but because of cheaper skilled labor.

~ Raymond A. Greenberg,
Westlake Village

President Obama replaced his top general in Afghanistan supposedly in a dispute over strategy rather than policy. I believe both the strategy and policy is wrong. There are no winners in these recent wars. To prolong the final outcome will only hurt the American people and other innocent victims. Call on President Obama and other government officials to end the war in Afghanistan by pulling out all U.S military and private forces now!

Norm Bauer,
Camarillo

Re: Charles Williams's June 27 letter, "Runaway general":

Gen. McChrystal made it easy for the president to accept his resignation. I have no quarrel with the president accepting his resignation. Article 88 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice is unambiguous. There is no danger here of "insouciant anarchy."

Mr. Williams, on the other hand, is wrong in venting his rancorous criticism of this courageous soldier. He hopes to convince the readers of his own biased view of the world through inflammatory adjectives and use of flowery, vitriolic language. He accused the general of "obviously expressing a hateful agenda of racially based antagonism shared by dissidents forever disparaging the president." No one else has accused the general of that. Mr. Williams appears to fit in well with people who label any criticism of President Obama's policies as racist in an attempt to stifle debate.

Mr. Williams labels the general as "a defective military minion" and accuses him of "vicious effluvium" to sway the reader. He accused the general of "inappropriate vulgarity" in his use of the word "butt," but says nothing of the president's recent comments about kicking "ass" or Rahm Emanuel's and Joe Biden's well-known reputation for vulgarity. Isn't that a double standard?

Mr. Williams claims that the general "flatly rejected proposals to switch to President Barack Obama's strategy," when the president said, in accepting his resignation, that they have no difference in policy or strategy. Was the president lying?

It's a sad thing that Gen. McChrystal was replaced, but the bigger lesson to be learned is that there is a disturbing disarray in this administration and it's handling of the war.

Bill Gourlay,
Westlake Village

So the city of Thousand Oaks is spending more than $200,000 to add 10 parking spaces to property it leases to developer Rick Caruso for $1 a year. I'm not an astronomer, so I won't attempt calculate how many light-years it will take for that investment to pay off.

A question for the city fathers: Is developer Caruso exempt from property taxes on his Lakes shopping center? Since the property is city owned, my guess is that he is. And Thousand Oaks wonders why they have budget problems.

Rick Scott,
Ventura

In an attempt to gain publicity, Abby Sunderland's parents put her life at risk. Parents are to protect and provide stability for their children. These parents have not done that. They clearly are guilty of child endangerment.

I know, as a parent, how worried I was when my daughters first drove a car at 16, let alone sail around the world! Is gaining fame now more important to people at the expense of a child's life?

The Sunderlands have said they had complete confidence in their daughter's ability. That may be so, but the uncertainty of the weather, pirates and sharks was not considered. Was this an attempt to preview an upcoming reality show? If it was, it almost became too costly. Reality? No. Ridiculous? Yes!

~ Dorothy Campagna,
Newbury Park

Re: Bernie Huberman's June 24 letter, "Birthright citizenship":

Mr. Bernie Huberman, wrote that he knew of no other nation, other than the U.S., which granted citizenship to children born by parents in that country illegally. He goes on to state that he feels the U.S. shouldn't either.

According to NumbersUSA, an organization that shares Mr. Huberman's opinion, there are actually 33 such countries, including both our neighbors, north and south, Canada and Mexico.

If we were to follow Mr. Huberman's logic, shared by many ultracons including Glen Beck, none of us would be citizens. The first Europeans coming here were not granted citizenship by the Native Americans nor were any later arrivals, and so none of their descendants would be citizens either, including the writers of our super restrictive immigration laws.

Today's nativists, birthers, deathers and the like, are starting to look an awful lot like the Know Nothings of the mid 1800's.

~ Patrick O'Malley,
Oxnard

Re: your June 25 article, "Oxnard grower enrolls workers in program to reverse obesity, diabetes among Latinos ":

The Healthy Lifestyle class offered to Oxnard farmworkers by their employer Reiter Affiliated, is a fascinating inspiration to us office workers in Ventura County. Whenever I drive by the berry fields and see the workers stooped over, picking my fruit in the hot sun, I bless the workers for how hard they work. I sit down in my air-conditioned office with appreciation for the accident of my Irish heritage and my American birth.

Now, we learn that the pickers are offered yoga classes and bananas during their break times. This really comforts me, knowing that at least a few of these hard-working people have a small respite from the stooped, sunburned hours in the fields.

I'd love to know where I can buy Reiter's berries because I want to support this employer and help them continue to offer yoga and bananas. I'd even be willing to pay $.05 more per basket to Reiter if I knew they were using it to buy bananas and keep at least one yoga teacher employed in this tough economy.

~ Kathi Smith,
Ojai

Elections for what?

It's not working!

Americans waste billions of badly needed dollars to promote their favorite person to rule the country, and before the signature ink has dried, they are tearing down the fruits of their labors.

Perhaps Congress should appoint our president and, when that person dies, one of their heirs will inherit the "throne."

~ Elinor Gustafson,
Thousand Oaks,

Am I the only veteran that has been frustrated when some nice-looking TV journalist, discussing a sea-change in the military, confidently tells us that he/she has talked with Gen. so-and-so and found out that the White House plans are the best for our armed services?

Accordingly we have been told that the Air Force Academy would not experience any problems by admitting female cadets (I believe that they solved their problems of sexual harassment but it took 10 years.).

We were told that women in combat organizations would be in keeping with military objectives. (A retired general has said that at the time of the first Gulf War, the morale of the troops was the worst/lowest he had ever seen, and it was because of women in the military. Note: he was a retired general.) Would any of us be "one for all and all for one" if we had a girlfriend or our wife in our unit? Don't forget the jealousy and the envy, respectively. Of course morale falls!

Now, we are being told that gays in the military will boost our military effort, but to the extent to which homosexual love mirrors heterosexual love, then the "one for all and all for one" fails again.

I hope our nice-looking TV journalists don't try to pacify us with interviews with active-duty military. I think we all know, now, that any general who openly disagrees with the White House is in danger of being McChrystalized.

~ Norman R. Williamsen, Jr. Age 82,
Retired Army veteran,
Camarillo

Re: Lois Glab's June 24 letter, "Change of guard":

In her letter, Lois Glab sarcastically states that "It is widely known that a former community organizer has more expertise in winning a war than an Army general" in criticizing the decision to accept Stanley McChrystal's resignation as commander in Afghanistan. Blinded by her obvious antipathy toward President Barak Obama, she fails to see the point.

Mr. Obama is not a "former community organizer." He is President of the United States of America.

Clearly Ms. Glab did not vote for Obama in 2008, but a wide majority of Americans did. As any Tea Party member with a copy of the Constitution in her pocket should know, by being chosen President, Obama automatically became the Commander in Chief. The democracy our Constitution was written to protect is rooted in civilian control over the military.

Gen. Stanley McChrystal, like Gens. Douglas MacArthur, George Patton and George McClellan before him, defied this basic tenet of American democracy by insubordinate public behavior in the field and were relieved of command. The alternative in all these cases was to subject the United States to the prospect of military dictatorship.

One would think that the Tea Party crowd would applaud President Obama for upholding democracy and the Constitution that they claim to revere.

But no.

Like the Republicans who are committed to sacrificing the good of the country in their unanimous opposition to every Obama initiative, the Tea Partiers are simply blinded by their hatred for the president of the United States. Pretty patriotic, huh?

Americans with any real sense of what the Constitution really means can see through this ill-informed, constant white noise of criticism to what it really is.

If President Obama walked on water, this crowd would say that it's only because he can't swim.

~Gary E. Murphy,
Simi Valley

Re: Roy Wilhelm's June 25 article, "Veteran recounts 'Forgotten War' for grandson":

Thanks to Marine veteran Roy Wilhelm for the article on the Korean War. It sure would have been nice if the caption for the accompanying photo of "United Nations troops" firing from the barricade in Seoul had described the troops more specifically. They are United States Marines.

One detail of the Marine uniform, in addition to the camouflaged covers on Marine helmets, that was recognizable from a distance was the canvas leggings Marines wore. The leggings are clearly seen on the Marine firing the BAR on the far left in the photo. The North Koreans and Red Chinese quickly learned the "yellow legs" were far superior and fiercer fighters than any others they faced and avoided them unless they had no choice or had overwhelming numbers. The United Nations command, that unfortunately did run the war for the allies, ordered that the Marines not wear their distinctive leggings.

Semper Fi to Sgt. Wilhelm, and God bless our Corps.

~ Roger McGrath,
Thousand Oaks

I frequently go downtown to shop, eat and to walk around, enjoying the atmosphere. I am currently an active smoker. When I'm downtown and smoking, there are no ashtrays to dispose of my used butts. I do put out my cigarette and carry it to a trash can for disposal. There aren't that many cans downtown either.

I did notice a lot of butts thrown in the street or smashed on the sidewalks. Is it too much for smokers not to litter? Also, with the city trying to make the town a tourist destination, is it too much for them to provide ashtrays?

To all of my fellow smokers, please do not litter downtown or anywhere else. Smoking is a privilege. Be responsible and clean up after yourselves.

George W. Murphy IV,
Ventura

Meg Whitman is running for governor of California. She tells us that we need a wise businesswoman to run our state.

It does not seem a very wise business practice to spend $150 million of your own money to apply for a government job. I would be hesitant to invest my hard-earned California taxes with a wasteful big spender.

Michael J. E. Burge,
Ventura

Re: your June 19 obituary for Dr. Wolfgang Kaupischi.

The obituary showed Kaupischi, who was born in Germany, in two separate photos. One photo as he would appear today, and the second depicted him as he appeared in his Nazi bomber pilot's uniform.

Why would The Star ever consider publicizing such a photo? What was the necessity to include the photo in uniform? Perhaps the family thought for (whatever) reasons it would be a proud reminder of his life.

I personally served a as an aerial gunner flying 33 bombing missions over Germany in occupied France. This photo picturing a former Nazi pilot is an insult to all American servicemen who served in World War II, specifically in my case, and to the 26,000 8th Air Force airmen, who were killed in combat fighting the Nazis.

I would expect no less than a retraction of the photo along with an apology to the remaining World War II veterans who fought and died for our country fighting the Nazis.

Richard H. Smart,
Thousand Oaks

Re: your June 23 article, "Boeing suit over Field Lab oversight moved to L.A.":

It is so refreshing to see common sense prevail on important decisions.

U.S. District Court Judge Garland E. Burrell, Jr. certainly restored my faith in our lawmakers using good sense when he ordered the Boeing case to be assigned to Los Angeles, rather than to hear it in Sacramento. Boeing had the community scratching their heads when they first challenged SB990 as this state law clearly delineated the standards for cleaning up this very polluted site.

Boeing has chosen not to abide by the state law requiring a thorough cleanup of the site. The problem of cleanup at the Santa Susana Field Lab is an area issue and should be heard in some close proximity to the site.

When Boeing spokeswoman Kamara Sams complains that changing the venue to Los Angeles will delay the cleanup, I am amazed because it is the very audacity of Boeing filing a lawsuit against the Senate bill that has delayed the cleanup. The health of the surrounding communities has been and is in jeopardy and timely adherence to the State Law for a thorough cleanup is vital, and the issue should be resolved where those affected may be present at the hearings.

Thank you Judge Burrell.

Barbara Johnson,
Simi Valley

Re: your June 25 article, "High levels of bacteria found in reusable shopping bags":

Thank you for the wonderful article about the research on the high bacteria levels in reusable shopping bags and AB1998, which bans single-use plastic bags. I guess we'll have to use disposable plastic bags in our reusable bags to protect our family from food poisoning.

We're always amazed at the volume and quality of the bills that our California legislators spend their time on instead of fixing the budget and other important issues.

We would like to suggest that prior to a legislator sponsoring a bill, he and his family must practice living by the law for at least one year. You know, drive it before you buy it. Maybe we wouldn't have the ridiculous hands-free cell phone, but it's okay to text, law and many others like it.

Larry and Charleen Schuss,
Oxnard

Re: Miguel Espinosa, Jr.'sJune 16 letter, "Reverence for the Flag":

I was a medic in a combat zone in Vietnam '66-'67, and I fought for the flag. I fought for the ideals the flag represents and specifically for the Constitution. Perhaps follow-up letters implied this, but I will state it directly. There will always be humans who do not live up the those ideals the flag represents, but that does not take away my reverence for it. I do not think Mr. Espinosa gets it.

~ George J. Maguire,
Oak View

Re: Miguel Espinosa, Jr.'s June 25 letter, "Courage to serve":

First of all I would like to thank Espinosa for his service during the Korean War. I also served in the Army during the Vietnam War.

He has written several letters that I totally disagree with.

The office of the president deserves the utmost respect from the American people. The man behind the desk in the office must earn the respect of the American people.

As Americans we still have the right to love or hate the president or feel any way in between the two. The Constitution that Miguel and I both fought for gives the American people their right to their feelings and beliefs about any issue.

To the American people: Respect the office of the President, but also take advantage of your constitutional rights to express any opinion about the man in office, positive or negative. The news media also has the same rights.

~ Chuck Jaseph,
Camarillo

Re: your June 23 article, "County to fund Santa Rosa Valley horse center":

Like others, I think that there are a lot of things that are more important than building an equestrian center in Santa Rosa Valley, like funding public safety, for example.

So I looked at what was approved by the Board of Supervisors and out of a $1.69 billion budget for 2010-2011, more than $216 million is allocated for the County Sheriff and more than $138 million is for the Fire Protection District.

Then, since I also think providing services for families who are struggling in this economy is very important, I looked at other items and saw that the board allocated over $333 million to the Health and Human Services Department.

At the same time, I think the county should cut costs, and I was pleased to see that the board approved over $25 million in cuts in general government costs compared to last year.

The $250,000 investment in the equestrian center seems like pretty small potatoes in comparison. Constructing the facility will generate some much-needed jobs, and the center can be rented out and generate revenue for the county's parks department, which could use the money.

There are 500 pages to read in that budget report; I suggest people who wish to make informed comments read it. Meanwhile, remember that envy is the act of counting the other fellow's blessings instead of your own.

~ Holly LaRue,
Santa Paula

Re: your June 23 article, "County to fund Santa Rosa Valley horse center":

Do we really need an equestrian park in Santa Rosa Valley? Did we really need the horses that pulled the wagons across the country so that people could "settle the West?" Did we really need horses to do the heavy labor so we could plant our fields, run our supplies and fight our fights; - to be the legs we ran upon when building this great nation?

There are those who still see horses as machines; mindless creatures that do human bidding without question or dissent, that are expendable. There are those who think that any land dedicated to caring for, nurturing or highlighting these remarkable creatures is a waste of profitable space. Horses are not mindless -- are we? They are not heartless -- are we? They are honest -- are we not? They care for their young, love their families and cry at the loss of beloved friends be it through death or sales.

An equestrian park isn't only for the horses and their owners. It will be a place where the entire community can come and experience the magnitude of their spirits, their gifts to us, and where young children can learn about their own humanity through the grounding that comes from relationships with horses.

A public equestrian park has the potential to be a wonderful venue where people can reflect on things that are important, engage in competitive sporting events or educational clinics.

The Park District can earn a great deal of revenue through local events and rental of the park itself. Do we really need an equestrian park in Santa Rosa Valley? Damn straight we need one. We have been waiting, working, fundraising and hoping for way too long now. It's time!

~ Kimme Isaiah Black,
Santa Rosa Valley

Re: your June 23 article, "County to fund Santa Rosa Valley horse center":

I would like to thank the County Supervisors who voted to complete Phase 2 of our equestrian park. I am not sure why the city of Thousand Oaks is so adamantly opposed to a public park that many will be able to use.

As part of the approval process, the county completed a Mitigated Negative Declaration pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act for this project. Horses and hikers already cross the Arroyo (to access trails) where the treated waste water from the Hill Canyon plant is released. This water is not potable water and flows out through the Arroyo Santa Rosa to the Arroyo Conejo into Calleguas Creek to the ocean, so I am not sure how this will affect water quality.

The open space area the county would like the city of Thousand Oaks to provide for trail access abuts Wildwood Regional Park and should be included in the COSCA Canyonlands Trail Plan, which includes a trail head at the equestrian park and further trail development in Hill Canyon and other Canyon areas. This trail has been used by hikers, bicyclists, and horseback riders for many years.

~ Lisa Moxley,
Santa Rosa Valley

Re: your June 23 article, "County to fund Santa Rosa Valley horse center":

I find the funding of an equestrian center that will eventually pay for itself much more palatable than the recent decision by Thousand Oaks to spend yet more money for less than a dozen parking spaces that will benefit a developer more than the community.

Many residents have complained about the waste of taxpayer money (over $12 million so far) that has gone on with The Lakes development. The recently approved addition of 10 more parking spaces is estimated to be $230,000.

The Board of Supervisors recently voted $238,000 to build the equestrian center. This project has been stalled for years and years. The parks department wants it to happen, the supervisors are providing money to make it happen, the community wants it to happen. Time to move forward and end the status quo.

~ Katie Teague,
Camarillo

With all my years on this planet, I thought I had seen it all, but even imagining that my country wants to put back in office the very people who got us into the mess we're in, is frankly inconceivable. Do we really buy into all the lies and misinformation we've been fed by an inept and negative group of American's since Obama was elected our President?

The party of 'no' has become even been more radicalized to the far right, thanks to a handful of people who support corporations over American citizens. Have we been so naive that we actually believe these pundits when they tell us by electing their candidates, we'll live in a safer and better place for our children and their children? Instead of our leaders ending their speeches with "God bless America," they should change it to "God help America."

Steve Binder,
Oxnard

Re: your June 25 article, "Obama 'gratified' by deal on financial overhaul":

So we now have another "reform," this time financial reform. After reading through the various provisions of the proposed bill, it's shocking to see that both Fannie Mae and Fanny Mac are not part of this "reform."

It has become very clear that both these quasi government organizations, Fannie Mae and Fanny Mac played a pivotal part of the real estate and finance system collapse in 2008.

Why is it that these two government entities are not part of the reform? Could it be that this reform was not reform at all, and just an attempt by the Obama administration to punish Wall Street?

Brian Haueter,
Ventura

Any law that uses the term comprehensive is something that any conservative needs to stand against. To make it short, and sweet, comprehensive means:

1. I will put a word in for you, and...


2. II will stick you with everything you didn't want.

William "Bill" Hicks,
Newbury Park

Re: your June 24 article, "Schwarzenegger: State workers to face minimum wage":

Dear Governor Schwarzenegger:

Your second threat to lower state workers' wages to the minimun wage is an empty one and completely insane. I wouldn't be e-mailing you except this is the second time you have pontificated this threat.

You don't seem to realize that we have a consumer driven economy in America, and when the consumer is not able to buy marketable consumer goods, the economy suffers. State workers are consumers, and without their contribution to the economy, we will have an ever bigger recession.

Talk to an economist, please.

~ Marjorie E. Grate,
Camarillo

Re: your June 23 article, "Boeing suit over Field Lab oversight moved to L.A.":

I am a 15-year-old high school student concerned with the health hazards that are a result of the partial nuclear meltdown that occurred close to my home. This nuclear accident occurred at the former Santa Susana Field Laboratory that borders Calabasas, Chatsworth, Oak Park/Agoura and Simi Valley. While I find most teenagers are unaware of the contamination, I also find most adults to be in the dark on the issue, too.

Thankfully, just this week., U.S. District Judge Garland Burrell did the right thing. Most people are probably not aware of the outrageous fact that Boeing (the company now responsible for the majority of the site) has sued to get out of state law SB990 mandating they clean up the place. Judge Burrell did not let Boeing get away with an additional wrong, which was trying to have the lawsuit take place in Sacramento far away from here where people are affected.

Judge Burrell's ruling states, "Boeing's chosen forum lacks any meaningful ties to Santa Susana and the residents that could be impacted." The ruling also mentions, "more than 150,000 people live within five miles and at least half a million live within 10 miles." Additionally, his ruling refers to "various accidents at the Santa Susana Field Laboratory throughout the years, including meltdowns, fires, and the most famous accident involving a partial core meltdown, which may have caused hundreds of cancer cases in the Los Angeles area."

Join me in applauding Judge Burrell for his wise decision. For more information, my friends and I have formed a group called Teens Against Toxins. Our website is http://teensagainsttoxins.webs.com.

Devyn Gortner,
Oak Park

Re: your June 20 article, "Proposition 14's move to open primaries troubles party chiefs":

The party leaders quoted should first and foremost recognize that many in California are not satisfied with the status quo, and should prepare to deal with changes and not complain. It is a sad, but true, fact that with a low election turnout a few will decide for the majority on any given issue. If they felt so strongly about the issue, the two major political parties should have done more to convince their supporters to defeat Proposition 14. Isn't our government supposed to be "by the people, for the people", and if so, is it un-American to put up the best candidates who appeal to the mainstream. I think not!

It appears to me that we elect far too many "career politicians" who are more interested in their next re-election or their next office when term-limited out than really having the best interests of the population as a whole in mind. Maybe we need a batch of new faces, from top to bottom, who are willing to work without all the unnecessary infighting that goes with partisan politics. Recent polls indicate that a majority of people disapprove of the job our present elected officials are doing from the president and Congress to our own governor and Legislature. Perhaps Proposition 14 will prove to be a catalyst for effective and positive changes in getting things done.

~ Wallace Havens,
Camarillo

The immigration debate that Arizona has awakened among us is healthy conversation. However, What's the point? Illegal immigration across our southern border is not about to stop any time soon. The dream of a better life that burns in the hearts of millions of unfortunate and uneducated Latinos is the engine that makes the short trek north worthwhile. You cannot stop that desire. The rewards for making it to America either legally or illegally are overwhelming: free education, free subsistence and free health care. Poverty in the United States is a lot more attractive than in any other country on Earth.

Guns, drugs and human rights are easy arguing points that encompass the border wars, but how often do you hear the term "competitive investment" being thrown into the mix? Agribusiness of any size must be able to draw in the dollars that fuel production and wealth. The immigrant, the more illegal the better, is the means for higher profits for owners and investors alike. By keeping prices high in the stores and wages low in the fields and in factories, the various food producers are able to remain an attractive option for today's expanding investment portfolio.

I propose, then, that greed and an increasingly attractive lure are the real culprits behind our concerns. Lobbyists whisper of influence and power into the ears of our legislators while we scream of racism, bigotry and human rights violations. I'm a 62-year-old retired junior high school teacher. The word "tired" is in my description of myself. Maybe Obama will make things better before he goes away, but what's the point of even caring if he does? What do you think? What solutions can you offer?

~ Harry Joseph Griffith
Camarillo

Re: your June 24 article, "Welfare cards used at some casino ATMs":

What can I say? Only in California. God Bless the USA!

~ Connie Gajefski,
Ventura

We were pleased to read that there will soon be a new and improved beach promenade in front of the fairgrounds. Perhaps this is the time to draw a separate bike path into the plans as well.

We enjoy walking along the beach promenade but at times it can be hazardous. Bicycle traffic has increased at the beach, along with pedestrian traffic, and sometimes bikers come through at an unsafe speed.

Recently on a busy Sunday afternoon our 5-year-old grandson was hit from behind by a young man on his bike. The bike not only knocked him down, but ran over his back. We considered it a miracle that he escaped with only scrapes and tears.

Yesterday I observed an elderly couple walking on the promenade near me. A biker approaching from behind called out, "On your left!" and one of them, confused, quickly moved to his left. The biker had difficulty avoiding a serious accident. There are some walkers, including the elderly and the increasing number of foreign tourists, who don't understand bikers' lingo.

This is the time, while plans are being drawn, to include a separate design for walkers and bikers. Moreover, there is a serious need for an enforcement code to protect our walkers. If something isn't done soon, there is going to be a serious accident. Please don't wait until that happens.

We've been in some cities where laws are strictly enforced to protect pedestrians and bikers. Not only must bikers stay on bike paths, it is a serious infraction (and also dangerous) for a pedestrian to walk on a bike path. I realize people don't want more laws, but with the increase in both walkers and bikers, regulations are for our benefit and protection. It is time for change.

~ Kathleen and Dar Parsa,
Ventura

With regard to the disastrous oil spill and the attempts to stop the gushing oil, two questions come to mind.

1. Instead of cutting off the pipe at the blowout preventer, why didn't BP attempt to kink or pinch the pipe between the blowout preventer and the first leak? A series of pinches and kinks would have slowed the leak to a major extent.


2. Why aren't more skimmers being employed to pick up the floating oil?

How many of you out there have been have been assessed for Flood Insurance from your mortgage company, thanks to the wisdom of FEMA? Why is there no outcry?

I live next to Leisure Village and am sure that all my neighbors have been
tapped. I even have a friend who lives up on Via Latina Drive (high country), who was included in FEMA's flood plain.

It appears to me that FEMA's coffers are empty and this is one way to fill them. How did this come about? Was there any representaion? I think not!

If anyone out there is part of an existing class-action law suit to stop this fleecing, I would be most happy to join. Otherwise, I would ask an ambitious attorney, familiar with government dealings, to take this on. I am in the phone book.

I have tried to contact all my senators, congressmen, and any others who might listen, but have gotten no reply.

~ George Blok,
Camarillo

Re: your June 23 article, "County to fund Santa Rosa Valley horse center":

My family has had horses most of our lives. We understand the love for one's horse and how much fun they are., but let's face it, they are a luxury most cannot afford.

In this time of financial crisis, where we can't even get weeds pulled from our streets, fire stations and libraries are closing, potholes get deeper and deeper and so much more, I have to ask this question: Is it a responsible thing to do to allocate funds for a equestrian center, used primarily by upper income people who have horses in their backyards, at this time in our history?

Couldn't those funds be put to better use? Don't tell me that the funds are already there to be used by parks and recreation. Government hasn't had any problem robbing Peter to pay Paul in the past. I think that money should be re-allocated toward things the majority of us need right now.

I gave up our horses to have money for things my children really needed. Why can't our county leaders do the same?

~David Eckerson,
Ventura

Re: your June 24 article, "Ventura school board votes to put parcel tax on November ballot":

Ventura school officials are considering asking for a "parcel tax" to raise badly needed money. This would be a tax on property owners. Property and homes are fixed in location and already nicely cataloged by the county tax assessor. When a government taxes its citizens, no one can escape. No matter how hard you are just financially getting by, the county will take all it can get. No one should be allowed to retire (or die) until every last ounce of strength (or money) has been squeezed out of them, or so it seems.

Some (not all) of these school properties have oversized parcels of land and could get by with smaller acreages. Does anyone dare suggest school districts be allowed to sell off a fraction and use the proceeds for daily operating expenses?

Another tax soon coming your way is the Value Added Tax, or VAT. VAT will be imposed by the federal government at every stage of manufacturing or production. The tax is loved by politicians and an assortment of socialists because it can be transparent to consumers. We know a lot about VAT because Europeans already have it. VAT will increase the price of everything. VAT is a huge step toward raising more revenues so government can continue to grow without limit. In order to bring in the socialist utopia and crush the remnants of liberty, it will take even more government spending and expansion.

John K. Carter,
Camarillo

Re: your June 23 editorial, "McChrystal out; Petraeus in":

One of the reasons, and there are many, that this country rises above every other country on earth is our respect for our laws and our military. But the military has its own set of standards and, for the most part, those standards are even higher than the ones we citizens live by.

Our country is governed by civil law, not military law and there is a very good reason for that. Just imagine for a minute what America would look like if our military overthrew our government. Regardless of what anyone thinks about President Obama or what they thought about President Bush or what a future president might look and sound like, we stand by them until such time they break a law and then we have remedies that follow our Constitution, not a military coup.

I believe that General McChrystal was testing the waters to see if President Obama had the nerve to fire him, because after all, he is a four-star General and in charge of the war in Afghanistan. He got his answer.

I couldn't be more proud of President Obama today in taking the action that was absolutely necessary. This should put to rest any doubt that he has the nerve it takes to preside over this country.

~ Carolyn Crandall,
Camarillo

As the parent of two children attending Camarillo Heights Elementary School, I am thoroughly disappointed in the recent decision by Dr. Villegas and our school board to transfer our principal, Mrs. Liz Silverman to another school for the upcoming school year.

My son will be a fourth-grader this fall, and he will walk on to campus to meet his fourth principal. Four principals in five years is objectionable to many parents and is completely contrary to everything that is known about student achievement.

Children are better equipped to succeed and do well in school in an environment where they can develop trust, create bonds and have a sense of security. Certainly Dr. Villegas can't believe that the lack of stability in the leadership our school has experienced in recent years is beneficial to the children.

The children of Camarillo Heights have benefited by having some of the best teachers Pleasant Valley has to offer, and their lives have been enhanced by a capable, professional administrator who genuinely cares about them. Mrs. Silverman has enhanced their school experience and has taken the time to get to know them on much more than a superficial level.

It takes time, and perhaps as much as five years of consistent, positive leadership to truly implement change at a school. Despite the best efforts of dedicated teachers and parent volunteers, this school cannot move forward on a positive path of growth and change without strong, consistent leadership.

After years of principal turnover, the parents at Camarillo Heights were promised by Dr. Villegas more stability in administration; a principal who would stay for more than a year or two. Please, Dr. Villegas keep your word and keep Mrs. Silverman at Camarillo Heights.

~Beth Naumann,
Camarillo

Re: your June 23 editorial, "McChrystal out; Petraeus in":

It is widely known that a former community organizer has more expertise in winning a war than an Army general. I remember the firing of Gen. MacArthur by Harry Truman. We still pay the price with North Korea being one of our most dangerous enemies threatening the use of nuclear weapons. Other noteworthy generals were often in question, however Grant conquered Lee; Patton defeated Hitler; and I'm sure Gen. McChrystal could have easily won in Afghanistan. Those of us with loved ones fighting in Afghanistan have reason to worry.

~Lois D. Glab,
Camarillo

The 4th of July is a terrifying time for your pets! Here are some tips from the Humane Society of Ventura County to keep them safe:

• Do not use fireworks around your pets.


• Make sure your pets are wearing properly fitted collars and name tags. You may consider having a microchip implanted in your animal for extra protection.


• Secure your pets in a kennel or crate if possible. Do not leave them in a room where they can escape through pet doors or windows.


• Turn on your television or radio to alleviate loud noises.


• Do not take your pets to firework displays; this can be very stressful for your pets.


• Never leave your pet chained outside or in a fenced area. When under extreme stress an animal will jump the fence or strangle themselves if kept on a chain.


• If your animal is frightened of loud noises consult your veterinarian before the 4th of July festivities.


• Do not leave your pet confined in your car. It can get very hot in a short period of time and your pet can squeeze out of an open window or cause harm to themselves trying to escape.

Heather Balaam,
Adoption Counselor,
Ojai Animal Shelter

Runaway general

Re: your June 23 article, "McChrystal says he resigned for good of mission":

Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal's comments in the upcoming "Rolling Stone" article, "The Runaway General," speak volumes regarding white elitism among the highest echelons of the military. McChrystal is obviously expressing a hateful agenda of racially based antagonism shared by dissidents forever disparaging the President. Here, a three-star West Point alumnus, and leader of American forces in Afghanistan displays vicious effluvium, allows subordinates free reign to express mocking disrespect for the Commanding Officer of the U.S., Vice President Biden and administrative staff officials on foreign soil.

How dare this defective military minion allow "Rolling Stone" reporter Michael Hastings into the command center of this highly sensitive mission and speak "on the record" in such inappropriate vulgarity when asked to attend a high level social with officials in France. He disparaged the French's contribution to the Afghanistan effort saying, "I'd rather have my (butt) kicked than go out to this dinner!" Imagine the national fervor that would have attended such comments uttered in the media by Gen. Colin Powell regarding either President Bush!

McChrystal's involvement in the tragic death and coverup of Arizona Cardinal's football hero Pat Tillman, killed by other American troops in a "friendly fire" episode in Afghanistan, and his disparaging speech in London, where he flatly rejected proposals to switch to President Obama's strategy of more reliance on drone missile strikes and special forces operations against al-Qaeda truly demonstrate a "Runaway General."

There is a teaching moment here. Either we insist that those who rise to military command positions demonstrate respect for the principles of American democracy, or we fall victim to insouciant anarchy. McChrystal should not be allowed the privilege of resigning, and be summarily fired. He has disgraced the uniform. McChrystal's three stars speak more of rancor than they do of rank.

Charles Williams,
Oxnard

Just so you can't say afterwards that "we didn't know" and get away with deniability of the scientific facts at hand:

The coast guard, the media, BP and Obama don't seem to be aware of the caliber of disaster affecting the Gulf Coast and the nation since the Deepwater Horizon rig exploded on April 20.

From The Intel Hub website (http://theintelhub.com/2010/06/15/gulf-coast-disaster-is-it-the-perfect-storm): "The BP Oil spill has the makings of a perfect storm because one can visibly see the cracks in the ocean floor when reviewing tapes of the live BP feeds. In the tape dated 6/13/2010 you can see oil spewing up from visible fissions.

The pressure at the base of the wellhead deep under the ocean floor is approx. 100,000 PSI. There is no known device to cap a well with such a high PSI pressure. To further complicate things geologists using a GPS and Depth finder system have discovered a large gas bubble 15-20 miles across and tens of feet high under the ocean floor.

A bubble of this magnitude if able to escape from under the ocean floor through a crack would cause a gas explosion that can only be described as Mt. St. Helen's under water.

The explosion would take place 50 miles off the Louisiana Coast, instantly releasing a toxic cloud that the winds would carry to the shorelines. This explosion would also create what is called a Cavitations', sinking any ships, oil structures virtually anything floating atop the water instantly within at least a 10 mile radius, and thus could create a Tsunami that would travel towards the coast of Florida at a speed of 400-600 miles per hour. This has the potential of putting the state of Florida under water. Gulf Coast Disaster, Is it The Perfect Storm?"

Do something to inform the people affected!

Get the original drilling logs from BP (not from their clueless, stonewalling CEO) to figure out:

What does BP know and when did they know it?

~ Dr. Ulla Sarmiento,
Moorpark

Re: Margaret Queen's June 23 letter, "Policy views, not hate":

I volunteered for service during the Korean War to defend and protect the Constitution and the people of the country I love. Ms. Queen, on the other hand, defends her heroes, Limbaugh, Hannity and Beck who berate our president. Yes, Ms. Queen's president and mine, inferring he is a Nazi, Communist, foreign born and conspiring to destroy America.

I will gladly weigh my intentions, my actions and my patriotism against Ms. Queen and her heroes Limbaugh, Hannity and Beck, none of whom had the courage or the love of country to serve on her behalf.

~ Miguel Espinosa, Jr.,
Oxnard

I recently moved to Ventura (April 2010) and would like to express my dissatisfaction with the City Council's decision to eliminate Fire Station 4 on the east end and to reduce fire staffing levels.

Currently, I can expect emergency personnel from Fire Station 4 in about 1 minute (drive time). Relying on stations 5 or 6 will increase this to 6 minutes (drive time). I am certain many of my neighbors will experience similar declines in service -- without a notable decrease in expenses, however.

I will remind the City Council that its financial decision -- for the city to live within its means -- will have a personal cost. Not perhaps today or tomorrow -- but most certainly sometime in the near future.

~ Alex D Keuper,
Ventura

Re: your June 19 article, "Oxnard alive with the arts":

As the chair of the Ventura County Maritime Museum docents, I want to thank Hugh Ralston for his wonderful article about the arts in Oxnard. We frequently have guests come into the museum who didn't realized our jewel of maritime art and ship models existed.

Since our Museum is open seven days a week, 11 a.m.- 5 p.m., and the admission is free, it gives people ample opportunity to stop by and enjoy. Our friendly volunteers are always available to show visitors around.

Come on over, I think you'll be impressed and agree with Hugh's article. Since we are located in the Channel Island harbor, people can combine a good museum visit with the beautiful setting of the marina.

Pat Hart,
Oxnard

Re: your June 21 article, "Humane Society to expand Ojai shelter":

After reading the article about the donation given by Mr. Valentine to expand the Ojai Animal Shelter's spay and neuter services, I felt compelled to thank not only this individual but also the people that work and give their time for the "voiceless victims," the animals in these shelters that we are trying to save.

Mr. Valentine's donation should send a strong message to all of us. Be responsible pet owners and spay and neuter our pets. In addition, when looking for a new addition to our families, give a shelter animal a chance.

Carolyn Haueter,
Ventura

Re: your June 22 editorial, "Obama should lift Gulf drilling ban":

Reading the June 22 Opinion page was like being in a parallel universe. Surprisingly, uber-conservative Dan K. Thomasson took BP and the Republicans to task for their absurd positions on the Deepwater Horizon disaster. The utter devastation of the Gulf Coast and the livelihood of its citizens are inestimable and likely will last for generations.

President Obama directed BP to establish a $20 billion trust fund to mitigate the financial impacts of the event. BP also agreed to set up a separate $100 million fund to compensate oil rig workers laid off as a result of the President's six-month moratorium on deepwater drilling permits until the safety of the existing wells can be assessed.

Those measures seem very proactive and responsible. Unfortunately, the Star's editorial board disagrees. Evidently, they think corporate profits outweigh the possible damage of additional blowouts. The June 15 congressional hearings proved the four largest oil companies are no better prepared to avoid an environmental catastrophe than BP was.

These corporations shared virtually identical and drastically flawed accident response plans. We might assume they also shared a "willing(ness) to cut corners to save money." The Star states "drilling is largely proven technology." Unfortunately, deepwater drilling is not. This is a relatively recent exploration methodology. Yet, the Star, like Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX), is more than willing to trust that oil companies have our best interests at heart. Considering our own 1969 experience, the Star's response to the moratorium is incomprehensible.

~ Joy Putinta,
Camarillo

Re: Terry Paulson's June 20 column, "America's road to serfdom":

Terry Paulson states that "In all its forms, socialism has been, and always will be, a threat to individual freedom and economic progress." I'm sure this will come as a great shock to the millions of Canadians, British, Australian, Scandanavians and Western Europeans living contentedly in democratic socialistic countries.

The Scandanavian countries of Sweden, Finland, Norway, etc., actually consistently receive the highest grades in rankings of the best places to live in the world. Paulson, in his fear mongering, would prefer that we equate Stalin's Soviet Russia and its form of socialism, i.e. communism, with our "socialism lite," as he calls it.

I agree with Paulson's enthusiastic support of our capitalistic economic system. His statement that "the canals gave way to the railroads, the railroads to airplanes," ignores, however, the truth that government, through grants, rights-of-way, loans and direct financing of research and development has been, and continues to be, the engine that drives the capitalistic economy.

The temporary nationalism of some industry and increased regulation of run-amok banking doesn't make us any closer to Stalinistic socialism than does socialized schools, highway systems, health care, or public utilities. Fear-mongering has long been a Republican political strategy, at least as far back as "the Russians are coming, the Russians are coming." Paulson should let it go. It's unbecoming and tiresome.

~ Richard Landis,
Thousand Oaks

Monday evening I watched the Ventura City Council meeting. I live midway between Fire Station 3 and 4. I couldn't help thinking that none of the City Council members live near Fire Station 4 because they don't live in 93004.

The election of November 2009 could have remedied that - Ken Cozzens, Wendy Halderman and Phil Mechanick were on the ballot and live in 93004. If you live in 93004 and did not vote for one or more of these candidates you assured your lack of representation on the Ventura City Council. Thus, the Council chose to close your fire station.

I laughed out loud when one of the council members said that Fire Station 4 was being destaffed, not closed. Who did he think would drive the firetrucks?

~Laurel Hewson
Ventura

Re: your June 21 article, "Uzbek refugees scared to return":

There has been a killing and pillaging rampage on Uzbeks in Kyrgyzstan by Kyrgyz soldiers and civilians. It is estimated that 400,000 Uzbeks have fled Kyrgyzstan and 2,000 have been killed.

What has been the reaction of world leaders and the United Nations? The answer is practically none. No resolution in the UN of condemnation, no call for an investigation, no boycott, no sanctions.

Israel exercised her right to enforce an internationally legal blockade of Gaza. A blockade put in place by Israel to prevent arms from reaching Hamas, a terrorist group controlling Gaza that has vowed to destroy Israel. Israeli troops were brutally attacked by thugs calling themselves "peace activists" on the lead ship of a six-ship flotilla meant as a deliberate provocation to breach the blockade. The Israeli soldiers were beaten with iron bars, wounded with gunfire and thrown to lower decks. By protecting themselves, nine Turks were killed by the Israelis.

World leaders and the UN went ballistic, calling for sanctions and investigations. Even today's Star Editorial was critical of Israel. Could one conclude there is a double standard?

But then Kyrgyzstan isn't a Jewish state.

~William Sherman,
Ventura

Re: Terry Paulson's June 21 commentary, "America's road to serfdom":

regarding Paulson's defense of Glenn Beck and Friedrick Hayek in The Star, for most of my adult life (I'm 84) money interests have been increasingly wresting control of our national, state and local affairs, and their associated governance; so isn't it a no-brainer that attacking government in the U.S. is attacking big money?

Hayek's "Road to Serfdom" implies an alternate route, when in reality our lot is worse than serfdom and we're already ther. Serfs at least raised a lot of their own food and spun and wove much of their clothing!

~ Duane Waln,
Camarillo

Re: June 18 article, "Revised animal crush video bill introduced":

Thank you so very much for your report in Ventura County Star about new legislation to ban sickening, cruel animal crush videos.

This matter dearly needs the attention that you have helped to bring.
Anyone who buys, participates or supports these inhumane videos
definitely has no conscience, has inappropriate mental and emotional
needs that seem to be met only with cruelty and violence.

~ Martha Mandel
Camarillo

Re: June 16 article, "Lawmaker wants to limit babies' rights to U.S. citizenship":

The article says, "legal scholars laugh out loud" at the Sen. Russell Pearce's proposal. John McGinnis, one of the laughing Constitutional scholars and a law professor at Northwestern University, said the Arizona senator is "just completely wrong. The "plain meaning" of the amendment is clear, he said. The 14th Amendment guarantees citizenship to anyone born in the U.S.

True, the 14th Amendment, Section 1, does say: "All persons born or naturalized in the United States ... are citizens of the United States..." But, our laughing constitutional scholars should know that the citizenship clause of the 14th Amendment (1868) was specifically written for former slaves to overrule the effect of one of the most bigoted and dreadful decisions by our U.S. Supreme Court. In Dred Scott v Sandford (1857), the court ruled that people of African descent held as slaves, and their descendants, whether or not they were slaves, were not protected by the Constitution and could never be citizens of the United States. As far as that court was concerned, never meant never.

So an amendment that was intended to correct an egregious wrong, and never remotely intended to be an incentive for its present abuse, is being used to perpetrate a fraud on the American taxpayers. I know of no other country that grants the right of citizenship to children born to mothers who are in the country illegally.

The above clause suggests it could be changed by federal statute without resorting to the lengthy amendment process. Waiting in the wings is just such a piece of legislation. If Congress had enough members with guts to stand tall, it would pass HR 1868 - the Birthright Citizenship Act of 2009, which would eliminate automatic citizenship for all babies born here to noncitizens.

~ Bernie Huberman,
Thousand Oaks

The Lakers are an amazing sports team. There is no denying this.

In the past few weeks, however, I have seen more Lakers flags than American flags being displayed for our men and women on Veteran's or Memorial Day.

As I write this, hundreds of thousands are cheering for our team as their victory parade takes place. Where are all of you when our troops come home? Where are all of your flags to pay tribute to our veterans or active service men and women? How many of you have taken any amount of time to show support for our troops?

Has fame risen this far above patriotism?

~ S.L. Whitley,
Camarillo

Re: Terry Paulson's June 21 commentary, "America's road to serfdom":
　
The Star's been reporting problems such as the middle class "fading fast," impoverished seniors, unemployment and homelessness. Does Terry Paulson read your paper? Yet again, he assures us that conservative policies produce prosperity for all.

America's been force-fed conservative ideology ever since Ronald Reagan's presidency. It's been disastrous:

• It made regulation of industry (oil, finance, coal) a joke.


• It stuck us with massive national debt.


• It gave us toxic assets, foreclosures and a "near-fatal heart attack of the economy," causing the "Great Recession" ('The Economist').


• Lest we forget, neoconservatives gave us the Iraq fiasco, still bleeding us dry.

Conservative ideology asserted that prosperity would "trickle down." In fact, inequality has returned to Gilded Age levels. Warren Buffet's quite frank: "The class war's over and my class won it." Many in Ventura County have lost it forever, according to The Star itself.

Why then does The Star print so many conservative screeds? Conservative policies created the 2008 crash, but liberal policies prevented another 1930s depression (itself reversed by FDR's liberal policies). Why then does The Star keep liberal policies a big secret? They're the reason you aren't scrounging through trashcans.
　
Raymond Freeman,
Thousand Oaks

Re: Terry Paulson's June 21 commentary, "America's road to serfdom":

It seems Paulson has is on board with ranting Glen Beck that any type of government oversight and taxes are socialistic and will make the middle and lower classes of Americans into modern-day serfs.

The problem with this conclusion is that we are already serfs to the 2 percent to 3 percent of super-rich Americans that have 95 percent of the wealth. These super-rich have bought countless lobbyists and elections so they won't have to pay a fair share on taxes. Over a half-century ago the income taxes for Howard Hughes and John Paul Getty's were 91 percent with write-off exemptions, but alas they were still billionaires.

President Reagan lowered that tax to 39 percent, and George W. Bush lowered it to 35 percent. What the super-rich got in return was fewer government regulations. What we got was the complete meltdown of the banking and mortgage businesses, the loss of millions of average Americans' homes and huge losses from their retirement accounts. The CEO's of banking and mortgage companies still were able to walk away with millions to billions in bonuses.

What about the Gulf of Mexico? We all should remember that a majority of George W. Bush's administration came from the oil Industry. One of their main concerns was less government control and oversight. B.P. was responsible for a huge oil spill in Alaska from an unmaintained pipeline, death of workers in a faulty oil refinery in Texas and now the Gulf of Mexico.

Paulson and Beck seem to believe it's socialistic to have government control over us, and that we all should fend for ourselves. Maybe we should do away public schools, maintaining our roadway systems, etc., and turn everything over to private contractors. It is true that the majority of Americans are on the road to serfdom if we don't as a society regain some control of our lifestyle, which has been stolen by the uncontrolled greed of the super-rich!

John L. Thawley,
Santa Paula

If this oil disaster isn't enough to push Congress to do the right thing with a full-fledged climate bill, nothing will. A climate bill that concentrates on retroactive liability to oil companies for their greed and no nuclear funding for new or existing plants and no funding for the oxymoronic clean coal!

~ Linda Ferland,
Ventura

I ask our leaders to please fight hard to pass a strong energy bill. Fossil and nuclear fuels bring great risks and dangers. I believe, like Bill Gates, that we must triple our investments in research and development for clean and renewable energy sources.

We need a strong carbon tax that goes to help consumers and to invest greatly in research and development for clean and renewable energy.

~ Howard Miller,
Ventura

On July 4, America will celebrate Independence Day. This federal holiday
commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, declaring independence from Great Britain. There will be fireworks, parades, barbecues, picnics, speeches and ceremonies, but will Americans remember the true meaning of the holiday?

Today, America is in turmoil and in danger of being destroyed from within. We see a socialist-leaning president, a far-left congress and many ultra-progressive groups pushing our country in the wrong direction. They are running roughshod over our rights and freedoms by passing laws that "we the people" do not want (stimulus, health care, and cap + trade). It is all about power and control.

What can we do to stop this tyranny from taking hold? First, we must all get involved and fight for our rights and freedoms. This is a responsibility, not a right in a democratic republic. Second, we must honor and support the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.

We must remember that in a democratic republic laws and decisions must be made with the consent of we the people.

Finally, our Constitution is the only thing standing in the way of tyranny. As Patrick Henry said, "The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government." Unfortunately today, the president is trying to obliterate our Constitution.

As you celebrate on July 4, please make a promise to get informed, get involved and help preserve our democratic republic. As James Madison warned, "The accumulation of all powers, legislative, executive, and judiciary, in the same hands, whether of one, a few, or many, and whether hereditary, self-appointed, or elective, may justly be pronounced the very definition of tyranny.

~Diana Thorn,
Carpinteria

Re: June 20 editorial, "Israel eases up":

Do not blame Israel about what is happening. They did not elect Hamas. The Palestinians have to live with what they get when Hamas is in power. Maybe if they can vote them out of office. Israel said it would take food, first aid and other supplies from the other ports. Israelis cannot trust Hamas. Israel cannot allow weapons to get in. We would not allow countries near us pointing weapons at us sending suicide bombers. Until the Palestinians get new leaders, they have to keep the blockade.

Andy Levine,
Newbury Park

Thank you, Sprouts, for raising your prices within the first couple of months of locating to Thousand Oaks.

Your ads boasted of high quality products with fair and reasonable prices, when compared to other similar grocery stores. The products were quality and the prices were reasonable for the first two months.

How distressing for us, the everyday consumer, that you as experienced businesspeople, have decided to follow your greed. The results are higher prices, lower quality, and the profits will probably continue from your affluent customers as desired by your President Doug Sanders in his September 29009 interview with The Star.

Buyer beware, be very aware!

Losing faith in your company, so early in the game, has helped me to realize that Trader Joe's and Whole Foods are still reliable and honest. They never used the old exploitation of bait and switch games. You did!

Their advertisements attracted customers. Their quality and prices kept us returning repeatedly for the values. They did not display any of the bluster and blatant greed that has become known as Sprouts.

MarSan Friedman,
Thousand Oaks

I am very concerned about St. John's Hospital's appeal to become the West County Trauma Center. Approximately six months ago a Catholic hospital in Phoenix was faced with the moral dilemma of performing an abortion to save a woman's life, or letting her die. She was too close to death's door to be moved to another hospital, so a nun authorized the abortion. As a result, the nun was excommunicated from the Catholic Church and was reassigned to different duties at the hospital, where she would no longer be able to make a life-saving decision. Since then, the Catholic Bishops have made it very clear that under no circumstances, not even to save a woman's life, was a Catholic hospital to perform an abortion.

It is reasonable to assume that the West County Trauma Center will be faced with a similar situation, and probably on more than one occasion. If St. John's, being a Catholic hospital, were the trauma center, workers would pray for the woman's soul while watching her die, knowing all the while that they had the power to save her life.

Let's save St. John's Hospital from being faced with such a moral quandary and stick with VCMC as the West County Trauma Center. This letter is not about elective abortion. It is about whether an abortion should be performed in life or death situations.

Choose life, a woman's life. Keep VCMC as the West County Trauma Center.

~Kerry Johnson,
Ventura

Re: June 16 article, "Protesters demand boycott":

It seems like every article begins with "If they read the bill" they will come to understand our narrow minded way of thinking.

What I think they are missing is that it is the federal government's job to regulate illegal entry. Good or bad, that is the way it is. If changes need to be made lets do it on a national level. Hire more agents, tighten up points of entry, change the law, just do it on a national level. They are trained for this type of work, watching a one-hour video, which Arizona wants to do does not constitute training.

Many news articles reveal the fact that Arizona police are reluctant to enforce the law because they have more important matters and it is racial profiling. Others say Arizona is just imitating federal law, however, no federal laws are broken if you don't carry documents.

I commend the city of Oxnard for taking a stand against this law, but that is why we voted for you. Keep up the good work.

~Dennis Nabor
Oxnard

Re: Rellis Smith's June 20 letter, "Protect ourselves":

Passports are required for noncitizens to visit the USA, and for citizens to get back in. When you get off a plane, or ship, you go through customs and present your passport and get it stamped. Illegals crossing the border at night don't bother with passports (which cost money) and aren't here to "visit." When I worked at Point Mugu, I carried a red (official) and blue passport(s) and had them with me at all times when traveling overseas. Just try to get back into the USA legally without a passport.

~ Zoltan Jablonski,
Oxnard

Re Maya Teague's Jun 19 letter, "One's point of view":

I too, believe that "Power without moral conscience is injustice with a smirk." Terrorism strictly because of one's religious belief whether it be against Christians or Jews or Palestinians is intolerable.

Blame Hamas for the Palestinian standard of existence. Blame the Muslim terrorists for the killings of Christians, Jews, and nonbelievers. Blame the organizers, who belonged to an Islamic organization that has links to fundamentalist jihad groups, for the actions of the demonstrators on board the Mavi Marmara.

In fact, one of the flotilla's organizers stated that they fully intended to go to Gaza regardless of intimidation or threats of violence - "they're going to have to forcefully stop us."

According to statement from the Captain of the Mavi Marmara and two crewmen, approximately two hours prior to the blockade showdown, the activists onboard cut the iron railings in club lengths and armed themselves with live gunfire and light weaponry, including knives, crowbars and clubs.

The Israel Naval Defense Force issued many verbal instructions to the Mavi Marmara to redirect its direction to Ashdod, which was completely ignored and thus forced the Israeli Defense Force to attempt to board the Mavi Marmara.
The initial Israel Defense Force faced armed demonstrators. The initial Israel Defense Force was armed with blow guns and carried pistols with instructions to use only in a life-threatening situation.

The activists stated they were carrying 10,000 tons of what they said was aid to Gaza. Why then did they continue to try and break the naval blockade if not to force boarding by the Israel Naval Defense Force?

~ Jack D. Prosen,
Camarillo

Re: Your June 19 obituary for Dr. Wolfgang Kaupisch:

The very brief obituary of Dr. Wolfgang Kaupisch hardly describes the life of this man. As with many obituaries these days, it was accompanied by a recent photo as well as a photo from his youth. The earlier photograph showed Dr. Kaupisch in the uniform of the World War II Luftwaffe, wearing a cap emblazoned with the soaring eagle carrying the Nazi swatstika. You don't see that every day in the Ventura County Star!

Interestingly, the Star ran an article on Dr. Kaupsich a number of years ago when he became a United States citizen. He was pursuing his doctorate in philosophy at the University of Berlin when he was drafted into the German military. He was injured by schrapnel while co-piloting a JU-88 bomber over England. He had a role as a messenger in a conspiracy by military officers to assassinate Adolf Hitler.

Any rock and roll fan will recognize the name of one of the Dr. Kaupisch's surviving step-children, Cherie Currie, the original lead singer of the ground-breaking female band, The Runaways.

~ Martin Zaehringer,
Ventura

As we just celebrated another Father's Day, my thoughts go out to my own daughter and and son, now grown, with loving and productive (total of five children) marriages, as well as successful careers. The most amazing part of it is that they did all with next to no emotional support or guidance, from their parents.

Thinking of children, my thoughts also go to the not-so-lucky children, the ones that come to the attention of the organization Big Brothers and Big Sisters. This group provides big sisters and big brothers to children without any significant adult figure in their lives, giving them guidance and emotional support. Some have gone through the foster care system and others may have homes, but no effective parental figure.

So let's hear it for the children!

~ Bob Holtz,
Camarillo

Re: your June 17 article, "Scientists tell state regulators methyl iodide is too toxic to be used on crops":

According to this article, the Department of Pesticide Regulation's (DPR) Director Mary-Ann Warmerdam testified to the Senate Food and Agriculture Committee that it's likely the pesticide, methyl iodide, will be approved for use this fall. This is despite evidence from an independent scientific panel that methyl iodide is "so toxic that there's evidence of its causing death and disease" and that "adequate control of human exposure would be difficult, if not impossible."

This appears to me to be another woefully lax government agency that is in bed with the industry they are supposed to be regulating. Instead of being diligent in using its power to protect the public, DPR is instead siding with a multimillion dollar industry whose power is apparently enormous. The committee chairman wonders why Gov. Schwarzenegger is determined to push through approval before leaving office. It's pretty clear he is alluding to some kind of understanding between the pesticide industry and the governor, but didn't want to go so far as to say that.

Regardless, any mitigating actions the DPR says they will put in place are a smokescreen to get the public to go along. The fact that the buffer zone will be higher and the allowable exposure levels lower than those required by the U.S. EPA means nothing if those levels are still not adequate to protect the public.

The spraying of our agriculture and contagion of the surrounding areas won't hit our communities with an immediate disaster like the Gulf oil spill, but it will more than likely result in increased cancers and fetal deaths in our communities. We must not let the government agencies that are supposed to protect us once again facilitate our own destruction. Please, contact the DPR, our state representatives and governor. The Pesticide Action Network has a link to the DPR.

~ Karren Kinrose,
Ventura

Re: your June 18 article, "Methyl iodide dangerous, panel says":

We all know that the agriculture business, as all big business, screams bloody murder when persons who know and care about ill effects (long or short term) products may have on the unsuspecting public, attempt to regulate the sale of those products. Anyone or anything that may interrupt the flow of profit to the likes of, in this case, Arysta LifeScience, is regarded as a nuisance, if not the downright enemy of commerce.

Now we have the Department of Pesticide Regulation about to authorize the use of the highly toxic chemical methyl iodide on our fresh produce as a means of producing more appealing looking food that will push bigger sales with total disregard of the possible consequences of that chemical's effect on human health. It doesn't matter if they are not certain of the immediate or long-term consequences of this chemical. if there is any question, any doubt as to its likely toxic impact on our health, its use should not be considered at all, period.

The brazen disregard of possible long-term harm of ingestion of chemicals, which is prevalent in our food chain today, should be considered criminal. Scientists can't keep up with the increasing onslaught of poisonous materials coming on to the market and being used by producers, despite possible cancers, organ breakdown, or diseases that may result from their ingestion.

All I know is from now on, I will definitely not purchase strawberries that are not organic. The chance that they have been subjected to a dose of methyl iodide is deterrent enough for me. They've already warned us that the use of that chemical will likely be used on the next crop of California strawberries. Good luck!

~Sylvia Lewis Gunning,
Thousand Oaks

Short-sale flopping

Re: your June 15 article, "More buyers flipping homes":

The article doesn't go into the new problem of "flopping." Home investors say a normal appreciation rate is 3 percent to 5 percent a year in a robust economy. A 1400-square-foot home should not be selling for $470,000 or more in the Conejo Valley.

These starter homes were selling for $250,000 in the year 2000. Can a new teacher, engineer, fireman or police officer afford these starter homes?

I also read your June 17 article "13 locals held in mortgage fraud case," but these were in the past booming years. A growing problem is mortgage corruption in short sales called "floppers."

The investors underbid homes and then make huge profits. As an individual trying to buy into the market, realtors tell me these "floppers" buy groups of distressed homes thus getting them below market price. The Floppers get preferential treatment and first-in-line status to buy the homes. These floppers are doing only minimal repairs looking to make big profits and squeeze homebuyers.

How much longer will home prices be artificially pumped up? We are robbing future generations because irresponsible homeowners used their homes as a credit card, and the "floppers" who helped cause the housing bubble need to be banned!

Mike Peterson,
Thousand Oaks

I am the manager and program administrator for VCMC Family Care Center, the family residency program, and I am writing this letter to voice my strong support for the Ventura County Medical Center to become the designated Level II Trauma Center on the west side of Ventura County

We currently have a team of residents on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year in coordination with the trauma surgeon on call, who responds to all trauma codes and requests for trauma evaluations in the hospital and Emergency Department. This has greatly enhanced our resident training and helped us to attract and recruit some of the brightest medical students in the country to VCMC. In addition to improving our training program, it has provided an excellent program of care for our patients suffering from traumatic injuries.

I am extremely proud to be a member of the Ventura County Medical Center, which has been providing trauma care to Ventura County for the past 20 years.

I strongly encourage you to appoint the designation of VCMC as the Trauma Center for western Ventura County.

Michele McAdams,
Ventura

Stated by CEO Los Robles Medical Facility: "It's the security of knowing you will be cared for"

Here are my questions for all three medical facilities:

What happens when the trauma patient does not have the resources to pay for the care given?

When is the patient asked if they can pay, at the accident location before transport to a trauma facility, or when the trauma patient is placed on the gurney at the trauma facility and wheeled into the treatment center?

Is the treatment different when the medical personnel know that the patient cannot afford to pay the bill?

How is the cost of transportation from an accident location to the
trauma facility billed when it is known that the patient has no medical coverage?

Attention given to this phase of patient treatment must have revenue attached to it to have so much discussion.

~Bill Harris,
Oxnard

Re: Robert Lombardi's June 2 letter, "Pension shotfall":

In regard to the $600 Million State General Fund contribution that the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) union is requesting, there appears to be some confusion about two public pension programs. In a recent letter, Mr, Lombardi indicated the request was from the California Retired Teachers System (CalSTRS). This is not the case.

The two pensions are quite different. CalSTRS contribution levels are determined entirely by state statute while CalPERS contributions are determined by unions. CalSTRS is completely controlled by the State Legislature and rates have not been changed in recent years. For each earned dollar by an educational professional in CalSTRS, the contribution rate is 8.23 percent from school districts, 8 percent from teachers and 2 percem from the state. These funds are then invested and have accounted for 70 cents of every dollar spent until the recession struck.

In addition, teachers and their spouses. do not receive Social Security benefits even though they have earned the units.

CalSTRS has not asked for nor received additional monies from the State Legislature and is fully funded through 2047.

The bottom line is that every person deserves an adequate retirement amount, whether it be private or public.

~ Janet Parker,
President California Retired Teachers Association.
Division 28, Ventura County,
Ventura

Once again a local hero needs our community's help.

Josh Pasewaldt, owner of Newbury Park Pet Supply Store at 67 N. Reino Road, was robbed. As most of us know, Josh has rescued thousands - literally thousands - of doomed animals from overcrowded animal shelters. He has paid for his rescue operation out of his own pocket and operates on a shoestring. In the past, the community has rallied and helped him raise enough money to put in required overhead sprinklers and get an air-conditioned rescue van. Unless Josh can raise $5,500 to replace what was stolen, he will not be able to continue his rescue efforts.

Once again he is hoping the community will come through. Times are tight, and there are more homeless animals now than ever before. Your help is desperately needed.

There is a fundraising dog wash from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, June 27, at his store on Reino Road. Please come out and support this local hero. If you don't have a dog to wash, please send a check to Newbury Park Pet Supply, 67 N. Reino Rd. Newbury Park, CA 91320. Every donation helps.

Betty Rouse,
Thousand Oaks

Re: Timm Herdt's June 16 column, "A corporate bet that will keep losing":

So because PG&E spent a bundle to retain privatized utilities, Pedro Nava promotes his bill to force corporations to annually disclose all their political spending to stockholders, so the stockholders can opt out and keep their full dividend share.

Is Pedro interested in the welfare of shareholders, or bashing corporations? Is he equally as interested in labor unions disclosing their political spending so the members can keep their dues?

The current liberal and media trend is to bash corporate America and socialize all public services. These folks weren't around when American entrepreneurs developed automobiles, oil drilling techniques and electrical power plants to get us where we are in our current lifestyle, which we have generously shared with the rest of the world, at a profit of course. The Gulf blowout was an accident in a new (government directed) environment. Anyone else ever have a serious accident?

Pray for BP; only they and other oil companies have the know-how to fix the leak. Pray for our President; only he can draw people together to clean up the Gulf and heal the wounds.

~ Roger W. Muir,
Ventura

Re: your June 15 article, "Protesters demand boycott":

After reading of the protest in Oxnard, I wonder if these people do not realize whats happening. They want to live here but do not like our laws.
After reading how things are in Mexico, why do they complain about our laws? If they do not like the situation here why leave there so-called good nation.

A few other reasons why we do not want them here:

• They want every thing free


• They do not respect our women (I have had personal experience on that).


• Their signs prove they do not want to speak our language even when they take and oath and swear to it.

~ Russell E. Spencer Sr.,
Simi Valley

If you want to end discrimination then end discrimination. However, it will never happen in the United States because:

• Teachers and professors need discriminationto spread anti-American teaching and justify their existence.


• The politicians need discrimination to spread class warfare and justify their existence.


• The news media need discriminationto sell news and justify their existence.

There is a very large list of people who need discrimination to justify their existence.
.
So as long as you want to talk about discrimination it will never end and what you are really doing is drinking the juice the teachers, politicians, news media, lawyers and all those individual that depend on discrimination to justify their existence are giving you.
You need to make up your mind. Either you want equal justice or your want social justice.You cannot have both at the same time.

Jim Mirick,
Ventura

Re: your June 15 article, "Trying to Stem Trash Tide":

Too bad Mr. Broesamle is not running for state or local office. He would have my vote. I recently was lamenting that the monies Meg Whitman or Steve Poizner spent on their primary campaigns were merely rhetoric.

Their campaign message would have had more meaning to me if they had put even half of those funds to pay for some of the objectives they support. A few million to fund shortfalls in a select school district would go along way toward demonstrating their commitment to education, for example.

Mr. Broesamle is commended for moving beyond the talk and taking action to make our neighborhoods a better place.

~ John Kunsemiller,
Ventura

Re: Tony Strickland's June 15 commentary in the Star "Reform state budget for real this year"

I find it hard to imagine a Californian who would disagree with Strickland's appeal for a lasting solution to our state's perpetual budget crisis. However, his proposal to further deregulate business and the premises on which this proposal is based are seriously flawed.

First, the claim that California businesses are fleeing to Florida and Texas is long outdated. Florida's unemployment rate (12. percent) is nearly as high as our own (12.6 percent). Second, burdensome regulations are not the basis of California's lack of appeal to new business. The California Business Roundtable surveyed 1,342 California business leaders in 2007 about their concerns regarding our business climate. Their highest priority was education, followed by healthcare. California simply cannot have a public education system that is nearly the worst in the nation and expect to attract businesses that require an educated work force.

A substantial component of California's unemployed are former state, county and city employees who lost their jobs because our state government cannot manage money. Why do we need the largest and most expensive prison system in the country but can't afford programs that train young people for jobs that may keep them out of prison?

I am confident that California has several businesses that are capable of making the chips used in U.S. Passports, which are now being manufactured in Thailand. We are well qualified to remove this national security threat. California has ample solar, wind, geothermal and wave energy. With a little stimulus to interested businesses, we could be the first state in the union to be independent of fossil fuels. We don't need to deregulate anything to accomplish that.

Tony, if you want to help California, learn to play to our strengths.

Nick Fotheringham,
Thousand Oaks

Re: your June 17 editorial, "Plugging the hole":

President Obama cannot be blamed for the explosion, but what he can be blamed for was a slow response to the situation that is turning into the worst ecological disaster in modern time.

What the President should have done was take himself down to the Gulf in the first week of this catastrophe and park himself in the region, not wait 39 days later, then pounding his chest, tell the American people whose ass he's going to kick.

The American people don't need false bravado, they need leadership, which he has not provided. President Obama completely misread the catastrophic consequences of this disaster, and that's why he failed the American people.

Your editorial was an attempt to show the President in a good posture, trying to portray him as a leader. Like the Gulf air, it did not pass the smell test.

Chris Biller,
Moorpark

Re: Miguel Espinosa's June 16 letter to the editor: "Reverence for the Flag?"

I read Miguel Espinoza's opinion, which based on our constitution, he is afforded. I have this to say: If you do not respect our flag, then leave and take all the illegal immigrants with you, especially if they have your prejudiced attitude. Perhaps you can find a better country and see how far you get trying to fix that one.

The wa I see it, this is the best country in the world, but it won't be if a certain class or gorup of citizens feel that the do not have to obey the laws.

I certainly feel reluctant to allow newcomers in to this country if they will not respect our laws and our flag.

Our country is not perfect and no country will ever be.

However, it is imperative that our laws be respected and that those who come here legally will understand that this is the United States of America, they will work hard to make it better, and be proud while flying our flag proudly.

~ Robert Martin,
Ventura

President Obama's Oval Office address to the nation about the Gulf oil disaster was disappointing. Instead of hard-hitting actions to bring real aid to the people most affected by the horrific calamity, he gave us some governmental long range ideas and nothing for the moment. For the imperilled wildlife, there wasn't even an honorable mention. He did, however, say that BP had acted recklessly in the run up to the explosion and the ensuing oil gusher.

Alas, Obama has been pretty reckless himself. Missing in action both at the beginning of the tragic mess and throughout most of the weeks to follow, he again missed a golden opportunity to do what is fesiable to alleviate some of the suffering. He could have, should have, already arranged for the federal government to extend sufficient funds to the people whose livelihoods have been wrecked. Instead, not a dime has been targeted for those most in need in the Gulf area. How does this contrast with the speed-of-light bestowal of $1.5 trillion on Wall Street after its well-dressed bankers all but destroyed the U.S. economy?

So what does Obama come up with? An escrow account he would like BP to deposit money into. There's an emergency plan for you. Only one problem: how do the many affected families in Louisiana and Alabama put food on the table tonight?

Sholom Joshua,
Ojai

Not only shouldn't the city of Oxnard entertain the idea of boycotting Arizona but it should go so far as to institute the same sort of law for Oxnard and enjoin the state of California and all other California cities to do likewise.

The Arizona law is absolutely not an excuse for racial profiling, no matter what the antagonist say. It is simply a way for Arizona to protect itself where the federal government fails to do so.
In any other county in the world, you are required to carry your passport while in that country and present it whenever asked.

So a simple solution would be to require all visitors from Mexico and South America to acquire a passport before being allowed in our country.

-- Rellis Smith, Ventura

Re: Miguel Espinosa, Jr.'s June 16 letter to the editor, "Reverence for the flag":

I express reverence for and honor the flag of the United States on Flag Day because of what it represents to me - a nation of free men able to freely speak their mind and withhold their reverence for the flag.

Steve Booth,
Oxnard

Re: the photos accompanying your June 13 article, "Brown and Whitman come from different worlds":

I had to write because of the audacity The Star had in printing a 1974 (black-and-white) photo of a young Jerry Brown, next to a current (full color) photo of Meg Whitman.

Let's show a current photo of Brown, who is an old relic selected by the Democrats to continue ruining this state. He messed up before, let's continue the job.

Please, let's be fair. Compare current with current photos, especially to show what an old fossil will be running in November against a young, experienced businesswoman, Whitman.

-- Bernard J. Budnik Sr.,
Newbury Park

St. John's Hospital agreed to and supported the process up until the American College of Surgeons survey team unanimously chose Ventura County Medical Center over St. John's.

Regarding the location: Ojai, Oak View, Fillmore, La Conchita and Santa Paula are also part of Ventura County. VCMC is a more central location for a west side trauma center if the dividing line is located at Los Posas Road in Camarillo.

The goal is to receive the best care. This decision should be based on expert opinions from the ACS, an impartial third party. The decision should not be politicized.

I think the Board of Supervisors has obtained enough data to move forward and make an informed decision rather than belabor the already agreed-upon process.

The supervisors should move ahead and name VCMC as the west side trauma center today.

-- Debra R
enick, Oak View

Re: your June 20 article, "Trauma center showdown":

Every time I read an article about this subject, it seems to be in favor of Ventura County Medical Center and somehow implies St. John's is delaying the process and patient care is compromised. This couldn't be further from the truth.

The truth is both hospitals, at this time, have trauma programs. Both have the same Ventura County pool of doctors, nurses and support staff. Both have the same standards of practice. Delaying the vote for designation does not, I repeat, does not impact patient care. In fact, there is more access to trauma care while both hospitals are "competing."

Let's also be clear, this is not about which hospital is better. Every hospital operates with the same standards. Hospitals all have the same accreditation process. All hospitals are under the same laws and regulations. This is about which facility is now and for the future able to accommodate the trauma-patient population.

It is reasonable for St. John's to question the decision. As taxpayers we should as well. How much additional funds would it take to bring the VCMC facility to the level St. John's is at now?

It is ridiculous to suggest that this issue isn't about money. In fact, it's mostly about money. Let's face it, both hospitals have been taking trauma patients all along, but not getting paid for it.

Every emergency hospital and ambulance company must provide transport and treatment to people regardless of ability to pay or citizenship, by law. The insurance companies pay significantly more to a "trauma" hospital compared to a non-trauma hospital for the same patient.

This is how hospitals "recover" losses from those who have no insurance or who cannot or do not pay. So, yes, it is about money.

-- Keely Brown, Somis

Re: your June 19 article, "Union healthcare workers protest at T.O. hospital":

I worked as a R.N. at the University of Minnesota Medical Center 65 years ago. While I have no illusions about the "good old days," there is no doubt in my mind that patient care was better 65 years ago.

We nurses worked very hard but we did have time to bathe patients. We did have male assistants to push gurneys and help left heavy patients. We were treated with respect.
I am proud of my fellow professionals at Los Robles Hospital & Medical Center because their protest is aimed at patient care, not at increased wages.

In the "good old days," hospitals were run by religious groups. I wonder if it's possible for hospital CEO's to give priority to patients and nurses when they are under pressure to make a profit for their shareholders.

-- Elda Soderquist, R.N., M.A.,
Thousand Oaks

Re: your June 20 editorial, "Battle over trauma center":

It is becoming increasingly difficult, in this west county trauma center designation issue, to discern the difference between reasoned discussion and a full-blown three ring circus.

There is no good reason for this to have happened, unless you are willing to consider that an otherwise outstanding corporate citizen of the county is merely a sore loser.

The crux of the debate has come down to refusal by corporate Catholic Healthcare West (operators of St. John's Regional Medical Center) to accept the conclusion of a process that they themselves helped design, subscribed to and were quite willing to live with the outcome of. That was until it became clear that St. John's placed second in the consultant's report.

It is my understanding that the decision has always been up to the county Board of Supervisors. The board's decision could be made with any variety of input mechanisms, but it remains that the board has the final "scoring" decision.

The process the county-run Emergency Medical Services Agency opted to utilize was -- from its inception -- designed and intended to be open and transparent. By all accounts, including St. John's, this was the case and all parties were in agreement that it was.

Despite The Star's commentary, there is every reason not to rush (an unfair characterization for the multi-year process that has occurred) but rather to proceed as has been planned and implement this system.

-- Tom Johnston,
Ventura

Re: your June 18 article, "Methyl iodide dangerous, panel says":

What is wrong with the Department of Pesticide Regulation that it is even considering the use of the dangerous and extremely toxic pesticide methyl iodide on farmland for strawberries, etc.

Nevermind the effect on the strawberries and other produce, what about the atmosphere that absorbs this pesticide? Scientists have testified that methyl iodide is among the most toxic chemicals on the planet. This information alone should eliminate its use. Is profit that much more important to farmers than the health and welfare of human beings?

Shame on the Department of Pesticide Regulation and Arysta Life Science, the company that produces methyl iodide!

-- Angela Slaff, Oxnard

Re: Tony Strickland's June 15 commentary, "Reform state budget for real this year":

Any person elected to represent the people deserves our respect. In turn, the person elected is obliged to respect the intelligence of the people. Strickland's call for "reform for real" is lacking in this regard. His suggestion basically says we must cut government expenditures and lower taxes. Rather than discussing real reform, his statement is merely intellectually empty rhetoric.

It is interesting that he precedes his comments with a quotation from Einstein, whose professional life was guided by reasoned choices. Strickland's piece lacks an outline of the revenue and expenditure choices he would suggest, or even a hint of what he would jettison and whose taxes he would reduce. His words, in effect, tell us to follow his slogans. This is not helpful to a voter.

-- Donald Bowles,
Ventura

(The writer is a retired professor of economics at American University. --Editor)

Everyone is in agreement that a system of trauma hospitals in Ventura County is overdue and will save lives. Everyone who has a stake in setting up this system has spent the last several years deeply involved in a plan that called for designating one east county and one west county hospital to receive the trauma designation and the additional funding that would support the added services.

Anyone in need of immediate lifesaving intervention will still be taken to the nearest hospital, stabilized and given initial treatment before being sent on to the trauma center. Those with less severe injuries (80-90 percent) will still be taken to their local hospital, as they are now. But for those who are the victims of severe trauma, the presence of a trauma center is of vital importance.

The independent and highly respected American College of Surgeons was selected by all the interested parties to make a selection of the appropriate hospitals for the trauma designation. It unanimously selected Ventura County Medical Center as the best hospital to serve the needs of west county.

VCMC is much more centrally located to serve this area than is St John's Regional Medical Center in Oxnard.

Ventura County is one of the last counties in the state to set up a trauma system. Any delay in naming a west county trauma center puts lives at risk. I hope the Board of Supervisors will ignore the "sour grapes" complaints from St. John's and move forward quickly with the completion of our much- needed trauma system by naming VCMC as the west county trauma center.

-- Greg Thayer,
Santa Paula

I am amazed there has not been more public and editorial disapproval at the apparent governmental bias in designating the official trauma hospital for the west county.

Contending for that designation is a modern, nonprofit, full-service facility with rapid freeway access and its own helipad on a 48-acre campus. Its competition is an aging county hospital that forces ambulance races on city streets, maintains important diagnostic services in temporary parking lot buildings and requires millions in public funding for mandated structural improvements.

In the face of this stark comparison, the fact there is a competition at all can only be explained by a too cozy relationship between county agencies. The resulting recommendation of the county hospital fails any reasonable sniff test and will not well serve county taxpayers or residents needing lifesaving trauma care.

At the very least, county supervisors should order a full and transparent reassessment of west county trauma facilities.

Beyond that, they could investigate the cloudy process that produced a trauma hospital proposal suspiciously at odds with the public's best interest.

-- Richard Closson, S
anta Barbara

(The writer is a pharmacist employed by St. John's Regional Medical Center. -- Editor)

As the medical directors for ambulatory care for the Ventura County Health Care Agency, we support the designation of Ventura County Medical Center as a level II trauma center.

There has been recent debate regarding the relative merits of VCMC for this designation despite its endorsement by the American College of Surgeons in an open and transparent process.

VCMC has excelled in the care of trauma patients for years and offers the comparative advantage of a broad ambulatory care network to provide aftercare to trauma patients despite their insurance status.

VCMC is unique in that it has a fully integrated and extensive clinic network that includes more than 20 sites dedicated to primary care and specialty medical treatment. Our hospital physicians work closely with the ambulatory care physicians to assure that there is ongoing compassionate, coordinated care for patients at their times of greatest need, and despite their financial circumstances.

Neurosurgery, neurology, plastic reconstructive surgery, pediatric intensive care, ENT, urology, high-risk OB/GYN, physical medicine and rehabilitation, an myriad specialized orthopedic surgeons are among the specialties currently under the VCMC umbrella.
As we move forward, we should ask that every individual involved in this decision think of a brother, a sister, a child, with or without insurance, who falls victim to an unfortunate accident.

Only our center has the capacity to assure that an entire community of specialized physicians will be there to help them through all phases of their recovery.

-- Duane W. Pearson, M.D.,
Ambulatory care medical director, specialty services, Ventura

-- Michelle Laba, M.D.,
Ambulatory care medical director, primary care services, Camarillo

Re: June 16 article, "Protesters demand boycott":

After reading the reactions to the Arizona law regarding control of our borders, I would like to suggest an alternative boycott direction that might get to the core of the wound, instead of the Band-Aid that Arizona has tried to apply to it.

It seems to me that the thugs and banditos who are kidnapping, killing and pushing drugs are the individuals who are the issue here. It is not the hard-pressed workers who are trying to improve their lives by coming to the U.S.

I use these terms not to reference the Latino population, but to reference the persons -- no matter the race -- who are taking advantage of the workers and their families by serving as coyotes, drug peddlers and other forms of oppressors who are exploiting not only the workers but the U.S. citizens who live adjacent the borders of our country.

What if the demonstrators were to go to the border towns and demonstrate against the Mexican government for allowing the trafficking of its citizens.

What if they were to go before those city councils with their complaints? What if they were to send messages to the Mexican government requesting that it do a better job of keeping the criminal element under control so they don't abuse the honest workers and their families? What if they asked the Mexican government to police its borders on all sides to keep the drug merchants and human traffickers out?

Arizona is trying to protect its residents -- residents of the U.S. Don't we all have an obligation to assist it in that task and to assist it in protecting the human rights of those folks who are honestly trying to be part of this great country?

I would be a willing participant in such demonstrations, although I doubt any of us would come back alive if we were to go there to bring these issues to light.

-- Russ Williams, Oxnard

Re: June 16 article, "Protesters demand boycott":

I just finished reading my wife's favorite newspaper (I also read the Internet) and was appalled at the apparent lack of knowledge of the Arizona law SB1070 when I read the caption below the photo on page B1.

I have read the law does not allow or require police to detain anybody, unless they are stopped for a violation of another law. The police cannot stop someone simply walking to the store for ice cream or out walking the dog. There is so much misinformation floating around about this law, please have your writers get it correct before inciting more citizens to react. Everyone needs to calm down.

And I always thought this country was the United States of America. How can any city or other state use taxpayer funds to boycott another state that is only trying to keep its citizens safe? Is this really using Oxnard taxpayers' money to benefit all the residents of the city?

I think not.

-- Glen L. Aalbers, Oxnard

In regard to this country's addiction to petroleum, the expeditions around the world by the U.S. military to expropriate the natural resources of other countries and the financial collapse of the global economy are all inextricably linked. In order to fund the unrealistic growth of vapid consumerism, the national ideology, the U.S. is inevitably headed to bankruptcy. It cannot continue to fund 800 military bases in more than 120 countries so that oil and other resources can be funneled back to the U.S., which doesn't even use these assets for manufacturing!

The mainstay of our economy was to sell empty paper investments to other countries. The "fire" economy, which has been the demise of every empire in history (that is the
finance, investment and real estate assets to fuel the engine of growth of the U.S.) has failed. What has to happen is to cut the bloated 1 trillion dollar defense budget so that teachers, firefighters and police are amply funded. There has to be tax cuts for capital investments so that manufactured items that produce hard goods can be exported overseas at a lower cost. This is the basic economic primer.

Secondly, there has to be serious government oversight of financial instituions which still has not happened. We are actually headed once again for yet another economic calamity.
There are up to 15 million homes that are teetering into insolvency and the government still allows banks to self regulate.

Wake up America.

~ Richard Reiss
Newbury Park

My wife and I went to the Olivas Adobe Fiesta Finale in Ventura on Saturday, June 11. This was an added attracton to the Rancho Jamboree.

We were entertained by a Square Dance Demonstration and Blue Grass music.

There was no traditional mariachi music, folkloric dancing or ranchero songs, which are an essential part of a Fiesta! The notice in the Star Time Out section said they would be on the program. What a disappointment!

For us, the highlight of the Fiesta was the tamale we ate!

George Sandoval,
Ventura

1. My dog gets a shot for Lyme disease. Too bad its not available for people, but at least if he gets a tick maybe it won't spread to me.
2. We never should have gone into Afghanistan and Iraq. Now we should leave immediately. The Bush argument for staying was bogus. Let them work out their own problems. It is only costing us an arm and leg for what?
3. We should also close at least half of our overseas military bases. We now have more than 700, why?
4. Why does the Air Force need 170 new tankers? Twenty is plenty to refuel every plane that needs in-air refueling. Each tanker can refuel many planes on any one mission. Buying and maintaining large fleet of 170 tanker planes is a big waste of taxpayer money.

~ Paul Lux,
Thousand Oaks

President Obama wants us to cut the amount of gasoline we use. OK, the best way to stop using so much gasoline is to deport 15 million illegal immigrants.That would be 15 million less people using our gas.

The price of gas would come down. Then, bring our troops home from Afghanistan to guard the borders.When they catch an illegal immigrant crossing the Border, hand them a canteen, a rifle and some ammo and ship them to Afghanistan. Tell him/her if they want to come to America then they must serve a tour in our military. Give them a soldier's pay while they're there and tax them on it. After their tour, they will be allowed to apply to become a citizen since they defended this country. They will also be registered to be taxed and be a legal resident.

This option will probably deter illegal immigration and provide a solution for the troops in Afghanistan as well as the aliens trying to make a better life for themselves. If They refuse to serve, ship them to Afghanistan anyway, without the canteen, rifle or ammo.

Problem solved!

~ Burt Smith,
Camarillo

I sincerely hope that the Ventura County Supervisors designate the crown of Level II Trauma Center to our own Ventura County Medical Center. Having experienced the care in the emergency room and various clinics, as well as the staff and residents over the years, this hospital has proved to me to be the best, well-equipped facility in our beautiful county. They have open doors and hearts to all people, rich or poor, insured or uninsured, with homes or homeless, regardless of where you live or where you come from. This diamond in the rough has become our multifaceted, sparkling and solid crown jewel of Ventura County.

~ Karen Thieme
Camarillo

Re: your June 13 article, "T.O. teen sailor says she plans to write a book about her trip":

Abby Sunderland is not just an extraordinary and experienced sailor, she also has writing skills that have served her well as readers of her blog will testify. She has been able to convey in writing, the trials and tribulations a sailor on the high seas must face 24 hours a day to stay alive. Abby has few peers in her age group. She intends to write a book to document her adventures.

When I read about Abby planning a sea-going trip to duplicate her brother Zac's 13-month voyage, I was skeptical. Then, I heard the remarks of her father, Laurence, who stated that age is not a factor when it is surpassed by experience. Abby has been sailing since she was a small child. The Ocean is her second home.

As I was reading her blog, it was evident to me, a non-sailor, that she had full command of her boat, Wild Eyes. Her book will make fascinating reading and serve as a testament to her skills as a sailor. How refreshing to learn that a girl so young can have a goal that is acted upon. The majority of 16-year-olds are smothered by their parents, spend hours on their cell phones texting each other and probably haven't a clue about their future.

That Abby will attempt her circumnavigation of the globe again is a given. I'm betting that this young lady will never give up until she has accomplished her goal. This country needs more Abby Sunderlands who are brave, skillful and goal oriented. Abby's failure to successfully complete her goal will not deter her but will instead strengthen her resolve to complete the adventure she began in January 2010.

Stay tuned for the next installment of Abby Sunderland.

Jack Carlson,
Camarillo

Watching this horror in the Gulf unfold, I was somehow reminded of the famous story of "The Sorcerer's Apprentice." Most of us would remember Walt Disney's version, wherein Mickey Mouse as the apprentice is too lazy to do his chores, enchants a broom to fetch water for him and soon is awash in water. He can't stop it because he doesn't know how. The old sorcerer returns from his errands, quickly makes things right and warns Mickey, essentially, not to toy with elements that he does not understand.

Now, picture Big Oil and Big Oil's interests, certainly B.P. but also Hailburton, the government and others. Too greedy and lazy to follow protocols and safety issues, they pursued their goal: oil. They got it. Just as the apprentice got more water than he knew what to do with, so, too were the oceans soon awash in oil. Those pursuing did not heed the admonishments of those who knew better (scientist, ecologist, etc.) who warned, you are dealing with elements that are too dangerous, that you do not understand.

The obvious and tragic difference between the fable and reality is that, of course, there is no sorcerer to save the day. In a sense, we are all the sorcerer's apprentice, we are still in that cellar, awash in oil, and whether we will eventually all drown in this etiological holocaust, taking innocent and hapless creature's with us, only time will tell.

~ Karen M. Murphy,
Oxnard

Re: your June 12 article, Trauma centers debated for east, west parts of Ventura County":

If the review process for designating either VCMC or St.John's was fair, why can't we see the scoring sheets? Why can't we check the accuracy of the surveyors' information?
The results of these surveys should be part of the public records. How and why did they mysteriously disappear? It sounds like there were so many mistakes in the report, it's as if the names of the medical centers were "switched." If the mistakes in the surveyors' information aren't corrected and re-evaluated, we will never know if the decision was fair.

Unfortunately, if someone you know or a loved one needs the services of a trauma center, the consequences of a poor decision will become obvious. St. John's serves the greatest number of patients and is in the largest city in the county. The building is already earthquake safe and has room to grow for future expansion. It is centrally located next to the freeway for easy access. It is state of the art, fully equipped and staffed with trauma specialists. It is already taking care of the greatest number of trauma patients. St. John's is also a nonprofit hospital and is not subsidized by taxpayer funds.

VCMC on the other hand would need significant renovations to bring it up to date, including making it earthquake safe, updating its CAT scan and equipment, building a heart cath lab and providing parking areas with no room to grow. The funds for this would undoubtedly come from the taxpayers one way or another.

It's as if there was an ulterior motive in someones' decision to designate VCMC as a trauma center. Could it possibly be a county agency voting for a county facility regardless of the public good?

~ Cathy Ramirez,
Oxnard

We went to grandson Morey's confirmation on Sunday. Mo and 25 other awkward 16-year-olds regaled the crowd with their thoughts about the world and their future. Following the ceremony I asked Mo what he was doing on his summer vacation. Avoiding any mention of a job, he replied, "I want to leap across the Grand Canyon with a rocket pack on my back."

"Why in the world would you want to do that?" I said.

"I'll be the youngest person ever to do it," he said. "It'll be in the record books until I'm a very old man. Maybe even 30years."

Having had nothing alcoholic in the previous 12 hours, I asked, "but isn't that a bit dangerous?"

"Not any more dangerous that driving an automobile. Did you know, Papa, that 10,000 teenagers are wiped out in cars every year?"

I said, "Mr. Smarty Pants, what experience do you have leaping canyons with a rocket on your back?"

"Lots. I'm on the track team, in the concert band and I studied geography a few years ago," he said. "I won't get lost, and I can trampoline."

"You know, if you fall into the canyon and float helplessly down the Colorado River, the National Park service will have to mount a dangerous, very expensive rescue effort. Other people could get hurt," I warned.

"Isn't that what they get paid for? If it wasn't for daredevils like me, they'd be slinging burgers at McDonalds."

I turned to Mo's mother. "Nancy, talk some sense into this kid. He's too young. He hasn't a clue about what he's getting into."

She said, "We've talked about it a lot. He's watched the Evel Knievel documentary five times. If he shows as much skill with the rocket pack as with the X-Box, I think he'll make it. Plus it's not that far from home."

"And, with his religious upbringing, he'll be in good hands. Just like Abby Sunderland."

~ Fred Rothenberg,
Ojai

I want to be an optimist about the economy but it is difficult. I do not believe it will get better until our big businesses stop exporting jobs. Regardless of how important the jobs were, those workers that had their jobs exported were paying taxes and spending money. These taxes were revenue for the states and federal government, which enabled them to supply services. The money spent by the worker was for food, clothing, entertainment, daily living expenses and rent. With the thousands and thousands of unemployed workers, you can see why we are in trouble. However, this was the result of big business wanting to make the bottom line look better and the reward of multimillion dollar bonuses for business executives.

~ Jim Rubin,
Camarillo

I would like to thank the voters of Ventura County for electing me as your next sheriff. I am honored by your support. I could not have done it without the tireless work of many volunteers and community leaders throughout Ventura County. The team effort was simply amazing, and I appreciate all who took part in our efforts as well as all of you who voted on election day.

Steps are already being taken to assure a smooth transition when Sheriff Brooks retires. I look forward to working with the entire Sheriff's Department, law enforcement leaders and our community to keep the people of our great county safe.

Thank you.

Geoff Dean,
Camarillo

Re: your June 12 article "Oxnard district hires interim leader"

California is in a budget crisis that is affecting education on several levels. In a country that has voiced making education a priority, we are facing difficult choices that will no doubt affect educating our children. We all know this - but why is the Oxnard School District adding to the problem by hiring an interim superintendent - at a very high salary?

What's the role of the assistant superintendent - why have an assistant if you aren't going to allow them to fulfill their duties? Is the district's budget in excess that they can make such an expenditure? It sounds like they need interim district members to step in to make choices that are in the best interest of the community they are suppose to serve and within the district's spending budget!

If they want to address the financial crisis, perhaps they need to look at the top administrative layer and make cuts there, not add to the layer.

Geri E. Villegas,
Port Hueneme

I am sure that you are all aware of the despicable, unreasonable 12-year history of city Lot No. 7 and the fact that it still remains a blight on my life and a disgrace to the city. If not, you should become aware, because it could happen to you.

I tried at the June 7 City Council meeting to bring members up-to-date on the status of Buyer No. 2's efforts toward grading and developing the property. He submitted plans for the No. 1 requirement of slope stabilization before he can undertake construction of a single-family residence. The plan check has been under way for at least five weeks and is being handled by, I would presume, a capable staff member who now works on a part-time basis, (a victim of the economic cutbacks) and now is on a two-week sabbatical.

My question to the council was: "Is there a continuity of service to the buyer/applicant to process his project in a timely manner and not delay it to the point of losing Buyer No. 2, such as happened to Buyer No. 1?" Right now the buyer is fearful that more undue delays will prevent grading work before the rainy season.

The council responded to questions posed by other public communication speakers but completely ignored my question. I need an answer. It is imperative that this Lot No. 7 problem/project not be put on the back burner and that staff be directed to give top priority to complete the required permits to start and complete the job. The buyer has his contractor ready to go, but is the city ready to do everything possible to make it happen? Or, will it smugly sit back, believing that it no longer has any responsibility for the way the matter of Lot No.7 has been handled?

I will look forward to an early response to my question of project management, and not be put on the back-burner again for another 12 years.

Helen Yunker,
Ventura

All the TV stations and their commentators have talked about the oil spill and have shown thousands of fuzzy pictures and movies, and yet nobody knows what happened or how they are going to fix it.

They say that a picture is worth a thousand words. Not in this case, but if someone shows a sketch of how they are going to fit it, it will be easy to understand. Then we can say that a sketch will will be worth a thousand pictiures.

~ Armando Cardenas
Camarillo

Re: your June 14 article, "Budget cuts equal job losses, Assembly Democrats stress":

Of course a budget cut means job losses. Isn't it about time? Is this supposed to scare us?

The Democrats' new budget proposal is nothing more than a lifeline to a major constituency: the public employee unions. They have lavished salaries and pensions on the unions for years, and while private businesses were laying off or going out of business, the public employee unions grew in size and power. The California Democratic Party, now aided by the Obama administration, has been pumping money into the unions for years. There is no rational way to pay for the generosity except more taxes because, unlike the federal government, the state can't print money.

Every Democratic constituency has a pipeline into the public treasury and the politicians don't have the courage to turn off the tap. Businesses are dying or fleeing the state, and the Democrats' only plan is more taxes, more borrowing, more spending and kicking the problem to the next administration.

~ Bill Coe
Camarillo

The operators of the Knights of Columbus Chili Cook-off and Car Show again showed little consideration for those who live in the vicinity. The hours of the show are reasonable. However, we should not have to hear the sound system being tested at seven on Sunday morning. In addition, a single "testing, testing, can you hear me" would seem to be sufficient. It does not have to be repeated again and again. After all, the sound system worked fine on Saturday afternoon when we all heard the refrain as well as loud music.

The sound of many cars being parked was not as loud as the sound system, but it would seem that if the show opens at 10 that the cars do not have to be coming in at 7 a.m.

One of the neighbors said she heard over the sound system that motorcycles will be included next year. That and this year's experience prompt us to ask that the church and the city take a hard look at the sound problem created by this annual event.

Robert A Gregg,
Simi Valley

I am writing this note to congratulate and thank the company and staff of the Pacific Festival Ballet for their outstanding production of "Noah's Ark," recently performed at the Civic Arts Plaza in Thousand Oaks. I attended the Friday morning performance with my 2-, 4- and 6-year old children.

I was so impressed with the quality and variety of dance, the creativity of the costumes and the presentation of the story, the accuracy of the story, even the imagined elements staying true to biblical principals and the haunting and lovely music and creative use of media, etc.

I was moved to tears by so many aspects of how the story was was portrayed - sometimes joyful and sometimes sad. My children were mesmerized, even my 2-year-old son sat quietly watching and commenting on the various animals.

What a wonderful opportunity to share God with my 4 and 6-year-old as they peppered me with quiet questions throughout the performance.
The time, energy and creativity put into this show was evident in every artistic detail. I will look forward to bringing my family again to "Noah's
Ark," and we will be looking for other Pacific Festival Ballet productions in the future.

~ Jamie Sloane,
Oxnard

Re: Rick Conrad's June 10 letter, "Whitman's numbers":

Your published letter from Rick Conrad in Oxnard is grossly incorrect and misleading to your readers.

Mr. Conrad reports that Meg Whitman spent $81 million for her primary campaign, resulting in an average cost of $2,067.65 per vote.

The number of votes Mr. Conrad is counting is only for Ventura county (his 39,175, now revised to 41,339 by the Ventura County Recorder). The state of California encompasses more than Ventura County. Total votes statewide for Meg Whitman were 1,177,106, as most recently reported by the secretary of state, computing to an average cost of of under $69 per person, or roughly 3 percent of the figure reported by Mr. Conrad.

So what? She can spend her money however she likes. is supposed to be a free country - remember? In addition, the money she spent created jobs and employment for many people.

Barbara Whatley
Camarillo

Re: June 14 column, "The need for citizen Vigilance":

In his excellent column by Arthur I. Cyr says, "A wag once suggested that '1984' was really about 1948, a reference to the Stalinist dictatorships ruling in Eastern Europe as well as the Soviet Union when the novel was published." Actually, that's one standard, non-waggish idea on the novel's title -- 1948 was the year the novel was written, and Orwell just switched the numbers -- and the standard reading of the novel as primarily an attack on Stalinist Russia and Stalinism.

That standard reading is correct but insufficient. As satirical wags note, "Satire is the magic mirror where everyone sees everyone else," and too many Western readers saw the attack on Stalinism in "Nineteen Eighty-Four" and didn't stress enough that the novel was set in a recognizable England that had become part of an American Empire.

Cyr writes, "[...] Big Brother is not watching you. Not yet. But he'd like to." That may be too optimistic for London in the 21st century, with some 10,000 CCTV cameras "surveilling" the streets for crime, and too optimistic when international phone calls and other phone records of Americans are databased by the National Security Agency (http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2006-05-10-nsa_x.htm).

Important as well, the basic philosophical assumption of the Party in "Nineteen Eighty-Four" has again come into vogue in some college teaching and (in a more modest if Machiavellian form) with at least one top aide of the G. W. Bush administration: the idea that reality is literally "socially constructed," that we humans create the world mentally. In a world where reality is created between our ears, there's no effective way to contradict the thug from the thought police holding a gun to your ear.

~ Richard D. Erlich,
Port Hueneme

Re: your June 13 article, "Adrift and alone: Man recalls months floating in Pacific":

I don't know about his sailing skills but the man can write. "The wind from the northwest was spicy fresh, smelling of salt seaweed and alienation. The sloop Accent swept westward at six knots, her 30-foot, white-and-blue hull reflecting shards of sunlight, her jib and main bullowing white in the blustery winds." If Tony Sin isn't published he should be.

~Dorothy Hage,
Newbury Park

The world breathed a collective sigh of relief at hearing the news "Abby is Fine." America is indebted to Australia, Quantis Airlines and the crew of the fishing boat (aptly named) Ile de la Reunion for their swift action in this endeavor.

The loss of Abby's boat "Wild Eyes" is a great disappointment to her fans, and no doubt to Abby. Still, her courage and determination are worthy of admiration. Her parents are also to be commended for putting their fears aside and allowing their daughter to pursue her dream.

Goals worth pursuing are never safe or easy. Some say she is too young. (As if her age caused the rough seas that broke her boat.) Others go as far as believing that those of her gender shouldn't be adventurous. Thanks to people like Abby, such archaic myths are quickly being laid to rest. Had she perished on this voyage, she would have joined the likes of astronaut Christa McAuliffe and race-car driver Dale Earnhardt ... heroes who died doing what they love.

It was Malcolm Forbes who said it best: "To live your life in the fear of losing it is to lose the point of life." Be it 13-year-old Jordan Romero on the summit of Mount Everest, or 16-year-old Abby Sunderland on the high seas, this video-game generation has some awesome new role models.

~Lloyd Forrester,
Simi Valley

Sen. Barbara Boxer has stated recently, after the vote on a Senate resolution on Friday, June 11, that the greatest threat to our National Security is global warming.

Nevermind terrorist attacks, a porous border, a weakened economy, 12 percent unemployment, mindless spending, a jobless economy recovery, unsustainable debt, a world threatened with nuclear attacks by Iran, a potential war between the Koreas and a war in Afghanistan that is not going well.

Sen. Boxer has lost her moorings.

She has voted to support the EPA position that carbon dioxide is a threat to clean air. This is what we exhale.

Sen. Boxer has endorsed cap and trade, which will cost the state of California a million jobs. Our utility rates will double.

She voted for the health bBill. The Governor informed her that the increases in Medicaid would bankrupt the state.

She no longer represents California. She represents some esoteric world of her own; a dream world.

Robert Purbeck,
Thousand Oaks

We should consider.
1. Senior citizens; over the age of 55. To be exempt. They have provided thrift, savings, responsibility for a generation.
2. Medical and Medicare recipients; lack deep pockets.
Mixing a purchase at (green bag) Vons, Rite Aid. Much less Costco or Sams club.
Heaven forbid. A single purchase ticket is required proof of purchase.
3. Fast food-drive through, bakers of bread, bagels.
4. Daily newspaper during all weather conditions.
5. The recycled plastic bag following a pristine (dog) mutt.
6. Our plastic bag brings in "The Breakfast of Champions." cereal. Right?
7. A "green bag" will be subject to reuse; spills and contamination of the consumer.
8. The ACLU has found. Co-mingle and mixed use.
9. We demand our meat is in a Styrofoam container, wrapped in a plastic wrap. Right?.
10. My home review.
a. A green plastic barrel to the dump.
b. A brown plastic barrel to "green waste".
c. A blue plastic barrel to "recycle" waste.
1. A plastic bag lined my plastic waste container under the sink.
2. A plastic bag hangs for paper products.
3. A plastic bag hangs for aluminum, plastic and glass.
4a. One morning-back door, two young individuals felt their right to steal my plastic bags, containing my CRV.
Anger management prevailed! My old age raised my hand! "This my home and property"!
Had my son been awake. He has a legal handgun.
I said "find a education and job".
4b. This slumlord of liberal courts provides for a woman, daughter and disabled, U.S. Navy veteran!
Henceforth, this partnership includes a lesbian, her mother and ex-husband. We have supported breast cancer.
4c. I will not pass the press, I sleep at night.

Bruce A. Brydon,
Ventura

Re: your June 12 article, "Teen sailor returning to T.O. home, albeit slowly":

I have a few questions, comments and one request.

1. Where was Ventura County Child Protective Services or the State of California Child Protective Services when Abby was scheduled to set sail?
Comment: I have heard of parents being questioned by these agencies for a lot less when someone reported the endangerment of their children (e.g. leaving their child at home alone while at work or running to the store.)

2. Would someone please tell me no Ventura County, State of California or federal government money is paying for any part of this trip or rescue?
Comment: As a taxpayer, anything less than no to the above question would really be upsetting!

I read by late Saturday a website was established to help save this little girl's boat (I am sure it is really mommy and daddy's boat!), "Save Wild Eyes," asking for donations to help pay for towing it to the nearest port. It was reported the site had the support of the family. Now I wonder why that would be. Maybe I am onto something with it really being mommy and daddy's boat, eh? By late in the afternoon, it had raised nearly $2,500. Wow!

Jim Seiler,
Ventura

I am reluctant to display reverence to the flag on Flag Day because it represents a different America to me than the America I volunteered to serve for in the Korean War. Today, the flag represents a nation of hatred and bigotry, of Rush Limbaughs, Sean Hannitys and Glenn Becks, all men who hate our president because he is black.

I withhold reverence for the flag because of a president who, in my name, disobeyed the rules of engagement and invaded a foreign, sovereign country - not for my security, but for personal, ambitious greed. In so doing, he caused the deaths of many fine men and women, some foreign, some whose only crime was, like me, to don the uniform in defense of my country.

I withhold reverence for the flag because of the injustice of the district attorney's misrepresentation of the law when he advocates one justice for civilians who violate the law and another for law enforcement officers.

I withhold reverence for the flag when Americans hate brown-skinned men, women and children, who desperately choose to cross our border (illegally) for the sole purpose of providing for their families and keeping them from starvation.

The flag no longer represents the America I love.

~ Miguel Espinosa, Jr.,
Oxnard

Re: June 13 article, "Trauma plan could mean longer trips for some patients":

The article by T. Kisken in the Sunday Star was very good and covered many of the salient points.

A few that slipped by are what I would like to comment on. One that will affect all county residents (east & west) is the cost to bring the county hospital up to a level of readiness to handle trauma cases. St. John's, which is privately funded will cover the costs within its system.

We all fear the "Big One," and seismic stability in a major earthquake is very important. St. John's meets the present seismic requirements. VCMC does not. We want out trauma center to be there when that big quake hits.

One of the key points of entry to the trauma center is by helicopter. The landing pad at VCMC is less than desirable. St. John's has its right outside the emergency entrance.

St. John's has the latest in CT equipment, VCMC does not. It is very expensive.

These capital costs that the county will incur will be all of our responsibility, probably through a bond issue.

I live in Port Hueneme and had lived in Ventura for 19 years. I worked at St. John's some time ago and know the type of care I can expect. I would always want to go to St. John's for any emergency care.

~ Rick Hixson,
Port Hueneme

Re: your June 13 editorial, "The danger of not voting":

Yes, the low turnout is unacceptable, but I disagree with the researchers you cite and with the statement of William Simon that, "Bad politicians are sent to Washington by good people who don't vote."

I have voted in almost every election since 1960. I voted in this recent one. It is becoming more difficult each year to make an informed choice. If I can believe the statements of the honorable candidates as they campaign for office, then each is a real scumbag according to their honorable opponents. Why would I choose a scumbag? If the candidates
are lying through their teeth, then why would I choose a liar for office?

You quote Samuel Adams from the 1790's. He had it easy then. The citizens of those small towns most likely knew the candidates personally or knew of them from trusted friends. The names on my ballot this year are (with one exception) total strangers to me, and I might as well toss a coin as make an informed choice.

Bad politicians are sent to Washington by good people who are lied to, manipulated and, all too often, given bad candidates to choose from. Why would anyone in their right mind spend tens of millions of dollars to get a job that pays say $200,000 or less a year? That is terrible fiscal reasoning, but if the real benefits of the job are "hidden from public view" then that is scamming the voters.

~ Jim Kaness,
Ventura

Thank you Linda Parks for standing tall!

And thank you to the voters of the 2nd District for having had the wisdom to re-elect Linda to the Ventura County Board of Supervisors. Sixty-one percent of us cast our votes to keep Ventura County running smoothly, governed by supervisors who, for the most part, treat one another with respect and work collegially to address the challenging issues of the day. Linda Parks has been an integral part of that governing body.

During her years of public service, Linda has proved herself to be an exceptional leader and representative. Not only is she open, accessible and fiscally responsible, she is proactive and passionate about preserving those resources that make our county unique. She is committed to governing openly, wisely and fairly. Her background in urban planning serves us well. She is smart. She works hard, and she cares deeply about protecting the quality of life we treasure.

In last week's election, we dodged a deadly bullet!

For now, let's give ourselves a pat on the back for continuing on with Linda Parks as our representative and advocate on the Board of Supervisors.

~Marilyn Carpenter,
Thousand Oaks

Re: your June 12 article, "Good or bad, oil is a big part of all our lives":

Seth Borenstein's article needs what is called perspective. Yes, oil is in our lives in many ways other than in our gas tanks, but let us not ignore a major overlooked fact in his article. More than two-thirds of the oil we consume is for transportation. What we need to learn and focus on is the fact that we would not need to drill thousands of feet under the ocean, or in the Arctic, or run pipe lines across the tundra if we only used oil for the uses described in his article.

We spend over a billion dollars per month for imported oil for transportation needs. His article implied that we as individuals can do little to curb our country's reliance on oil. Individuals can change this dependence by demanding more fuel-efficient cars, by using less gas and by demanding our government and businesses encourage fuel efficiency and the development and utilization of alternative energy sources.

Linda Goetzinger,
Camarillo

Re: your June 12 articles, "Re; your June 12 article, "Good or bad, oil is a big part of all our lives" and "Race card wrongly played in Gulf spill":

I noticed that in the June 12 issue of the Star Seth Borenstein opined that oil Is a is a big part of all of our lives. Then, Bill O'reilly managed to connect the Gulf oil eruption to the race card. Sadly, both writers did not seem to address the real issue. Whether you're talking about petroleum for vehicles, petroleum for plastic bags, toothpaste or anything else, we know one overriding scientific truth. Oil is a finite resource! Let's get real. Some day in the not too distant future it will be all gone. Humans must learn to live without it.

~ Bruce Mitchell,
Oxnard

Re; your June 12 article, "Good or bad, oil is a big part of all our lives":

Seth Borenstein's piece caused me acute pain somewhere behind my left eye. Just as the keening over the worst environmental disaster in U.S. history begins to crescendo, this article suggests there's little point to stewardship on Spaceship Earth. I'm guessing it isn't cautionary in intent or effect. It doesn't say, "Listen, cars pose a threat, but let's watch those plastics, too!"

Berenstein's message might well be, "Why bother?" It even ends with Kevin Swift, director of economics and statistics for the American Chemistry Council, scoffing at life after plastic. However, one of ACC's main jobs is PR damage control - think Union Carbide in Bhopal. They also fight plastic bag bans while oozing soothings like "plastics do good things for the environment."

Be vigilant, fellow earthlings, and vocal! Our planet is worth saving. Every plastic product you refuse counts. Life without plastic isn't bad. Did you suffer when Starbucks switched to wooden stir sticks? Bless you, Starbucks! Now let's 86 those plastic sippy lids!

~ Gray Jordan,
Newbury Park

Re: Bill O'Reilly's June 12 column, "Race card wrongly played in Gulf spill":

Bill O'Reilly and others on Barack Obama's restrained style would do well to talk to some big-city males of mature years and to pay more attention to "The Simpsons" and other popular art.

I grew up political in Chicago, and to my ears Obama acts and sounds like what he is: a person of consequence, a man who doesn't have to raise his voice, a big-city politician in the tradition of the Kennedy's: a man who understands the adage, "Don't get mad; get even."

To illustrate this principle, consider Fat Tony on "The Simpsons," softly voiced by Chicago-born Joe Mantegna. With his hyper-correctness of language and attempts at fine deportment, Fat Tony is a joke. But he's an insightful joke. That's how an old-school Mafia don is supposed to act -- though exaggerated - with dignity and good manners, like a boss, not some swaggering street thug or punk who can't control his temper or his mouth.

Or order the TV series "The Wire" on Netflix and watch and listen to the black men with power as opposed to the punks without it: same message. Ditto for Shakespeare's Othello as a great warrior, really dangerous samurai swordsmen and deadly-heroic Beowulf in the Dark Ages, showing his cool in a Danish mead hall.

In a time of "the man of sentiment" on the one hand (feeling our pain or voicing our fear and rage) and the macho motor-mouth on the other, the take on manhood of "no drama Obama" is a welcome relief.

Richard D. Erlich,
Port Hueneme

Re: Ivor Davis's June 11 column, "Playing the patriot game during the World Cup":

I enjoyed reading the article by Ivor Davis, but wanted to respond to his statement "what still seems totally unintelligible to me is why that crowd at the Coliseum were not able to embrace the country they had chosen to live in."

My husband and I go to a lot of L.A. Kings ice hockey games. We almost hate to go to the games where the visiting teams are Detroit, Chicago, or New York Rangers because there are often more (or noisier) fans for those teams than the Kings, and they did not fly in for the game. These fans live in L.A. and environs.

I am sure my English friend who has been a U.S. citizen for 20 years will be cheering for England just as my South African-American co-workers will be backing South Africa. It's not about where you live now or how much you love where you live now that makes you a "do or die" fan, it's about where you were when you first became a real fan of the game.

~ Dona Pugh,
Moorpark

Why are you wasting so much ink and space on World Cup Soccer. Have you checked the relative attendance figures of the Galaxy versus the attendance of sports that people in Southern California prefer? Baseball, basketball, football and even hockey outdraws this very boring sport.

I know, one should not criticize without offering suggestions for improvement:

1. Change the off-side rules so there are more shots on goal. High scoring isn't needed, just the excitement of a potential goal. See hockey.


2. Free substitution. Way too much coasting. See hockey for 100 percent effort, 100 percent of the time.


3. With those two rules in place, the net must be made smaller, else we'll have 13-12 games.

Months ago, when Abby sailed out of Marina Del Rey Harbor for her adventure, all I could think about was what kind of parents would allow their 16-year-old daughter attempt to sail some of the most dangerous waters around the world by herself. I thought the parents were nuts when Laurence Sunderland allowed their son Zac, who was 17 years old, to sail around the world the year before.

I heard the story two days ago about Abby being in trouble in the middle of the Indian Ocean. I could do nothing but pray for her safe rescue and felt very sorry for her being in that position at the young age of 16. I was mad at her parents for their decision and lack of supervision in not providing a safe atmosphere for Abby.

Then, I saw the quote in the Saturday morning Star and absolutely lost it. Mr.Sunderland: "Lets face it, life is dangerous, how many kids die each year in car accidents? Should we stop every teenager from driving a car?"

Then I realized that the parents of Abby Sunderland not only don't get it, protecting your young daughter from harm, but both parents are in it for their own publicity and the status of having young kids sail around the world regardless of their safety. Then, he compares driving a car to the dangerous waters. What a jerk! I work in law enforcement, and I see neglectful parents almost every day. To me, they are the worst kind of people in this world, who will sacrifice their own kids for their own well being and to further their existence.

I hope Mr. and Mrs. Sunderland do not receive any Parents of the Year awards any time soon.

Craig Anderson,
Moorpark

Re: June 12 article, "Teen's global voyage comes to an abrupt end":

"Is that my friend Laurence on the front page?"

I chuckled this morning after opening the paper. He and Marianne are not the type to relish in personal media attention. Rather, in the four years I've known them, their attention has been on the Proverb "train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it."

Their kids are amazingly courteous, confident and hard-working. Marianne and Laurence have developed a strong sense of "team family." Celebrating Thanksgiving together two years ago, 25 of us feasted on a turkey hand-raised by Abby, the same gal now managing her disabled ship at sea.

The Star quoted T.O. parents posing this question, "How could you let your young daughter do something so dangerous?"

Be careful, those of you who cluck your tongues and shake your heads at the Sunderlands's decision to let Abby sail solo. I have seen far worse done in the name of "safe" parenting by those who rent their underage teens sexually-charged R-rated videos (at least we know where they are), yet don't expect teen pregnancies; put down a gaggle of wine (in the name of a family meal), but are surprised at their own child's alcoholism; or never require chores (gee, let them be kids) and then are grieved when they haven't the determinism to finish school or hold down a job.

Children learn from parental modeling. The Sunderlands have modeled world-changing passion, which Abby picked up. We'll keep praying until she's safely on that fishing boat. ... and Laurence, get some sleep. It's clear from your picture praying's what you've been doing for days.

Peggy J. Crooks,
Newbury Park

I believe that Abby Sunderland points out our major problem. The typical teenager today has been so coddled and cared for that walking alone to school is too scary an adventure for most. They have been taught team sports, but not how to take care of themselves and face difficulties and disappointments alone.

When I went to grammar school, buses only served students who lived more than two miles from school. The rest walked or rode bikes, but with sidewalks crowded with children, streets were safe for anyone. The new United States destroyer is not a small vessel whose crew called it a tin can. Rather it is a four-wheeled vehicle, painted yellow and operated by a baby sitter.

Thank God our grandparents were not treated so.

Hal Wilder,
Camarillo

Re: your June 13 article, "Abby Sunderland wants to write a book about her attempted round-the-world voyage":

Good for you, Abby Sunderland! You trained hard, you learned navigation and boat handling, you rounded the two capes and it looks like you got about halfway through your journey before Mother Nature defeated you. It has to be scary to be stranded alone out there in just about the loneliest stretch of ocean on earth. You gave it a great try, and you must have learned a lot that will serve you in good stead, especially if you try again.

Don't worry about those who are fretting around about if you are mature enough to do it. They don't have what it takes to even make the effort. You do.

Michael Hough,
Ventura

Re: your June 13 article, "Abby Sunderland wants to write a book about her attempted round-the-world voyage":

Can someone please explain how this case is any different than the recent case of Balloon Boy? This is all just one big giant publicity stunt. Movie and book deals and interviews galore. These folks are just publicity hounds, and the TV news and print media just lap it up. Anyone who would let their 16-year-old daughter sail around the world alone through pirate-infested waters should be investigated for child neglect. Just who is going to pay the costs of this rescue effort?

~ Richard E. Erwin II,
Camarillo

Re: your June 2 article, "UFW official plans to challenge Arizona immigration law":

It would seem like a very noble gesture for Mr. Barajas and his UFW Local to protest the Arizona Law, but is it really? I'm curious if the statement they intend to make indirectly says, "we support illegal immigration to heck with United States federal law." Let's examine for a second what being illegal is like: One has to live in fear of being caught, consequently a person needs to hide as if a criminal. You're not really free, and at some point, even your community will resent you once the system is bankrupt.

So all the things that motivated you come here, you are somewhat derpived of. Take a look around your neighborhood. Is it going to look like the place you fled, talk about racism & enslavement?

Wake up, our laws were meant for the overall good: A common language, share taxes, get a health check up, assimilate. You would rather blame the U.S. citizens for having rules that made this country what it is, both good and bad, and to make it worse. You have a representative telling you that they support your law breaking.

Well, let's hope the UFW will give you all jobs, so you don't have to hang out on street corners hustling for a living.


~ Eugene E. Charbonneau,
Camarillo

In our outrage over global spin, corruption and avarice, we often forget those people who give us courage and hope. This week's election forced us to consider what losing Linda Parks's firm, moderating voice would actually mean. We learned again what honesty, backbone and principled stands look like.

I would have volunteered for Mrs. Parks as I have before, but this time -- we realized afresh how remarkably fortunate we have been to have a person of such integrity serving on the Board of Supervisors. Because she showed us how, we stood up, held on to the vision that has sustained us and fought back. We, the county, won. Thank you, Linda.

~ Michelle Koetke,
Newbury Park

We all owe a vote of thanks to the volunteers who man the polls. At my Thousand Oaks polling place, I saw volunteers cheerfully assisting voters. They arrive at 6 a.m. and work until after the polls close at 8 p.m. with only minimal breaks for lunch and dinner. They are mostly dedicated senior citizens, volunteering to put in a long tiring day with much paperwork and somewhat complex automated voting devices.

Thanks from all of us voters to all of you poll workers!

Bernadine Bilek,
Thousand Oaks

Strickland out of touch

Audra Strickland showed us what her priorities are and we rejected them. Her priorities are vicious partisanship, blatant opportunism, unfairness and dishonesty. She believes everyone who's ever been a Democrat is somehow sinister. She believes in only one entitlement: her family's entitlement to public office, any office, any time. She believes in dirty money and dirty politics, the more of both the better. So what went wrong for Audra Strickland? It's simple. Those are not our priorities.

Lorella Thomas Hess,
Thousand Oaks

Ms Strickland wonders why her message didn't connect more with voters. What message was that? The one that said I will move from my home and pretend to live elsewhere so I can run for Supervisor; maybe the message that said look at me. I'm a blonde now and, therefore, more politically desirable; or the message that in the sending signified approval of the most heinous of political mailers, distorting the truth and unremittingly attacking a decent, honorable Supervisor who has done right by her constituency and the county even though one may not always agree with her.

The political experts say that the campaign failed to show Strickland's strengths. What were her strengths? It showed us who she is - a person with questionable honor and integrity and certainly without class.
"Mutton dressed up as lamb" as my old English Mum would have said.

Barbara Kerkhoff,
Somis

Re: your June 11 article, "Fishing vessel expected to reach Abby today":

I am sure none of us want anything to happen to Abby Sunderland, but I must ask ... what were the parents thinking and who will pay for the hundreds of thousands of dollars for the rescue of this young lady? It is time for family's like this to take out insurance to cover the cost of rescue if their love one gets into trouble. A place in the book of records must have a cost. If you put yourself in a difficult position, why should the rest of us sane people pay for for your stupid vanity.

David LaTourette,
Simi Valley

The Republican Central Committee should be absolutely ashamed. Not only did they orchestrate, finance and execute an ugly attack and smear campaign against Linda Parks, they also proved to the public (and voters) that it was darn near impossible to say something positive and good about Mrs. Strickland. Though the office is nonpartisan and both candidates Republican, the RCC chose to back a political hack rather than a long-time, well-respected community leader. No wonder Barack Obama is President, the Republicans can't find their rear end with both hands!

Over the last 25 years I have found myself mostly in alignment with the Republican way of thinking, but I am so gladI am not a registered Republican, what an embarrassment!
Oh yeah, RCC, if you want my vote in November try and back some winners with some integrity, some experience and a mind of his or her own.

~ Raymond P. Donahue,
Thousand Oaks

A letter to Environmentalists:

Please stay out of our lives you're not helping.

You had MTBE added to gasoline that's now contaminated our groundwater.

You wanted paper bags removed from our stores to save trees, now we have a blight of plastic bags that you now want us to pay to use.

Oil is covering beaches around the Gulf. You wouldn't let it be burned because it would make too much smoke; a sand barrier could not be built because you wanted an environmental impact study. Well, here's your environmental impact: contaminated swamps and beaches. To top it off, you will want us to stop drilling because "we can't let it happen again."

~ Paul Taylor,
Simi Valley

Is anyone else concerned about the less than 30 percent voter turnout in the county? Do 70 percent of the residents of Ventura County not care or are not registered to
vote? People, we need to wake up and take responsibility for what is going on here, please.

~ Claudia Satori,
Newbury Park

Tuesday's article on the aftermath of the election for sheriff raised the question whether I would cooperate in a smooth transition since I did not support the candidate that prevailed. The public deserves to know that I sent an email to all of our employees the day before the election to thank them for maintaining unity and devotion to duty during the campaign. I also told them that "I know that no matter who prevails in the election, you will give them your support and continue to advance our mission while upholding the values that have made this department great."

On Wednesday, I conveyed my congratulations to sheriff-elect Geoff Dean and stated that I owe it to the public and the department to do what I can to help him succeed. I offered specific information about budgets and personnel moves and offered to confer and coordinate decisions throughout the rest of my term. I concluded by promising to turn over a department in good financial and operational condition. I shared that information with my executive staff and the Board of Supervisors.

On Thursday morning, I told my command staff that we had a responsibility to be examples to our staff by maintaining a positive attitude and working for the public interest. I reminded them that we need to set the tone for our department and that we set aside personal elation or discouragement to ensure that this outstanding organization maintains the excellent level of safety and service the public has come to expect. Now that the public has spoken, my only interest is to help pave the way for the department to become even stronger and more vibrant in the future.


Bob Brooks,
Sheriff

The Republican Party's negative election campaign for Audra Strickland was an insult to voters. It's clear that there wasn't enough good to say about Audra, so they smeared her opponent. Years ago I vowed to boycott candidates who operate thusly. This time I took it a step further and resigned form the Republican Party. I would advise Linda Parks to do the same.

~ Carey Leviss,
Thousand Oaks

Seriously? Can there be any question in the minds of Ms. Strickland or her camp as to why Linda Parks won with such a high margin?

• When a candidate is always accessible to her constituents;


• When a candidate takes care of the business at hand to the benefit of the majority of her constituents;


• When a candidate speaks truth to money, truth to power and doesn't engage in dirty partisan politics;


• When a candidate does all this and more, it's called .performance and integrity.

Thank you District 2 voters for the strong showing of support that gave me a landslide victory! A thank you also goes to the more than 1,000 people who became actively involved in my campaign and our success.

Our grassroots win demonstrates that Board of Supervisors seats cannot be bought.

Voters put their trust in me to continue to be an effective member of the Board of Supervisors with a record of being strong on public safety, fiscally responsible and dedicated to protecting residents' quality of life. I value that trust and promise to work hard for all the people of Ventura County.

~ Linda Parks
Ventura County Supervisor

Re: your June 10 article, "Landslide victory for Parks a stunner":

Audra Strickland says she doesn't know what went wrong. I'm sure she doesn't know and will never know. (Hint: look in the mirror). Intimating that it was because Linda Parks is a "savvy politician" is laughable.

Incidentally, since Ms. Strickland states of their two-bedroom rented apartment nine miles from their house: "Whenever we're in town, this is where we stay" and "this is our home" ("Supervisor race stirs debate on carpetbagging," May 24), I guess that means the Stricklands will be staying there rather than their house in Moorpark.

~ Cole Jacobs,
Simi Valley

Why did Linda Parks trounce Audra Strickland in the race for Supervisor? It is really simple. A strong and deep grassroots effort beat out-of-district money! Trust and knowing that Linda works for us, beat negative and malicious mailers by the challenger!

~ Janna Orkney,
Oak Park

(The author is the vice chairwoman of the Triunfo Sanitation District Board - Editor)

Re: Rick Conrad's June 10 letter, "Whitman's numbers":

A letter published in the Star stated that candidate Meg Whitman spent $81 million for her primary campaign. The letter indicated that since 39,175 people voted for Whitman, this came out to $2067.65 per vote.

While it is correct that 39,175 people did vote for Whitman in Ventura County, the official website of the California Secretary of State indicates that the total number of Californians who voted for Whitman was 1,105,855.

Had Whitman run for Ventura County Supervisor, I would agree with the letter writer's calculation. However, she ran for the Republican nomination to be governor of the entire state of California. So in her efforts to win the nomination, Whitman actually spent about $73.25 per vote.

~ Bob Klepner
Newbury Park

To Audra Strickland:

Apartment rental: $6,000.

Push poll: $25,000.

Attack mailers: $350,000.

Turning off so many voters that you lose the election: Priceless.

~ Roger Barker,
Thousand Oaks

About the same time my wife and I decided to relocate to a smaller community from San Diego, we heard about the exciting developing trauma system in Ventura County. I say exciting because my wife is a trauma nurse practitioner and was working at the leading private Level II Trauma Center in San Diego, while I am a trauma surgeon.

I have been a trauma surgeon for 10 years working in Level I and II facilities, including teaching positions with Stanford University and the U.S. Navy. We were invited to look at and interview for trauma jobs at both St. Johns and VCMC. During our day, we evaluated both centers and performed our own site surveys along the way falling in love with the coastal beauty and warmth of the people of the west county.

We chose to work at VCMC because of the incredible institutional commitment to education, the strong administrative support and the already present culture of trauma care throughout the hospital. We have been proud to be a part of the program here and were not surprised that the American College of Surgeons concluded that VCMC scored higher in its survey and was unanimously recommended as the higher-scoring facility. My wife and I reached the same conclusion on our own visits.

Steve and Shannon Kaminski,
Ventura

To all the winners of the Primary Election:

Tell me what you will do if elected in November. Don't tell me what your opponent has done in the past.

~ Jan Camacho,
Camarillo

I am writing this letter to voice my support for Ventura County Medical Center to become the designated Level II Trauma Center on the west side of Ventura County. I have been an Emergency Department Registered Nurse for more than 12 years and have worked in many emergency departments, including a Level II Trauma Center. In addition, I have worked as the Trauma Coordinator in a Level III Trauma Center.

I currently work at VCMC in the Emergency Department as the Prehospital Care Coordinator. I see firsthand how trauma patients are cared for, from the time of their injury with the care they receive from the prehospital personnel to when they arrive in our Emergency Department and are treated by our highly skilled Trauma Team. The care of the trauma patient then continues to the inpatient units, where they are followed closely by our Trauma Department that includes highly trained surgeons, residents, a trauma nurse practitioner, registered nurses, social services, rehabilitation staff and members of the various ancillary departments. Each plays a key role in the care of these patients during their treatment and recovery.

I am extremely proud to be a member of this organization that has been providing trauma care to the citizens of Ventura County for more than 20 years. VCMC has developed a well coordinated response to the arrival of trauma patients. Trauma Team members know their roles and provide top quality care that is supported by the latest American College of Surgeons patient care guidelines.

The dedication and commitment to not only the trauma patient, but to all patients that present to VCMC is constant. We know that working together as a team, we will continue to provide excellent care to the citizens of Ventura County.

~Dede Utley, RN.
Ventura

I would like to thank the people of Ventura County for their trust and confidence in electing me to the Superior Court. I am very mindful of the responsibility that I have been given. I will work very hard to run a courtroom that is efficient, honest and most of all fair. I promise you all that I will seek justice in every case that comes before me.

I would also like to recognize my opponent, Lela Henke-Dobroth. Our county is a much safer place because of her efforts in her professional career. She is a fantastic lawyer who deserves the respect and gratitude of our community.

~ Ryan Wright,
Camarillo

The People have decided. Judge Conroy has my support, and I commend Judge Conroy for the outcome. I am grateful to all who have supported me over the past several months, and our cause for contested judicial elections. I feel nothing but gratitude and wish you all the best. Thank you for your friendship and encouragement, and again, my best to Judge Conroy and her supporters.

Robert J. Taylor,
Newbury Park

(The author was a candidate for Ventura County Superior Court judge, No. 10. -- Editor)

I grew up in Oxnard and went to Oxnard High during the early 1960's. Life then was simple. We had community parks fort activities. I played Little League baseball with many friends I grew up with. Then came the Vietnam war. I had joined the Coast Guard, and when I returned home four years later, most all my friends had died in some foreign land for people who did not care.

The same goes for today's wars. Americans are dying for people in the Middle East and if given the opportunity, voters there will vote in the people who terrorize them and blow up their neighbors.

I am now retired in the Alleghenies in Pennsylvania. The life is simple once again, and I am away from the hustle and bustle yet not too far away not to hear or care what happens to my country. The simple life of yesteryears is still available. I hope those friends still alive today find tranquility as I have and the simple life of Old Oxnard in yesteryears' memory.

~ Ed McGarvey,
Hooversville, Penn.

After spending $50 million on public relations since the BP oil disaster, notice how the recipients of the BP monies now only refer to the spill as "The Gulf Oil Disaster," eliminating from the public's mind the name BP. Don't let them get away with this. It is not the Gulf's fault that we are facing the greatest ecological disaster in our countries history - blame it on the real culprits, BP and Haliburton!

~ Steve Binder,
Oxnard

In over 40 years of doing business, working with government and supporting public causes in Ventura County, I've learned one thing ... when people want you to slow down and explain something, you need to listen. That's the case with the selection process for the West County Level II Trauma Center.

The county agency in charge of emergency medical services has decided that the county's own hospital, Ventura County Medical Center, should win the designation. The private hospital that was also competing for the designation, St. John's Regional Medical Center, is taking exception to the decision. To some, it may sound like being a poor loser, but St. John's is raising important issues about accuracy of the judging and fairness of the appeal process. At the very least, they need to be heard out and a growing number of people agree, especially in Oxnard, Port Hueneme and Camarillo, where they are worried about longer transport times to the hospital if VCMC becomes the lead trauma destination for critically injured and ill patients.

I've been involved in ventures from oil refineries to high schools. I've seen big issues, heated debates, public outcries, and budget crises. Not once have I seen any of these matters solved with a quick fix. Not once have I seen people sorry for allowing all sides of an argument, even if it means amending schedules and procedures to do so. With public trust and public coffers at historic lows, this is no time for county leaders to ram through a deal for a fellow agency. Let St. John's make its case.

Ed Lyon,
Ventura

Backed into the Santa Monica Mountains in the southeast corner of Ventura County, Linda "Skywalker" Parks, armed only with her magical swords of honesty, integrity, decency and service, took on the Evil Empire and defeated it.

Attacked by the Thousand Oaks City Council, the Audra and Tony Strickland machine, (and their special interest backers) the Strickland puppet show called the Ventura County Republican Party, the California Republican Party and half the California Republican Legislators, Linda defeated Audra Strickland by a wide margin.

Every fair-minded Republican in California owes Linda "Skywalker" Parks a thank you for prevailing in what may have been the most expensive and dirtiest election for County Supervisor in the history of California.

Thank you, Linda Parks.

Bob Larkin,
Westlake Village

Some $81,000,000 spent by Meg Whitman for her primary campaign; 36,961,664 people in the state of California (Census Bureau 2009); 39,175 people who voted for Whitman in the California primary; and $2,067.65 the cost of one vote for Whitman in the primary

Anticipating November, one can only mumble "Oh, my!"

~ Rick Conrad,
Oxnard

With the Supervisor's race votes counted and the landslide going to the favor of Linda Parks, this must be seen as a victory for not only the vastly more qualified candidate but also as a significant repudiation of the politics of slime. How refreshing is that?

One must wonder what mischief Ms. Strickland, finally disallowed from feeding at the public trough, is capable of.

Larry Janss,
Thousand Oaks

Re: your June 9 article, "Parks takes convincing win over Strickland":

As of 9:15 a.m. it would appear that Linda Parks beat Audra Strickland in a landslide. Considering the political makeup of the 2nd District, that means a whole lot of Republicans voted for Parks. Both candidates are registered Republicans.

I believe it to be critical news to determine when the Strickland household vacates the apartment they rented in Thousand Oaks. Please, will The Star assign somebody to keep an eye on this situation and publish a date?

This information is key in determining not just whether the "carpetbagger" label was appropriate, but even more importantly, it will help determine the local Republican faithfuls' opinion of Michael Osborne, the Chairman of the County Party. Considering the lock-step support of Strickland by the the Republican Party hierarchy, his future should be seriously in question.

~ Dean Weissman,
Newbury Park,

Re: Robert Purbeck's June 9 letter, "Plastic bags":

Robert Purbeck ltr, Jun 9. Mr. Purbeck apparently sees the banning of plastic bags as an economic/jobs issue and doesn't understand the reasons for the ban. They are environmental issues that in the extreme have resulted in the "Great Garbage Patch" floating in the northern Pacific Ocean. It's not just plastic bags that should be banned, it's all plastic products, if one is concerned about the environment. Nearly 50 percent of our oil consumption goes to make plastic products.

Zoltan Jablonski,
Oxnard