I would like to say thank you both to the city of Ventura and the nonprofit Ventura Tennis Club for their continuing successful collaboration in improving the public tennis facilities at Camino Real Park.

Thanks to them, there are now some benches for tennis players to sit on and gates to access both rows of courts. These are nice improvements. Play some tennis, check out the changes and check out the Ventura Tennis Club!

Mark Hancock
Ventura

Re: Rellis Smith's July 15 letter, "More sound ideas?":

Mr. Smith sarcastically attacked the Ventura City Council's rejection of medical marijuana cooperatives, saying "A person smokes that mind-altering drug, and there's no telling what he/she might do."

Unfortunately, Mr. Smith's sarcasm is truer than he probably understands. In March 2010, John Bedell opened fire on guards at the entrance of the Pentagon. He was killed when the guards returned fire. According to MSNBC, Bedell was diagnosed as bipolar, or manic-depressive, and had been in and out of treatment programs for years. His psychiatrist, J. Michael Nelson, said Bedell tried to self-medicate with marijuana, inadvertently making his symptoms more pronounced.

Marijuana use has been well documented to aggravate feelings of anxiety or paranoia. Mr. Smith describes a more benign portrait of users as "munching an entire chocolate cake or five or six snickers bars. Then ... they finish up by sitting in a recliner and watch re-runs of 'Gilligan's Island.' " So, at best, it would seem that Mr. Smith and his stoner buddies are obese, unproductive couch potatoes. Is it any wonder that the Chinese are kicking our butts?

~ James Willis,
Oxnard

Re: your July 14 article, "Oxnard Union trustees narrow sites for new high school":

I live in Oxnard. I vote in Oxnard. Camarillo deserves a new high school. Two new high schools for Oxnard, and two Olympic-sized swimming pools. Shame on Oxnard Union High School District.

Vote the trustees out!

What is going to happen when Oxnard student population declines, and it will. All districts do eventually. Six High Schools in Oxnard?

Kathleen Swor,
Oxnard

The Humane Society of Ventura County would like to thank the people of Ventura County for supporting us in the rescue of 50 horses from the Lockwood Valley case in October of 2008. The last horse was adopted July 13.

After almost two years of caring for these horses, we feel that the outpouring of support that we have received for the shelter staff has given us courage to continue doing what we do best - caring for the neglected and abused animals. We are very proud of the staff and the volunteers who devoted their time to all of the shelter animals. Cleaning corrals in 100-plus-degree weather was very difficult on everyone, yet nobody complained. These people are the true heroes.

We would like to say a special thank you to the Ventura County District Attorney's office, Ventura County Sheriff's Department, Department of Animal Regulations Director Kathy Jenks and personnel, Marta Grandstedt, DVM, and the five other veterinarians that assisted. There are so many people that we would like to thank but the list is too long. There will be a special thank you listing on our website. http://www.hsvc.org

Thank you again for your continued support from the Humane Society Board of Directors and staff at the HSVC shelter.

~ Sherry Brockus
Executive Director,
Humane Society of Ventura County,
Ojai

Re: Wendy Dager's July 7 column, "Taking a new look at head-turning beauty":

On July 7, Wendy Dager wrote a column about the case of Debrahlee Lorenzana - a woman in the midst of an employment suit against her former employer, Citibank, claiming appearance discrimination. Dager's column, far from arguing her point, perpetuates sexism and further subjugates women to second-class status in the eyes of our discourse.

This is most evident in going through Dager's column - the premise of her argument is that because Lorenzana so-happened to have cosmetic enhancements and that her clothing, whether or not it violated the stated dress code, was too much for the men at her Citibank branch to bear, her firing was justified and necessary.

What Dager does - dangerously - is blame the victim. Lorenzana has repeatedly claimed that she was given a special dress code by her male supervisors because she was being a "distraction" to her male colleagues. Dager doesn't disagree with that. Dager's language effectively treats this woman - a human being - as a piece of meat to be cut apart and evaluated, talking endlessly about her breasts and her "clothing that hugged every square inch of roundness," almost as if we'd started considering a Christmas turkey and no one bothered to mention it.

What this case and this column show is that there still exists a glaring double standard in our culture that systematically oppresses women. If Lorenzana's male superiors couldn't keep their libidos in check, that's their problem, and they should have been the ones fired. The public response - how we see fit to judge her appearance down to the last scrap of meat, and how we think it's okay to use the same logic used to blame rape victims for being raped to justify Lorenzana's firing - shows us that this case isn't a question of beauty. It's a question of patriarchy.

~ Stephen T. Marsh,
Thousand Oaks

Re: your July 16 online article, "Unemployment rises to 10.6% in Ventura County":

Come November, remember which party has steadfastly voted against extending the unemployment benefits to millions of Americans. The Republican Party.

The same senators who voted hundreds of billions of dollars to rescue "too big to fail" institutions, gave a comparable amount to automakers, see no problem spending untold amounts to prop up the defense contractors and who, all of a sudden, got religion and don't want to add to the deficit.

Remember, come November

~ Radu V Metea,
Ventura

My husband and I, both seniors, were driving south of Olsen Road on Moorpark Road and were diverted to a side street by the police due to an accident Friday morning.

Not knowing the small side streets in this area, I became lost and could not find my way back to Moorpark Road. There were no people on the street to ask until I came upon a gentleman who called his wife out to tell me the way.

This lady, who I only knew as "Barbara" not only told me the way to where I was going but, in fact, got in her car and led me there. I do not know her last name but hope she reads this. This just proves that Thousand Oaks is a wonderful place to live.

Cynthia Ratner,
Thousand Oaks

Re: Charles Hanlon's July 13 letter, "Camarillo fireworks"

I had to read Charles Hanlon's letter regarding July 4th fireworks twice to be certain I was reading correctly. I agree the fireworks show in a neighborhood is a bad idea. I am truly sorry his Lab is terrified. His dog is lucky to have someone who will stay home and care for him. Many are so terrified that they flee and are killed or injured on the road.

The solution he proposes, however, is just plain heartless. He suggests fireworks be moved back by the Camarillo Animal Shelter because the animals there are "strays who will probably be euthanized in a few days anyway." If they are to be euthanized soon is it OK to terrorize them first?

The premise that animals at the shelter will necessarily be euthanized soon is false. Animal Regulation has a pretty good adoption rate. They work hard to care for their animals and to place them in a good home. A more important point is that a "stray" animal or one turned in because his owner has had his house foreclosed is of no less importance than Mr. Hanlon's dog.

Fireworks terrify animals. They do not belong in any neighborhood or near any animal shelter.

~ Debby Mooney,
Ventura

I believe President Obama is trying to govern the United States with a committee of foreign rulers, including Mexico, Europe, Afghanistan and possibly China

John Bailey,
Saticoy

This present government is no longer a government of the people, by the people and for the people, but a government for the government, when a candidate seeking the endorsements of public agencies and public agencies endorsing candidates both are bribing each other,

The candidate is seeking the agencies' vote and the agencies are seeking the candidates' favors. To be re-elected, a public official must favor these public agencies, and important programs and services for the people are canceled.

Donald Saunders,
Ventura

I looked and I couldn't believe my eyes, so I looked again. Sure enough, the driver of the car travelling alongside the bus I was on, was holding a container in his left hand and a spoon in his right, but no hand on the steering wheel.

I suppose if a fellow is hungry, he has to throw all caution to the wind, and come what may.

Martha Kamke,
Port Hueneme

I can't believe the idiots in California that want to boycott Arizona! The Los Angeles City Council should hang their heads in shame. What part of the word illegal don' they understand? The Republican and Democrat parties are more concerned about votes from the majority of the Hispanic community.

I am not prejudiced against the Hispanic community; I am more concerned abut the laws that should be obeyed in my country.

I lived in Germany for seven years, working for an American company servicing the American military. My wife was told that, in no way, was she to be employed by a German company. I paid German taxes and did not get any special privileges form the Germans.

Maybe these illegal people sneaking over the boarder should try sneaking into Iran where they will be tried as spies.

I applaud the Arizona governor for implementing a law that our U.S. government could not handle. Shame on our current and past administrations for not acting on this matter!

Tony Pavia,
Newbury Park

Back in 1900, when there was a rush from all areas of Europe to come to the United States, people had to get off a ship and stand in a long line in New York and be documented. Some would get down on their hands and knees and kiss the ground. They made a pledge to uphold the laws and support their new country in good and bad times. They made learning English a primary rule. They had waved goodbye to their birthplace to give their children a new life and did everything in their power to help their children assimilate into one culture. Nothing was handed to them. No free lunches, no welfare, no labor laws to protect them. All they had were their skills and craftsmanship they had brought with them to trade for a future of prosperity.

During World War II, none of the first generation Americans ever gave any though about what country their parents had come from. They were Americans, defending the United States of America. We carried the one flag that represented our country. Not one of those immigrant sons would have thought about picking up another country's flag and waving it to represent who they were. It would have been a disgrace to their parents who had sacrificed so much to be here. These immigrants truly knew what it meant to be an American.

Here we are with a new kind of immigrant, who wants the same rights and privileges. However, they want to achieve it by plaing with a different set of rules, one that includes the entitlement card and a guarantee of being faithful to their mother country. I'm sorry, that's not what being an American is all about. If they are here in America legally, they should kiss the ground they walk on.

Minnie Anzo,
Camarillo

I want to thank those in the city of Ventura who were responsible for the Bayview beautification project. I live nearby and walked the dog on Bayview (above Ventura College) after the trucks and the smell of road tar had gone and was amazed at what a little ingenuity and creativity in street design and repair could do.

The nicely projecting curbsides, which keep the huge trees (and some smaller ones) in check and in bloom are a nice touch to a beautiful quiet street. The metal wheelchair access ramps are a great improvement (even for skateboarders) and having the cracking old street repaved is a joy. I'm sure the residents of Bayview (and surrounding streets) also will be thrilled to know if speeders and joy riders wish to buzz through this neighborhood, they will have to drive much slower to navigate it.

Thank you again and what's next?

~ Bob Brill,
Ventura

On July 13, Andy Fox, Jacqui Irwin and Tom Glancy, minus Dennis Gillette and Claudia Bill-de la Pena having ecused themselves for possible conflict of interest, voted unanimously to approve the expansion of Los Robles Hospital to the detriment of many residents living near the hospital, who will have probably eight years of construction noise, dust, traffic. In the process, the council is bending, if not breaking, the city's regulations for building height, density, setback, visual blight, all "in the interest of the community at large."

Admittedly, hospitals are an asset for any city, however, there should be limits to the amount of building allowed on a given piece of property in a residential area. It is not like the hospital could not build a very large facility somewhere else in the city, but that would cost more money.

Glancy, before voting to approve the expansion, said that he would welcome this project in his backyard. I respect his desire and suggest that he trade houses with any of the residents of Sidlee or Young streets for the next eight years to prove his statement. At least Irwin said she wouldn't want this project in her backyard. Nor would anyone else.

Interestingly people call people NIMBY's while living in gated communities with CC&Rs that dictate whether you can park a car on the street and what color you can paint your house, much less whether an obviously too large commercial project for the area would even be considered.

We even had elected officials from Moorpark and Westlake telling us how wonderful the expansion in our neighborhood would be. When they say it's not about the money, it is about the money, rest assured.

~ David Mueller,
Thousand Oaks

On July 10, KFI AM ran a story of the history of the Bosnia-Serb war. It set out the timetable of when things started to disintegrate and the principals involved. The Dutch battalion was untrained and without direction. The UN moved in late and did little but make matters worse. The so-called peacekeepers were accepting bribes from both sides, allowing the Serbs to penetrate the Safe Zone.

Whatever political issues involved between the participants, the UN was the most to blame in that they did not do the job they were created for. Why do we even pretend this is a viable institution? Massacre after massacre occurs throughout the world, and the UN is incapable of ending them. The UN was created to be a world peacekeeping group, an apolitical institution to tamp down any up rising before it developed into war. They are a joke, an organization run
by "thugocracy." As for this farce, the United States pays the major source of funding.

~Joyce B. Goetz,
Thousand Oaks

Re: your July 10 commentaries, "Shifting away from fossil fuels" by Reese Halter and "Weaning America off its oil addiction" by Jeffrey L. Wissot.

Both writers embrace the idea of moving away from the use of fossil fuels to green technologies. Unfortunately, some of the technologies desired are not yet available.

For example, the all-electric car is not yet a viable alternative for today's automobile. To be viable, the all-electric vehicle must get at least 300 miles on a single charge, batteries must be rechargeable in five minutes or less, and have sufficient power to run an air conditioner in summer or electric heater in winter. To my knowledge no such battery technology exists today. At best the all-electric vehicle is good for short hops.

Both authors suggest that higher energy costs will fuel innovation and lead to the development of green technologies. While this is true, it will also have a devastating effect on our economy. Raising energy prices will increase the cost of American goods and services and decrease foreign sales. Furthermore, American jobs will move overseas, and unemployment will increase. Our trade imbalance will continue to grow and our net wealth will decrease.

The solution is not to raise energy prices, but to reduce the cost of green technologies. When automobiles were first invented, they were custom built and too expensive. Henry Ford came along, and with some innovation, including setting up the first assembly line, was able to reduce the cost to where the Model-T became affordable.

Henry Ford did not drive up the cost of hay and feed to make operating a horse and buggy more expensive. He drove the cost of the automobile down to the level ordinary people could afford. Self interest then took over and the rest is history. Mandates are not the answer!

~ Anthony van Leeuwen,
Ventura

I had the opportunity to witness first hand our firefighters and sheriff deputies in action responding to the Camarillo-Loma fire. Amazing; clearly a crew of truly professional people, who, in my opinion, are often our unsung heroes. Please convey our sincere gratitude to these folks for making short work of the fire and saving so many local homes. I slept well last night knowing we have such individuals on our payroll.

~ Dennis L. Solomon,
Camarillo

Re: your July 13 article, "Ventura Rejects medical marijuana cooperatives":

Well I must say, I am as proud as pudding. This action by Ventura will show all those stoners that the killer weed is the road to damnation and perdition. A person smokes that mind-altering drug, and there is no telling what he/she might do.

I know people who after smoking a joint began laughing uncontrollably, then began munching an entire chocolate cake or five or six snicker bars. Then, believe it or not, they finish up by sitting in a recliner and watch re-runs of "Gilligan's Island" for a couple of hours before falling asleep.

Now, since the Ventura City Council is on such an intelligent bend, perhaps it could incorporate some of the following suggestions.

• Repeal all alcohol licenses in the city


• Enact an 8 p.m. curfew for anybody under the age of 18


• Pass a city law against gay marriages


• Pass a city law against all illegal aliens and anybody that hires them


• Pass a city law against all left-hand turns


• Pass a city law against parking on the street anywhere in the city


• Pass a city law against being homeless in the city


• This final suggestion would certainly eliminate most of our problems:


• Repeal women's right to vote within the city of Ventura

How did the old saying go? "Those with no faults, step up and toss the first stone."

~ Rellis Smith,
Ventura

Where is the Tea Party when it comes to British Petroleum? Wasn't one of the main reasons we became a country due to the fact that we didn't like the King's monopoly (King George) on our economic system that taxed to death American citizens?

Now, we have a foreign country, Britain again, posing as an American corporation, while stealing our land, our resources and negligently causing disasters for all America, particularly the Gulf States.

And guess what? BP is going to use our taxes to pay for its mistakes! British Petroleum has effectively negated our Louisiana Purchase, and like King George at the birth of our nation, is now affecting and destroying the livelihoods of a third of America without firing a shot! Where is the Tea Party? What history don't they get?

Instead of declaring war on Britain, or attacking British Petroleum, they are rubbing shoulders with the likes of Sara Palin, who has made her deals with BP in Alaska. The Tea Party is the Me Party and its selfishness protects foreign investors while ignoring the plight of real Americans. Shame on them.

Their libertarian views turn out to be Toryterian views. They should rename
the party the Hipocrit Party or the Tory Party. Trust me, you can't
drink that unless, of course, you like Crudeaid.

~ Grant Markus
Ventura

Re: your July 13 editorial cartoon:

I know that The Star is a very liberal paper, but your printing of the political cartoon in Tuesday July 13, was way out of reason. The cartoon depicted the Russian spies being put on a plane with Uncle Sam, adding Lambaugh, Beck and Hannity as a bonus.

This is the reason your paper as well as others are fading due to lack of customers. These three individuals are more concerned with this country and have documented some of our country's serious problems. Because of their truthful messages, their ratings have skyrocketed and are viewed by millions of people worldwide. This cannot be said for your paper or many of the other liberal papers in this nation that are not representative of the people they serve.

Before you mock true patriots, you should look at yourselves, before you fade away due to lack of customers,

~ Harvey Plaks,
Moorpark

What has happened to this country? Have we forgotten about that fateful day of Sept.11, 2001?

Our so-called government leaders were elected to protect us all against terrorists and anybody that comes into this country to do harm to the citizens of this country. Our federal government is completely useless. Where is our protection on the border's? None of us should blame Arizona for protecting its state. We should, however, blame our president and Janet Napolitano our Secretary of Homeland Security for doing absolutely nothing because they, like all the rest of our politicians, are pandering to the Latino community for votes. This also applies to some Republicans.

One responsibility of the president is to defend the nation against foes, foreign and domestic. Sadly, our current president is doing nothing.

Our founding fathers adopted the rule of law to guide our courts and protect our citizens.

Perhaps it is time to start a movement to impeach a president who will not protect our states and citizens from lawlessness as exemplified by the action in and against Arizona.

We are nearing an election. The time is now to turn our elected officials who mock our laws for their own political gain.

~ Mary Troness,
Thousand Oaks

Re: your July 13 article, "Board OKs clinics for T.O. Borders building":

As a daily reader of two newspapers, I was very surprised and saddened to read today about the takeover of the Borders site by the county for a medical clinic. It seems to me there was very little (if any) warning that Borders might get the boot. How can this happen without our local leaders weighing in?

If you ask my children, the city of Thousand Oaks has very little to offer in the way of entertainment. Prior to Borders moving in, we lost a bowling alley, which was never replaced. We lost a skating rink on Ventu Park, which was never replaced. Now our only bookstore is going to become a medical clinic? Having just bought a stack of books for my daughter for summer reading, I can't tell you how disappointed she will be.

Rethink this decision! We need more bookstores, not less. Find another site for the medical clinic.

~ Jocelyn DeVault,
Newbury Park

Re: Ron Busick's July 6 column, "Remembering our fallen World War II heroes":

I was very impressed with Ron Busick's column regarding his visit to the Veterans' Memorial Cemetery in Florence, Italy. I had a somewhat similar experience in my recent visit to the Normandy Coast in northern France.

I was quite humbled to be standing before th thousands of white crosses at the American Cemetery, knowing that they gave their young lives so that I and others can appreciate their sacrifice.

About the blowing of "Taps" in the distance, I had the same emotional experience that brought tears to my eyes at the Riverside Memorial Cemetery, where a memorial service was held for a longtime neighbor of mine, Joe Kitko, who served his country in the Air Force, flying B-17s over France.

I will never forget these experiences as I, too, am a WWII veteran who served my time in the South Pacific. Thanks Ron for a wonderful column.

Frank Cavola,
Ventura

Re: your July 3 article, "Paring back to make a profit":

In this article, state Sen. Elaine Alquist, chairwoman of the Senate Health Committee said, "There was an implicit good faith agreement that things would get better. ..."

It is difficult for me to imagine a more completely and absolutely naive statement than that. The one "good faith agreement" one can count on from a for-profit enterprise is that ie till make every attempt to maximize its profits

For 30 years, I managed health care delivery in both hospitals and nursing homes, and in both for-profit and not-for-profit enterprises. I can tell you uneqivocally that the for-profit facilities are tempted to shave costs and increase revenues at all times.

That is, of course, true of all for-profit businesses in a capitalistic economic system, and it works quite well in most American enterprises. However, it is an utter failure in the health care delivery. Until we remove all for-profit enterprises from our health system, we will never realize the potential quality of care and cost-containment that the recently enacted national plan envisions.

William Merit True, II,
Port Hueneme

To the person who stole my Mexican pottery/Talavera planter (plant and all) off my porch, I hope you are happy! I thought you would like to know that it was a gift from my husband to celebrate five years of being cancer free.

I doubt a person like yourself even reads the paper, but hopefully someone you know will see this and know that the new plant/planter you brought home was stolen.

Shirley Panet,
Oxnard

Re: your July 5 article, "Panel asks Oxnard to act against Arizona":

To the members of the Commission on Community Relations:

There's an old country western tune that says, "Mind your own business and you won't be minding mine."

~ Hub Rogers,
Ventura

The two candidates for governor cannot be faulted for a lack of substance in their plans, since it is plainly evident that no governor can govern a legislature that is more interested in party politics and their own re-election than they are in the best interests of California.

Any plan put forward during the actual campaign will only serve as pre-election ammunition for the other candidate and party to critique, and set up the defeated party's Assembly and Senate representatives for an immediate offensive once the governor-elect attempts to implement those plans

I think that even if the gubernatorial candidates were Jesus and Buddha, the legislature would agree that a jug fills drop by drop, but becomes deadlocked about who should do the pouring, and whether it should be water or wine. Meanwhile, California would die of thirst.

~ Bill Waxman,
Simi Valley

I'm writing to applaud Miss Abby Sunderland in her recent endeavors. Abby's accomplishments far outweigh those of many people twice her age. Her passion for sailing is admirable not only to fellow young people, but also to others around her.

The bravery and perseverance of today's 13- to 18-year-old set cannot hold even the smallest birthday candle to that of Abby. The closest many of her peers come to such accomplishments are winning an intense car race, or playing in a world famous rock band -- in a video game. How do I, of all people, know this? Because I am one of these people! I have many peers who deem it impossible to walk to the grocery store. I know others who twiddle their thumbs as they watch the absurd, badly developed characters on absurd, badly written TV shows. I have met others who sit in their room, dreaming, yearning, longing to become a psychologist, artist, or family physician.

So, I write to tell not only the youth, but also everyone for that matter to follow the examples displayed by Abby. Find a dream, and chase that dream. Find the courage within you to go above and beyond to achieve that goal. Don't just walk -- run to that grocery store. Turn off the "tube", and quit watching bad actors interact . Iinstead, interact with the interesting, very real people around you. And, don't just sit around imagining what you may become -- go out and become that person.

I praise Abby for chasing her dreams and goals, and attempting such a difficult challenge. I wish her the best in all of her endeavors, and look forward to the day when she does sail around the world.

Charlotte Warren,
Ventura

Around 4 p.m. Tuesday, July 13, we noticed a lot of black smoke blowing toward the southeast of our home by the Camarillo Library on Las Posas Road. We raced outside and saw smoke and flames rising up in the Camarillo Heights and on the Somis side of the hills to the north.

The Ventura County Fire helicopters were already on scene. Sirens from the trucks were wailing all around us. We saw palm trees on fire in the Heights. The choppers were like mosquitoes buzzing constantly over the entire area.

We watched the TV news to try and see how widespread the burn area was. It was pretty frightening for a couple hours. We went back outside again around 6 p.m. to check on things. It was astounding how little smoke was still in the air by our home. Virtually no smoke was rising from the formerly billowing areas. The helicopters were still circling the area bringing water drops, one after the other. Although we know the pilots flying directly over our home were focused on the burn areas, we waved and clapped in hopes they would see us and know how grateful and astounded we were by their response and success.

We just want all the responders to know how much we appreciate the incredible job they did to knock this down in just a couple of hours. Bravo!!!

~ Bill and Joy Putinta,
Camarillo

I live very close to the fire and as I am writing this, firefighters are still dropping water and have boots on the ground. It is 6:15 p.m. July 13, and the fire started at 3 p.m.

I would like to say to all the looky-loos who raced to get up to our neighborhood that you are very inconsiderate. I had to ask several people to move their cars from blocking my driveway. I don't know what kind of person does this, but there were many that sped up and down West Loop and Mission and even pulled over to the side of the road to watch. We don't have space up here for parking on the sides of the roads. I guess they were hoping to see a house burn, I don't know.

Please, when you see a fire, watch it on TV and please stay away from the neighborhoods that are in danger. You make it much more dangerous for the residents in the event we would have to evacuate, especially if you are blocking someone's driveway.

On a positive note, thanks to our fantastic Ventura County firefighters! They are the best, and their response was incredibly quick. There were helicopters in the air within minutes. You can't ask for anything better than that!

~ Carolyn Crandall,
Camarillo

Re: Your June 30 article, "State bans welfare cards at strip clubs":

How many people are aware of the fact that these welfare cards, aka EBT cards, that are being used at casinos are loaded with a "food" fund and a "cash" fund?

As a grocery checker, I see such ridiculous abuse of both. Sushi at $10 a tray, Deli sandwiches at $5 each, candy and soda are just a few. Even more disconcerting is that there is no limit to what these people can purchase with the cash portion of the card, including one instance where a customer was able to get a $40 bottle of vodka!

No wonder our system is failing! This must stop!

Kathy Dollman,
Thousand Oaks

Whether floods, fires, oil spills or personal disasters like homelessness and hunger, 211 has been there to help, but 211 is not everywhere, yet. We need Congress to pass the Calling For 211 Act to fulfill that promise.

Just as 911 connects callers with emergency services, 211 connects people to vital human services. In 2009, 211 connected more than 16 million callers nationwide to information about job training, educational resources, housing and food assistance, services for veterans and so much more. During disasters, 211 becomes a central hub, providing information on how to give and get help.

Yet, despite the ever-growing demand for 211, limited resources remains the key barrier to sustainability and nationwide implementation. A fully realized 211 system will not happen without the support of the federal government in partnership with states.

That is why a broadly bipartisan group of 243 people, nine representatives and 61 senators have cosponsored the Calling For 211 Act. We call on our members of Congress to rise above the partisanship and pass the Calling For 211 Act before August recess -- before another disaster leaves our residents without a clear place to turn for help.

~ Cheryl Heitmann,
Board Member,
United Way of Ventura County,
Thousand Oaks

Re: your June 24 article, "County to fund Santa Rosa Valley horse center ":

An article in the newspaper noted that the Ventura County Board Supervisors is putting up $238,000 to help build and equestrian center in the Santa Rosa Valley.

We are having a water shortage in the Santa Rosa Valley.A horse facility requires a lot of water to protect the animals and control the dust created by them and the traffic involved.

I live in the Santa Rosa Valley. I personally have restricted my use of water in my daily life.

In addition, the traffic on Santa Rosa Road would increase and contribute more noise that what is already here.

Evelyn Lacy,
Camarillo

I want to take a moment to let the county of Ventura know what a wonderful hospital we have out our doorsteps. The ventura Conty Medical Center is an outstanding hospital, and we are so lucky to have it available to all of us.

I was recently a patient and had surgery at Ventura County Medical Center and want to take the opportunity to thatk Dr. Javier Romero and all the staff. The doctors and nurses at VCMC were some of the most amazing people and caretakers I have ever met.

I will never be able to put into words how grateful I am.

John O'Brien,
Ventura

Utility billing

Re: your July 8 editorial, "Time for updating utility accounts":

Thanks to The Star for keeping the public abreast of a sewer system billing discrepancy that cost a Simi Valley resident $7,000 she should not have incurred in the first place, and also for bringing to light some similar issue but in an entirely different situation that may adversely affect some homeowners in Ojai and the Ojai Valley. People must be wary in doing improvements, additions or conversions to their properties that require connection to the sewer system.

Likewise, I commend Simi Valley city officials for addressing the issue in the most feasible way. Hopefully, the same goes accordingly with the residents of Ojai and the Ojai Valley.

I applaud what District General Manager John Correa said, "This is all about fairness," pointing out that the current ratepayers are bearing the cost of the freeloaders. "It is all a matter of treating people equally and seeing to it that everybody plays by the rules"

Having said this, I conclude that our local government does a better job of law enforcement and looking after us than Washington.

While it is time for us to update our utility account, it is time for Washington to clean up its act, and fulfill the promise of change that put leaders in power. We expect them to lead and take responsibility to the road of recovery, not to look back when the going gets tough. Action speaks louder than words. As it is they don't match.

I think politics that goes around and beyond the rules of God, the law of the land and common decency is what gets us into these messes. It is now time for everyone to do what is right.

~ Socorro G. Mercado,
Oxnard,

Re: your July 9 article, "Gallegly concerned Democrats might force immigration reform legislation":

As a constituent, I share the same fears as Rep. Gallegly regarding so-called "comprehensive immigration reform."

In arguing for this "reform," President Obama and his cronies in Congress say things like, "We must fix the broken system," "We need a path to citizenship," and "We must have a policy that secures our borders." These statements are extremely deceptive. When they say the system is broken, they really mean that there are many illegals that are facing deportation, and we are not admitting legal immigrants fast enough. In reality, the only thing that is broken about our immigration system is our failure to enforce our laws and impose limitations. Instead of fixing a broken system, "reform" will make the broken system worse.

Then, we keep hearing them talk about a "path to citizenship," which is just plain amnesty. In fact, we already have a "path to citizenship," and it starts with applying for a green card and getting in line.

Then the biggest ruse of them all is the talk about securing our borders. They are simply using border security as a bargaining chip to advance their amnesty agenda. In 1986 we were promised strict border enforcement after granting amnesty to 3 million illegals. I think it is safe to say that did not happen. We cannot fall for the same deceptive tactics again in 2010, when the problem is now much worse.

The majority of Americans want immigration enforcement, not amnesty hidden behind the veil of "comprehensive reform."

~R.J. Hauman,
Camarillo

Re: Bernie Huberman's July 13 letter, "Anchor bablies":

The term "anchor babies" is a misnomer and a racist term. Illegal aliens get no free pass to stay here if they have a legal child. They get deported all the time.

Recently, on 60 Minutes, there was a story about a man who not only had a legal child, he had a citizen wife who was a blonde blue-eyed American. He was deported anyway, and drowned in the All-American Canal trying to get back to his family.

A noncitizen mother cannot sponsor anyone to enter the country. When her child is 21, he would have to sign an affidavit of support to sponsor his mother as a permanent resident. No citizen can sponsor their extended family.

If he had illegal brothers or sisters, he also would have to sponsor them, and the average wait for that category is 11 years. If the bothers or sisters are married, he cannot sponsor them. What are the chances that he could afford to sponsor multiple people and that any siblings would still be unmarried in their 30s?

Unlike the scare-story lies that hordes of millions will be coming here due to these babies, it would be a very small number that will fit all the eligibility requirements.

It is also a half-truth that the mother of a citizen can apply for welfare. She herself is not eligible and never will be. She can apply for welfare for one child, which is greatly reduced from what she would get if she were a citizen.

There is no "egregious abuse" and Congress needs to do nothing about this.

~ Alex Magdaleno,
Camarillo

Re: Cherie Maciel's July 13 letter, "Flag thefts":

Although it looks great to put up flag in neighborhoods for the Fourth of July, and we all appreciate the sentiment, if you look at flag etiquette books, using the flag for advertising purposes is frowned upon.

My husband found one in our yard a few years back and called the name on the card and said he did not serve in Vietnam so the American flag could be used for that. I agree, it is a nice gesture, but a little self-serving to do it. Perhaps service groups or youth groups from churches could make that a project but not a realtor with a shiny business card and a phone number.

~ Edie Lewis,
Thousand Oaks, Ca

Re: your July 13 article, "Supervisors vote to open health clinics in Borders building":

I am writing in reference to the article in the Star regarding locating a County Medical facility at the Borders site in Thousand Oaks.

The Borders location is in a major commercial/retail site in Thousand Oaks. It would be better served to continue in that mode, since it would be consistent with the area and also would provide needed sales tax revenue.

There must be comparable locations that are in less expensive areas and would serve the identical purposes proposed.

There are also ethical issues raised in the article that need to be carefully examined and investigated before approval is granted. The article advises that much of the negotiations were done in secret, without the Thousand Oaks city manager being fully apprised.

Why was this not opened to bid?

We do need services in the east county, but it must be done prudently and without overtones of "sweetheart" deals done in private.

These are difficult financial times for many governments, and since they are guardians of our money, they must carefully review this project and act in a responsible manner.

~ Spencer Resnick,
Thousand Oaks

In July, the Thompson family visited the Grand Canyon. I suspect they missed the beauty of the place as they were too busy looking down while writing their names on the rocks. The photos were posted on my Facebook page.

The inscription: Thompson Simi Valley, CA

I am more than certain they would be required to clean up and compensate the city if they had done this at home. They certainly did not provide good press for Simi Valley.

~Gary Hein,
Santa Fe, N.M.

Re: Thomas Elias's July 13 editorial, "Necessity breeds good ideas on public pensions":

Mr. Elias, where do you get your facts? The California State Teachers Retirement System (CalSTRS) contribution rate is completely controlled by state statute. The state contribution rate of 4.5 percent has not changed in very many years. We are not the same as CalPERS, which is controlled by unions. Funding for the teachers retirement system comes mostly from investment income. We have not asked for, nor received, new money from the state. As to spiking, CalSTRS is ever vigilant to stop pension abuse. I believe, Mr. Elias, owes our organization an apology.

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

What will it take to awaken us? It wasn't the blatant theft of our home equity and retirement funds. It wasn't the gutting of taxpayers through corporate and Wall Street bailouts. It certainly wasn't the mine collapse or the deaths of 11 oil workers who were sacrificed in the name of free trade.
We've already accepted the 84 days and counting of oil poisoning our coastline. Do we really still care more about Lindsay Lohan than we do about our retirements, our planet and our children's future? Or is that just the sleight of hand that corporate media distract us with in order to keep the peace?

If they told us that 1 percent of the country now owns more of the wealth then the other 99 percent, we'd be pretty motivated to act, wouldn't we? If they told us corporations can get away with calculated murder, we'd be pretty upset. If we knew that the young lives we've sacrificed in the Middle East and the billions of dollars we hemorrhage each month was just to enforce the oil deals that Dick Cheney crafted well before 9/11, we'd all go nuts, right?

Who cares if we have no jobs, but that it's raining money in Washington? Who cares that sea turtles are going extinct. Now, there are whispers of a giant coast-killing methane bubble lurking beneath all that oil. There are questions of what will fill the void that has suddenly been created. I guess we'll just hit the snooze button and wait to see what happens with poor Lindsay because that's what we proud Americans really care about, right?

~ John Loprieno,
Westlake Village

Re: your July 11 article, "Medical pot co-ops on Ventura's agenda":

The Ventura City Council's decision to hold public meetings about medical marijuana is a positive step forward in creating citizen-supported marijuana regulation. While these public meetings are focused on medical marijuana, Ventura might also consider beginning a discussion on what regulating marijuana for recreational use might look like.

The city of Ventura cannot afford to put off a decision about medical marijuana until after voters consider Proposition 19 in November. Even if the Ventura City Council members oppose the legalization of marijuana, local officials need to prepare for the possibility that marijuana may soon be legalized. Understandably, local governments may feel that they have neither time nor money to deal with marijuana regulations. At the same time, they may want to consider the potential tax revenue from California's largest -- and untaxed -- cash crop.

~ Brian Scott,
Policy Fellow Drug Policy Alliance,
Los Angeles

It has just come to my attention that the Ventura County Fair has not invited the "Wildlife Experience" to the fair this year.

For the past eight years, the "Wildlife Experience" has been a core staple of my fair-going fun. The people are knowledgeable and entertaining, and there are always at least a couple of new animals in the show from year to year. The proceeds from the booth help the organization support wildlife education in our community as well.

I implore your readers to write to or e-mail the Ventura County Fair to let them know how disappointed we are at the exclusion of the "Wildlife Experience." What is next, the pig races?

~ Richard Green,
Ventura

Re: your July 12 article, "Disability activist remembered with beach party":

I read with great pleasure about the celebration at Oxnard Beach to thank the man who's vision brought the wheelchair ramp access to that beach. Before my daughter's passing this past December, my wife and I took her to this beach in her wheelchair and have many fond memories of our visits there.

I must, however, voice my disappointment when I visited the area a few weeks ago. The concrete ramp was in disrepair with large pieces of concrete edging broken away and much of the pathway covered in sand. It would have been virtually useless for a disabled person in a wheelchair to safely navigate this ramp.

The city of Oxnard needs to continue to show it's appreciation for the people involved in bringing this ramp to the area by properly maintaining it in a safe, usable condition so it can continue to be used by our physically challenged community. I would think that the cost to maintain this pathway would be much more economical than accepting financial liability should an accident occur.

~ Steve Seufert,
Oxnard

Wilma Turchick, a longtime Santa Paula educator and community icon, passed away recently. Mrs. Turchick was a member of the Ventura County Educators Hall of Fame's Inaugural Class in 2007.

She was principal for a total of 10 schools during her career, including a time when she was principal for three campuses at once. She began her teaching career at Mill School in Ventura in 1948. She went on to become a teaching vice principal, teaching principal and then full-time principal.

At Mill School, she was given recognition as a life member of the PTA and as a demonstration teacher for Ventura County schools. She was the principal for the demonstration program for the county at Hueneme School.

Temporarily leaving education to get married, Wilma resumed her educational career with employment at Barbara Webster School in Santa Paula as a teaching vice principal. Later, she was principal of McKevett school until 1972, when she returned to the classroom because of a change of administration and a cancer operation.

In 1981, she returned to administration of both Portal and Grace Thille schools, taking the additional job of curriculum director for the district in 1984. During her last years in the district, she served as principal of Grace Thille School, Glen City School, and her last three years at Blanchard School.

My heartfelt condolences go out to Wilma's friends, family and all those that she loved. Upon my visits to Wilma and her husband, Steve, I was surrounded by various items that reminded me of the mutual dedication that they both had in impacting the lives of Santa Paula's kids for nearly four decades. Many members of the community told me fond stories of Wilma and Steve Turchick being their teachers as they grew up in Santa Paula.

~ Darrin Parrent
President,
Ventura County Educators Hall of Fame

Let's forget about Arizona, profiling and compassion for a moment and focus on questions about undocumented immigration from Mexico and Central America.

Birth rates are high among poor, uneducated and undocumented Latinos. If we encourage increased immigration across our southern border, where will we find the teachers and classroom space to service the many children of these newcomers? Salaries and benefits are being squeezed as class sizes expand. Intelligent university students are going to take a skeptical look at the teaching profession as they prepare themselves for a tough economic future.

The undocumented Latino immigrant is dirt poor. He or she will work at or below minimum wage in order to experience a standard of living that is higher than what was left behind. The poor of all races gather in living conditions that are rich in crime and gang activity. How can our communities continue to provide police and medical support services for ever-expanding concentrations of poverty and crime?

Finally, our Indian casinos are attracting large numbers of poor Latino immigrants from all over the state. The dollars earned through hard work in order to improve living conditions are wasted away in slot machines, every day of the week. How will these folks feed their families and free themselves from the charity of their communities? How will charitable organizations be able to survive if funding can not keep up with demand?

We must answer the questions posed here with honesty and with a clear, open mind. You and I must accept the California that we live in after all the noisy political "dust" settles. We are the residents of this beautiful state. We pay for its support with our taxes. We represent all races. It's time we take part, intelligently, in the shaping of our future.

~ Harry Griffith,
Camarillo

Re: your July 10 article, "Neighbors fight Los Robles project":

The incessant selfishness of the NIMBY's has risen to a new incredulity. A hospital that provides life-saving care has become a nuisance to their selfish souls. They fear the traffic of people arriving for care and the visits of their families. They fear the noise of the life-saving helicopters that rush the sick and injured to immediate help.

I live within blocks of Los Robles Hospital, and the helicopters that fly the injured and sick fly over my house and rattle my windows. I have yet to be fearful. Instead, I am grateful Los Robles Hospital exists, and I support its modernization and expansion, which will benefit us all- even the NIMBY's.

~Jo Ann Goff,
Thousand Oaks

Re: your July 9 article, "Involuntary manslaughter charges dropped against 66-year-old Simi man":

I am comfortable with guns. As a farm boy in North Dakota, I saved to buy my own .22 rifle when I was 12 years old. My older brother walked trap lines on the way to high school, where he propped his rifle in the cloak room until he picked it up to walk home. Our family enjoyed dinners of duck, downed by my father's shotgun. Yet I question the wisdom of our gun laws.

If, Schribner, an upset father, had encountered his daughter's intoxicated boyfriend without a gun, he might have hit him. They might have shoved and pushed and yelled, but that young man would still be alive. Once again, we discover that family arguments, alcohol and loaded guns are a dangerous mix.

Ronald Soderquist,
Thousand Oaks

President Obama must search the deepest recesses of his mind if he believes the American people will swallow his socializing political agenda. If you cannot accept the fact that President Obama is a collectivist, then you haven't been paying attention to his actions. Obama desires to have the folks ultimately and completely controlled by the federal government.

Americans must reject any and all forms of collectivism such as Socialism or Communism. Most, if not all, international bankers and powerful industrialists do not choose to engage in competition. Greedy world class bankers, like the Federal Reserve, and some equally corrupt oil barons, like OPEC, prefer a world where competition is annihilated in favor of a system of monopolies.

The opportunity to achieve economic success for ambitiously aspiring Americans, as is possible under capitalism, would be a thing of the past. Out-of-control taxation will force Americans to be dependent on an eternally corrupt federal government with little or no chance to regain what use to be your money. Freedoms will disappear. Calls for "Give me liberty or give me death" may rise, once again, to preserve the world's last best hope for freedom. It is far better to stop the nonsense at the ballot box this coming November.

What can we expect from Socialism? A two-tier social system would evolve with the extremely wealthy and those who would serve the extremely wealthy. Wake up America!

~ Sal Terrusa,
Camarillo

I like to hike and backpack. A good way to train for this activity is to mimic it. There is a loop trail with elevation gains and losses at Arroyo Verde Park in Ventura. I put on my 30-pound training pack, and go around this trail. I use two trekking poles to reduce strain on my 66-year-old body.

Arroyo Verde Park has legal off-leash dog times on the lawn (a good thing). However, at the entry points on the trail there are signs that clearly state that dogs must be leashed on the trail. Fully 80 percent of the dogs I encounter on the trail are not on leash. Now, I'm using trekking poles, which, to some, make me look like a strange, four legged hybrid animal out of Greek mythology. Some dogs react peculiarly to this, some as though frightened. As the owners pass, they often say that the dog is friendly, or doesn't bite. I've had dogs act in a very unfriendly manner, snarling and barking, hair raised, braced for action. As for biting, all dogs will bite other animals, including humans, either aggressively or defensively. It depends on their perception of a given situation - and dog perception might be different than human perception.

Although there are free dog-litter bags provided at various locations in the park, last Thursday I observed seven piles of dog droppings along the trail. I'm guessing the dogs were off leash.

In general, I like dogs, but some owners are inconsiderate scofflaws. I suggest that Ventura County Animal Services regularly visit the park trails and issue citations to the nuisance humans for violation of Ventura County Code Sec. 8.050.510, Leash law.

~ George Welle,
Ventura

Re: your July 10 article, "Gallegly concerned Democrats might force immigration reform legislation":

The headline of the article in today's paper regarding, Gallegly's concern over what the "Democrats" may or may not do, shows what's wrong with politicians statewide.

Gallegly and other politicians separate the American people in half. It's "us" versus "them." Why can't they understand, we are Americans ... all of us. It's not us and them; It's all of us, together, Americans, united. At least that's way it should be and that's the way it has to be if we're ever going to get our government back in shape for the good of America.

So come on, Mr. Gallagly. Understand that you represent a certain group of citizens, "Republian" and "Democrat" alike. Stop pointing fingers and name-calling and become a team player. The team is America.

~ Donna Athens,
Ventura

Re: the July 10 Pa Ventura item, "To mailers":

With regard to your first item, the one about not stocking up on 44-cent stamps, would it perhaps have been more useful had you added to that advice a suggestion to buy instead the "forever stamps" the USPS has been selling for several years now?

~ Todd Terres,
Camarillo

Re: Leslie Soyster's July 9 letter, "Nursing vs. formula":

Soyster said I need to apologize for insulting mothers, saying moms do the best they can. I think she misunderstood my opinion. I am not talking about moms who are unable to nurse for whatever reason, including having to stop early because of work. These are situations beyond our control.

My opinion is reserved for today's new moms who choose not to nurse in favor of giving their babies formula. Soyster was obviously not in this category. Moms are asked in the hospital if they will be breast or bottle feeding. It is my opinion that those moms who are capable of nursing who choose instead to feed their infants formula, in fact do not want what is best for their baby. If they did, they would breastfeed because it is undisputed that breast milk is better for a baby than formula. Remember, I am not talking about moms who cannot nurse, only moms who could but choose not to. Those moms are deliberately denying their babies the best food for them, so they obviously don't want what is best for the baby. This is a logical statement, and I won't apologize for it.

The topic that needs to be discussed is why some moms choose formula when there is no reason they cannot breastfeed. Why would they do this? Cultural pressure? Some kind of "ick" factor? Do they think nursing is just for animals? Are they duped by slick advertising? This is about personal and public health, so I think we need to figure it out so we can counter it. That would be in the best interest of everyone, except the corporations that make formula.

~ Alison Carlson,
Ventura

How is it that in these times in which we need jobs we allow the city of Oxnard to get away with investing so much in another project that fails? Back when the failure of the outlet mall was created, jobs were not a priority in the city, marketing was.

RiverPark looked so promising on paper and so sad when you drive by it. The constant covering of the opening date keeps at least one person employed. I listen to the council meetings to hear of progress and wait for the local paper to do a hard-hitting story to uncover what happened, but there's nothing.

Now is the time to call for the mayor to step down. Aside from a fresh face, Tom Holden has done nothing to better the city of Oxnard. I would respectfully ask him to step down and take his sad and failed projects with him. Unfortunately, we do have to live with them.

The next mayor needs to connect with the community and think of what suits the community best. Stop these projects that benefit political friends, and stop the pandering to businesses that give hefty promises and deliver empty dreams. Talk to community leaders and make decisions based on real needs, not dreams.

I am sick of this! Why not clean out the entire City Council and begin anew? All in favor -- vote them out!

~ Robert Guzman,
Oxnard

Re: your July 7 article, "Children not going hungry this summer":

Shame on The Star. The front-page article condones the Ventura Unified School District giving free lunches to children all over the county, regardless of income or need. As a taxpayer, I have to wonder about the lesson this is teaching our children. "So my mom doesn't have to cook," and "it's free." -- maybe there is such a thing as a free lunch after all?

~ Diane Keay,
Ventura

Re: July 9 Section B cover photo, "Glued to the screen":

I do not know if anyone at The Star has considered entering the picture shot by Karen Quincy Loberg into any contest. If not, you sure are missing a bet. That picture captures all the joy, happiness, child's desires and wide-eyed optimism, while at the ID Tech Camp at CLU. This photo, to me, personifies what the camp was attempting to teach.

Congratulations Karen, you sure captured all the right points of photography for all.

~ John Adams,
Camarillo

Ms. Lohan has serious issues to deal with, not the least of which is her "I only have a life because of you dad" attitude. If he was really concerned about her well being he wouldn't have hit every talk show immediately after her court appearance.

I can't believe that Hannity and Fox were as gratuitous as the other Kool-Aid drinking media. Shame on you Mr. Lohan and Fox. I was very disappointed in the hypocrisy. If Ms. Lohan had been convicted in Ventura, County, she would have received 48 hard hours incarcerationrather then 86 minutes after a second offense with numerous probation violations. She would have paid a more realistic sentence than 25 percent of a 90-day sentence.

I hope she gets the help she needs, but until the system helps her hit bottom, I pray for her safety.

Finally, Mr. Lohan, please stop living through your daughter's celebrity. Get your own identity, hopefully in a positive way.

Michael Murphy,
Camarillo

Re: Richard Reiss' July 6 letter, "A house in disorder":

I have to admit that the day I retired from the Army, almost 15 years ago, was the day I probably ceased understanding the military. While I was on active duty, I had the honor of serving with a wide slice of Americans who came from every walk of life and were both draftees and volunteers. I stood shoulder-to-shoulder with lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender soldiers through numerous deployments. I did this as an enlisted soldier and later as a warrant officer. Not once in my career did I ever see morale or the mission suffer when members of a unit were LGBT.

The tired-and-trite reasoning that the lure of sex would destroy morale and effectiveness pretty much died when the Women's Army Corps was disbanded and women became part of the regular Army. It took time to get soldiers at all levels re-calibrated, much like what happened when units were no longer segregated by skin color. LGBT soldiers have never had a defining moment when they could be recognized and be honest about their sexuality.

The unit I was serving in prior to Desert Shield was comprised of soldiers that were male, female, married, dating, straight and LGBT. I am proud that I served with each and everyone of them, and I knew that because we were soldiers we would put the mission and safety of each other above any prejudices we might have about each other's color, sex, sexual preference or religion.

The arguments made by armchair Rangers, like me, are hollow and without merit when it comes to current operations. I can only reflect on my time in boots and I hope that things have continued to improve.

~ Keith Baker,
Camarillo

Bob Huber is the only clear choice for the next Mayor of Simi Valley. His vast experience in handling financial crisis and a difficult budget is exactly what we need while facing economic challenges.

We need peformance not promises! Bob has already proved that he can handle the job as demonstrated while serving as Chairman of the Ventura County Community College Board of Trustees and the Simi Valley Community Foundation.

He knows how to forge a team with the community and other elected officials to get the job done. Many of us remember his many accomplishments while serving on the Simi Valley City Council.

Bob believes in working with a team of concerned citizens and knows the heart and soul of our community.

In the moe than 30 years that I have known Bob, he has always been a man of integrity and honor.

Please join with me in electing Bob Huber for Mayor of Simi Valley.

~ Mimi Shapiro,
Simi Valley

Re: your July 6 article, "Rare toad may cost county $100,000":

The article reports that protecting the arroyo toad will have an adverse ,$789 million economic impact around Southern California over a 25-year period. An adverse economic impact is not a tax or payable debt.

As you continue to read the article carefully, you see that the $789 million impact includes how much more developers will have to pay for the land, the price of studies and delays of construction. There is no direct cost to the taxpayer.

Ironically, it is past development that now threatens the animal's survival. What some people call "development" should more often be called "destruction."

~ Kirkland Gable,
Thousand Oaks

Re: your July 8 article, "Vietnam vet pleads guilty, uses post traumatic stress disorder as defense":

I have known Ed Houston Sr. for 38 years. I first met him while working for the city of Thousand Oaks in 1972. I worked in the Building and Safety Department, and Ed was a local contractor and owned Houston Fence and Patio. His business was small, yet productive, and he went on to build commercial as well as residential projects.

He became a good friend, and I depended on him when I built my room addition as well as many other projects and referred him to many of my friends as a person who was reliable and competent.

I know that he was sent to Vietnam, schooled as a mechanic but instead was ordered to a front line base as a combat soldier with no advanced knowledge of weapons. Although his accounts of his ineptitude with guns were funny, you could see there was a damaged person hidden behind that humor.

When he went to the Veterans Affairs for medical treatment, the intern mentioned that he was a Vietnam vet. The intern questioned him about his tour of duty, and when Ed tried to leave, he was instead sent to a psychiatrist for evaluation. He later was diagnosed as 100 percent disabled. I am also aware that he went through a devastating divorce in which much of his accomplished success was destroyed.

I wish that I could have offered some help to him at his time of crisis, but today I can only say that I am terribly dismayed at reading this story. To those critics who condemn his actions, I can only say that each person has certain burdens they live with every day. Ed has more than most.

Bary J. Branagan,
Newbury Park

Re: your July 7 article, "Report shows 27,000 abandoned Gulf of Mexico wells."

This article criticizes the regulatory environment in abandoning wells on the Outer Continental Shelf by the Minerals Management Service (MMS), the now-reorganized Interior bureau that has regulatory authority in this area. The criticism of MMS, while somewhat deserved, is transparent and self-serving partisan garbage. I say this as an MMS alumnus.

The article, as appears in The Star, further compares abandonment procedures with those "properly" practiced in California state waters, where "California has resealed scores of its abandoned wells since the 1980s."

The distribution of these "resealed" wells will be largely near shore, where there is public clamor for remedy and does not cover the bulk of exploratory wells or core holes that were drilled from floating vessels along the length of the California coast under state permit in what is now both state and federal waters. These were drilled and "abandoned," often under suspect conditions and a few that had blown out and were not re-entered.

Only the State agencies have information on the conduct of these operations, much of which is considered proprietary. The Associated Press investigation, as reported in The Star, completely excuses this situation. I would suggest the total of core holes drilled under state permit in the 1950s and '60s is about 600-1,000 wells. I say this as a California State Lands Commission staff alumnus.

~ Bob Paul,
Newbury Park

My wife, my mother-in-law and I are believers in what Arizona has done recently to try to deal with an increasingly desperate situation in the face of the complete failure of the federal government to secure our borders. Please, forget the stereotypes about ignorant whites being the only supporters of SB1070. My wife and mother-in-law are both Hispanics and also U.S. citizens by birth. My wife and I are both bilingual and hold advanced college degrees. Furthermore, several of my wife's Hispanic friends, both legal residents and U.S. citizens, are also supporters of SB1070.

The specious arguments used to attack SB1070 are, in large measure, the moral and legal equivalent of being penny wise and pound foolish. The fear of profiling, i. e. being questioned about legal status, along with the murky issue of a state helping to enforce only one step in the federal process of true immigration enforcement, need to be juxtaposed against the desperate situation caused in large measure by illegal human, arms and drug smuggling. Can any reasonable human being really be serious about such trade-offs?

By the way, how terrible is being "profiled"? In 1975, I was traveling through Peru, and Peruvian law required that I have both my passport and my monetary declaration at all times. At one point, I was stopped by federal police who politely asked for both items, which they quickly and graciously returned to me and went on their way. My point is this: these officers, seeing my blond hair and blue eyes, used reasonable profiling in doing their work, as police sometimes do. The experience was not in the least degrading or devastating for me, and should not be for anyone on the right side of the law.

~ Michael Van Slooten,
Camarillo

Re: Miriam Albert's July 7 letter "Leaving Words Out."

Miriam Albert writes her letter using her interpretation of "militia." Wikipedia gives at least seven definitions of militia.

One is, "The entire able-bodied population of a community, town, country or state, available to be called to arms."

Legal and historical meanings include defense activity or service to protect a community, its territory, property and laws.

Wikipedia's definition also states that the word militia is a polyseme, "a word or phrase with multiple related meanings.A word is judged to be polysemous if it has two senses of the word whose meanings are related."

The Second Amendment is interpreted differently by people on either side of the argument. I interpret it as giving all law abiding citizens the right to bear arms. If there is a disagreement as to the interpretation of the Second Amendment, we should defer to the preservation of freedom and rights.

~ Bill Buchanan,
Thousand Oaks

Move Fourth of July Fireworks Back to Freedom Park!

Let's face it, it wasn't a good idea to move the 4th of July fireworks from Freedom Park to Adolfo Camarillo High. I know the idea was to move the fireworks away from the Animal Shelter. What really happened was the celebration got moved to the middle of a high population area with more traffic, less parking, and more challenges for the handicapped.

Family pets are now being traumatized, not strays that are probably going to be euthanized in a few days anyway. I am a handicapped Vietnam veteran, every Fourth of July I end up with a shaking 75-pound Labrador Retriever in my lap. Tranquilizers only make him worse! This is not why I put my life in harm's way! It isn't working! Let's go back to Freedom Park!

~ Charles Hanlon,
Camarillo

Re: Lou Pupich's July 7 letter, "Accomplishments":

I believe Pupich completely misses the point. The lasting accomplishments of the great men mentioned were not singular events but the culmination of years of struggles, failures and heartbreaks. The named gentlemen possessed considerable talent, ambition and perseverance.

It is these same character traits that Abby Sunderland possesses and which will accompany her as she goes through life. These character traits will serve Abby well, and I would dare predict that in the not-too -distant future she will leave her mark on our world.

The opinion expressed by Pupich that Abby's adventure was "A feat of no significant value to our lives..." fails to comprehend the true impact of a most intriguing young lady, captain of the vessel Wild Eyes.

~William J. Tewksbury,
Simi Valley

I urge Sens. Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer to work to pass climate and energy legislation when they return to Washington, D.C., next week. The devastation continuing to unfold in the Gulf is a daily reminder that we must end our dependency on oil and move to a new, cleaner energy future.

Climate change poses an unprecedented threat to human communities, wildlife habitat and the
natural resources we all rely on for clean air and water, and recreational opportunities such as hiking, camping, boating and wildlife watching.

I asked our senators to pass comprehensive climate legislation that caps carbon emissions, protects wildlife from the impact of climate change and prohibits any new drilling off our
coasts.

~ Amanda Boyington,
Newbury Park

How come I never hear anyone expressing concerns about the U.S. Border Patrol "racially profiling" suspected illegal immigrants? Do they possess some "Jedi-Knight" capabilities that mere mortal, ordinary state law enforcement officers do not?

The truth is, it is a routine, everyday occurrence for federal and state law enforcement officials to work together, share information back and forth, and arrest suspects wanted by their respective counterparts' agency.

For example, take the crime of bank robbery: It is a violation of both federal and state law to rob a bank. The FBI and local police work together all the time, apprehending suspected bank robbers.

Funny, I have yet to hear any complaints from President Obama or Eric Holder about the local law stepping on the FBI's toes about this issue. I wonder why??

~ Phillip Thiele,
Simi Valley

I have two questions for the taxpayers of this country.

1. Why would any intelligent person spend $10 million to obtain a position that pays only $240,000 a year, unless they expected remuneration from some other source?

2. The constitution states that the Congress operates at "The will of the People." The Presidency and the Supreme Court fall subject to that also. So far, the presidency does what ever it wants, the Supreme Court not only adjudicates, but legislates, which is not in its purvue, according to the Constitution

These persons are our "employee," not our rulers. We, the taxpayers, are the boss. They are not doing the job we hired them to do! Why have they not been fired and competent persons placed in the office?

Have the American people turned into a lot of namby-pambys led by the nose ?

~ Don Davidson,
Port Hueneme

Re: your July 6 article, "City bans new fast-food joints":

The article heralding the birthplace of the In-N-Out fast-food hamburger chain in 1948 in Baldwin Park as being the first such drive-through restaurant in California was of interest.

However, it was not the nation's first drive-through or drive-in restaurant. By 1939 in Minneapolis, the RICH-O Drive-In fast-food restaurant had been firmly established by the Richardson family at a street corner location overlooking Minnehaha Park and The Ford Bridge entrance over the Mississippi River.

The Richardson family also marketed a successful line of bulk concentrated flavored syrups to make fruit-tasting chilled drinks for other fast food drive-ins under the RICH-O brand.

I remember patronizing the RICH-O Drive-In and also another Minneapolis drive-In restaurant on Minnehaha Avenue at the 44th Street Northwest in the late 1940s and early 1950s.

~Douglas G. Robertson,
Hollywood Beach

Re: your July 5 article, "Gen. Patraeus takes on Afghanistan post, vows progress":

President Barack Obama's rules of engagement aimed at reducing civilian casualties greatly increase the number of our troops becoming casualties because the enemy hides in civilian occupied quarters just so they can shoot at our troops, knowing that we won't shoot back. The enemy hopes when we have casualties that they do include collateral damage, aka reporters et al. Let's get serious. We are at war, and many noncombatants die in any war and all wars if they are in the vicinity of combat activities. Let's remand that order and save our troops!

Also, the idea of recognizing troops who show "courageous restraint" with a medal is the most blatant insult and slap in the face to every military veteran from the time of Washington's Revolutionary army to the present. Obama must immediately rescind that medal and destroy the dies to mint it! As a retired veteran of Korea and Vietnam I would recommend to anyone who receives it not to wear it because it speaks of cowardice in face of the enemy.

~ Kenn Ritza
Ventura

Re: Timm Herdt's June 24 article "Typical family needs $82,000 income to make ends meet in Ventura County":

I thought journalists checked facts. On $82,231 in income, the article lists the hypothetical family's third largest expense as taxes. Yet, I calculate:

• $7,545 for Federal Income Tax


• $5,098 for Social Security


• $2,385 for Medicare


• $4,164 for State Income Tax

Only direct taxes withheld are listed; CBP excludes the employer portion of Social Security and Medicare, $7,483 additional dollars; gas and sales taxes of 58 cents on every $3 gallon of gas; sales tax; and hidden taxes in prices when goods or services are purchased.

Hidden taxes accumulate on goods and services as they progress through the economy. Experts estimate 20 percent of prices paid by you, me and the hypothetical family of four is hidden taxes. Taxes increased the family's rent (property taxes, the landlord's and maintenance worker's income taxes); the cost of child care (property taxes, worker income taxes) and don't forget groceries.

Companies are already increasing costs (and prices) to cover the new healthcare "entitlement." Don't doubt that the massive hidden tax known as "cap and trade" will dwarf the costs imposed by "healthcare." That family's cost of living is going up again, thanks to government.

The CBP, with the complicity of Herdt and The Star, are conditioning you to vote for higher taxes without describing the inevitable higher cost of living on the lower and middle classes. Taxes were, are, and will remain, by far, that family's largest expense.

~ William Burke,
Thousand Oaks

Oxnard spouts off and is about to show its opposition to the Arizona law? Get real Oxnard. Cut off trade with Arizona?

Anyone can understand Oxnard's concerns. The only thing you get from Arizona is illegally smuggled drugs that have been coming across their borders and then into Oxnard. For this reason alone, you should be concerned with the effects of the Arizona Law.

Until Oxnard gets its own house in order, it is a place to be avoided. So Oxnard should stop its saber rattling, or should I say machete rattling.

I would go to Arizona tomorrow, but, I wouldn't drive though any part of Oxnard.

~ Robert D. Wilson,
Santa Rosa Valley

Every year, Erik Sellfors of Re/Max Realtors puts a lovely American flag on every property in the Texas Tract in Simi Valley.

It is just unbelievable that vandals would make the rounds the night before the Fourth of July and steal every flag from our street and several other streets in the tract. Whatever the motive, it is mean, un-American and vicious. Their parents -- who I won't say raised them because obviously there has been no upbringing -- should be so embarrassed.

If they enjoyed stealing flags, what else will they steal? Our property isn't safe with this element around. Why can't parents know where and what their kids are doing and teach them that freedom isn't free. It comes with a very high price. The lives that have been given in every single war fought in defense of this country. That is the reason we have the inalienable right to our freedoms. How dare they disrespect our flag and the men and women who have fought to protect us?

God bless America and the wonderful people who love and respect it. For those that don't, go to another country and just see why it is the '"land of the free and the home of the brave."

~ Cherie Maciel,
Simi Valley

We have stored our RV pop-up trailer at a Ventura storage facility for the past three years. We just discovered that it was missing and appears that it was stolen. It may have been an "inside" thief as entry/exit requires an access code unique to one's assigned space.

Don't assume (as we did) that something as large as an RV is secured in a storage facility. I would further suggest that you lock your trailer coupler.

We had bought our trailer three years ago with savings from my Veterans Affairs disability pension, and just thought the thief may see this and know who he stole it from. Of course, the storage facility is not liable, and our insurance coverage will not reimburse us sufficiently to replace our RV.

~ Phil Schoeffling,
Newbury Park

Re:Norman R. Williamsen, Jr.'s July 6 letter, "Military changes":

Hey Norm, I think you forgot to blame one other group for falling morale in the military ... African Americans! You know those pesky women, homosexuals and black people are always doing their utmost to sabotage organizations founded by white men.

I don't know what century you're living in, but it's not the 21st. A simple Google search will provide the names of many respected defense officials who support the end of Don't Ask Don't Tell, but, I guess you know better. How unfortunate.

~ Joy Putinta,
Camarillo

Re: July 6 article, "Panel asks Oxnard to act against Arizona":

It was interesting reading July 6 Ventura County Star.

One article spoke of groups pressuring the Oxnard City Council to boycott Arizona for the immigration law. Another article spoke of Mexico's inability to have worthwhile elections because the country is more or less being run by the cartels.

Let me see now, we boycott Arizona and ignore the actions at our borders like our Mexican politicians want us to and then, the cartels can just expand their mayhem into our border towns and into our mainstream cities across the country. Maybe it is already starting?

I for one want the cartels to stay where they are until they are wiped out down to the last man. The idea of having to fight them here in my own backyard causes me both fear and anger.

I think maybe we need to expand the Arizona law and start looking a bit closer at those politicians and social groups that support illegals coming across the border. Maybe it is time for political leaders to abide by the laws instead of assisting others in breaking them.

Oxnard City Council, you have plenty of worthwhile issues to deal with to keep our city safe and productive. Boycotting Arizona is boycotting America.

~ Russ Williams,
Oxnard

Re: Norman R. Williamsen Jr.'s July 6 letter, "Military changes":

Williamsen holds the position that both women and homosexuals in the military are bad for morale. I suspect that in the heat of battle, the soldier will not care if the person next to him or her is male or female. Do spouses really get assigned to the same unit?

If all this raises jealousy and envy among the other professional soldiers, then it seems that the military should be educating them on how to behave in such a setting. A real professional, soldier or otherwise, will not let the gender of the other professionals be an issue. The problem lies not with the women and homosexuals, but with the prejudices of the other soldiers who may not have been trained to disregard such things for the good of the unit.

Mr. Williamsen has things backwards. I think maybe this reflects his own prejudices, not that of every soldier on the battlefield. Everybody should grow up and and accept that if someone can do the job, they should be allowed. Those who disagree or can't handle it need a class or two on what is expected behavior of a soldier.

Leslie Soyster,
Camarillo

Re: Stanislaus Pulle's July 3 column, "Freedom of association takes a hit on campuses":

Dean Pulle's criticism of the Supreme Court's ruling in support of Hastings College of Law denying taxpayer dollars, the use of its trademarks and its implicit approval of the Christian Legal Society's written policy barring admission of gays unless they repudiate their status as gays misses the target.

The ruling did not outlaw the Christian Legal Society or bar it from advocating its views that gays should stop having sex if they want to go join the Christian Legal Society. What the Supreme Court said is California taxpayer funds can't be used to support the activities of the Christian Legal Society because it discriminate against gays. This is not a new concept in the law. Christians, who oppose abortions, understand this concept in the law. They have exercised their religious views by advocating and enacting laws in Congress that bar most funding for abortions.

The Christian Legal Society can't demand government funds to discriminate against gays. What I find ironic is that future lawyers and members of the Christian Legal Society have repudiated the teaching of their founder. Jesus said: Above all, love each other as I have loved you! Only in America, can a group advocating views renounced by its founder, arrogate to itself the mantle of Christianity, and then sue to have taxpayers fund its Un-Christian membership policy.

As a happily married heterosexual with two children, five grandchildren and Christians and Jews in my family, I find it inexcusable that all of our religious leaders fail to teach their flocks about the scientific studies that demand greater understanding of gay men, women and children in our society. Religion must embrace basic science if it is to remain relevant to future generations.

~ David Laufer,
Oxnard

So often all we hear about any branch of our government is negative. I would like to register my appreciation for Ventura's Water Department. An employee knocked on our front door recently to alert us to a possible water leak. The billing department had picked up a large increase in the amount of our consumption. With his help, we were able to determine the leak was between the meter and our house - and our responsibility. A conversation with the billing department assured me that after the leak was fixed, we could submit a receipt and file for a leak adjustment.

The plumber we called responded promptly, located and repaired the leak, and with much appreciation we have submitted the needed information to the Water Department.

This experience adds to our long list of reasons we appreciate living in Ventura.

Ron Halt,
Ventura

For what it's worth I happen to be in Cabo when Abby interrupted her trip and docked for repairs.

For two days Chris and Kevin, both U.S. captains who run boats in Cabo and myself assisted Abby and her father with tools, parts, etc., and in doing so had the opportunity to tour the boat and equipment.

In our opinion the 40-foot boat built in Australia was well equipped with electronics and backup for weather, navigation, plotters, sat phones, lap top, etc., including survival gear. It appeared no expense was spared in equipping her boat for the voyage, nor did we see any shortcomings in ensuring her safety.

I am not involved with her family, however, from what the three of us witnessed in Cabo, Abby appeared to have the ability and was well equipped for the adventure.

Should a parent give a son or daughter the opportunity of a lifetime to experience adventure, build courage, self esteem, and character?

~ Jim Harris,
Santa Paula

Re: Terry Paulson's July 5 commentary "Defending America's founding principles"

In his commentary, Terry Paulson makes a profound statement: "America stands for equal opportunity, not equal results." However, he omitted the corollary. Our Constitution does not guarantee opportunities whose results deny opportunity to others.

We see a powerful application of this principle in the Gulf of Mexico. British Petroleum (BP) exercised its opportunity to drill for oil beneath the Gulf with neither the technical capability nor an effective plan for dealing with the result, which denied tens of thousands of Americans the opportunity to engage in their livelihoods.

Were the BP executives heartless mavericks? Not necessarily. They appear to have found the legal requirement that they make as much money as possible for their shareholders more compelling than the legal requirement that they act to prevent accidents.

Paulson favors further deregulation of business to avoid suppressing the opportunities of companies like BP. Such deregulation does little to foster the opportunities of shrimpers, oystermen, chefs, motel operators and sport fishermen. These Americans now have new opportunities: to beg for a check from BP or for a job shoveling oil off beaches.

Our founding fathers created government because they knew that human nature was not sufficient to ensure the opportunities they envisioned for all Americans.

~ Nick Fotheringham,
Thousand Oaks

Re: Patrick O'Malley's July 2 letter, "Citizenship":

I assume Patrick O'Malley was apparently trying to rebut the essence of my June 24 letter, "Birthright Citizenship." If he had read my letter carefully, and then re-read it five or six times, perhaps he would have understood the single issue I presented: anchor babies vs. the 14th Amendment.

Instead he wandered back to: "The first Europeans coming here were not granted citizenship by the native Americans..." therefore, in one fell swoop they, their descendants and all later arrivals are noncitizens of the U.S.

As I wrote in my letter, Section 1 of 14th Amendment, The Citizenship Clause (1868) does say, "All persons born or naturalized in the United States ... are citizens of the United States ..." This was specifically written to grant the rights of citizenship to the freed slaves and their descendants, who in the famous U.S. Supreme Court Dred Scott decision of 1857 had been totally barred from U.S. citizenship in perpetuity. The decision even went on to lock all the courthouse doors to them so they had no access to our legal system.

So, why should an Amendment that was so limited in purpose and intent now automatically convey the right of citizenship to children born to mothers who are illegal aliens? The buck doesn't just stop there; as parents of citizens, the anchor baby mommas can now apply for welfare, food stamps, Section 8 Rental Assistance, and not only can they remain in the country, eventually, they can also apply to allow their extended families to enter.

Congress has the ability to correct this egregious abuse of our laws but, when confronted with serious problems, they all seem to suffer from collective adult senile dementia.

~ Bernie Huberman,
Thousand Oaks

Was anyone as surprised as my wife and I, to see the city of Thousand Oaks' street sweeper on Monday, July 5th? Here it is a national holiday, when the majority of workers are given the day off, and the city, which has asked its employees to take early retirement to cut administrative costs, sends its street sweepers out to clean residential streets. Whose wise decision was this?

This was work done on a day when most folks were off, so streets were full of parked cars. On our very short street alone, I counted no less than 17 cars parked at the curb; the street sweeper just drove down the center of the street. No dirty gutters were cleaned here. Whose tax dollars were wasted? Why, yours and mine, of course!

Way to go, city of Thousand Oaks.

Robert Johnson,
Thousand Oaks.

Re: Bill O'Reilly's July 3 commentary "Shooting down our rights":
　
Your columnist correctly is alarmed about justices Bader, Breyer, Sotomayor and Stevens. The judges are not black-robed boobs. "The second amendment does not say the right to bear arms is ours"

No. They are proud to flaunt their individual and collective liberal bias after they are appointed. Juxtapose their boisterous proclamination to the guarded and evasive answers from the present nominee Elena Kagan, surely an Obama - Sotomayor clone.

~William Hayes,
Oxnard

'll wager that those fearful folks who would punish the Sunderlands for allowing their kids to challenge life, do themselves, allow their own children to drive a car in traffic. They thus are at least equally guilty of child endangerment. Their kids have not had as much pre-challenge training as those young sailors received before embarking.

Back in the '40s I was a bomber pilot over Germany. Now, I drive with extreme caution. Our Freeways are the most hazardous place I have ever been.

~Hal Wilder,
Camarillo

Hospital Corporation of America (HCA) wants to expand Los Robles Hospital. HCA told the planning commission that they have to meet seismic requirements now or they will be shut down. The planning commission bought what HCA was selling without question, even though close to 40 percent of hospitals in California will not be able to meet the deadline. Does the city really think the state will close 40 pecent of the hospitals?

HCA claims it needs to expand the hospital by adding beds because they are already at capacity. Why did they add a trauma center that will increase their need for more beds if they were already at capacity?

HCA's plans are very generous, providing a larger than required ratio of parking spaces to beds (391 new parking spots and only 60 new beds) and two of the proposed four-story buildings ares designated a shell space and the added fourth floor on the existing new wing will be shell space. What are plans for the shell space?

HCA is asking for the area to be rezoned because the current plans don't fit into the current zoning requirements. Don't we have zoning regulations for a reason? What about the increased traffic? HCA asked the planning commission to increase Lynn Road to six lanes.

There are many more questions that don't have answers. Please go to the City Council meeting at 6 p.m. July 13. I want the hospital to be a good hospital. I just think HCA's need to build it so big may not be in Thousand Oaks's best interest.

~ Brian Rank,
Thousand Oaks

This is a plea to our wonderful community to come out and get involved in this fall's Relay for Life at Conejo Creek Park - South (where Conejo Valley Days and the soccer games are).

I have been involved in the Relay since September of 1999 after my mother passed away of thymic cancer in 1998, and I've been hooked ever since.

Along with continuing to be involved with my own team(s), I am also on the Steering Committee that organizes and plans the event every year, taking on the role of Team Captain Coordinator, and this year, our team count is down significantly. Maybe it's because of the economy; maybe it's because of the date of the event (August 28 and 29) and the potential for hot weather; maybe it's because of the end-of-the-summer family get-aways, or maybe this is the first you've heard of the relay.

We all are affected by cancer, and from the bottom of my heart, I am asking those of you who have done the event before and those of you who have never done the event to gather your friends and family and start a team by signing on to http://www.cvrfl.org.

One more thing, don't let the word "relay" deceive you! This is not a race or anything you have to train for! You can skip, walk backwards, twirl or hop around the track. You can walk for half an hour or the whole 24 (as long as someone from your team is on the track for the 24-hour duration). Just come out and join us, and I'm telling you, you'll be hooked just like I was 12 years ago, when I showed up at the event to do my walking time (2-4 a.m.!). Please email me if you have any questions! lesliebirdwhs@yahoo.com.

~ Leslie Bird,
Thousand Oaks

Re: Your July 4 article, "Teenage sailor: Seeker of values deserves our praise":

Bradley Harrington asks, "Where would we be if Peter Cooper had never built the first steam locomotive; if the Wright brother had never flown at Kitty Hawk; if Nikolaus Otto had never constructed the internal combustion engine," then goes on to answer, "We would be huddling for warmth in our caves" (quite an exaggeration).

All this in the context of praising a 16-year-old girl for her attempt at sailing solo around the world. The accomplishments made by the men he cites have had profound effects on our lives. What was to be gained by Abby Sunderland's adventure? A feat of no significant value to our lives other than another record that might encourage some girl, even younger, to break.

Lou Pupich,
Newbury Park

How bad will things get in the U.S.?

Reality, truth, asserts itself with relentless persistence.

The truth is our society is crumbling because it is built on valuing money more than happiness. Until that changes, it will continue to crumble.

Thinking a "stimulus," a.k.a. infusion of money, will solve our problems is clearly only making things worse by acting on a false premise. If we continue with behavior based on valuing money as the measure of success, we, the U.S., will end up like Greece, riots in the streets and worse.

Conversely, if we evaluate our actions based on the joy, peace and happiness they create; we can once again be a society that is beneficial to its people and progressing.

How much power do each of us individually actually have to make these changes in society? Our power is enormous, and we must dramatically increase our personal honesty, the depth we're honest with our self, in order to access that power. We must sit down and be brutally honest with ourselves as we answer questions like, "am I doing this for the money or for the joy of doing it?" "What can I enjoy putting the maximum amount of energy into as that is what creates the joy and success I want?"

Things will get as bad as we allow them to get. As of right now, unemployment in the U.S. is increasing, the effect of the stimulus on the economy is coming to an end, and the budget deficit and the pressure it exerts to cut social services are growing. The polarization between political parties and ideological factions is increasing; hence cooperation and common vision are declining. This is the truth, and what is also true is we can change all of that by being brutally honest with our selves.

P.S. Money only has value as one of the many tools to be applied to maximize joy and happiness in life.

~ Scott Friedman,
Somis

On Thursday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said unemployment checks create jobs faster than almost any other initiative you can name.

We have had a Democratic controlled congress since 2006, but it still seems that all problems have been created by those pesky Republicans. In your private sector job, could you honestly tell your boss that someone who was in your job four years prior is the cause of today's problems? I think you would be shown the exit quickly. This is typical political shenanigans. Blame someone other than yourself.

Hopefully we can give some politicians their unemployment checks this coming political elections and give them a nice, friendly pat on the back to let them know not to worry this check is the fastest means of getting a job a la Pelosi.

~ William F. Klepper,
Simi Valley

To those who want to boycott Arizona over their new immigration law:

I'm wondering who the cities of Oxnard, Los Angeles and San Francisco, are going to boycott in California, since they all want to boycott Arizona over their new immigration law?

I guess they forgot to look at California Penal Code 834b. It seems this
law is the same as Arizona's new law.

I was also wondering about our Attorney General Jerry Brown, who has not enforced 834b, now that he is running for governor, can we expect him to enforce it if he becomes our new governor? He did take the oath of office to do just that, didn't he?

~Douglas Dole,
Ventura

Re: Bill O'Reilly's July 3 commentary "Shooting down our rights":

Bill O'Reilly notes that even a "simple guy" like himself can correctly interpret the "right of the people to keep and bear arms" in the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

This might be true if the amendment said "...right of each person to keep and bear arms..," which is how O'Reilly chooses to interpret it. Of course, this interpretation has some unpleasant side effects. It applies equally to a 30-year-old citizen, a 6-year-old child, a mental patient and even someone incarcerated in our prisons.

I find O'Reilly's solution, to let everyone have the weapon of his choice and lock him up for 10 years if he uses it to break the law, unpalatable for two reasons. As a taxpayer, I have to pay for his incarceration and breaking the law with a weapon often involves a victim.

Our society already permits nearly all of its citizens to own and use a potentially lethal weapon - an automobile. We would be hard pressed to find a driver who has never broken a law using a car or truck.

The main reason that more laws are not broken using guns is that only a small percentage of those who own guns actually bear them. However, if we each need a gun for self-defense, we should carry it with us at all times. Moreover, the more of us who bear arms, the more the rest of us feel a need for self-defense.

~ Nick Fotheringham,
Thousand Oaks

Re: Bill O'Reilly's July 3 column, "Shooting down our rights":

A simple guy like Mr. O'Reilly, should be able to read the complete sentence of the Second Amendment. "A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed." It's funny how these 'smart' guys keep leaving out the 'militia' part.

~ Miriam Albert,
Thousand Oaks

I am proud to report that Congressman, Bob Filner, Chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, is moving ahead with promises he has made on behalf of veterans of the Vietnam War.

Representative Filner's bill, HR2254, has an overwhelming support of 256 fellow representatives, and he is working on issues regarding the funding of this legislation. It deals with military victims of agent orange poisoning.

Congressman Filner has stepped up to the plate boldly on this issue, an action that many members of this 111th Congress have not yet done. His recent release of a video to veterans at http://veteransnetwork.net/ledger_video.php shows him as a staunch proponent for all veteran issues, and he spent some time detailing the problems that HR2254 is going to solve as well as his approach to how he plans to get this bill through the House.

Like everything else these days, his biggest hurdle is financial, but Congressman Filner indicates he will work through those funding issues in order to get this legislation passed.

As an active member of the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Association, I stand and salute him for his past valiant efforts to pass this legislation and have great faith that he will come through for us in the end.

~ Robert W Thompson,
Member, USN Vietnam Veteran 1969-1971,
Oxnard

Re: Rick Freeman's July 2 letter, "Unqualified":

In Rick Freeman's letter about Elena Kagan, he asks the question "What makes Elena Kagan qualified to be a Supreme Court Justice?"

My answer to Mr. Freeman is: Since November of 2008 the qualifications to hold a high office in America is to talk the talk and mislead the majority of Americans. Experience and proven ability, it seems, are no longer required. To support this statement, one only has to look in the White House's Oval Office.

Only 20 months ago, Americans elected President Barack Obama based on a list of empty promises under the label of Change. Our elected president had no real practical experience or training in elected office or business to effectively orchestrate the changes he promised us, but he is an excellent speaker and fooled a lot of voters. What kind of nominee for the position of a Supreme Court Justice should we expect from a president with his level of experience? Just what we got!

I'm sure that Ms. Kagan is a very smart person. but is she qualified to rule on the business of the court? I think that we will soon find out as it looks like she will be confirmed. I guess we can say that she is as qualified as Barack Obama is to lead our country. Oh my!

As for the Oval Office; this is just another lesson to voters that we all need to be very careful who we elect. Americans are quickly finding out why. As the old saying goes, "If his mouth is moving, he's ..." oh you know how the saying goes.

~ Ron Busick,
Camarillo

Re: Ruben Navarette's July 2 column, "Navarrette: Circular anti-immigration reform argument":

In his "Circular anti-immigration reform argument" column, Ruben Navarette says "Ironically, many of the critics of reform who love to bash Mexico would agree that the country is in bad shape -- so bad that many of the Mexicans who left the United States and returned home to escape a bad economy here are now coming back because they found the situation to be even worse.

Yet, those critics don't connect the dots and see that a big reason for this is that Mexico has already embraced some of the restrictive policies that immigration reform foes say we should adopt in the U.S."

It seems Mr. Navarette is suggesting that if Mexico would correct its restrictive immigration policies and allow approximately 12 million poor, uneducated laborers from Central and South America to flow across its southern border, then the Mexican economy would vastly improve.

Before attempting to operate any machinery, heavy or not, I would suggest that he should rummage through his closet. Somewhere under the layers of racial bias Mr. Navarette should find an old shoe box labeled "logic." Please try the shoes, because I think they used to fit.

~James Willis,
Oxnard

Re: your June 29 headline, "Justices expand gun owner rights":

I take exception to this headline. The Supreme Court did not expand anything. The court merely re-affirmed the rights already guaranteed to all Americans by the Second Amendment.

William A. Miller,
Moorpark

Unless you have stressed about making a payroll you cannot with any true empathy, understand just how truly difficult times are right now. As a former Morgan Stanley stockbroker turned small business entrepreneur, I can assure you that I know from where I speak.

I operate two small shipyards in Ventura County and employ a small crew of skilled and dedicated souls. Our facilities require massive amounts of capital to retain, operate and maintain. Through sheer will, improvisation and plain old gut instincts, we have managed to stick it out through an incredible business cycle with only our customers to thank.

I am of the opinion that the only businesses banks will loan money to right now are the businesses that don't need money at all. It was my understanding of a bank that it was an institution that receives deposits and lends money, period. How can a bank exist if it makes no loans? True, bad loans are worse than no loans, but somewhere between a bad loan and a good loan is where we are talking about. Ceteris Paribus, there are no good loans based on current banking parameters.

I understand our quick-acting Congress is working on a law to assist local banks and small businesses. Excuse me for sounding jaded, but I would bet that the new legislation will be ill-equipped to help people on the frontl ines like myself.

So here we are, three years into a nightmarish business cycle with no help, unless you are a Wall Street bank, a government employee with a strong union or a recent lottery winner. To all the entrepreneurs out there, hang in there, make your own rules, love your vendors and love your customers more.

~ Andy Killion,
Anchors Way Marine Centers,
Ventura

Hospital Corporation of America is treating the citizens of Thousand Oaks like peasants. The CEO and many of the executive staff live in Westlake. A few years ago, the company bought the Westlake community hospital and closed it down, artificially creating a shortage of beds. Now, they come to our community and tell us we have to put up with their huge construction project because there is a shortage of beds in the area.

They are the ones who caused the shortage, but we are the ones who have to pay for it. The spineless, groveling, sniveling politicians who support their mindless expansion plans have no regard for the quality of life of those who are being asked to put up with a decade of construction noise and pollution.

To get around the Measure E requirements (which would force a public vote), they are changing the zoning from commercial to institutional. If they get away with this, no place in Thousand Oaks will be safe. Think about this next time you are in the voting booth.

~ Steve Burch,
Thousand Oaks

The word "disingenuous" is defined as "lacking candor," the word "candor" meaning "fairness."

Disingenuous is a life-long, nonvoting carpetbagger, meaning one coming anew from another area, who was thousands of miles from the state of California while Jerry Brown was governor, depicting on an hourly basis on television his every move in life as a failure, having no personal knowledge of that.

Disingenuous is a person whose company, EBay, has helped cause the closing of countless companies, book stores and music stores among them, causing the loss of countless jobs, wringing her hands over the loss of those same jobs, promising to restore them, but not able to say how in the world.

In short, disingenuous is the absolute definition of Meg Whitman, those of you on the right wing fringe who've adopted her as your newest heroine.

Then, given your absolute disdain and hatred for the current president and his administration, the word "fairness" doesn't appear in your vocabulary anyway.

~ Bob Jackson,
Simi Valley

Re: your July 1 article, "Obama calls for comprehensive immigration reform":

President Barack Obama needs to help the American people get out of the rut of joblessness and homelessness. Here in Ventura, where I live, there are hundreds of homeless people living next to the rivers in encampments that would be a good visit for you. No, they are not government workers or union workers. They are ordinary Americans living in hard times, and I don't see them accepting the handouts you are giving to illegal aliens and their children.

From Obama speech Thursday, it appeared he is taking the side of illegal immigrants over citizens of the United States. Based on the demographics of the homeless in the river bottom, I see a large majority of whites living there. Is there a way to channel some of the funds you wish to give to the illegal aliens for votes to the American citizens living in rat-infested encampments along the river? Any help will do.

~ John Ryan,
Ventura

Re: Alison Carlson's July 1 letter "Breastfeeding":

Who made Alison Carlson the judge of all mothers in the county? I am very offended by her statement, "I understand if women cannot nurse because of a medical reason, but to choose to give your baby an inferior product 'formula' well, that really does not sound like a mother who wants what is best for her baby. It sounds like a mother who has put marketing and fear of what others think over the well-being of her baby."

When my daughter was born, I received six weeks maternity leave, then I had to go back to work, no choice about that. The rent had to be paid. Money doesn't come out of thin air. I had to leave her with a sitter. I hated it. I cried every day. During the first six weeks, I did nurse my daughter. I thought I would be able to pump milk in an empty office at work. It wasn't allowed. I got two 10-minute breaks during the day. In those 10 minutes, I would run across the parking lot to the restroom, find a stall, sit on a toilet and then try to pump. It wasn't very successful.

At night, I would nurse her and try to pump extra. I nursed her on weekends, too. But it only took a few weeks of trying to pump while sitting on a toilet before my milk stopped, and I was forced to use formula.

This fall my daughter enters San Francisco State University to study nursing, and later to work in the Peace Corp. I don't think having to switch to formula after a couple of months has harmed her.

The mothers you have insulted deserve an apology. We do the best we can.

~ Leslie Soyster,
Camarillo

Re: your June 30 article, "Bartenders serving up fish-infused cocktails":

I was intrigued by, and may have considered trying smoked-salmon vodka until I got to the part where the "... employees masticate the fillets. The chunks are placed into a large vat where highly concentrated ethanol is mixed in." If they macerated the fillets instead of chewing them and spitting them out, then maybe I'd try it. Until then, I'll stick to plain old unadulterated (and unmasticated) potato vodka (hic).

Raul Kottler,
Oak View

Dog bite claim

I've had the same insurance company since I first started driving in 1965. I had renal insurance with the company while I was in the military 20 years also. My wife and I bought a house in Port Hueneme in 1989; who do you think we got our home insurance from?

Over the years, we have had some claims for water damage. Then, four months ago, our 7-pound miniature doberman nipped at the UPS driver's leg. I thought they were friends. We would be out front playing ball, and Max would here the truck. The driver would honk his horn, and Max would run down the sidewalk.

Now, I have received a letter from the insurance company notifying me it is canceling our home insurance in August. It said if we got rid of Max, we could get our coverage back. We only have 45 days to act.

My wife was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig Disease in 2004. She does not have very long to live and is getting worse every day. It is just killing her to have to give up Max. When I leave the house to run errands, I tell him to take care of Mommy. He goes down the hall and sits in front of her door or in the hospital bed with her.

We have a lot of nurses and caregivers coming and going in the house all of the time. Max will bark at them, but has not bitten any of them. Most of the time, after they have been there awhile, he will go get his tennis ball and want to play ball. I just hope I do not have to give up Max.

My insurance agent has pleaded our case all of the way to a supervisor in Bakersfield, no luck. Nobody came out to the house to see the dog or talk to us. The claim was about $145. If someone would have come to me, I would have paid it.

~ John Klopfstein,
Port Hueneme

Re: Roger Muir's June 29 letter, "Seek solutions":

To answer the question that Roger Muir asked about whether Assemblyman Pedro Nava is interested in the welfare of shareholders or bashing corporations, I think the answer is obvious given his record. Assemblyman Nava has always shown concern for the citizens of our state and their problems.

What on earth is wrong with asking corporations to disclose their spending? They are "public," meaning belonging to the investors, and should allow their investors to decide what they/we as citizens desire to support or oppose.

As for praying for BP, saying they have the know-how to fix the leak, you must be kidding! How long have they been trying?

~Terry Gibson,
Oxnard

Senators, stop siding with the big oil companies who block reform. Think of the future generations of Americans instead of your pockets for a change.

~ Florence King,
Thousand Oaks

Re: your July 1 article, "Vigil planned for Oxnard woman killed one year ago":

My prayers go out to the mother who is holding a vigil on the one-year anniversary of the still unsolved murder of her daughter.

There is another unsolved murder that recently had its one-year anniversary, with no mention from The Star: The brutal stabbing murder in June 2009 of Wendy DiRodio, who was apparently asleep in the bedroom of her home in Ventura when killed.

I was disappointed that The Star's recent article describing unsolved murders in Ventura County also failed to mention this horrific tragedy. As in the other unsolved case, the murderer of DiRodio still runs free, possibly even within our own community. The murderer may be sitting on a bus seat next to any one of us, or in the seat next to us in a movie theater, or across the table from us at the book store.

Until these senseless acts of violence are resolved by investigators, I believe The Star has a duty, as a community watchdog, to keep a public face on these unsolved cases.

~ Aaron Drake,
Ventura

Re: your June 29 article, "Justices expand gun owner rights":

I would argue that they enforced the 2nd Amendment of the Constitution and did not change any rights. Neither Mayor Daley nor any governmental official has the right to usurp the Bill of Rights.

~ Ralph J. Coolman,
Ventura

Re: your June 29 editorial, "Editorial: Abby's home safe; now what?":

A 15-year-old girl went to a rave concert and did not come home.

A 16-year-old girl was struck by a car while jogging.

An 18-year-old girl went hiking and did not come home.

Abby Sunderland sailed alone for five months and came home.

So just forget the "inquiries and discussions on whether adequate policies are in place regarding the protection of children of younger and younger ages who are being allowed to undertake inherently dangerous adventures in the hope of setting a record."

Alexander the Great was 17 years old.

Hurrah for Abby.

~ Cornelia Williams,
Camarillo

I am deeply sorry about the oil spill in the gulf. As a citizen of our petroleum based culture, it is partially my fault, as it is everyone's.
The demand for oil is our fault, and we didn't demand enough drilling regulation, even after U.S. Minerals Management Service employees were caught partying and using drugs on the oil companies wallet.

I'd describe myself as an environmentalist driving an efficient car, yet I can't distance myself from petroleum for a minute. It's in our clothes, roads, electronics, water bottles, it packages our food and above all it transports everything across the world.

Boycotting BP will do little. If we want to help the planet, and not use oil, we all need to change our habits. Use reusable bags, shop at farmer's markets, ride our bikes instead of going to fast food, grow a garden, and above all, consume less. Our disposable culture won't last.

~ Matt Johnson,
Camarillo