Don't focus on death

Undercutting Americans

Re: Nelson Wallace’s March 30 letter, “Make taxpayers citizens” and your March 30 article, “Students’ voices”:

The majority of our tax dollars come from earned income, also called “wages.” If one pays his fair share of earned income tax, one must have a Social Security card or a tax identification number. These forms of identification are the only forms of income identification I am aware of in this country.

How can an illegal immigrant be a taxpayer if he cannot obtain a Social Security card if he is in this country illegally? The word “taxpayer” is used by all who want to convince everyone the illegal immigrant pays his fair share of taxes . This illegal immigrant paying taxes on his wages just isn’t true.

We, the taxpayers, are paying for the illegal immigrants to have their children educated, their medical services, reduced college tuition, their law enforcement and emergency services and so on.

If I were to believe the statement that “illegals are needed in this country to do work American workers won’t do,” then the illegal would have the edge on any employer in this country seeking employees. If the illegal workforce is so in demand, then the illegal could name his price for wages. This is pretty simple: That statement is not true. Illegals are here undercutting the American wage earner.

Kenny Martinez, a student from Santa Paula, stated in the same newspaper, “People assume teenagers don’t know about the world, but we have a voice. We have something to say.” He and his people can rave on all they want to about their rights. When it comes down to the real story and not propaganda, a teenager does not have any rights regarding the immigration issue. The American voter has the ultimate right at the polls.

So, students, wave your Mexican flags, which is an insult to any American. You are just shooting yourselves in the foot with your protests and flag waving. There should be no amnesty and no guest worker programs for this country.

— Bettye Wingate, Ventura

Posted by Andrea Howry at 09:43 AM

Classroom advocacy

Re: Leonard Zerlin’s March 30 letter, “Freedom not easy” and your March 30 article and photo, “Students’ voices”:

I wholeheartedly concur with Mr. Zerlin’s letter. It all starts in the classroom — in this case, the history classroom, like teacher Jaime Moreno’s classroom photographed in Thursday’s Star. Did you notice the picture hanging on the back wall? What a joke! Do you get the picture?

— Don Lanpher, Simi Valley

Posted by Andrea Howry at 09:29 AM

Union needs better focus

Re: your March 30 article, “Teachers claim unfair labor practices”:

After watching the recent Conejo Valley Unified School District board meetings about the proposed winter vacation, I was disappointed that the leaders of the teachers union, the Unified Association of Conejo Teachers, didn’t address the amount of money that the schools are going to lose due to student absenteeism, along with additional wages paid to substitute teachers.

The teachers association seems to be more concerned about attacking trustee Mike Dunn than making sure that classrooms are adequately supplied with textbooks, television monitors and computers. The “cattling” of the students in classrooms and schools has been deplorable. This union never fought for the replacement of unsafe “ghetto portables.”

This school district needs to have a comprehensive tutoring program before and after school because of the heavy homework and testing load. These are the things that I would like to see a union be concerned about.

Maybe it’s time the teachers become educated about their union representatives who don’t even obtain adequate health benefits for their membership. The filing of an unfair labor practice complaint is a waste of energy and money.

It is also about time that the public become informed that new school board members like Mike Dunn need to be elected. He was the only person to vote against a higher pay raise for the school board than was given to the teachers.

— Merle Duckett, Thousand Oaks

Posted by Andrea Howry at 09:18 AM

Comments (5)

Act now: conserve

Re: your March 29 editorial, “New standards target oil use”:

I agree that the expected fuel economy standards are overdue, but you can be part of the solution well before those benefits are seen in 2011. If you drive or own a car, you can help reduce our dependence on foreign oil and decrease air pollution in 2006.

You can drive a little more conservatively and check your tire pressure today. You can also schedule your next maintenance appointment and look into an alternative fuel or hybrid vehicle for your next car or truck. Consider a battery electric vehicle or plug-in hybrid. My wife and I have been driving our electric vehicles for more than four years and do not miss the local gas stations at all. The low maintenance cost is also a benefit.

While I hope those regulations reduce our fuel consumption by half a billion gallons in 2011, I am not going to rely on it, nor am I willing to wait.

— Ken Drobish, Simi Valley

Posted by Andrea Howry at 09:07 AM

March 30, 2006

Say no to voting machines

It has been repeatedly witnessed that Diebold and other voting machines are faulty at best. What is the rush, after 200 years of an existing and successful voting apparatus, to eagerly endorse expensive gadgetry notorious for creating profound irregularities with their every deployment nationwide?

As one who shies away from conspiracy theories, I'm persuaded to question if graft played a role in the imprudent decision-making by the slew of politicians who've so irresponsibly affirmed these devices across this land. My hope is that California will continue to remain America's voice of reason in refusing to employ this failed technology.

- Brian Buel, Ventura

Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:26 PM

Parents frustrated

I am the parent of a 6-year-old little girl. She attends school at Christa McAuliffe in Oxnard.

My daughter recently got suspended for fighting at school. She has a disability called sensory deprivation. Both myself and her mother work and cannot take the time off from work for fear of losing our jobs for unexcused absence, not to mention the affordability factor of two single parents.

Christa McAuliffe School suspended my daughter for one day on campus and one day off campus. We have no one to baby sit, and the local day care facilities either do not take drop-ins or they are full. There are no relatives anywhere near us, and our neighbors all work. The principal of the school will not suspend her for both days on campus, and when asked why not, she stated that no one can watch her. When asked who was watching her on the day of the on-campus suspension, I received no answer.

My daughter has two teachers in a classroom of roughly 20 students. If one of the two teachers cannot see an impending situation brewing and cannot rein in a 6-year-old little girl, then it would seem that someone is not doing their job effectively.

That brings another question. What are our tax dollars paying for? There is a reason why the California school system is horrible. My child is not receiving an education where she is being challenged. Are they just “warehousing” children, or are they actually doing the job that they are being paid to do? Obviously, they are not.

My daughter is not a troublemaker. She will fight back when struck or provoked. I believe that because she has a slight disability, she is being made into a scapegoat. The last time I checked, a first-grade classroom wasn’t akin to a college classroom. These are 6-year-old children, not college kids. They play, they run around, they act their age. My problem is: Why are the faculty members of this school acting like the children?

— Chris Franz, Port Hueneme

Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:20 PM

Buildings are a blight

I am writing this as an open letter to Macerich, the company that oversees the Pacific View Mall, and to Safeway, which holds a lease for the buildings on the mall property at Telegraph and Mills roads in Ventura.

For several years now, Safeway has been paying rent to Macerich for the property area with the old damaged buildings that are next to the bus transfer station. Safeway said they wanted to build their upscale market there known as Pavilions.

Many years have passed, and there's still no store. I assume that Safeway held up the property from being developed so that no other market chain could go on that site while they remodeled and added other Vons markets in the area. Perhaps they are still short on cash from the strike of a few years back. Whatever the case, Safeway needs to be a better neighbor and build there or let it go so we can get rid of the blighted buildings which are severely damaged.

I certainly can't blame Macerich, as they have a contract with payments being met by Safeway, for the property sitting idle.

I believe Macerich would love to get something to happen at the site, as it certainly does not enhance the overall ambience of their property. The city would also benefit from the sales tax dollars from this important piece of real estate in Midtown with almost whatever is built there. I personally would like to see a true living center type of development, with mixed-use retail and varying types of housing above it, similar to what Macerich built in Arizona.

Making good use of the mass transit already available at the site and creating a vital urban village would be a trend-setting example for Macerich and a welcome addition we could be proud to welcome in Ventura.

- Dan Long, Ventura

Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:03 PM

Lawmaker ‘nice,’ bill isn’t

Re: your March 27 article, “California’s ‘nicest’ lawmaker pursues assisted suicide law”:

Being the “nicest” lawmaker is no guarantee for making good laws. Patty Berg and her Compassionate Choices Act is surely a case in point.

Touting her Physician Assisted Suicide bill, AB651, Berg uses words Americans hold dear, such as “privacy,” “choice” and “dignity.” But Californians should not take these words at face value, not even from a “nice” lawmaker.

Findings from Oregon, the only state with a PAS law in effect, reveal that the picture is not so rosy. In fact, PAS may be an obstacle to the real needs of the terminally ill being addressed. For example, in the 2000 Annual Report by the Oregon Department of Health Services, 63 percent of reported assisted suicides cited being a “burden on family, friends or caregivers” as the reason for their suicide, 30 percent cited “inadequate pain control” and only 19 percent were referred for psychological evaluation for depression.

In the most recent 2005 Annual Report, only two of the 38 assisted suicide patients had a referral for a psychiatric evaluation; one patient had made the first request for assisted suicide three years before death (hardly a terminal case), and more than 65 percent of physician-assisted suicides were age 65 or older.

These reports, not without limitations, depend on the accurate memory and integrity of the physician assisting at the suicide. They may be subject, then, to any number of misrepresentations. It has been pointed out that the Oregon law protects the malpractice actions of certain physicians over patients' rights to competent care.

Laws allowing PAS violate the most fundamental principle of life on which individuals and our society depend. Though disturbing and disappointing that a “lifelong practicing Catholic” and lawmaker, Patty Berg, would use her public role to silence this fundamental principle in defense of life — defined and defended by her very church — let it serve to mobilize Californians to make vocal their opposition to Physician Assisted Suicide, a bad law under any name.

— Mary Dillon, Ventura

Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:49 AM

Partisanship harmful

The appointment to the Harbor Commission should be a non-partisan appointment. Our community needs people to serve on the commission who are interested in the development of Channel Islands Harbor in the best way possible to serve the needs of the community. They need to be knowledgeable and willing to keep an open mind in working with others on the commission. This person should also be able to work in harmony with others and keep the fragile ecological system of our harbor in balance.

It appears that there was a serious problem with the commission, and these types of actions destroy their credibility. Are the supervisors always in disagreement with one another? Can't they agree on the appointment of a new commissioner who could serve the community and be honest and impartial? It would be nice if the Ventura County Board of Supervisors could work with one another toward the betterment of our community and stop bickering with one another.

- Bob & Terry Cruz, Oxnard

Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:37 AM

Charge kids school-bus fare

It's bad enough that they walked out of school, but to waste my tax money to support illegal immigration really ticks me off. And then on top of that, the Oxnard School District has the nerve to send buses to take the kids back to school? That’s just wrong. Let them walk back to the campus they came from.

I pay taxes to have these kids to go to school to learn, and the school just lets them walk out. The students should have been told right up front that if they leave school without authorization, the police would be called and each individual would get a ticket for truancy. Then the Oxnard School District should get the names of all the students who left the schools to protest and then were taken back to school in the buses and charge each of them for the use of the buses. Let their parents pay for this and not the regular, law-abiding taxpayers.

— Dan Harvey, Oxnard

Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:31 AM

$10 lettuce is OK

I don’t think most protesters have a clue what they are protesting. I think it's racist of them to think this is all about Mexico. Perhaps if they understood how Mexico treats its southern border, they would see this bill is not so bad. If you're from Honduras or Nicaragua, you are more welcome here then in Mexico.

We have what we have because we work hard, speak the same language and pay our taxes. By eroding two out of three of these, you are hurting our country.

If I had to choose between a head of lettuce for $10 or overcrowded schools, outrageous insurance premiums and housing costs, give me the $10 head of lettuce.

— Denis Fariseo, Ojai

Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:26 AM

Words still ring true

In response to all the pro-illegal immigration demonstrators proudly waving non-U.S. flags over these past couple of days, I’d like to share these two quotes from President Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th president of the United States, for his sentiments still echo true today:

“In the first place we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the man’s becoming in very fact an American, and nothing but an American. There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn’t an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag, and this excludes the red flag, which symbolizes all wars against liberty and civilization, just as much as it excludes any foreign flag of a nation to which we are hostile. We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language ... and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people.”

“No man is above the law and no man is below it; nor do we ask any man’s permission when we ask him to obey it.”

— Dawn Williams, Thousand Oaks

Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:20 AM

Illegal equates to criminal

Re: your March 28 article, “Oxnard, Ventura students protest immigration bill”:

I’m thrilled to find out that not only are teachers having a tough enough time teaching our students to get through their California exit exams instead of teaching what they are supposed to be teaching, now they let their students walk out of the classroom to support criminals. Yes, illegal equates to criminal. These same students would understand this had they been in class learning as opposed to helping teachers boost their own agendas.

As far as the comments Tina Garcia made while helping her son ditch school, I’d happily pay $5 or more for a head of lettuce if it means no illegal immigrant hands touched that lettuce. Let our prisoners earn their keep and pick it! I figure we have about the same amount of prisoners as we do illegal aliens. However, if we get rid of every person in our prison system who isn’t a legal American citizen, that may change those statistics.

— Patricia Fariseo,
Ojai

Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:11 AM

Honest talk refreshing

I recently received campaign literature in the mail from Jim Dantona, candidate for the Ventura County Board of Supervisors. The piece was titled “We all have a path to choose.” In the mailer, Dantona talked about his family, illnesses and even bankruptcy.

I am 78 years of age, a retired elementary school teacher, and a Simi Valley homemaker. I have never filed bankruptcy and always pay my bills on time. Nevertheless, I found the Dantona piece to be very moving.

Politicians are usually arrogant, self absorbed and immune from fault. In the case of Jim Dantona, my husband and I see a man of integrity, a man who admits his faults, overcomes his weaknesses and tells the truth. Not many men can talk in public, to thousands of strangers, about his divorce, illnesses and financial pitfalls. Jim Dantona has those very traits that are missing in so many politicians these days.

Until I received this recent “path to choose” literature, I was still not sure whom I would vote for in the supervisorial race. I had voted for the incumbent lady in the past. Now, however, my husband and I will be supporting Jim Dantona for county supervisor.

Wouldn’t it be a better community if all politicians could come forward with their shortcomings as Jim Dantona has done? After all, haven’t we all had problems in our past that we have had to overcome? The choice is now clear to me: Dantona for supervisor!

— Marie Wilson, Simi Valley

Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:04 AM

Don’t blame Mikels

Re: Louis Pandolfi’s March 22 letter, “A new face is needed”:

Mr. Pandolfi is not only critical, but ill-informed.

In all fairness, you cannot blame Supervisor Judy Mikels for the unbridled growth that Mr. Pandolfi describes because neither she nor the Board of Supervisors has that kind of control anymore — and they haven’t for many years. Cities now control the development in our county, and then there are the greenbelt agreements and open space ordinances. To blame Supervisor Mikels is an undeserved criticism from someone who knows better.

It is also ignorant to say that Supervisor Mikels lacks compassion for her constituents. She led the charge for the establishment of the East County Safe Harbor near the Simi Valley Hospital so that victims of sexual assualt and child molestation and abuse would not have to be transferred across the county after their trauma. She wanted to make sure that victims of child abuse or sexual assault were treated in a dignified manner by a local team of specialists during the investigation. Before her involvement, the victims were transported to Ventura by local law enforcement, increasing the trauma to the victim and wasting precious hours in transport.

Finally, I object to the “cookbook fiscal conservative" moniker as a negative descriptor of our county supervisor. Supervisor Mikels is a no-nonsense elected official who actually made sure that the county stayed within the limits of the budget and kept the county fiscally sound. You can call this lady any kind of fiscal conservative you want, but as far as I am concerned, it’s the bottom line that counts.

— Reg Richardson, Simi Valley

Posted by Andrea Howry at 10:50 AM

March 27, 2006

Third party: The IIP

Who said the nation doesn’t have a legitimate third political party? We have the Republicans, the Democrats and now IIP, the Illegal Immigrant Party.

The “Double IP” is motivating its people far better than the rest. What other group can throw together a million people marching across the nation on such short notice? And let’s talk political power. Not one arrest occurred in Los Angeles with over a half a million marchers, even though a good percentage of them are blatantly and openly breaking many of our nation’s laws. Now that’s political power.

— Troy Kuhlman, Camarillo

Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:25 PM

Support those here legally

Re: your March 25 article, “Thousand in U.S. rally for immigrants’ rights” and your March 26 article, “Immigrants’ rights rally draws 500,000 to L.A.”:

As I started to read these articles, I realized the headlines were misleading, as the rallies were basically for illegal immigrants’ rights. The last time I checked, the word “illegal” meant “unlawful.” Why does someone who is illegally in this country have rights?

I don’t mean to sound too harsh, but I get so tired of reading and hearing about these so-called “rights” for people who do not enter this country through lawful means. What a slap in the face to those people who do come here legally!

By the way, I am the daughter of a legal immigrant. My mother came here from Japan and didn’t speak English at all. Guess what? She learned the language and culture of her new home and even became a naturalized citizen. Although I wished she had taught me Japanese, I believe she didn’t because, in her mind, America was her new home and English was the language to be spoken. She never went into a place of business and expected Japanese to be spoken. What a concept!

America is still the great “melting pot,” but it’s time we rally around those who came here legally instead of promoting illegal immigration.

— Susan J. Hall, Port Hueneme

Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:21 PM

No respect for laws

Illegal (and I emphasize the word illegal) immigrants already broke one law when they entered the United States without proper documentation. Many have already dealt with the criminal element on either side of the border to gain entrance.

This doesn't say much for their respect for the law in general. It's most certainly a disservice to those who immigrate to the United States legally. They then work for unscrupulous employers who pay less than minimum wage. Often a good percentage of what they earn is sent back across the border to finance the same illegal process for relatives.

How many of the 11 million illegal immigrants are pregnant women or children, including pregnant teens? In California, they are immediately entitled to free medical care and all other manner of public assistance. This puts quite a burden on our social service system, and all of it is at taxpayer expense. We pay less for fresh fruits and vegetables, but we pay more in taxes instead.

Yes, we all love babies (politicians kiss and coddle to them to appease the public), but we have plenty of our own. Why is the Hispanic population increasing at so great a rate? The Hispanic culture and the rewards we offer are a great incentive to having lots and lots of babies.

We've spent billions of dollars beefing up airport security to prevent terrorism, but the holes in our borders are vast. If someone can smuggle a semi-trailer full of human cargo across our border, what's to prevent the smuggling of weapons of mass or even minor destruction? This is a very weak link in the chains that hold our nation secure.

If the recent marches and protests are intended to initiate serious debate and dialogue about reforming our immigration policies, I am all for them. But if those who march and protest just want to sustain the status quo, then they should go back to work, back to school, back home to make more babies.

- John Golden, Ventura

Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:14 PM

Immigration hits wallet

I have never written on this issue, but I want to express my disgust with this past weekend’s “protests” in favor of the violation of our immigration laws.

I am a small painting contractor. I pay my taxes, insurance and a good wage to my workers. I employ people who will get the job done, and I could care less what race they are.

Over the 20 years I have been in this business, I have witnessed devastating wage deflation due primarily to a huge influx of illegal workers willing and eager to work for half what I pay my people. I have quietly continued struggling along to make a living. Now Congress is “thinking” about taking what can be called at best baby steps in the direction of immigration reform — and what do I see? I see thousands and thousands of people insisting they be allowed to continue to break the law and take jobs away from my family and my workers.

It is long past time for those in Washington and Sacramento to step up and stop this flood of lawbreakers from invading our country.

— George E. Maxson, Ventura

Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:04 PM

Era of kid gloves

Re: Joe Howry’s March 26 essay, “Good watch, but skewed”:

Mr. Howry was correct in saying that Edward R. Murrow did not take a stand on Sen. Joseph McCarthy until McCarthy was beginning to decline in influence. Howry was also correct in saying that the movie “Good Night and Good Luck” glossed over this fact.

However, Howry does not address the political climate that caused Murrow not to take on McCarthy earlier, when it would have made more of a difference. This is the same climate that caused other news organizations and newspeople to maintain silence, and it is the same climate that ultimately cost Murrow his show after taking his belated stand.

More importantly, Howry fails to put this discussion into a historical context. This was the main point of the movie. Then, as now, this nation is living in a climate in which political bullies are spreading fear and personally attacking anyone who dares to challenge them. Then we had Joe McCarthy. Now we have Bill O’Reilly and Rush Limbaugh. Then, as now, the news media have for the most part treated O'Reilly and Limbaugh with kid gloves.

Howry’s failure is evidence that he has learned little from Murrow. Evidently, Howry has decided it is more important to tacitly support today’s bullies, by using their talking points, than it is to take his own stand.

Maybe it isn’t his fault. Maybe it’s the climate.

— Steve Wood, Ventura

Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:48 AM

Marching backwards

Re: Ken Raduechel’s March 26 letter, “Nation must return to God”:

I thank Mr. Raduechel for reminding us that this nation was founded by “radical Christians” and how we must turn back to Jesus once again.

One thing he forgot to mention is how, under “God,” the founders of this country butchered the indigenous peoples. He states we must turn back to God and once again become “one nation under God.”

Maybe once again we can reinstate slavery and bring back the “good ol’ boys” days of inequality and discrimination. Maybe we can strip women of the right to vote.

Mr. Raduechel lives in a dream world, blinded by the light. He needs to wake up at take a look at history and see the truth.

— Ray Vasquez, Camarillo

Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:43 AM

Understanding Nuclear Age

Re: Paul H. Dolton’s March 24 letter, “Blame whom for Hiroshima?” and Betty Dabbs’ March 24 letter, “Don’t forget Pearl Harbor,” which were in response to The Star’s March 21 article, “Distant echoes”:

I thank Mr. Dolton and Ms. Dabbs for their letters, which open up the public dialogue about nuclear issues — precisely the purpose of the events at California State University, Channel Islands, where Shigeko Sasamori spoke.

During our days at the university, in classes and in the evening community events, we discovered that most students did not have an understanding of the events that Mr. Dolton and Ms. Dabbs describe, nor did they understand the experiences of Ms. Sasamori.

The events of World War II led directly to the development and use of the atomic bombs and to the Nuclear Age in which we now find ourselves. Unless we understand this age and what brought it into being, we will not be able to make the informed decisions we need to make as citizens in a democracy.

I agree with both letter-writers that the Bataan Death March and the bombing of Pearl Harbor, as well as the fire bombings of Dresden and Tokyo that occurred prior to the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, caused incredible suffering and pain. The creation and use of nuclear weapons continues to cause suffering and pain long after the bombings have ceased.

At CSUCI, we also heard from Tony de Brum, the former foreign minister of the Marshall Islands, about the continuing consequences of the U.S. hydrogen bomb and missile testing program. U.S. detonation of the equivalent of 1.7 Hiroshima bombs per day for 12 years in the Marshall Islands continues to affect the health, environment, culture and society of that sovereign nation. Some atolls will be radioactively  “hot” for 12,000 years.

As U.S. citizens of the Nuclear Age, we need to know these stories and bear in mind these consequences, as well as the pertinent political consequences that the letter-writers so accurately point out.

— Pamela S. Meidell, Oxnard
 (The writer is the director of the Atomic Mirror, which co-sponsored the “Waking Up in the Nuclear Age” events with CSUCI on March 13 and 14.)

Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:33 AM

Sounds like a movie

A recent statement by actor Charlie Sheen illustrates the astronomically absurd beliefs the left-wing anti-war crowd must entertain in order to justify their position.

Apparently, according to Sheen, the World Trade Center towers had been rigged with explosives in a controlled demolition so that Islamic terrorists would be blamed in order to justify going to war, because the notion that a bunch of amateurs with box cutters taking over planes and smashing them into the towers is just too far-fetched.

This scenario is so convoluted and nonsensical that even the most rabid anti-war Hollywood producers couldn’t make a movie depicting it, even with an unlimited budget and all the movie magic at their disposal.

If Democrats ever expect to regain control of the reins of power, they had better start distancing themselves as far way from Hollywood as they can get.

— Leonard C. Snebold, Port Hueneme

Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:07 AM

Comments (4)

Gallegly helpful

I thank U.S. Rep. Elton Gallegly for continuing to deal with the 24th Congressional District with such honor and dignity. My prayers were answered in knowing first that he was healthy, and second that we can re-elect him with peace of mind knowing that we are represented to the fullest back in Washington, D.C., and here in California.

I know firsthand of Rep. Gallegly's service to his constituents as a result of his help after receipt of a head-trauma injury. For his office and staff's service and support in dealing with Social Security, I am eternally grateful.

- Toni Webster, Camarillo

Posted by Andrea Howry at 10:56 AM

Terrors of trench warfare

Re: Roger Ebert's March 24 “Joyeux Noel” review, “Christmas is peace time, even in war”:

This review of the movie depicting World War I's trench warfare during Christmas reminded me of a book written by our own Joyce M. Kennedy, director of the Learning Center, which she greatly helped to turn into California State University, Channel Islands.

“Distant Thunder” is the name of the book she wrote, based on her father's World War I diaries about his experiences as a member of the Canadian Expeditionary Force.
Trench warfare was “a species of hell” well described in her book.

- Anne Rubin, Ventura

Posted by Andrea Howry at 10:49 AM

Freedom of religion

Re: Ken Raduechel's March 26 letter, “Nation must return to God”:

Right-wing Christians like Ken Raduechel would do well to expand their knowledge beyond the “in God we trust” on our coinage or the “one nation under God,” which was not added to the Pledge of Allegiance until 1953. “The Government of the United States,” George Washington noted in the 1796 Treaty of Tripoli, “is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion.” Thomas Jefferson, the author of the Declaration of Independence, stated: “It does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty gods or no God. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my legs.”

The United States is no more a Christian nation than it is a Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist or atheist nation. The Constitution created a secular republic that insures not only that each of us is free to worship or not to worship in the manner he or she sees fit but also rigidly mandates a separation wall between church and state.

Because they mistakenly believe otherwise, fundamentalists see the refusal to allow prayer in public schools and the refusal to teach creationism (sometimes packaged as “intelligent design theory”) in public school science classes as somehow amounting to an attack on their belief. Nothing could be further from the truth. They have a right to believe or not to believe. They don't have a right to impose those beliefs on others in secular institutions like public schools.

- Ernest A. Canning, Thousand Oaks

Posted by Andrea Howry at 10:41 AM

Behind the statistics

Re: your March 24 article, “Study: State behind in sending kids to college” and Frank Moraga’s March 24 essay, “Getting a good start”:

The article stated that California sends the second-smallest percentage of high-school seniors to four-year colleges. The percentages are 47 in Massachusetts, 23 in California and 21 in Mississippi.

Mr. Moraga’s essay may provide some insight into why so few California high-school seniors enroll in four-year colleges. Only 46 percent of Latino students even graduate from high school, and California has a huge Latino population. California is only one of four states where Latinos have caused the Caucasian population to drop below 50 percent.

The following statistics are startling. The Latino enrollment in the Los Angeles Unified School District is 73 percent. Only 11 percent of the district’s eighth graders are proficient in Algebra I, 5 percent in 10th grade are proficient in geometry, and 4 percent in 11th grade are proficient in Algebra II.

— Bill Stanley, Westlake Village

Posted by Andrea Howry at 10:28 AM

Say no to more bases

I was alarmed to read that not only are we not planning a rapid withdrawal from Iraq, but that President Bush is requesting additional hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars for new large permanent military bases in Iraq.

How much longer must we continue to sacrifice our troops and billions of taxpayer dollars on a failed foreign policy? We must urge Congress to oppose this request.

— Bill Wakelee, Ventura
(The writer is on the Alliance for Progressive Alternatives Board of Governors. — Editor)

Posted by Andrea Howry at 10:20 AM

Freedom is worth a war

Re: Scott N. Twombley’s March 23 commentary, “Patriotic duty to speak up”:

I am 82 years old. I have lived through more wars than I care to. My father was in World I, my father-in-law spent 35 years in the Army, my brother was in World War II and my husband was a Marine who was wounded on Iwo Jima in World War II.

Anyone who likes war has to be insane. We were attacked at Pearl Harbor, an attack that was closest to home until Sept. 11, when 3,000-plus people, four planes, the two New York towers and the Pentagon were attacked on our own soil! If this is not war, I’d like to know what Mr. Twombley’s definition of war is!

War is hell, and freedom is precious — and costly. But my country is worth fighting for.

— Elizabeth Bass, Thousand Oaks

Posted by Andrea Howry at 10:15 AM

Scarlet plate isn’t enough

I see where Assemblyman Ray Hayes, R-Murrieta, wants second offenders for driving under the influence to have red plates for two years. How is this an option? How about two years in jail, or more, and complete revocation of any driving privileges in the future? First timers should get a red plate; multiple offenders should be off the roads.

— Bill Moak, Simi Valley

Posted by Andrea Howry at 09:59 AM

Tapo Canyon wasting away

Once again, Supervisor Judy Mikels has placed her struggling campaign ahead of the voters’ interests by removing Tapo Canyon Park from any discussions until after the June election.

Each election cycle, Ms. Mikels holds the park out as a carrot and then removes it when talks about its future and her campaign endorsements don’t go her way. The Simi Valley area has thousands of kids and adults anxiously scrambling to find soccer and ballfields to play on each weekend, and the Tapo Canyon recreation area could go a long way to relieving congestion on the playing fields. Along with an equestrian center, attached to miles and miles of nearby riding trails, Tapo Canyon is an ideal site for sports and receation use, yet it has been wasted by the county for more than a decade.

The community should speak out and insist that Supervisor Mikels do her job, get back to the table with Rancho Simi Parks and ensure that this surplus county property be turned into a productive part of Simi Valley’s future!

— Gary Selvaggio, Simi Valley

Posted by Andrea Howry at 09:55 AM

March 24, 2006

Kids, teachers pay price

Re: John Scheibe’s March 15 article, “Settlement means Rio must scrimp”:

For those students about to embark upon a teaching career this fall, my advice is simple: Avoid the Rio School District at all cost unless you are desperate for work.

Thanks to the stupidity and stubbornness of the school board, former Superintendent Yolanda Benitez is crying all the way to the bank, while the teachers who haven’t had a raise in five years are wondering where the paper, pencils and paper clips will come from. Worst of all, I feel sorry for the children in the district who are caught in the middle of a mess.

— Gary Traxler, Camarillo

Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:17 AM

Gallegly is a class act

Why do I feel an enormous sigh of relief to find out that U.S. Rep. Elton Gallegly, a real class act, is again in the running? Maybe it’s because Elton Gallegly is one politician who is not corrupt or in someone’s back pocket.

He doesn’t hide behind some GOP agenda. He doesn’t have to. He has his own agenda and makes no apologies for pushing it because he knows he is right. He knows what he stands for and doesn’t change his ideals with every opinion poll.

Here is a man with a history of reliability. We know what we are getting when we vote for Elton Gallegly. His record is that of an excellent representative. I am defining a leader who has shown us his good character and judgment, something lacking in so many other politicians.

Over the years, the contact I have had with him or one of his office staff has resulted in readily handled responses that were both courteous and timely. I would like to publicly thank him for all his hard work.

I’m sure that Rep. Gallegly will win another term in Congress this year, and I hope he will seriously consider running for future terms as well.

I thank Rep. Gallegly for exhibiting exemplary character. He is a class act.

— Jana Boostrom, Ventura

Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:12 AM

Where are the caltrops?

On Wednesday, there was a high-speed car chase in Los Angeles that lasted two hours and involved speeds in excess of 100 mph, including speeds close to that on Interstate 405 around 4 p.m. The pursuing officers were unable to get in front of the criminal to put down a spike strip.

Why not equip the police helicopters with caltrops, four-pointed devices built in such a way that one point is always up? There were instances Wednesday where a helicopter could have easily dropped a load of caltrops that would have flattened all four tires without endangering any of the ground personnel. Caltrops dropped by helicopter could easily end a chase or force the fleeing criminal into an area where he could be captured. The road could be swept up after the capture and the caltrops reused.

— Charles E. Voigtsberger, Ventura

Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:03 AM

Recall won’t help

Re: your March 23 article, “Benitez hopes to get on with life”:

The Rio School District board made a wise decision to settle the Yolanda Benitez lawsuit. I want to thank Eva Acosta, Simon Ayala and Ken Ortega for having the courage to vote for a settlement despite the pressure of a recall. To have continued appealing the lawsuit would have cost the district many thousands of dollars more.

Unfortunately, the previous majority of the school board, which includes present members Henrietta Macias and Ron Mosqueda, was involved in a violation of the Brown Act when dismissing Yolanda Benitez and also followed the bad advice of then-district lawyers in not trying to settle three years ago. They are responsible for the financial mess the district is in now.

Eva Acosta and Ken Ortega inherited this difficult and costly problem. Simon Ayala has been in favor of settling for quite some time. Why should they be the subject of a recall when much of the blame for the district’s financial ill health falls right into the hands of Macias and Mosqueda?

I urge the registered voters of the Rio School District not to sign any recall petitions. Having a recall will only do more harm to the district and its children.

— Herb Smith, Oxnard

Posted by Andrea Howry at 10:54 AM

There’s no dishonor

Re: Becky Dahlstrom’s March 21 commentary, “Soldier’s mom: Protesters dishonor troops”:

Mrs. Dahlstrom should just stop.

She should stop telling the world that, as someone in protest of the Iraq war, I am showing “dishonor” to her son or to the U.S. troops. We want her son and those troops home! How much more supportive of them can we be?

Mrs. Dahlstrom should stop assuming that everyone opposing this war has never spent a minute in uniform in defense of this country! I spent more than four years of my life as a member of the U.S. Army in defense of my country! How dare she impugn my patriotism just because I have the gall to oppose this war!

It’s great that her son was so able to help innocent Iraqi men, women and children — something he could also have done as part of a civilian mercy effort.

I want Mrs. Dahlstrom to stop taking away, from me and others in opposition to the war, our “freedom” to speak freely. While we retain the “right” to free speech, she and other pro-war advocates, going as far back as Desert Storm in 1991, have taken away our “freedom to speak freely, by saying our opposition to these wars is showing dishonor, or disrespect, for U.S. troops. I’m sick and tired of it!

Mrs. Dahlstrom can love her son dearly and feel justifiably proud of the work he’s done in the military.

But she should stop showing dishonor and impugning the patriotism of those who don’t happen to agree with her, many of whom have “paid their dues” in uniform, as well!

— Bob Jackson, Simi Valley

Posted by Andrea Howry at 10:47 AM

In the words of Lincoln

Re: Becky Dahlstrom’s March 21 commentary, “Soldier’s mom: Protesters dishonor troops”:

Her commentary and the recent letters in support demonstrate the wisdom of Abraham Lincoln, who observed, "You can fool some of the people all of the time."

The administration counts on the 30 percent of people who cannot or, worse still, will not think. It counts on those who look at facts and blame the media for reporting the facts, and on those who look at the high-priced, bought and paid for "hearts and minds" events staged by the Pentagon and think those are real.

They can be, as Lincoln noted, "fooled all of the time." As for those who counsel "shush, quiet, change it at the polls,” their agenda is clear — there can be no change at the polls without full, free and public debate.

There is nothing quite so hypocritical and un-American as a neocon.

— Ira Cohen, Oak Park

Posted by Andrea Howry at 10:21 AM

Remember the neocons

Re: Scott Twombley's March 23 commentary, “Patriotic duty to speak up”:

This was excellent and right on target.

That is, in all areas except one. His claim that "the Bush Administration blundered into Iraq" was positively breathtaking. Scott can be forgiven because he probably never heard of the Project for a New American Century. PNAC has a Web site at http://www.newamericancentury.org

PNAC members are a small group of ruling elite movers and shakers who really have a high degree of influence in American government. The PNAC Statement of Principles has 25 signers and 16 of them are also members of the Council on Foreign Relations — another potent globalist-minded organization that embraces "the new world order.”
Almost everybody knows by now that the new world order will be a tyrannical, socialist, one-world government controlled by (you guessed it) the small group of the ruling elite.

In a letter dated Jan. 26, 1998, PNAC wrote a letter to President Clinton urging military action against Iraq The attack on Sept. 11, 2001, provided the Bush administration with an excuse to implement the PNAC recommendation/urging.

President Bush has done an excellent job of executing PNAC and CFR policies. If you don't mind all the killing, blood and the spending of billions, then support and defend George W. Bush.

— John K. Carter, Camarillo

Posted by Andrea Howry at 10:19 AM

People should have a voice

When did we lose our right to voice our opinion? Long ago, our forefathers wrote, "We the people." Why are we leaving it up to our president or our congressmen or senators? Why are we letting our president run our lives? We, the people, should have a voice and not let this go on and on.

Look at history. One man comes into power and all the people follow down the path of death and destruction. Look back at all of the men of war. There are so many and, yet, we follow, saying nothing. People better look at what's going on.

Why are we the caregivers of Iraq or Israel? Our own country is going to pot. Look at all of the poor people in this country. Let these people fight their own battles like we have in the past. Iraq is wasting our blood needlessly. We should have been defending our own shores, not others. Two billion dollars of our money going down the drain, another Vietnam, another 38th parallel and so on and so on.

Think of what we, the people, are letting our government get away with. I really hate to say this, but listening to our president scares me and others half to death.

— Clarence Potter Sr., Ojai

Posted by Andrea Howry at 10:17 AM

Don’t speak for me

Recently there have been letters for and against the Iraq war. Everyone has their opinion, but the ones I cannot agree with are the people who think that if you oppose the war, you should do it by voting or writing to your representative. They don't want you to do it by marching and using your voice. You can vote for whomever you want, but that doesn't guarantee your representative will fully speak for you. So the best way to get their attention is to go out and assemble, hold up signs, use bullhorns and march.

One letter writer asked protesters: "Would you be willing to forfeit one night or day away from the luxury of your family, home and country to help a stranger"? She then proceeded to say that in her opinion, the answer would be no.

Please don't speak for me. Many of the protesters like myself are Vietnam veterans who served our country and we were let down by politicians — politicians who are now, in my opinion, letting down our country. I believe I have earned the right to voice my opinion of what I think is an unjust war. I support our troops 100 percent. It bothers me that we are paying a lot of money to corporations and our fighting men can't get equipment they need. But I also don't agree with my government's reasons for going to war.

As for protesters demoralizing our troops, people have to remember that there are also soldiers in Iraq who also feel we should not be there — soldiers who had to rebuild schools and homes because of what we call collateral damage. By protesting to end our involvement, I feel I am helping to bring them home.

One more thing: Some of those protesters are Iraq war veterans and they also deserve our respect for their beliefs and they should be heard not silenced.

— Tony Vasquez, Jr. Fillmore

Posted by Andrea Howry at 10:15 AM

Dare speak the truth

Re: March 22 letters by Chris Biller, “Disagree at the polls,” and Gary L. Parker, “Show of hate”:

It's difficult not to laugh when Biller and Parker chastise dissenters for being angry and for daring to speak out. We use simple slogans because most Americans can't handle complicated arguments and that's the only way to get through. How about those flip-flops, eh? Mushroom clouds? You're either with us or with the terrorists? Axis of evil? Weapons of mass destruction? War on terror? Are you afraid yet? Good. That's what they wanted and you bought it.

When elections are easily manipulated by voting machines controlled by Republican corporations and when a large majority of the public now has turned against the policies of this president, we're supposed to shut up? When a president admits that he broke the law and leaked the name of a CIA operative for political reasons, then dares to accuse the press of damaging our national security, when he openly manipulates scientific data, when he lies about social security and Katrina, when he lies about global warming and the economy, we are not going to remain silent? Get over it.

Parker accuses us of anger and he's right. We come from a long line of angry patriots who dared to speak their hearts and their fears. Do you think Thomas Paine and Thomas Jefferson and George Washington didn't have anger in their hearts when they founded this country, when they raved against tyranny in all it's forms, when they wrote the immortal words "We the people,” when our soldiers fought and died at Valley Forge? I doubt it.

If you're not angry, you're not paying attention. Conservatives dishonor the memories of all those who did fight to preserve our freedoms when they belittle those of us who dare to speak the truth.

— John Strubbe, Simi Valley

Posted by Andrea Howry at 10:09 AM

Dare speak the truth

Re: March 22 letters by Chris Biller, “Disagree at the polls,” and Gary L. Parker, “Show of hate”:

If you're not angry, you're not paying attention. Conservatives dishonor the memories of all those who did fight to preserve our freedoms when they belittle those of us who dare to speak the truth.

— John Strubbe, Simi Valley

Posted by Andrea Howry at 10:09 AM

March 23, 2006

Don't forget Pearl Harbor

I find Shigeko Sasamori's interview interesting. I'm sorry she suffered effects from the atomic bomb. It must have been horrific.

However, never once did she mention there would never have been a bomb dropped on Japan had the Japanese not attacked the United States first, killing thousands of civilians and GIs at Pearl Harbor! Apparently, that minor point seems to have slipped her mind, or the minds of the activists who sponsored her.

Preaching peace is great, but tell the whole story, not just a partial truth told by people who may be politically motivated and would like to change history to meet their agenda. I wonder if California State University students have ever heard from any American survivors of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. I won't hold my breath.

- Betty Dabbs, Oxnard

Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:33 PM

Attorney speaks out

Re: your March 21 article, “Ruling may end battle for parolee”:

In this article, Brian Buckley is portrayed as a man who was misled by a prosecutor into pleading guilty to a second-degree murder charge, believing that his sentence would be 15 years maximum rather than 15 years to life. I was the attorney who prosecuted Brian Buckley, and I would like to set the record straight.

The Star interviewed me on Monday, the day before this article appeared. I pointed out a number of facts that The Star chose not to include in this article, facts that would cause one to draw a different conclusion to the spin that The Star was seeking to achieve.

In 1988, Buckley filed a petition for writ of habeas corpus in the Superior Court of Ventura County, challenging his sentence. The petition was denied, and in 2002, Buckley filed a similar petition in the U.S. District Court. That petition was granted, and Buckley was released from prison. On Jan. 25, 2005, a three-justice panel of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the district court’s ruling, ordering Buckley back to prison.

In denying Buckley’s first petition for writ of habeas corpus, the Superior Court found that with the exception of one ambiguous statement in the plea form, and one ambiguous statement at the time of taking the plea, the record demonstrated that Buckley “well knew” that his sentence would be 15 years to life. The court further found that any ambiguity concerning Buckley’s understanding was put to rest by his own testimony at the trial of Curtis Fauber that he understood his term of imprisonment would be 15 years to life. Furthermore, just 33 days after he was sentenced, Buckley wrote a letter in his own hand to the court stating that his sentence was “15 years to life.”

In addition, Buckley was represented at all times and in all proceedings by Willard Wiksell, one of the most respected criminal defense attorneys in Ventura County. At Buckley’s federal habeas hearing, Mr. Wiksell testified that he carefully explained to Buckley the consequences of his plea, and that in his opinion, Buckley understood that his sentence would be 15 years to life.

In this most recent decision by the full panel of the Ninth Circuit, the court held that the Superior Court should have applied contract law in viewing the plea agreement. Since the plea form was ambiguous on its face, the Superior Court should have found in favor of Buckley and should not have considered evidence outside the plea agreement form regarding Buckley’s understanding that his sentence would be 15 years to life. The Ninth Circuit did not, however, make any finding that Buckley was misled.

Two justices on the Ninth Circuit, incidentally, dissented to the majority opinion. The two justices found that the Superior Court was correct in concluding that Buckley “well knew” that his sentence was 15 years to life.

Buckley was given a break by the Ninth Circuit, but he wasn’t misled.

— Donald C. Glynn, Westlake Village
(The writer is a retired senior deputy district attorney. — Editor)

Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:56 AM

Potential of kids’ TV

Can situations similar to the Danish cartoon controversy be avoided in the future through the dissemination of diverse and multicultural children’s television programs? My answer is yes.

The amount of violence and hatred generated by the Danish cartoon dispute is overwhelming. Although we cannot erase the past and all of the devastation that has resulted from intolerance for the various cultures and religions of the world, we can turn to the youth of our generation in order to start anew. We need to gradually educate children to understand that not everyone is the same. In fact, many cultures hold opposing viewpoints, and while we do not need to foster the same beliefs, it is nevertheless important to respect everyone’s differences.

I believe we can look to children’s television programming to best convey this message.

The media should expend a more focused effort in accurately portraying the diversities of the population. Depicting diverse cultures and beliefs on children’s television enables them to see and understand the differences between various societies. Through familiarity, they will more likely grow to accept and respect these variations and potentially prevent the conflicts regarding religion and race, such as the Danish cartoon issue, that have become ever more prevalent in today’s society.

I fully agree with Cyma Zarghami, president of Nickelodeon Television, in that “diversity and multicultural programming is something you have to be relentlessly committed to.” Doing so may reflect positively in children’s confidence and pride for their own heritage, which is important to hold onto as America becomes increasingly diversified. Doing so may also potentially avoid strife between the very dissimilar cultural groups of the world.

If children’s television programming becomes able to affect world issues on such a broad scope, the media’s benefit on society will be even more fully appreciated and applauded.

— Alice Lin, Calabasas

Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:44 AM

Not enough money

Re: Russell Burgos’ March 22 letter, “Surplus frittered away,” which was a response to James R. May’s March 8 letter, “National debt keeps rising”:

In response to my pointing out that there has not been a budget surplus since 1960, Russell Burgess’ letter correctly points out that the federal government declared several years under the Clinton administration to have a budget surplus. Unfortunately, that fact is a testimonial to dishonest government reporting rather than to any budget surplus.

What has been done is the government simply decided not to count the interest on the national debt. Almost by magic, certainly by smoke and mirrors, there is a budget surplus. Of course, in the real world, that interest was a debt that had to be paid or added to the national debt. Because there was not enough money in the budget to cover that interest, money had to be borrowed. As a result — because, in reality, there was a budget deficit (not enough income to cover all the incurred debts) — the national debt went up as it has every year since 1960.

You or the government can call it whatever you want, but the facts show when you look at the money taken in and the debts that had been incurred, including interest, there was a deficit every year since 1960 — including the years under Clinton. Any claim to the contrary is simply dishonest, and it is a shame that our government engaged in that dishonesty.

— James R. May, Simi Valley

Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:29 AM

March 20, 2006

Benitez isn’t to blame

Re: your March 15 article, “Settlement means Rio must scrimp”:

This headline implies that Yolanda Benitez is to blame for the district’s financial problems. Wrong!

Incompetent school board members who are ignorant of basic school law and driven by a vengeful agenda are the people who illegally fired the former superintendent — the people who jeopardized the educational future of the children in the Rio district.
The legal action could have been settled long ago but for the stubbornness and foolishness of certain board members.

Hopefully, the current administrators will be able to guide the district through these difficult financial circumstances. The board has not given them the leadership and support they need.

And, hopefully, Yolanda Benitez will be able to peacefully resume her career and put this sad spectacle behind her.

— Susana Arce, Ojai

Posted by Andrea Howry at 09:59 AM

‘Scrimping’ was long ago

Re: your March 15 article, “Settlement means Rio must scrimp”:

How dare The Star marginalize the very serious situation Yolanda Benitez and her three friends on the district board have caused.

Hugh Pickerel said there would be no personnel cuts, but during closed session, the board personally fired four principals. This, too, is fallout from the board’s close association with Benitez. The rumor mill is full of speculation as to who the replacement principals will be. The odds-on-favorite rumor is that they will all be friends of Benitez.

The Star must have missed the budget analysis presented during the recent meeting where the details of the matter were unveiled. One could hardly call the recommended budget, program and personnel cuts scrimping. Sacrifice would be a better word to use. Cuts mentioned during the budget presentation were:

— Critical monitoring of staffing ratios.

— Reduce district office supplies 10 percent to 20 percent.

— Suspend professional membership costs.

— Reduce general fund travel and conference support.

— Cut $60,000 from general fund consultants.

— Reduce general fund contribution for support personnel.

— Reduce general fund support for classroom supplies 10 percent to 20 percent.

— Reduce buy-back days for staff development.

— Employee benefit cuts.

— Employee furloughs.

— Curtail program impact on unrestricted fund budget with respect to special education, transportation and class-size reduction.

— Eliminate purchase of the building at 2500 Vineyard Ave.

— Future sale, rental or leasing of surplus properties.

These items do not sound like scrimping to me. These are major disruptions to the educational process for the children of the Rio School District. All children in the district will now suffer inferior education due to budget cuts caused by this payment to Benitez and her friends. I hope board President Simon Ayala, board Clerk Eve Acosta and board member Ken Ortega are proud of the legacy they have created.

— Jim Pearson, Oxnard

Posted by Andrea Howry at 09:53 AM

Rio decision ‘obscene’

The decision of the Rio School Board to give Yolanda Benitez and her attorney $1.4 million is obscene.

Benitez’s claim was at best worth $350,000, and she had no legal right to force the board to pay her attorneys’ fees, never mind commit the district to pay her benefits for life. The Yolanda-groupie board members won’t pay for this. It will instead come off the backs of the teachers and students of the district.

The failure of the board to even attempt to negotiate a fair settlement — and its decision to pay out more than five times the legitimate value of the claim — is insane. The efforts of the board to avoid responsibility by hiding behind a whiney, sniveling letter from their San Jose attorney shows that the board members are also cowards.

On Jan. 6, 2005, Benitez was quoted in The Star as saying that it was “very sad and irresponsible” that the Rio District was spending money on lawsuits “rather than the education of children and the welfare of the ... staff.” Ha!

Apparently the new slogan of the Rio School Board is "Committed to bankrupting the district — one scandal at a time."

Nancy A. Butterfield, Camarillo

Posted by Andrea Howry at 09:45 AM

March 15, 2006

Keep investigation short

Re: your March 13 editorial, “Drivers, ‘Please be careful...’”

It should not take long to investigate the tragic death of Edith Luna, who was struck by a school bus while in a crosswalk. The State of California Vehicle Code, page 21951, Chapter 5, states, “The driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing within any marked crosswalk.”

— Gilbert Edwin Savard, Ventura

Posted by Andrea Howry at 01:39 PM

Get rid of trustee system in El Rio

Re: your March 15 article, “Settlement means Rio must scrimp”:

It’s rather obvious that the trustee concept of running a school district is not working in El Rio and hasn’t been for quite awhile. If it’s not mandated by law that a trustee setup is required, I would suggest just eliminating the El Rio trustee system. It’s obviously costing more money than it’s worth. I would also question trustee qualifications. Do any of these trustees even have a university degree?

— William Wolny, Oxnard

Posted by Andrea Howry at 01:36 PM

Peace march comes through county

On March 12, 2006, the 76th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi’s 241-mile Salt March, a Latino conscientious objector, Latino parent of a fallen U.S. Marine and two dozen dedicated marchers (myself included), began their own two-week march of nonviolent protest. Their purpose is to end the war in Iraq.

As Gandhi did in India 76 years ago, these peace pilgrims will walk 241 California miles between Tijuana and San Francisco. Stops on the march include the burial site of César Chávez in La Paz, Camp Pendleton, Oxnard and Ventura. The march will end in San Francisco’s Mission District on March 26-27,where participants will donate blood for U.S. servicemen and civilians in Iraq.

The leaders of the peace pilgrimage are Fernando Suárez del Solar, whose Marine Corps son was among the first U.S. Marines to die in the Iraq War, and Pablo Paredes, the Navy seaman who was court-martialed and given only base restriction for refusing to board an Iraq-bound ship.

We in Ventura County will honor these peace marchers in the nonviolent spirit of Gandhi. On Monday, March 20, we will house them in the sanctuary of Oxnard’s Congregation for Peace. On Tuesday, March 21, we will walk with them to teach a handful of children at my alma mater, Oxnard High School. We will join them in passing before the Oxnard military recruitment office (embroiled in misconduct), and we will arrive together for a rally at the County Government Center at 5 p.m.

Please join Congregation for Peace, Ventura County Veterans for Peace and Citizens for Peaceful Resolutions in welcoming the marchers and supporting an end to the Iraq War. Come hear Fernando Suárez de Solar and Pablo Paredes speak at 7:30 p.m. at the Congregation for Peace on 2300 West Gonzalez Road, Oxnard. Admission is free. For more information go to www.guerreroazteca.org.

— Michael Cervantes, Oxnard

Posted by Andrea Howry at 01:32 PM

Crosswalks need better lighting

Re: your March 11 article, “Crosswalks not duty of schools, district reports”:

I was a bit dismayed as I read the tragic story of Edith Luna. According to the article, authorities were still trying to determine if the child had the right of way. It’s been awhile, but last time I took the written exam for a driver’s license, a pedestrian in a marked crosswalk always has the right of way.

It also strikes me as a sadly appropriate time to ask the City of Ventura if they could provide adequate lighting for the two marked crosswalks that serve Ventura College at Loma Vista Road. Neither has a streetlight within 100 feet.

Just the other night, exiting the Little Theatre driveway, I failed to see a pedestrian almost halfway across the crosswalk, walking toward the campus. This was at a speed below the 25 mph limit posted a few feet around the crosswalk. I would hope we don’t have to wait for a fatality for more streetlights and, perhaps, a 25 mph limit on this entire stretch of Loma Vista.

To those pedestrians: Yes, you do have the right of way in the crosswalks, but some sense of self-preservation should apply. Bear in mind that oncoming traffic may not be able to see you until it’s too late.

— Bryant Temple, Ventura

Posted by Andrea Howry at 01:24 PM

Search for common ground

Elected officials are responsible to serve all the constituents, not just those with one point of view. This not a trivial or easy task. It takes empathy, wisdom, humility and a dedication to find and communicate the “deeper truth” of a situation.

The division, polarization and nastiness we see in politics today is a testament to how little responsible leadership we currently have. True effective and responsible leadership first understands and empathizes with all the perspectives in a district, city, county, state or country; not just the ones that are like them, not just the ones who vote, not just the ones who donate money and not just the ones that are vocal.

Then the effective responsible leader finds the common ground. Yes, there is always common ground. It may take work, growth and humility to find it, but it's there.
Next, the effective responsible leader compassionately communicates that common ground to all with enough warmth and clarity that it is accepted. Again, it is no easy task, but it is absolutely possible in every situation.

Lastly, a course of action is proposed that clearly supports everyone based on the understanding of common ground.

As difficult as this is, it is neither impossible nor unrealistic. It _is the criteria we voters should use in electing our officials, or in deciding to be an elected official.

Hear this: A leader's positive influence is a direct reflection of their ability to act with an open heart.

- Scott Friedman, Camarillo

Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:11 PM

Don’t censure, just impeach

Re: your March 15 editorial, “Dismiss idea of a Bush censure”:

The Star is right. A censure is an empty gesture. President Bush should be impeached.
The Downing Street memos made it clear that the Bush administration tailored evidence to make a case for war, dragging us into a war that has cost thousands of lives and billions of dollars that will keep our grandchildren and their children in debt for many years to come. In addition, Bush has admitted to spying on American citizens, which is clearly illegal and a blatant abuse of power.

Under his watch, horrible abuses at Abu Ghraib took place, and at Guantanamo Bay, prisoners have been detained for indeterminate amounts of time and without access to counsel. Our country has engaged in the practice of kidnapping “suspects” and transporting them to countries which routinely use torture to obtain “evidence.” I could go on about the botched response to Hurricane Katrina, but mere incompetence isn’t an impeachable offense. Lying about reasons for sending young Americans to their deaths and violating the Constitution clearly are.

Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich., introduced House Resolution 635 to create a special committee to investigate whether the president’s misconduct rises to the level of impeachment, and 29 members of Congress have already joined as co-sponsors. He is seeking citizen co-sponsors. Anyone who feels strongly that this administration should be held accountable is urged to go online to http://johnconyers.com/citizencosponsors.

If you would like additional details about the president’s impeachable offenses, read the Constitution in Crisis, a 182-page report with more than 1,000 footnotes covering the entire spectrum of deception, manipulation, torture, retribution and cover-ups by the Bush administration. It can be found online at: http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/5769.

It’s time to take our country back.

— Gayle Haider, Ojai

Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:04 PM

Common sense unnecessary

Re: John Alamillo's March 3 commentary, “Retract unification petitions for kids' benefit”:
John Alamillo doesn't realize that common sense and fiscal responsibility are out of date. In the 21st century, we do not consider unintended consequences.

- Camille Davis, Port Hueneme

Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:33 AM

Second high school at stake

Re: John Alamillo’s March 3 commentary, “Retract unification petitions for kids’ benefit”:

John Alamillo must not understand the benefits unification would bring to our community. Increased state funding for Camarillo K-12 students, significant pay increases for our current teachers, and a voice in the education of all our students are just a few benefits. Mr. Alamillo states “emotion and commotion have replaced logic and reason.” If he approached unification with logic and reason, he would support getting unification to a vote now.

Mr. Alamillo believes it would be better off to wait until after a high school is built here to unify. Why does he believe that the next high school will be built in Camarillo? The Measure H bond states that the first school will be built where the need is greatest. Pleasant Valley School District schools have declining enrollment, and forecasts indicate that this will be the case for at least the next 10 years. Both Pacifica and Oxnard high schools are greatly overcrowded, and more building is going on in Oxnard. Ask yourself, where is the need greatest?

If OUHSD manages to justify building the next high school in Camarillo, they will fight even harder to protect their investment of time and money. Camarillo does not have enough students to fill two comprehensive high schools. OUHSD estimates that 1,050 students from Oxnard would need to attend a second Camarillo high school. It will be harder to unify if we have to shift students back to impacted schools within OUHSD.

Mr. Alamillo expresses concern over pending litigation and the costs involved. All of the threatened lawsuits have come from OUHSD. The latest delay is caused by one of their threatened lawsuits. If Mr. Alamillo is so concerned about the amount of money being spent on attorneys, he should be asking OUHSD to stop the threatened lawsuits and delay tactics and let the voters decide this issue. Giving up on unification efforts now will cost all of us more in the future.

— Patty Lerner, Camarillo

Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:32 AM

Camarillo’s Judas goat

Re: John Alamillo’s March 3 commentary, “Retract unification petitions for kids’ benefit”:

The Judas goat is prized by its owner for leading sheep to the slaughter. In the case of unifying Camarillo’s schools, it is Pleasant Valley School District trustee John Alamillo who is the willing accomplice to the Oxnard Union High School District in its efforts to continue to herd Camarillo high school students into its educational pen. In doing so, Alamillo undermines the best interests of Camarillo students and the best judgment of more than 90 percent of the Camarillo community.

Mr. Alamillo ran for office on the premise that he supported unification. When seated, Alamillo then used every opportunity in his official capacity to prevent unification from happening. He has heckled petition gatherers in front of grocery stores, worked contrary to Pleasant Valley School District board policies and ethics, and is in cahoots with members of the Oxnard Union High School District. He works against the actions of the Camarillo City Council, the Ventura County Board of Supervisors and even the Pleasant Valley School District Board of Trustees – his own board! He is not a public servant of Camarillo; he is an Oxnard servant. Alamillo is a traitor to our children, our parents, our city and our future.

Unification is as inevitable for Camarillo now as was the independence of our nation just prior to the American Revolution!

It is time for the voters of Camarillo to throw Alamillo out of office. No matter what future office he seeks, Alamillo will be forever known as disloyal, rude and a willing accomplice to those who seek control over Camarillo. He is working to take control of Camarillo away from Camarillo residents. Alamillo is Camarillo’s Judas goat.

— Roger Lund, Camarillo
(The writer is chairman of Camarillo Unified, a volunteer grassroots citizen group working to unify all of Camarillo’s schools into a K-12 district. — Editor)

Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:26 AM

Gallegly an expert on pork

With the apparent retirement of U.S. Rep. Elton Gallegly, I have read the praise expressed in The Star’s editorials as well as in letters, not only for service to individual constituents, which all representatives do, but for money he brought to Ventura County.

Traditionally, the measure of a ccongressman has been the “pork” he brings home to his district. Thus, by voting for the Transportation Bill of 2005, Gallegly brought home $19 million for highway beautification.

As a fiscal conservative since 1964, I have a different view.

Gallegly had to kowtow to U.S. Rep. Tom DeLay, R-Texas, to get that scrap of bacon at the expense of the welfare of the country and my children, my grandchildren and their children. That same bill provided for $40 billion in “pork,” including $430 million for two bridges to nowhere in Alaska.

The United States is broke! The government has to borrow from China and Japan to pay our bills, including the $19 million for flowers along Highway 118. That money can be repaid only through taxes on future generations. It would be better spent on Iraq veterans who face mortgage foreclosure because of their patriotic service.

We need congressmen (and women) who are fiscally responsible, independent and courageous as to defy party leaders for the sake of the country.

— Raymond A. Greenberg, Thousand Oaks

Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:18 AM

Abortions won’t stop

Re: Melinda Nordeng's March 13 article, "California must lead in women’s rights":

The South Dakota Legislature and governor have made it a felony to perform any abortion in the state, except when a pregnant woman's life is in jeopardy.

Banning abortion intrudes into the private lives of its female citizens taking control over parts of their bodies. Importance of making health policy should be based upon public health, not based upon religious beliefs. Ask yourself: Does this mean pro-life lobbyists, activists and voters have agreed or will agree to adopt the unwanted children of women too poor to go elsewhere for abortions? I don't think so.

Mothers can be pro-life in theory, but not when their daughters become pregnant. Rare is the parent who wants her adolescent daughter to become a mother. What about a teenage girl raped by her father?

Unwanted pregnancy can destroy a woman’s life and the child’s. Abortions will continue to be performed for women who can afford them. They will be performed at the conveyance of both the patient and a doctor (or equal), at an agreed-upon medical-safe location. The less fortunate will continue to do their best with what they have.

— Bill Harris, Oxnard

Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:05 AM

Consider an infant’s rights

Re: Melinda Nordeng's March 13 commentary, “California must lead in women’s rights”:

Ms. Nordeng’s commentary was a rant filled with personal opinions and few facts. She thinks California should be a leader in civil rights, women’s rights, and the rights of all people. She forgot to mention that in California, babies have no rights.

She compares incest and rape survivors with soldiers who experienced war atrocities. What does this have to do with abortion? Soldiers are not coming back demanding the right to take another life because they experienced horror.

She argues that the loudest voices against abortion are men. Obviously she is not involved with the pro-life movement, or she would have met many wonderful women who do not support a woman’s right to kill her baby.

She argues it is morally and ethically wrong to conceive a child in violence and hatred. She doesn’t mention the ethical and moral dilemma with late-term abortion. Only the most violent physician could pull a baby halfway out of the birth canal, stick an instrument in the skull to suck out the brains and then deliver a dead baby that was viable.

Finally, she brings her personal life into the argument, telling us she was kidnapped and raped but did not become pregnant. She doesn’t think that women who were impregnated by rape or incest should be obliged to raise that child. She never mentions adoption.

As a neonatal clinical nurse specialist, I have cared for dozens of infants who are viable at 23 and 24 weeks gestation. The healthcare team treats these babies with utmost respect. Their fight for life is heroic.

I am sorry the abortion debate is always framed as women’s rights. Do Americans have the right to kill each other? A true debate would consider an infant’s rights.

— Jil Lima-Lehr, Oxnard

Posted by Andrea Howry at 10:50 AM

Pregnancy via rape isn’t easy

Re: Tony Lemos’ March 9 letter, “Not ‘too much to ask for’”:

I also am “only in high school” and a senior about to graduate. I am very hurt by the letter written by Mr. Lemos, especially the part about raped women. I would like to ask Mr. Lemos to put himself in the body of a young woman, and experience being raped by a man. Now, say Mr. Lemos gets pregnant by this horrible and monstrous man that raped him. Would he then want to carry around the child of this rapist for nine months?
 

Every day would be a constant reminder of the horrific event he had recently been through, which would most likely be added to post-traumatic stress disorder, a disorder that most women go through after being raped. Would he then still be anti-abortion?

I understand that Mr. Lemos is not a woman and has no idea how it feels to be a woman stripped of her dignity and, on top of that, impregnated by a man she entirely loathes, but I hope he can realize that becoming pregnant by rape is more than just nine months of carrying around a baby.

— Anna Brazzell, Simi Valley
(The writer is a senior at Simi Valley High School. — Editor)

Posted by Andrea Howry at 10:44 AM

Comments (5)

March 14, 2006

Bicyclists do have rights

Re: Brian Hudnell's March 10 commentary, “Bicyclists must be mindful of hazards”:

Mr. Hudnell states that cyclists need to “stop believing that they have some God-given or governmental right to be on a public, traveled road. Period.”

Leaving God out of it, California Vehicle Code 21200 states: “Every person riding a bicycle upon a street or highway has all the rights and is subject to all the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle.”

Additionally, according to VC 21202, “Bicyclists shall ride as close to the right-hand of the roadway as possible except when necessary to avoid conditions including ... substandard lane widths.”

As operators of motor vehicles, Mr. Hudnell and all drivers are required to know these laws and respect bicyclists as legal users of our roadways. In the particular situation about which he so passionately writes, he was aware of _the upcoming hazard and should have reduced his speed. The semi-truck driver was legally obligated, according to the vehicle code, to allow the bicyclists passage and not leave his lane to pass them in a substandard roadway.

As far as the two on the bicycles being “oblivious,” Mr. Hudnell needs to understand that any cyclist geared up with helmets and neon-colored Lycra is well aware of the dangers involved in sharing the road with motor vehicles.

- Yvonne Wilber, Simi Valley

Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:59 AM

Pipelines would harm farmland

There should be evidentiary hearings regarding the liquefied natural gas issue so that those who are sounding like Chicken Little - “The natural gas is running out! The natural gas is running out!” - should have to testify under oath, facing perjury charges, that there is a natural gas crisis.

Proposed pipelines will traverse through prime farmland of Ventura County for about 14 miles. In 2002, Ventura County's agricultural industry generated approximately $1.16 billion. This farmland will be damaged. How long will it be out of production? Maybe forever?

What will be done with the excess soil that is displaced by 36-inch pipelines? Will the land ever be returned to its present level of production? How much will the loss of production cut into the $1.16 billion per year that the agricultural industry generates for Ventura County? How many workers in this industry will be affected? This will have a ripple effect on the economy of all of Ventura County.

The onshore pipeline would be about seven miles shorter and save much of the farmland if it would go straight as the crow flies to the Southern California Gas Company connection point in Somis.

- Bill Terry, Oxnard

Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:52 AM

Ventura needs a living wage

Until the day that every worker in Ventura County is paid a living wage — for example, a wage that allows them to pay their rent and utilities using a third of their full-time income — we will have a lopsided economy. Some people will be doing fine, while a majority of workers suffers in silence, struggling just to pay for necessities.

It certainly behooves our local government agencies to set an example for this very reasonable request. With the people at “the top” making such grand salaries — and still having trouble affording housing, mind you! — how can we not extend a basic decent wage to each and every public worker? Support a living wage for the City of Ventura!

And if you know an employer who pays a living wage, tell them, “Thanks!”

— Adrienne Prince, Camarillo

Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:38 AM

Ventura needs a living wage

And if you know an employer who pays a living wage, tell them, “Thanks!”

— Adrienne Prince, Camarillo

Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:38 AM

Impossible storyline

Re: Terry Paulson’s March 13 essay, “A ceremony that counts”:

I agree with Mr. Paulson: “It would be truly courageous for a film to have a Republican hero.” So why doesn’t some rich Republican write and produce this fictional epic? I can’t wait to rent the DVD for $3.98, plus tax!

— Cheryl Kingsley, Oxnard

Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:31 AM

Too narrow a viewpoint

Re: Leland Hammerschmitt’s Feb. 28 commentary, “At least teenagers have been warned”:

I join in the “serious debate” started by Mr. Hammerschmitt. I think it is wonderful that Mr. Hammerschmitt drives past Nordhoff rather than pulling into the school as a teacher!

He suggests that young people should read the classics, “such as ‘Moby Dick’ or ‘Pride and Prejudice.’ High school curriculums include, but are not limited to, classics such as “The Lord of the Flies,” “Frankenstein,” “The Heart of Darkness” and “The Scarlet Letter.” Literature reminds readers that human nature does not change; Hammerschmidts have been judging books by their covers for centuries, and they will continue to do so.

It is easy to understand why he has such a narrow mindset when he judges students through a singular lens: “Many of the kids I see today….” Choosing to use only one lens distorts the truth from reality.

Here is a dose of reality: My son, Brent-Stig Kraus, graduated from Nordhoff High School a few years ago, and I am quite sure Mr. Hammerschmidt judged him while driving past Nordhoff. He was a long-haired surfer boy whose “uniform” was strictly t-shirts, sagging shorts and flip-flops. Upon graduation, he went to Ventura College for two years. Two years later, he graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara, with a bachelor’s degree. Working as an account executive, he took a job in Manhattan for a few years. He now lives in San Francisco, with his wife, where he continues to be highly successful, earning six figures. There are many other “Brents” from Nordhoff as well; he is not an anomaly.

I am a teacher. (Don’t think, “Because his mom is a teacher, he succeeded.” This is my third profession, and I am in my fifth year of teaching.) Using several lenses when interacting with my students, I do my best to reach all of them — through instruction, acceptance, critical thinking, discussion, expectations, guidelines and love. I look forward to pulling into the parking lot every day. Thanks for driving by, Mr. Hammerschmidt!

— Elizabeth Kraus, Oxnard
(The writer teaches full-time at St. Bonaventure High School and in the evenings is an adjunct professor at Ventura College.)

Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:05 AM

Unification is needed

Re: John Alamillo’s March 3 commentary, “Retract unification petitions for kids’ benefit”:

Mr. Alamillo ran for the Pleasant Valley School District board saying he supported unification. His change of opinion seems very strange.

Yes, this issue is emotionally charged. Oxnard Union High School District does not want to relinquish its hold over Camarillo High School. The courtroom fees Mr. Alamillo mentioned would go away if Oxnard does not fight unification.

Camarillo families support unification — the latest poll showed 90 percent. Why? It’s because additional state funding is available to a unified district, which would mean an increase of more than $5 million yearly for Camarillo students. It’s because it makes sense that we have one district governing and providing for our students; if we were to unify the K-12 grades, there would be a Camarillo board of trustees and a continuity of academic programs. And it’s because unification will provide the elementary teachers with a 14 percent pay increase to be commensurate with the high school teachers in the new unified district.

Mr. Alamillo is right in remarking that Camarillo has grown from a cow patch to a bustling community. That’s all the more reason to establish our own identity for our children’s educational needs. He, as a board member, must understand this.

Most Oxnard families want the OUHSD to focus on supporting their needs. They do not want to be involved in a prolonged battle with an opposing city. With Oxnard becoming more and more densely populated, the OUHSD has more pressing issues than building a high school over in Camarillo. Mr. Alamillo knows this, too.

Everyone here wins with unification. Mr. Alamillo’s commentary only obfuscates the issue. In the next school board election, I will vote for someone who is more in touch with Camarillo’s educational needs.

— Peg A. Hicks-Moore, Camarillo

Posted by Andrea Howry at 10:52 AM

Tears in South Dakota

Re: your March 12 cartoon:

The cartoon of Mount Rushmore offered two points of view. My take on it is that the weeping woman is grieving the loss of the baby she aborted.

— Roy Hammerand, Ojai

Posted by Andrea Howry at 10:44 AM

Bigger problems than RVs

We are RV owners who are fortunate enough to have enough property to keep our RV parked at home. For those who don't, I see nothing wrong with allowing them 24 to 48 hours to bring their RV home, load it and leave the next day, and 24 to 48 hours when they get back to unload it, clean it and then return it to storage. The people who are complaining can surely tolerate an RV in their neighborhood for that long. They have the other 26 or 27 days of the month with an RV-free neighborhood.

Other communities all over California allow their residents the courtesy of time to prepare for outings. Why can't Ventura County?

I think the powers that be could better spend their time looking into the obnoxious housing practices that are going on all over our county, like multiple families living in a home built originally for a single family. I personally live across the street from two such houses. There must be at least 20 people living in a four-bedroom house, and every one of them has a car. They park everywhere! We can't even park in front of our own home because of these people. There are so many cars that they block my driveway on weekends by cramming themselves into any spot available. These idiots even park on curves and in front of fire hydrants. Methinks these are the people complaining about the RVs taking up space.

- Jeanne Miyata, Oxnard

Posted by Andrea Howry at 10:40 AM

Tell truth about LNG safety

BHP Billiton wants to build 14 miles offshore a terminal called Cabrillo Port to receive the supertankers carrying liquefied natural gas. They plan to convert the liquid back into gas and send it to onshore Southern California Gas Co. buildings through pipes on the ocean floor. It takes 20 hours to unload a ship, unless the process is interrupted; then it could take much longer.

U.S. Rep. Lois Capps, D-Santa Barbara, wants federal officials to examine the possible earthquake hazards near proposed liquefied natural gas facilities off the Ventura County coast. At Capps’ request, the U.S. Geological Survey determined earthquake faults in the area could produce earthquakes up to magnitude 7.5.

“Earthquakes of this magnitude are capable of producing strong shaking, liquefaction, landslides, turbidity currents and tsunamis,” Capps wrote. “In fact, the report reveals that in parts of the project area, the estimated shaking hazard is as high as along the San Andreas Fault.”

A large earthquake in the area of the proposed project “could create a ‘pool fire’ or ignitable ‘vapor cloud’ that is extremely dangerous, threatening life and property in all directions from the facility,” Capps wrote.

Why does BHP Billiton keep saying their facility will be very safe? We are the people who live here. We would like to hear some truth about safety issues.

— Jane McCormick Tolmach, Oxnard

Posted by Andrea Howry at 10:34 AM