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May 31, 2006
Conservative vision needed
Having lived in Moorpark for 20 years, I truly care about Ventura County with all my heart, and I care about who represents me in local government.
This June 6, voters will be able to select a Ventura County supervisor for the 4th District. I take my right to vote very seriously and did my research on the candidates running for this position. One candidate who stood out from the rest is Peter Foy.
I recently had the opportunity to meet and speak to Peter, and it became instantly apparent to me that he is a principled and ethical leader with a strong conservative vision who will keep his promise in making Ventura County a safe and wonderful place to live.
Peter has lived in Simi Valley for 22 years, where he has raised his family and understands, like I do, how special Ventura County is. As a successful business owner, active member of the community and family man, Peter Foy is the leader that Ventura County needs now more than ever.
Unlike the incumbent, Peter Foy will not vote to cut funding for local public safety. He understands that the primary job of local government is to make sure we as residents are safe in our homes, streets and schools and will put public safety first.
Peter Foy also understands the need for higher ethical standards in county government, which is why, when elected, he will end the era of the career politician by supporting term limits and lobby restrictions. As a strong fiscal conservative, he will no doubt cut wasteful government expenditures, and he supports a balanced budget.
He is not someone who will just talk the talk, but rather, he is a trusted person who will walk the walk and get much needed reform at county government accomplished. Unlike many others, Peter Foy is someone who doesn’t seek to make public office a career, but rather only intends to serve to get his priorities for Ventura County accomplished.
Peter Foy has also been endorsed by our state senator, Tom McClintock, and also by the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association for his proven record of being a fiscal conservative.
Peter is the pro-family, pro-business, pro-law enforcement and pro-Ventura County leader that we need.
It’s about time that we finally have someone on the ballot who will listen to us and do what is right for the county and not simply for themselves. Please join me in voting for a real leader, Peter Foy, on June 6!
— Natalie Panossian, Moorpark
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:22 AM
Mikels is best qualified
For four years I was the Ventura County supervisor for the 4th District representing Moorpark, Santa Susana Knolls, Santa Rosa Valley and Simi Valley. I know well the issues and needs of our communities.
There are three candidates for this non-partisan office. One has never been elected to public office nor served in government. I have talked with him and find his experience insufficient and his areas of interest too limited to become a good representative at this time. The job of supervisor is too important for on-the-job training. He is personable and may be a very good candidate in the future.
Another has also never been elected to office. Instead, he has largely been a lobbyist for special interest and developers.
Judy Mikels has served the 4th District for 12 years. Judy is often brusque and takes pride in a "tell-it-like-it-is attitude". This can be offensive to many people. Nevertheless, I believe she is a hard-driving repesentative who has been effective in office.
Ventura County has had some well-publicized problems with safety/budget issues. It is important to have a supervisor who understand these difficult issues and will work to achieve a realistic solution to budget and other problems. I will vote for Judy Mikels for supervisor because I believe she is best qualified for the job.
— Vicky Howard, Simi Valley
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:15 AM
Gallegly’s record is good
Election Day is just days away. The streets are filled with eye-catching and colorful signs, but who are these people, and which ones care about my issues?
For Congress, I’m voting for Elton Gallegly for another term. He has a 100 percent voting record on animal-protection issues, from the ban on horse slaughter to the federal bill which recognizes that pets are family, too, and insures that in any future disaster, our government will make sure that no pet is left behind.
Mr. Gallegly votes with his head and his heart.
— Gretchen Wyler, Camarillo
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:00 AM
Firefighters impressed
Recently in Thousand Oaks, we had a charity barbecue for the firefighter benefit fund. This benefit fund is used by fire department employees and survivors in times of financial need.
When U.S. Rep. Elton Gallegly heard that we were having this barbecue, he said that if he had a chance he would come on up and buy a plate. Not only did he show up, but he drove himself in his own antique fire engine and then stayed for almost two hours, just chit-chatting and having a good time.
It's not often that a representative will take a couple hours out of campaigning and just sit down and relax with his constituents. It really shows Mr. Gallegly's character.
- Jason Hodge, Oxnard
Posted by Andrea Howry at 10:52 AM
Gallegly helps county
U.S. Rep. Elton Gallegly has a long and excellent record as our congressman. He has been a leader in Congress in supporting our troops, controlling our budgets and securing our borders. He has protected our Navy bases and brought in additional units to help our economy. His leadership has allowed him to provide federal help for our county in numerous ways. We need his seniority and leadership in Washington, D.C. Join me in re-electing Elton Gallegly to Congress.
— Greg and Ede Stratton, Simi Valley
Posted by Andrea Howry at 10:46 AM
Gallegly an ‘empty suit’
Many thanks to former presidential adviser Karl Rove for curing U.S. Rep. Elton Gallegly's illness. Because of his intervention, we can still have this dynamic empty suit watching our backs in Washington, D.C.
What would we do without his powerful voice? Every two years prior to the November election, he rages about immigration. This one-trick pony says blah, blah, blah and disappears for two years, only to return before the next election to say blah, blah, blah once again, and then hide for another two years.
In his head-nodding wisdom, he voted against prosthetics for returning veterans. He and his ilk should be ashamed of themselves.
I cannot remember him ever supporting legislation that helped Joe Six-Pack. While I understand he represents an affluent district, one would think he could throw an occasional bone to the working stiff.
It is time for him to leave. I would vote Republican, Democrat or Independent to see him gone.
— Bill Armstrong, Camarillo
Posted by Andrea Howry at 10:45 AM
Endorsement worthless
The other day I got a piece of junk mail from some guy named Gibson who's apparently trying to replace Linda Parks as county supervisor. The guy claims in his little flier that a majority of the City Council members in Thousand Oaks endorsed him over Linda Parks.
Isn't this the same City Council that preferred to select its own appointee rather than letting voters decide on a three-year term to fill the late Ed Masry’s seat? If I remember correctly, Ms. Parks came out publicly in a letter against the council for its undemocratic decision. I appreciate Ms. Parks speaking out for the rights of voters, just like Ed Masry did when he was on the council. The decision by those same councilmembers to endorse this fellow Gibson over Linda Parks doesn't amount to a hill of beans in my mind.
I did a little research to find out more about Joe Gibson. I was dismayed to learn that he's getting contributions from the Building Industry Association and the attorneys who represented Washington Mutual's Ahmanson City. That kind of stuff turns me off almost as much as this guy's negative attack mailers.
Mr. Gibson isn’t getting my vote, no matter how much he and his contributors spend on putting out the negative messages. In my experience, Linda Parks cares about the people who live in Ventura County, and that's what matters to me. I hope my fellow voters will agree and turn out to put her back in office on June 6. Let's recycle the junk mailer and keep Linda Parks as our county supervisor.
— Chip Bolcik, Thousand Oaks
Posted by Andrea Howry at 10:36 AM
Size matters on E6
I have to take time to thank all of the Santa Paula voters who have reaffirmed their position on Measure E6. It is refreshing to see that even with all the apple pie, flag-waving and photo ops Centex is using to try to sway the population of this city, it isn't working.
We see Centex and its faithful few planting signs along the very street they refuse to help reduce traffic and gridlock on — that's Ojai Road — and assume the property owners will fall for their campaign. Residents I have talked to are not happy with Centex and are removing unwelcome signs. Ojai residents and commuters want a bypass too.
Centex could have made friends with a major road in and out of Fagan Canyon as a bypass road, but no. They just took a hardball stance against it. Adjacent developers are planning to incorporate a bypass in their areas.
How many changes is Centex willing to make? It appears none. They even want the rest of the city to reduce their own water usage so they can nearly deplete the water under Santa Paula. A development of fewer than 500 units would keep the supply in good shape for many years and would work fine, but greed is appearing to factor in, and the well-being of the citizens is being disregarded.
Remember: The citizens have gone to the signature drives twice, and the courts have upheld the desire of the citizens to vote fairly for the size of the Fagan Canyon development.
For the right sizing of Fagan Canyon, it is a no vote on E6.
— Roger Brower, Santa Paula
Posted by Andrea Howry at 10:32 AM
Don’t create a Centa Paula
I finally agree with a Centex ad for Measure E6. Yes, some people will say anything!
Centex has spent thousands and thousands of dollars on radio and print advertising and telemarketing trying to get Measure E6 passed. It sponsored a full-page ad in the Santa Paula Times mocking the opposition’s “26,000 cars” yard signs.
Centex’s whole advertising strategy up to that point was simply to ignore the traffic issue and sugarcoat it with all the wonderful things they are supposedly going to give us. Now, they twist the truth: 26,000 car trips daily from Fagan Canyon is stated right in their own environmental impact report. If they twist this truth, what else have they twisted in all their lovely advertising?
The Santa Paula political machine and this huge developer want Measure E6 to pass. We in the opposition have no money behind us. We are armed only with a yard sign and a vote.
If Measure E6 passes, I suggest that politicos here in town get together and pass a resolution changing the name of the city to “Centa Paula.” It will be more appropriate.
— Dan Doll, Santa Paula
Posted by Andrea Howry at 10:21 AM
Telegraph traffic on the rise
I play a fanciful game as I wait to pull out onto Telegraph Road from where I live between Santa Paula and Ventura. I call it the Driveway Departure Index, in which I postulate how long I wait versus the number of vehicles that pass by.
Living here some 12 years, the traffic is definitely up. Between the not-infrequent detours off Highway 126, the housing since built and the never-to-be-disregarded large pickups that will not slow down, getting off the property can be hairy indeed! The countryside is increasingly peppered with homes, and there are now two large commercial nurseries on the road, each with its surrounding concrete expanse for truck traffic, I suppose.
Now comes Fagan Canyon. This would be overstuffed with 2,152 homes and what-not, up from 450 dwellings previously sought. Well, Centex is huge and no stranger to these sorts of things. Given that there are still valid ongoing questions of infrastructure, traffic and financing, not to mention quality of life, perhaps Santa Paula got the short end of the contractual stick.
Instead of Fagan Canyon about to become a financial plum, is it about to become a financial prune? Who can look forward to the eminent domain fracas that is sure to erupt over the extension of Foothill Road?
Living in an unincorporated area, I cannot vote on this matter, but the ramifications of it will surely have an impact out on Telegraph Road.
— Dale Peace, Santa Paula
Posted by Andrea Howry at 10:20 AM
May 30, 2006
Richman proven leader
I am writing this letter in support of Assemblyman Keith Richman for state treasurer.
The state Legislature has been in disarray, with petty partisan bickering, for many years. Fortunately for our Assembly district, there has been a shining beacon of leadership in Dr. Richman.
Dr. Richman is a proven leader for our state. He founded the Bipartisan Assembly Group, bringing Assembly members together to try a different, cooperative way of addressing California's challenges. As state treasurer, Dr. Richman will bring that same spirit of cooperation to focus on solutions to our financial problems.
Dr. Richman as treasurer will bring a strong voice on behalf of us citizens for fiscal responsibility and taxpayer accountability.
Assemblyman Keith Richman has my vote for state treasurer - a vote for solid, skilled leadership and impeccable integrity.
- Robert O. Huber, Simi Valley
Posted by Andrea Howry at 02:05 PM
Drainage system a mess
Joe Gibson, who is running for county supervisor, is a professional land use/environmental designer. Why did he, a Conejo Parks and Recreation Board member, allow the park district to construct a drainage system for Conejo Creek Park South with open ditches on the residential side of the park?
These wide drainage ditches are unsafe for anyone who climbs down through the rocks, dirt and weeds. The ditches do not have fencing to keep people from scrambling in them or to keep things from rolling into them. One of our neighbors had to rescue a child stuck in the mud in the ditch near us.
The ditches have rock and dirt bottoms, supposedly to slow down fast-moving water. Because the ditches do not have enough pitch, not all the water flows out of them. The rocks that line the drainage path from my street to the drainage ditch, as well as the rocks, dirt, trash and weeds in the ditch, hold puddles. Because the rocks are in cement, the water from neighborhood water sprinklers form little puddles between rocks even when it isn't raining. All these puddles, plus the even larger puddles in the drainage ditch near the baseball fields, are breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
Our wonderful Conejo Oaks neighborhood environment has now become a good place for West Nile disease to develop.
I cannot say that Mr. Gibson, as an environmentalist and public official, has looked out for the health and safety of our neighborhood and the hundreds of children using the soccer and baseball fields in the park.
— Lucy Frokjer, Thousand Oaks
Posted by Andrea Howry at 02:00 PM
Where’s the integrity?
I try to be an informed voter and keep an open mind on all the issues. I look for the best candidate for the job, regardless of party affiliation or what I might hear or read from opponents or their supporters. This is, as we all know, a daunting task, given the nature of politics in general, but I do my best.
However, when I picked up my mail and found a campaign postcard for Joe Gibson for county supervisor, and read it, I felt compelled to contact the sender. When I couldn't find a campaign headquarters, Web site or contact number (the address on the postcard leads to a mailbox rental store) I decided to write this letter.
The postcard says, “He has the integrity, experience and dedicated leadership to make a difference in county government.” But on this 5½-by- 81/2-inch, double-sided card of more than 294 words, these were the only words that addressed Joe Gibson’s qualifications. The other 279 words were used to denigrate an opponent.
Obviously, I needed more information, so I looked up the word “integrity” in the dictionary: “Firm adherence to a code or standard of values.”
Therefore, since this is the only information Joe Gibson bothered to send me, I can only conclude that his “code or standard of values” is centered on smearing his opponents. I'm not impressed!
How refreshing (and novel) it would be to actually get some campaign literature from any politician that focused only what his or her own qualifications are and the reasons I should vote for them. That would be real “integrity!”
— Tess Hoff, Newbury Park
Posted by Andrea Howry at 01:53 PM
Sierra Club unreasonable
Re: your May 20 article, “Sierra Club tells Assembly candidate to stop using its logo on campaign mailer”:
I am someone who has been working very hard for environmental protection for our community, and I strongly support Barry Groveman's bid for the State Assembly's 41st District.
I am a dues-paying member of the Sierra Club, but I hold no leadership position within the club. Last September, I was one of the main organizers of the Oxnard event in opposition to BHP Billiton's proposed Cabrillo Port liquefied natural gas terminal, an event largely organized by the Sierra Club but attended by many people not affiliated with the club. I personally invited Mayor Barry Groveman of Calabasas to speak at the rally, along with several other local mayors and public officials. This project poses tremendous health and safety risks to our community's air, water and national security. It threatens our coastline, the life and health of all that lives in our ocean and on shore, as well as a threat to our national security. There is no evidence that we need it either!
During this public rally and news event, many photographs were taken of public officials, including a photograph of Mr. Groveman behind the podium. While people may differ about Mr. Groveman's use of this photograph, what I believe is unreasonable is the press release issued by the Angeles Chapter of the Sierra Club. These unfortunate statements concerning the use of a photograph from this public event were unfair and partisan, and they needlessly undermine the mission of the Sierra Club.
I thoroughly disagree with the assertion that the endorsed candidate is the only one in the race with environmental credentials. Barry Groveman is a candidate with more authentic, proven leadership and accomplishments on the environment than others in this race.
Moreover, I am really disappointed that a small group of individuals has seen fit to attack a public official who was invited to speak in support of an effort so important to the health and safety of our community.
- Carmen Ramirez, Oxnard
Posted by Andrea Howry at 01:42 PM
Gallegly helpful
Recently we had a problem regarding hospitalization. My husband had been transported from a hospital to a convalescent home, which was inadequate for his condition. He asked to be transferred to another hospital. When we received a bill from the ambulance company that had transported him, it was $740.
We considered that this was unfair. We turned to U.S. Rep. Elton Gallegly at the suggestion of a friend. Rep. Gallegly helped us immediately and without reservation.
The bill was paid by our medical insurers after Rep. Gallegly’s intervention. We feel that Rep. Gallegly is truly a representative of the people.
— Mr. and Mrs. F. R. Braun, Camarillo
Posted by Andrea Howry at 01:31 PM
Bond isn’t only option
Re: your May 20 article, “Pleasant Valley trustees might pursue bond measure for school repairs”:
It is surprising that the Pleasant Valley School District is considering a $65.5 million bond measure less than nine years from Measure T's approval. Depending on when Measure T bonds were issued, Camarillo homeowners may be paying them off for another 30-plus years.
One statement attributed to trustee Suzanne Kitchens has particular merit: “The proposal needs to be clear to voters. If they don't understand what is needed and where the money will go, they are less likely to support it.”
I believe it is also imperative for the district to clearly indicate where Measure T's funds have gone, and to clearly justify their funding approach.
It seems that PVSD blindly advocates general obligation bonds as the appropriate funding source while being silent on developers' fees and other sources. Where have developers' fees collected over the last decade gone? The Village at the Park project, when completed, will encompass 1,050 homes. PVSD is justified to collect up to $1.59 per square foot of residential development. How much repair work will that provide?
Does a majority of regular voters in the school district really support a local school bond? A statewide poll reported in The Star on May 1 indicated that only 25 percent are willing to pay higher property taxes to support schools.
For several years, declining enrollment has caused PVSD to consider temporary and permanent school closures, and most recently a closure of the sixth grade at Los Altos. The city of Thousand Oaks and the Conejo Valley Unified School District recently approved a land swap that will produce about $3 million in revenue for the district. Is this a potential opportunity for PVSD?
— Ed Warren, Camarillo
Posted by Andrea Howry at 01:26 PM
Exit exam needed
I am very glad to see that the California Supreme Court has reinstated the high school exit exam.
I disagree with those who say that the exit exam discriminates against those who attend substandard high schools. The requirements for passing the test are so incredibly low that almost anyone who even half-heartedly attempts to get a high school education, even in a poor school, should be able to pass a test of eighth- and ninth-grade questions on a multiple-choice test. You can get 25 percent right just by guessing. If you knew only 40 percent of the answers and guessed on the rest, you would get about 55 percent of the questions right. If you can’t even do that, especially when you are allowed five chances, why should you get a diploma that indicates you have a high school education?
— Larry Mills, Ventura
Posted by Andrea Howry at 01:10 PM
Mikels knows harbor issues
Although I am not a resident of Judy Mikels' supervisorial district, I would like to inform the voters in her district of her excellent work on issues involving Channel Islands Harbor.
I recently retired from an administrative position at the county Harbor Department and had many opportunities to work with and observe Judy Mikels. She is an outspoken advocate of fiscal responsibility in the harbor and strongly supports the revenue-generating potential of the harbor. This is meaningful to the taxpayers of the County of Ventura, in that keeping the harbor self-sufficient and financially viable precludes the need for taxpayer support of the harbor.
Supervisor Mikels has often taken a leadership role in fending off a number of special interest groups who would like to see the harbor remain a sleepy little back yard for local beachfront residents and a taxpayer-subsidized marina environment for wealthy boat owners. She is in concert with the majority of the Board of Supervisors, which wants to see a Channel Islands Harbor that is economically vibrant and a significant local attraction for all the citizens of Ventura County.
One of Supervisor Mikels’ opponents in this election is receiving significant financial support from beach residents living adjacent to Channel Islands Harbor and yacht owners who would benefit financially by her defeat. I urge you to vote for your best interests as taxpayers who want public facilities to be available for all citizens of Ventura County, not just the lucky few who live at the beach and own yachts. Vote for fiscal responsibility. Vote for Judy Mikels.
— Carol Abella, Ojai
Posted by Andrea Howry at 01:03 PM
May 26, 2006
‘Parks wins, we all win’
I am so proud to endorse Linda Parks for reelection as county supervisor!
There are few truly good people who run for office. Most everyone realizes how lucky we are: Mrs. Parks has continuously proven her competence, honesty, and intelligence. She’s responsible for the things we enjoy and can still be proud of in Ventura County.
I feel bad for anyone at any time wasting time and money to run against her. Why would you vote for anyone else? That would be tantamount to voting for Walter Mondale instead of Ronald Reagan or, for that matter, like trading Shaq.
I encourage everyone to vote, especially young people, and especially in Thousand Oaks where the public’s voice is minimized.
In times like these, we need her leadership. When Mrs. Parks wins, we all win!
— Raymond Moccia, Newbury Park
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:15 AM
Groveman gets it done
When it comes time to vote, we all have our key issues. Mine is education.
As the president of the Board of Education in the Las Virgenes Unified School District, I pay particularly close attention to education in all elections. And on June 6, I am voting for Barry Groveman for State Assembly.
I have had the privilege of working closely with Barry Groveman, the former mayor in Calabasas, and I want to tell you what I know to be true of this leader:
Barry Groveman is a person of impeccable integrity. He is tireless, intelligent and an excellent listener. Barry is skilled at building a consensus to realize productive solutions. He is, without question, one of the most productive and capable leaders with whom I have worked.
Barry Groveman is not posturing as an education expert, as he knows the experts are the people working with our children — the classroom teachers and school principals. Barry will ask our schools what they need and listen to the answers — and then get to work. Leaders in education are tired of the Legislature telling us what to do and not asking us what we need to do the job.
I am dedicated to delivering excellent education to all students. Take the word of a leader in public education: I am supporting Barry Groveman because I know this man can get things done.
— Cindy Iser, Calabasas
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:12 AM
Larkin is dedicated
It is a privilege to write this letter in support of Bob Larkin for State Assembly.
We have been friends since 1972, when we were brought together to chair a park bond campaign for the Rancho Simi Recreation & Park District. Since that time, I have seen Bob give untold hours to the community, the County of Ventura and the State of California. He is a caring and dedicated person who truly wants the best for the people.
He has been a State Farm Insurance agent for all of these many years, so he is not a career politician and is running only because the people of the district need dedicated representation.
- Elaine L. Freeman, Simi Valley
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:06 AM
Alternative to Gallegly
The other day, I sent an e-mail to the Michael Tenenbaum campaign asking for a yard sign. Shortly afterwards, I received a phone call from Michael Tenenbaum himself. I was impressed with the fact that a busy congressional candidate made time to personally call me and have a nice conversation.
This refreshing surprise underscores the reason I’m voting for Tenenbaum. In the past, I’ve made several attempts to contact Elton Gallegly, but to no avail. While I never expected to hear directly from the congressman, I was disappointed when I didn’t even get a response from a staffer.
Some may argue Gallegly is busy in Washington, but regardless of this fact, his office needs to be available to handle the needs of his constituents. Too many in Gallegly’s district have similar stories of being unable to communicate with their representative. Even when I was a student at Moorpark High School, I remember teachers complaining about Gallegly’s
refusal to visit their classroom, year after year.
I believe our elected leaders need to be accessible, with offices staffed by those who efficiently address the questions and concerns of the people they serve. Unfortunately, we don’t have this in Elton Gallegly.
The people of the 24th Congressional District finally have a viable alternative in Michael Tenenbaum. He shares the Republican values of our community and will represent us with enthusiasm. If you’ve voted for Gallegly in the past and feel uncomfortable voting for somebody new, spend a couple of minutes at Tenenbaum’s Web site, www.gotenenbaum.com. He’s a local guy, and you’ll likely find his views reflect your own.
Michael Tenenbaum is the obvious choice on June 6, with the alternative being an entrenched and inaccessible politician seeking a final-term joyride.
— Amul Pandya, Moorpark
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:03 AM
Head Start hasn't worked
Re: your May 24 editorial, “Prop. 82 not the best option”:
I disagree that few will argue against the benefits of preschool.
Head Start has been around for 35 years. The gap between disadvantaged kids and other kids continues to widen.
A government program that hasn't fixed a problem after 35 years should be canceled. But no one has the backbone to eliminate a bureaucracy that generates billions of dollars of paychecks per year.
- Bob Munson, Newbury Park
Posted by Andrea Howry at 10:58 AM
Gibson no Democrat
Joe Gibson has bought his way onto a political mailer being sent to voters that claims to be a “Democratic Voter Guide.”
Once again, Mr. Gibson has chosen to engage in dirty politics and distortions in his quest to win the nonpartisan supervisor’s office. One only has to read the fine print to see that this mailer was not produced by the Democratic Party or any other Democratic organization. This mailer was put together in an attempt to trick Democratic voters in the 2nd District into believing that Republican Joe Gibson shares the values of Democratic candidates and voters, when nothing could be further from the truth.
One look at the endorsement list on his Web site tells the whole story, with groups ranging from the GOP Lincoln Club to pro-developer City Council members such as Andy Fox and Dennis Gillette backing his run. It’s clear Gibson will stoop to using any means to get elected and to deceive voters.
It's too bad he can't run a clean campaign based on his qualifications. The kind of campaign he's running tells me as a voter that his accomplishments and vision are inadequate to qualify him for the office to which he aspires.
I’m sure we can look forward to more of these mailers and "swift-boat style" attacks on his opponent over the next few weeks. Voters beware, and shame on Mr. Gibson.
— Laura Winchester, Thousand Oaks
(The writer is with the Ventura County Democratic Central Committee, District 2. — Editor)
Posted by Andrea Howry at 10:52 AM
Back to basics in Oak Park
Because Oak Park residents are aging and their children are graduating, the Oak Park Unified School District has opened its schools to out-of-area children. What, if anything, do these kids pay to attend Oak Park schools? Why should Oak Park residents pay for these children for the next 30 years?
Has anyone really gone over that wish list the school district has put out? Electronic blackboards? Electronic batons? Fix what needs to fixed, such as the roof, the plumbing and any electrical problems. Don't waste money on electronic toys.
Vote no on B6 and C6.
— Dave McDonald, Oak Park
Posted by Andrea Howry at 10:40 AM
Proof Gallegly fights crime
While new technologies have given criminals more opportunities to commit crimes, it has also given police and prosecutors more opportunities to catch and prosecute criminals.
That was the thinking behind U.S. Rep. Elton Gallegly’s bill to provide federal funding for local prosecutors who had identified suspects through new DNA evidence. While federal and state money was available to find the suspects, money wasn’t available to bring them to trial.
Gallegly’s funding to prosecute these criminals was passed in the House on March 8 as part of the Children’s Safety and Violent Crime Reduction Act. As a victim of a violent crime, I am thankful to Rep. Gallegly for this and many other bills he has authored and passed through Congress to help law enforcement get criminals off the street and into prison where they belong.
My vote will be cast for Rep. Elton Gallegly on June 6 and November 7.
— Ercell Stout, Simi Valley
Posted by Andrea Howry at 10:35 AM
Groveman excels on council
Barry Groveman is that rare candidate who combines knowledge, integrity and passion with the ability to get something done. Looking at what he has accomplished in his own city as councilmember and mayor of Calabasas speaks volumes for his abilities to initiate good ideas and gain the respect of all he works with.
Every meeting that we have jointly attended for the last three years, each as councilmember for our own cities, I have been impressed by his ability to quickly grasp the issues and look for better ways of solving old problems.
Would I have liked to have had a strong Republican candidate Yes. A woman? Yes, again. But simply put, Barry Groveman is the best candidate for our State Assembly 41st District. Barry can help get around the bickering that has stopped good plans from becoming a reality.
Please vote for Barry Groveman for Assembly on June 6 in the primary election.
— Philippa Klessig, Westlake Village
(The writer is a councilmember for the City of Westlake Village. — Editor)
Posted by Andrea Howry at 10:29 AM
Groveman excels on council
Barry Groveman is that rare candidate who combines knowledge, integrity and passion with the ability to get something done. Looking at what he has accomplished in his own city as councilmember and mayor of Calabasas speaks volumes for his abilities to initiate good ideas and gain the respect of all he works with.
Every meeting that we have jointly attended for the last three years, each as councilmember for our own cities, I have been impressed by his ability to quickly grasp the issues and look for better ways of solving old problems.
Would I have liked to have had a strong Republican candidate Yes. A woman? Yes, again. But simply put, Barry Groveman is the best candidate for our State Assembly 41st District. Barry can help get around the bickering that has stopped good plans from becoming a reality.
Please vote for Barry Groveman for Assembly on June 6 in the primary election.
— Philippa Klessig, Westlake Village
(The writer is a councilmember for the City of Westlake Village. — Editor)
Posted by Andrea Howry at 10:29 AM
Lucky to have Mikels
I have known Supervisor Judy Mikels for 25 years. I truly know her character and abilities firsthand.
Judy has proven that she will fight and win for our rights. She has proven this time and time again as an elected servant of the people.
We are privileged to have such a bright, dedicated, creative, responsive individual serving us as our supervisor. Judy has justly earned the right to be returned to office.
I hope you will join me on June 6 in voting for a woman we know, a woman with integrity, commitment, leadership, accountability and vision, and woman we can all be proud to call our supervisor: Judy Mikels.
— Robert O. Huber, Simi Valley
Posted by Andrea Howry at 10:21 AM
Solid answers from Dantona
Here's an interesting tidbit of information to keep with you when you go to vote on June 6: While all the other candidates are repeating old, worn-out cliches like, "I'm a fiscal conservative!" or "I'm for public safety!" only one local candidate has dared to offer solutions to some of the area's problems.
If there's something odd about Jim Dantona's mailers, it is the fact that he actually offers suggestions on how to turn the secret landfill expansion into a win-win situation or how to manage development in a smarter, more community-friendly level.
What's odd about Jim Dantona's message is that it's not full of generic Democrat and Republican fortune cookie sound bites. He's taken the time to speak about our issues and about how we can work together to fix them. And that's unusual.
While all the other candidates are shopping for votes with tired catch phrases that you just know will be forgotten as soon as they take office, Jim Dantona has already left our community with a few solid solutions that will make for us a better future.
— Gary Selvaggio, Simi Valley
Posted by Andrea Howry at 10:12 AM
Parks makes tough choices
Honorable people live up to their agreements and pay their bills. Sometimes that means making hard decisions.
In her four years as supervisor, Linda Parks has made tough decisions that reduced the size of county government, eliminating hundreds of government positions. She refused personal pay raises and voted against double digit raises for the county county executive officer. She was instrumental in settling a lawsuit between the Triunfo Sanitation District and the Las Virgenes Municipal Water District, reducing expenses for legal fees. She helped lead the way in turning county government from operating in the red to now operating in the black. The consequent building of county reserves and increasing county bond ratings will reduce future interest expense.
Parks’ endorsement by rank-and-file law enforcement and firefighter groups attests to her good management practices.
Recently Thousand Oaks Councilman Andy Fox said he would consider stopping payment of the city's bills because he didn't think the longstanding agreements the city made with the county were fair. Why was this issue brought up just now? Does anyone else think that Fox is barking up the wrong tree? If agreements between the city and county are to be renegotiated, taxpayers are lucky to have Linda Parks to sort things out, with her record of creating broadly fair and acceptable, as well as fiscally responsible, agreements.
As a fiscal conservative, a taxpayers' advocate, a builder of consensus, and a leader with proven vision for the future, Linda Parks has my vote June 6.
— Tom Ritch, Thousand Oaks
Posted by Andrea Howry at 10:05 AM
Socialistic proposition
Steal from the rich, and give to the poor. Robin Hood has been seen as a hero by most, but is that right?
Proposition 82 would be funded by a 1.7 percent tax on individual incomes above $400,000 and $800,000 for couples. That's a $2.1 billion increase in the personal income tax rate paid by top earners as of now. This proposition will tax higher-income families to pay for preschool for all, namely lower-income families who can't afford it.
Proposition 82 is ridiculously socialistic. Next we'll be imposing even more taxes on higher earners to give more financial aid to college students. And why stop there? Let's raise their taxes again to help lower-income families buy cars so they can drive over to the state offices to pick up their welfare checks and food stamps.
Vote no on 82.
- Kaylee Friedman, Simi Valley
Posted by Andrea Howry at 10:00 AM
May 18, 2006
Horses, lattes and Spandex
The Agoura Hills City Council has placed final approval of the Agoura Village Specific Plan on its agenda for May 24.
I’m looking forward to swift approval. Construction on the Kanan/Agoura Road roundabout — and detouring of traffic (to where?) — should be under way just about the same time the Highway 101 intersection expansion work is finishing up.
By next year, I’ll look forward to sitting at the newest Starbucks sidewalk café early every Saturday morning. I’ll hardly pay attention while the gentle breeze wafts in horse odors from the stable and equestrian paths planned to wind through our new downtown — blending with the aroma of my freshly brewed latte.
I’ll be able to linger while watching bicycle riders dodging cars backing out of the undersized angled stalls on Agoura Road. I’ll even put $5 in the pool that at least one guy in blue Spandex will have to veer left to avoid being hit by a Hummer in reverse — as traffic in the single travel lane backs up into the Kanan/Agoura roundabout, causing total gridlock to and from the beach.
I won’t have to worry about freeway noise, because if it turns out to be too bad, they can just build a 10-foot-tall sound wall — yes, it’s in the environmental impact report. And because Agoura Road will be lined with three-story buildings blocking the view, I won’t even have to look at the unsightly brown weeds on Ladyface’s slopes.
Aaaah, the pleasures of living in semi-rural Agoura Hills. I’m certainly glad I voted for council members who told me they would preserve our small-town lifestyle.
“Waiter, make that latte a double. I have almost a million square feet of new stores to check out later, and I’m going to need the extra caffeine!
“Ooops, sorry, I didn’t mean to shout and wake up the people trying to sleep upstairs, in the apartments above the cafe.”
— Howard I. Littman, Agoura Hills
Posted by Andrea Howry at 01:03 PM
Bring back Cinco de Mayo
The spirit of Cinco de Mayo seems to be dead.
Those brave people pushed out the French and Spanish oppressors. The current government of Mexico seems to be equally oppressive. The United States obviously loves Mexican citizens more than the Mexican government does. Even though they enter illegally they are provided with the finest medical attention for free, and even though they bad-mouth a government they have no or little knowledge of, they are protected and fed.
I have been considering, as many people my age have, retiring in Mexico. When I see how badly they treat their own citizens, I have second thoughts. Why would anyone leave the warm climate, beautiful beaches and incredible food of Mexico to come to smoggy, uptight Los Angeles? Because they can breathe freely and take advantage of possibilities to better their situation.
I hope the spirit of Cinco de Mayo returns to the Mexican people and they get back their country. Vicente Fox is a changed man from 10 years ago. I hope he gets back on the side of the people.
Viva Cinco de Mayo!
- Jim Barros, Simi Valley
Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:47 PM
U.S. deaths downplayed
Re: your May 13 article, “2 slain in Iraqi army units’ confrontation":
The last paragraph of this article, which was on page A12, stated that 12 U.S. troops were killed in Iraq this week. How shameful that such sacrifices are so unceremoniously buried both in our papers and by our president, who sent them on their ill-fated mission.
— William W. Carter, Newbury Park
Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:39 PM
Militarize the border
If it looks like a duck, sounds like a duck and walks like a duck, then it's a duck. No matter what the president names it, it is amnesty. The illegals must be laughing and rolling in the aisles.
The border must be militarized. How do we do this? Easy. We transfer troops from such places as Korea, Germany, Japan and other areas that need these troops like I need a wart on the end of my nose and put them on the border — not as backup people sitting behind desks and shuffling papers, but on the border with arms.
Secondly, in the areas statistically known and physically evidenced with overt illegals like Southern California, the Internal Revenue Service should audit the books of employers in businesses that are known to employ illegals to check the payrolls for wages that are substandard and compare the workforce with the payroll to identify under-the-table payouts.
The most laughable line in the president's speech was the comment that Mexico is our friend. Mexico is not our friend. On the contrary, they do everything they can to undermine our efforts to keep these people out of the United States. There is no middle class in Mexico. There is the rich and the poor. The sole aim of the rich in Mexico is to keep the poor people poor. Now they are doing something even more advantageous for them, and that is allowing them to leave the country unfettered so that we can provide the care and feeding of these people. I would much prefer to pay $8 a pound for tomatoes than have our hospitals and other welfare agencies ravaged by the hordes of illegals pouring into the United States.
Our current Congress has been around too long. It's time for change. I urge every citizen who has an ounce of patriotism to vote this Congress out. Any senator who votes for the current bill should be voted out in November.
— Charles Woomer, Camarillo
Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:03 PM
Appeasement isn’t enough
With Karl Rove’s help, our president always says the right thing, but he never does the right thing. Sending National Guard troops down there as support for the Border Patrol is like putting a Band-aid on a severed limb. He manages to appease us by acknowledging the problem but then does nothing to fix it. In fact, most of the time, he exasperates it.
Never have we had a more inept and corrupt administration. Never has a president been more ridiculed and despised. We are, in fact, already in a depression, but it is being covered up by using money that we are borrowing from other countries in order to buy their products and support our welfare system and our generosity and police activity all over the world. Payback will be a nightmare.
— Bernard Lehrer, Ventura
Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:02 PM
U.S. is going downhill
It is with great sadness I witness the president and the U.S. Senate surrendering our sovereignty to a Third World nation, rewarding lawlessness with citizenship. Mexicans should be protesting in their country for reform. Today, I heard the Mexican government is threatening to sue in U.S. courts if we start to enforce our immigration laws. Are there no leaders left in either party? Does anyone have a backbone in Washington or Sacramento? Are both political parties beholden to corporations and special interest groups?
We are witnessing nothing less than an invasion, and our commander in chief tells us to maintain a "respectful dialogue." Easy for him to say, he will be living in a gated community. Look at the riots and bandits in Brazil if you want to get a flavor for what is to come for our country: huge underclass, small middle class and super rich upper class.
Meanwhile, our senatorial braintrust from the great state of California — Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein — is going to make sure no one can invade Santa Rosa Island to go deer and elk hunting. Senators from the East Coast want to reprimand the National Security Agency for mining phone numbers in an attempt to prevent another Sept. 11 attack. Well, at least they have their priorities straight.
I was once for the war in Iraq. Now I'm not sure I could look a serviceman's family in the eye and tell them this country is worth dying for.
— Tom Casey, Newbury Park
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:30 AM
May 15, 2006
Will he soften with age?
Re: Scott Harris’ April 30 commentary, “Sometimes, adhering to standards will trump compassion”:
It was quite a shock to read this article devaluing the elderly woman's need to cross the street. "Make way for progress!" seems to be Mr. Harris’ motto. It’s even more of a tragedy to think of pedestrians who are struck and killed by autos driven by people in a hurry to get somewhere they probably don't even really want to go.
It's preposterous to think that the length of a crossing signal cannot be adjusted, or that the elderly need to make "other arrangements."
Presumably, Mr. Harris is young, strong and productive now — for what it is worth — but let's just hope Mr. Harris never finds himself sick, old, lonely or vulnerable in any way. I don't know if he'd find anyone willing to help him.
— Adrienne Prince, Camarillo
Posted by Andrea Howry at 01:54 PM
Day-use fee for parks wrong
Re: your May 11 article, “Bill may let Santa Rosa game hunts continue”:
So now Lois Capps, D-Santa Barbara, would have us believe that she wants the national parks open to all. Where was she when the parks came up with the day-use fee, effectively charging all taxpayers to use the very parks we pay taxes for? Maybe she is only concerned when it fits her political agenda. Oh that’s right, she supported the double taxation. She’s just a typical hypocritical politician.
— James Foster, Camarillo
Posted by Andrea Howry at 01:47 PM
‘United 93’ explains NSA actions
Re: your May 12 editorial, “Did mom get a call? Ask NSA”:
I don't understand why The Star doesn’t understand the National Security Agency’s surveillance programs that have been outed. What they are trying to do is see who the terrorists are calling after they get a call from Osama bin Laden or one of his cronies. After all the leaks, these programs have lost most of their value, and the people who leaked information should get no mercy from the courts. If you were discovered to be a terrorist, would you use your phone to get calls from Osama bin Laden? You would use a pay phone — a different one each time — or get a prepaid cell phone.
I think The Star needs to see the movie “United 93” and get a reality check.
— Walt Quist, Oxnard
Posted by Andrea Howry at 01:43 PM
Government doing its job
Re: your May 12 editorial, “Did mom get a call? Ask NSA”:
This editorial asked, "What else is the Bush administration not telling us?" Personally, I hope that it is quite a bit. If the administration weren't making every possible effort to keep us safe from attack, I would be very upset.
Sen. Patrick Leahy asked: "Are you telling me that tens of millions of Americans are involved with al-Qaida?" Short of having them identify themselves by crashing a plane into the World Trade Center, how else can they be identified? I want our government to be proactive. Don't wait for another attack to start looking for the bad guys.
Nowhere have I seen that this collection of information involved "much, much broader" eavesdropping, as The Star implied.
I am more concerned that there are individuals within the government who would compromise this program to the media, perhaps for personal reasons, and undermine efforts at keeping us safe from those who have proven that they want to destroy our way of life.
Perhaps I'm naïve, but I just see a government trying to do its job.
— Jim Bauer, Ventura
Posted by Andrea Howry at 01:38 PM
Give Medicare a chance
Re: Lois Capps’ May 11 commentary, “Medicare drug plan changes in the works”:
It is no wonder that seniors are remaining hesitant and skeptical regarding enrolling in Medicare Part D.
U.S. Rep. Lois Capps, D-Santa Barbara, and her colleagues have made every effort to publicly trash the program and overturn the legislation. Her motivation is to find all the glitches in the program, rather than the parts of the program that are working.
I am a volunteer senior counselor and have extensive experience with Medicare plans. Yes, there are problems. No, it is not perfect. Yes, it is confusing. Anything that is new and as massive an effort as financial assistance for prescription drugs is destined to have its problems. Senior advocates like myself have been trying for years to get Congress to provide some financial assistance to seniors under the Medicare system. We finally have a plan in place that, in coming years, can be modified and improved and tailored to the needs of our senior and disabled population.
Recently I assisted my aunt in enrolling in a plan of her choice. She has an $11.25 monthly premium and is now paying $30 for her asthma inhaler that last year cost her $130. The comfort she has is that if she gets sick, she has the insurance through Medicare that will cover 95 percent of the cost of any prescriptions that she needs beyond the $5,100 ceiling.
This is called the Catastrophic Medicare Benefit.
One of the most important benefits of the Medicare Modernization Act is the financial assistance to limited-income seniors. This population will now qualify for full prescription drug coverage, with no premiums, no deductibles, no gap in coverage, and unlimited coverage with a co-pay as low as $2 for generic and $5 for branded.
It would be a positive step forward if our elected representatives like Lois Capps would spend the same time and energ, in working with Congress to fix the problems and improve the existing program. Her time has been spent the last three years voting against benefits for seniors, trashing the program, trying to overturn the legislation, misleading the public and discouraging her constituents from participating in a new Medicare benefit.
Medicare is not a Republican benefit or a Democrat benefit. It is an American benefit. A great society has the responsibility to care for its elderly and disabled.
— Dennis J. Jurcak, Camarillo
Posted by Andrea Howry at 01:37 PM
Tip of Lyme disease iceberg
Re: your May 11 article, “Tick season trouble for people and pets”:
In an otherwise informative article, The Star writes that Lyme disease is rare here, with 17 cases reported in Ventura County since 2002, suggesting that people should not worry unduly about contracting this serious and potentially fatal tick-borne infection.
An alternataive explanation of the low numbers is that doctors think Lyme disease is rare and refuse to test or diagnose it. Many cases of Lyme are misdiagnosed as more familiar diseases like chronic fatigue, multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, Lou Gehrig’s disease or even psychiatric illness. There are also many closely related strains of Lyme disease which do not test positive on current insensitive tests.
A Georgia study found that doctors diagnosed 40 times more cases than are reported to the state health department. Seventeen times 40 equals 680 actual cases in Ventura County. Multiply again by 25 for a survey that found that doctors only think of Lyme in only one out of 25 probable cases, and you have 17,000 possible cases in Ventura County since 2002. With 40 percent of people with Lyme waiting an average of four years for a diagnosis, according to one survey, the epidemic begins look a bit more serious than The Star suggests.
Lyme disease is only one of six or seven tick-borne diseases that researchers have found so far in ticks in California. Ticks are bad news. Don’t take chances.
For more information, visit www.lymedisease.org.
— Phyllis Mervine, President,
California Lyme Disease Association, Ukiah
Posted by Andrea Howry at 01:35 PM
Keep Santa Rosa Island open
In 1789, my great-great-great-grandmother was born on the Island of Wima, Santa Rosa Island. She was given the name Marta, and she was born at the village of Hichimin.
This is all we know about her and her life on the Island of Wima. We don’t know her native name. We don’t know her husband’s name. We do know that she was removed from her homeland, taken to Santa Ynez, gave birth and died there.
For our family, this is a lot to know about our ancestry. Many other descendants of the Chumash culture are not as fortunate. There are 71 individuals known from baptism records to have been born on Wima. We have less than half of the native names of these people. Chumash people today are involved with the National Park Service in many ways, such as education and preservation.
I am the tribal chairwoman of a band of Native Chumash people, and we are opposed to the possible inclusion of a provision in the FY06 Defense Authorization bill that would take Santa Rosa Island away from the National Park Service, the public, and, more importantly, native descendants and put it into the Department of Defense. It would be tragic.
There were treaties made with few bands of native peoples. Most of the taking of the land was done without discussion. This situation is very much the same. Why have we as the public not had an opportunity to have discussion? There is already land which is owned by the military in our area — Vandenburg Air Force Base — and San Nicolas Island can be used by the military.
We are aware that the agreement with the National Park Service and the National Park Conservation Association will cease all hunting operation and the deer and elk will be gone by the year 2011.
It is well known and still taught today that native peoples hunted solely out of necessity, being respectful and honoring the animal by using all parts for life- sustaining items.
We ask that this proposal be reconsidered to take into effect how harmful this bill would be to the island and its several rare plants and endangered wildlife. We ask that this bill not be included in the Defense Reauthorization Legislation.
— Julie Tumamait-Stenslie,
Tribal Chair, Barbareno/Ventureno Band of Mission Indians, Ojai
Posted by Andrea Howry at 01:12 PM
Circle K has better plan
Re: Kevin Mitchell’s May 15 letter, “Permanent is better”:
Shame on Mr. Mitchell for writing a letter so void of facts while attacking the character of 70-plus boarders at Two Winds Ranch.
The meeting Mr. Mitchell referred to was to present proposals for a permanent equestrian center from two potential operators. Circle K's presentation showed clearly what the stalls, barns and arenas would look like under their management. They detailed a plan to continue a Western-flavored ranch that was supported by the current boarders.
Mr. Brian McQueeny could only give vague assurances of what an expanded Ride-On program would look like if he is allowed to take over the property.
The boarders at Two Winds Ranch are not offended by the existing two sites and current leases of public land where Ride-On operates their programs. But the boarders, some of whom have boarded there for decades, are the ones who convinced a reluctant City Council to keep Two Winds alive and at its current location. Why should the board of directors at Ride-On vote for themselves as operators to take over an existing ranch? Circle K would continue current services and activities that have long served the Conejo Valley with its rich Western tradition.
As a 32-year resident, taxpayer and horse owner in Thousand Oaks, I support Circle K as the operator. They have the experience.
— Robert L. Chiarelli, Thousand Oaks
Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:57 PM
Too much for developers
When will the Thousand Oaks City Council majority, the developer junta of Dennis Gillette, Tom Glancy, Jacqui Irwin and Andy Fox, stop referring to the city government as if it were a sanctified, poverty-stricken, holier-than-thou shrine? And when will each of them start thinking for themselves?
The answer is never, because these four characters are right out of a Western dime novel. Instead of fairly representing all us sod-busters out here, they march in lockstep to the tune of their corporate masters, like so many old-time railroad goons or hired guns.
A perfect example of Thousand Oaks' “Tower of Power” skewed priorities is their recent letter demanding funds from the county to pay for services they say they can't afford anymore.
County Supervisor Linda Parks suspects the letter is politically motivated because of the timing. She's up for re-election June 6, and because of her slow-growth stance, the pro-developer council majority has made no secret of their disdain for her. Even when both the sheriff’s deputies and firefighters have enthusiastically endorsed Parks, the council's "fearsome foursome" have endorsed her opponent.
If the letter to the county, initiated by the council majority, is politically motivated, Parks feels that they should at least get their facts straight. For example, in the letter, among numerous other discrepancies, the city wants the county to pay for a special prosecutor just for the city. But a state grant already funds the prosecutor.
The city also says its pacts entered into 20 years or so years ago with its Redevelopment Agency and the Olsen Road sheriff's station are not good deals for the city anymore. But they wait until four weeks before the supervisorial election to bring this up. In truth, the Redevelopment Agency has been a boondoggle for the city, not the county. It has taken away money from essential services, like more than $1 million a year from property taxes that should be going to the Fire Department and law enforcement.
And what does the city do with the extra property taxes it takes from the County and special districts for public safety issues? It gives the money to fat cats like Rick Caruso, who received $12 million in tax dollar subsidies, including free land, to build his glitzy shopping center next to City Hall.
What's going down in Thousand Oaks? Who's really calling the tunes at the Civic Arts Plaza? It certainly doesn't seem like local residents, who want their government to stick to the basics and not use their tax dollars as a feeding trough for fat cats.
— Chuck Kuenstle, Thousand Oaks
Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:51 PM
Inappropriate merchandise
As a concerned parent, teacher and Christian, I am writing to make people aware of a new retail store in The Oaks and Simi Valley Town Center called Urban Outfitters. It is supposedly a young women's clothing store, targeting females 16 to 25 years old, but it has sexually explicit books and paraphernalia as well as books and merchandise that encourage illegal drug use!
These books are located right in the middle of the store with no warning for the consumer before entering their store. I naively stumbled upon these X-rated books while wandering into this store with my young children and was appalled that they were able to legally sell these items without repercussions. It was shocking to see books titled “84 Mind-Blowing Sexual Positions” and “How to Roll a Joint.”
If you look on the Internet, you will see other parent groups in San Luis Obispo and Troy, Mich., boycotting Urban Outfitters, saying “their business sells products to teenagers that glamorize drinking, drugs, and sex.” This retailer even sells cookie cutters in the shape of a marijuana leaf and people in different sexual positions.
Other groups have held boycotts against Urban Outfitters because of its racist merchandise — particularly against the Jewish and African American ethnicities. Catholic protesters also boycotted Urban Outfitters because it was were selling a dress-up Jesus, where one can dress Jesus up in a hula outfit, a devil outfit, etc!
People should e-mail the district managers of Urban Outfitters directly. They are Philip DelRio (pdelrio@urbanout.com) and Jennifer Dougherty (jdougherty@urbanout.com.)
In response to my e-mail, Dougherty stated that these books on sex and drugs are “voted positively by their customers” and that “if they censor their assortment to avoid controversy, it would lose the spirit and spontaneity for which they are known.” Mr. DelRio has yet to respond to my three e-mails, even after one month.
It was also advised to voice my complaints to the property management and sales team of these malls. Julia Ladd is the senior manager of property management of Macerich, which owns The Oaks. She informed me that other local residents have also complained about their merchandise, and that these books are supposed to be locked up in a case in the back of the store. Urban Outfitters has yet to do this! Even if they do, this merchandise has no place in our local malls! You can e-mail her with your concerns at Julia.Ladd@macerich.com
These stores are abusing our First Amendment rights. If this store is not stopped, it is highly likely that other stores will jump on the bandwagon! The moral integrity and decency of our society is at stake, and stores like Urban Outfitters need to know that our society will not put up with their controversial merchandise at the expense of our youth.
— Andrea Nola, Thousand Oaks
Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:39 PM
U.S. schools are a waste
I am a 30-something California resident and 15-something U.S. citizen. I came to this country, I learned the language, I gained my residency and citizenship the old fashioned way, but this is not the purpose of my letter.
In my native country, I struggled to pass my classes, and I was not able to complete my college or university studies. I had to pass a fifth-grade test, eighth-grade test, and, of course, an exit exam at the end of high school. I do not remember well, but I think I had to go through a second- or third-grade progress exam. I graduated at 19 from a trade school with a diploma that has given me the opportunity to reach many goals in life and raise a family.
All those exams for someone who hated school were pure torture, and the scars are still there. However, the results are evident. Not only did they teach me to read and write (I still find it difficult to write), but essentially to endure the difficulties of life. In those days, when a student failed to pass, not only was he or she held back until they passed the exam, but the teacher or teachers were held accountable for the child failing. I strongly feel that teachers then were really interested in teaching 2 plus 2, the ABCs and the consequences of failing.
The school in this country has not taught some of my children the lesson I learned.
School officials, teachers and teachers unions are only interested in the school’s national standing and the few — very few — students who succeed. These few students succeed because they have the learning capacity, not the mental intelligence or strong will to succeed.
The school is geared only for these few. There’s not much teaching to do. It’s easy money. The teachers really have to teach for the other students, and that means work — real work. Maybe all that hard work may erode their self-confidence, and they must take some of the days off that the unions have worked so hard to get for them.
The school is not geared for anything. Once you are done with high school, you have a useless diploma, no skills whatsoever, and, unless you go to college, university, or the military, you’re stuck, left with a false sense of accomplishment and nowhere to go.
The great United States, the most powerful country in the world, keeps building many beautiful things, inventing new and wonderful ways to make life easy and longer, but it is failing to maintain the basic infrastructure that we must trust for our future: the education of our most important and irreplaceable resources, our children.
— Cosimo Rossetti, Newbury Park
Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:18 PM
Preschool is useless
Re: Dr. Charles Weis’ April 30 commentary, “Preschool for All deserves passage”:
In rebuttal to Dr. Charles Weis' argument in favor of Proposition 82, I
would like to offer the following facts gleaned from the California Legislative Analysts Office.
Proposition 82 will substantially increase educational costs by imposing much higher credentialing standards on preschool teachers. Currently, preschool teachers need about two years of college education in the public system and about half a year in the private sector; with the average salary being about $27,000. Proposition 82 would require five years of college education plus, for every 20 children, there would be a requirement for a teachers aide. This means the salary for the preschool teacher would rise to the average salary of a California teacher, $60,000 per year, with the teachers aide making $27,000. Do we really need $87,000 worth of adults to watch a group of 4-year-olds?
Proposition 82 raises the top tax rate from 9.3 percent to 12 percent for the top-income Californians; about 100,000 people out of 30 million who pay 30 percent of the state's income tax! Of course, Proposition 82 is funded by people who make in excess $400,000 if single or $800,000 if married per year, so who cares what it costs? Well, actually you should care, because people at this income level do not stand around waiting for a new tax increase. In the year 2000, there were roughly 44,000 people in the state with declared incomes of $1 million or more. Last year, that number was 25,000 taxpayers, and it is shrinking rapidly as these taxpayers move to Nevada, Arizona and other low-tax states. This exodus of high-income people mirrors the trends in taxing high-income people for special programs, as well as the increasingly stringent regulatory environment for business people.
Finally, the studies on the effectiveness of preschool programs are not as conclusive as Dr. Weis suggests. Many experts suggest that what little advantage may be gained by preschool children evaporates by the second grade. Further, Proposition 82 would effectively eliminate private preschools, as the costs would rise far beyond what a parent will pay for day care, which is what we are really talking about here.
The educational system in this state, as well as this country, is dysfunctional at best, and hauling 4-year-olds into a classroom with a government teacher is not going to solve the problem.
— Geoff Irvin, Newbury Park
(The writer is president of The Irvin Company. — Editor)
Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:15 PM
Too fat? Blame your mom
I'm 9 years old. I have a strong opinion about all of the articles that you've been printing about childhood obesity and who is to blame for this problem.
Let’s stop playing the blame game. Let’s take responsibility for our own choices. If you eat to much sugar, you could get sick easier, you don't look as good, people make fun of you, you can't think as clearly, you get sleepy in school, and you can't do as well in sports. This is not what I would want for myself.
Kids are fat because of the moms. The moms are feeding their children junk. I mean like chips or soda. If I eat badly one morning, I will exercise and I won't do it again for a long time. I run two miles every morning, then stretch and do sit-ups. I eat a good healthy breakfast.
When I go to school it seems like the average lunch that I see is made up of a soda, a white bread sandwich and chips. It seems like 5 percent of the kids in my school are healthy and 95 percent of the kids are unhealthy. The school lunches are often made up of chocolate milk, gummy bears and pizza. I feel bad for the kids. Their moms are killing their kids by giving them junk. My mom feeds me healthy. I'm lucky.
— Skyler Speakman, age 9, Thousand Oaks
Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:11 PM
We forget we’re at war
The president is now under fire because he is having the National Security Agency collect banks of telephone numbers, and the opposition, whether Democrats or Republicans, views this practice as an infringement of our rights.
This nation is at war. It's not like any war we have fought in the past, when presidents such as Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry Truman invoked extraordinary measures to seek intelligence information, including wiretapping, but nevertheless, it's a war. On Sept. 11, 3,000 Americans were murdered. That attack, as we know now, was accomplished because our intelligence gathering system was handicapped by the Justice Department under the Clinton administration. One Jaime Gorlich caused walls to be built, preventing the FBI and the CIA from gathering data and sharing information.
There is ample room for criticism of this administration, but keeping this country safe from terrorist attack is not one of them. I would like to add that these critics and civil watchdogs cannot name one U.S. citizen who had his constitutional rights violated because of an illegal wiretap.
This is all just partisan infighting because of the upcoming elections, and there lies a bigger wrong. Can we afford to forget those horrific images on Sept. 11? It appears many in government have. Now because of partisan politics, they want to put this country once again in harm’s way.
— Chris Biller, Moorpark
Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:10 PM
Initiative hides rent control issue
An initiative is being circulated for voter signatures to amend the California Constitution “to bar state and local governments from condemning or damaging private property to promote other private property use.” This amendment is ostensibly about “eminent domain,” which is defined as the taking of private property for public use. However, as noted in the title of the proposed amendment, proponents of this initiative state that the government has been taking private property for private use.
This is very rare, indeed, so why this big expensive hoopla to get an initiative on the ballot? Who stands to benefit? And who exactly is the Protect Our Homes Coalition, the main backers of the initiative?
Large real estate interests and mobile home park owners support this amendment to the constitution because certain language in it states that it would “limit the government’s authority to adopt certain … laws and regulations, except when necessary to preserve public health or safety.” What are the implications of the highlighted words?
Any time the government is limited in its actions, we should feel more secure, but when we discover that there is a broadly phrased exception to the limits of government action, we need to be alert to the effects of these exceptions.
For example, it seems the “preservation of public health or safety” includes “damage to private property, including government actions that result in substantial economic loss to private property.” Examples of substantial economic loss include, but are not limited to, “the downzoning of private property, the elimination of any access to private property, and limitations on the use of private air space.”
To these large real estate interests, rent control can be considered a “substantial economic loss to private property,” which opens the door for actions by companies and landowners across the state to raise rents astronomically. Throughout the entire state, seniors and those with limited income who rent their abodes can then be gouged out of their homes and onto the streets.
This letter is to alert all seniors and other voters not to sign the petitions relating to this initiative to amend the state constitution. We must keep the proposal off the ballot in order to prevent erosion or elimination of rent control in the state.
— Brenda Feldman, Newbury Park
(The writer is a resident of Vallecito Mobile Estates. — Editor)
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:28 AM
Missed opportunities
I’m writing to The Star to express my disappointment in its lowering of standards for publication. I have been a subscriber to this paper and its predecessors for more than 40 years. I believe we have lost any resemblance of a local newspaper.
This year, we are celebrating 50 years of Conejo Valley Days. What a great opportunity for The Star to highlight this event. Who are the people, the hundreds of individual volunteers, who have worked and continue to work for a whole year to produce an event each year called Conejo Valley Days? What is Conejo Valley Days? Where has the event been held — not only today at Conejo Creek South, but in the past 50 years? I’m sure The Star’s archives have most of this information. Why do these fine volunteers work so hard creating this great community event?
Conejo Valley Days is made up of many events, one being the Grand Marshal Race. This year, two individuals gave their all to raise monies for their charities. Kelli Scarangello, a student at Redwood School, and her friends worked very hard to raise thousands of dollars for Hospice of the Conejo Valley, and she became Conejo Valley Days’ first junior grand marshal. What a story The Star could have had if it had taken the time to get to know this fine young lady and all who helped with her many events.
Tom Hartin, a longtime employee of the City of Thousand Oaks and a member of a great organization, The Order of Elks of the Conejo Valley, raised thousands of dollars for Elks charities. Tom is this year’s grand marshal. What a story and history The Star could have received from Tom if it had put in the effort.
I read in the Sunday Star the results of the Grand Marshal race, and then its reporting went on to describe an event that never happened: The Conejo Valley Days Parade, including a description of the vehicle Kelli was riding in and the logistics of removing Kelli from the lead Red Truck as the VIP car returned her to the rear of the parade where she joined the Redwood Drum Line of the band. This was an event that never happened.
I read the correction policy in the Monday morning edition. “We aim to get it right, but when we get it wrong, please let us know. We want to correct the record.” This is The Star’s quote. Then, under the correction, The Star stated that it incorrectly indicated that the Conejo Valleys Days Parade had been held the previous day. The Star still didn’t get it right. The Star should have stated that its reporting was totally erroneous and that it wished to apologize for its false reporting.
— Ken Calcut, Thousand Oaks
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:25 AM
Give Bush some credit
Does anyone remember the constant phrase, “It’s the economy, stupid!” used during the Bill Clinton candidacy? The argument was that Clinton deserved to be re-elected because the economy was healthy. Well, look at today’s economic growth.
Today, while the Democrats still harp on the old line that tax cuts are for the benefit of the wealthy, we are seeing record revenues coming to all levels of government — federal, state and county. At the same time, the stock market was recently near a record high, trade deficits are dropping and unemployment is extremely low. All this is taking place while we are engaged in fighting worldwide terrorism.
Does anyone want to give President Bush just a little credit, or is the economic growth just a coincidence or due to something the Democrats have done?
— Jere Robings, Thousand Oaks
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:24 AM
May 12, 2006
'Assimilation' foreign to U.S.
Re: John Relle's May 12 letter, "U.S. a nation of settlers":
This letter would have brilliantly summed up the history of American immigration if the writer had only gotten the story right.
Mr. Relles seems to think it is significant that the first "settlers" were Britons. That's actually a rather trivial point, since the Eastern seaboard was comprised of British crown colonies.
By the middle of the 19th century, those early British-Americans were rapidly becoming a minority, supplanted by Irish, German, Portuguese, French, Spanish, Dutch and Swedish immigrants and, later, Greeks, Turks, Hungarians, Romanians, Czechs, Assyrians, Serbs and others. Some 20 percent of troops in the Union Army in 1865 were fresh arrivals from other countries - voluntarily enlisting as cannon fodder for the promise of a tract of land.
Here in the West, of course, one must recognize the Chinese and Japanese migrants. Ninety percent of the Central Pacific Railroad's workforce in the 1860s was Chinese. It was low-wage immigrant labor - sound familiar? And of course, let's not forget that population of unwilling immigrants, the Africans.
The central flaw of Relles' letter is his assumption - borne out by no data - that all of these folks were "settlers," bent on "assimilation."
"Settlement" has always been secondary to immigration. And insofar as settlement implies assimilation, Relles is on thin ice indeed. Well into the 1970s, I could have spent an entire day in Chicago and not have heard a word of English spoken. Polish, Swedish, German, Greek, Ukrainian, Hungarian, Czech, Serb - those were the languages of commerce. Residents of those immigrant communities, though part of Chicago for 100 years, still conducted their daily lives in their mother tongues. And, of course, there are still American communities in New York City where the only languages spoken are Hebrew and Yiddish.
Perish the thought, though, that Mexican immigrants should have the audacity to speak Spanish in our "British" United States!
- Russell A. Burgos, Thousand Oaks
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:12 AM
Price of non-enforcement
I continue to be discomforted by the position so-called "journalists" take: the highly predictable and unpatriotic position of being soft on illegal immigration. The mere mention of the word illegal should be enough to silence critics.
Why have a law if it is not to be enforced?
Laws as important as immigration should be enforced without prejudice. All civilized countries in the world have immigration laws, and they are enforced with varying degrees of vigor and resilience. This is not just an American issue.
Does anyone at The Star genuinely question why we have immigration laws and why they should be enforced? I do not see the answer to this question in The Star’s Opinion pages.
The easy answer is to protect our country's sovereignty and prevent anarchy. For most law-abiding citizens, this has nothing to do with race or class. You would have never heard such an argument 30 to 40 years ago. To hear it now instills passion on both sides and creates a social uneasiness that was not there before.
Our neglect in enforcing this law over the past 30 years is now rearing its ugly head. Does it seem to anyone on either side of this debate that our current immigration policy is working?
It must change. Amnesty for illegal immigrants is not the answer. It only invigorates further illegal immigration. Some sort of guest-worker program rewarding legal and orderly conduct is the long-term solution. That seems clear to most fair-minded individuals.
We have to stop the human flood into this country before it gets worse. As seen in the recent protests, the numbers are gigantic, and the unspoken threat of violence is real.
I only pray it is not too late and that our politicians will act on a well-conceived and logical solution.
— Anthony Williams, Thousand Oaks
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:04 AM
Freedom is in danger
The National Security Agency has been gathering all of our information — phone and e-mail records — in secret, without warrants. Meanwhile, the Justice Department ends its inquiry into the NSA eavesdropping program because, well, the NSA won't let them investigate. This news is buried in The Star on Page 6 — May 11, “Eavesdropping probe abruptly ends” — a total of 18 lines. The Justice Department is trying to kill a lawsuit that affirms AT&T had eavesdropping rooms especially installed for the NSA.
How much is it going to take before we get truly outraged by the actions of this administration? Where is the uproar? A government that has an arm that cannot be investigated, that can trample all over the Fourth Amendment and that can spy on all of us is a danger to the very concept of freedom.
For the people who say, "I have nothing to hide," I advise them to read the Fourth Amendment again and also "The Trial" by Franz Kafka.
I wasn't around during the Sen. Joseph McCarthy days, nor the J. Edgar Hoover days, nor the President Nixon days, but this is eerily reminiscent of those eras — from what I have learned. One thing is certain, when Americans are told of countries that spy upon their citizens, they don't regard them as democracies, and rightly so.
Every day, I make international phone calls, check out foreign web sites, e-mail all over the world and often am critical of this administration through all these mediums. I am worried, and you should be as well.
In the meantime, enjoy your tax cuts.
— Françoise Dubois, Newbury Park
Posted by Andrea Howry at 10:55 AM
New day in America
I recently attended a wedding ceremony between two women at a Jewish temple in Camarillo. It was also attended by a rabbi from Ventura, as well as nearly 100 people, many of whom brought their children of all ages, none of whom showed the slightest puzzlement at the sight of two women getting married.
It's the 21st century.
It's a new day.
— Stan Kohls, Somis
Posted by Andrea Howry at 10:33 AM
Gas prices scandalous
So, the government is doing an investigation into possible price gouging at the pumps? Do they think we are morons? Oil companies are experiencing their greatest profits in history, and gas has gone up more than 50 cents a gallon in the past 30 days. This is an outright disgrace and sham for the people of the United States to be taken advantage of like this. Any idiot in his right mind could hazard a guess that we aren't being told the truth about what is going on. Stop wasting our money on ridiculous investigations and do something to stop this abomination.
— Kerry Berman, Simi Valley
Posted by Andrea Howry at 10:26 AM
Equalize tax cuts
Re: your May 11 article, “Tax cuts would give some help to middle-income, big boon to rich”:
I checked the percentages on the “What thee cuts mean to you” chart on Page 1 between the highest income value in each bracket and the average tax savings. Those who make the most income still progressively have a higher percentage of tax savings. I believe the tax rate should be equal across the board for all.
— Steve Crandall, Camarillo
Posted by Andrea Howry at 10:16 AM
Deep sorrow
Re: your March 30 article, “Former teacher sentenced for sex with student”:
To the people of Ventura County, to my communities, to my church, to the young lady and her family, and to all those affected by my horrifying behavior in February 2001:
I cannot find words to express my deep sorrow in having failed you. Words jumble up in my throat, trying to say I’m so very sorry, but words cannot say my emotion because what I feel comes from my soul and from the depths of my heart, unimaginable before now, how my failure hurt so many. I apologize to all of you, forever.
I thank the judicial folks, the Ventura Police Department and the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department for the professionalism, grace and dignity they have shown all of us involved. I will continue atoning for my action through the last of my days.
— John Statham, Camarillo
(The writer is a former teacher and coach at St. Bonaventure High School in Ventura. — Editor)
Posted by Andrea Howry at 10:14 AM
May 11, 2006
Find a fair solution
Re: Frank Moraga's May 5 essay, “Fight against intolerance”:
I assume Mr. Moraga’s essay was about legal immigrants because the word “illegal” did not appear in the entire article. There is a very important difference between the two.
The concern of citizens and, finally, our elected officials is centered on the serious problem of illegal immigration. I have never talked to anyone concerned about legal immigrants. I have read many articles supposedly on the subject of illegal immigration where the issue of legality is absent.
Certain groups want to blur the issue by alleging discrimination. This is certainly not the case. Immigration laws apply to all people, regardless of race, color or creed.
There are more than 12 million people in this country who have deliberately violated international law and invaded this country. No sovereign country can exist without protecting its borders from invasion. In most countries, they would be immediately arrested, fined and deported.
The United States has the most liberal immigration policy in the world. Why would this group choose to enter illegally? If they came to work, they could do so legally under the guest-worker program. It could be because they can avoid paying income taxes and Social Security, while receiving social benefits and no fear of reprisal. Others may have serious criminal records, are avoiding military service or are drug smugglers or terrorists. We don't know.
Based on anti-American statements and actions during recent demonstrations, this group didn't come here because of love or allegiance for the United States.
Our government is in the process of dealing with this problem. Blanket amnesty did not work before and should not be an option. The government is considering an application process whereby they can become citizens and streamlining the guest-worker application process. What could be fairer than that?
— Al Knuth, Camarillo
Posted by Andrea Howry at 01:27 PM
‘Cooler heads’ need forum
Re: Richard Larsen's May 9 essay, “Time out on immigration”:
Calling for cooler heads to prevail in the immigration debate is, of course, entirely reasonable. Neither of the extremes in this war of words has a workable plan or solution. The immigrants "rights" crowd marches and waves flags, while the xenophobes call the John and Ken Show. Neither group will respond to Larsen's essay.
Meanwhile, from Congress, we have the House proposing to jail or deport millions, while the Senate offers a thinly disguised amnesty program. Neither extreme makes any sense.
I am sure there are plenty of cool heads here in Ventura County — a crucible in many ways — so why can't The Star provide a forum for thoughtful people to exchange ideas for solutions? Instead of just writing articles, why doesn’t The Star organize a public forum for the "cooler heads" who now have no platform at all?
— Frank Ward, Oxnard
Posted by Andrea Howry at 01:24 PM
Enforcement is answer
I have believed for a long time that to solve the illegal alien problem, the United States only needs to enforce existing laws. There is no need for forced deportations and new laws; we just need to insure that U.S. companies do not hire illegal aliens. Then more illegal aliens will go home, and not many will want to cross the border illegally into the United States.
To replace these illegal aliens, we need to allow U.S. companies to recruit and bring in English-speaking workers, obviously with clean records, into this country. As an immigrant from Indonesia, I know that millions of people like me would love to have an opportunity to have a piece of the American dream. (At one time I came very close to applying for an immigrant work visa as a sheepherder in the United States.)
It is a slow program and would take years — as would all the existing proposals — but it would create a path to legally resolve the illegal alien issue.
Some U.S. senators and congressional representatives say that enforcing the existing laws has not worked, but then they turn around and propose even tougher laws to enforce, like the tiered amnesty program. To have credibility, for once we need to enforce all the laws as envisioned by President Reagan's Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.
— Leon Lim, Camarillo
Posted by Andrea Howry at 01:21 PM
Immigration was never ‘open’
My grandparents came through New York’s Castle Garden Immigration Center in 1892. To enter America, they had to prove they had sponsorship by a citizen, a job waiting and money to travel to the job location. It was no "open immigration" as the pro-illegals claim. And they also had to denounce allegiance to the king of Italy.
— George Pezzini, Camarillo
Posted by Andrea Howry at 01:16 PM
Change immigration laws
I’m very much in favor of legal immigration, so much so that I believe the immigration quotas should be increased. On the other hand, I am 100 percent against any and all illegal immigration. I believe that all illegal immigrants should be sent back home whenever caught. No other country in the world allows illegal immigrants to become citizens.
I most strenuously object to a number of things that this country currently allows:
— 1. If an illegal gives birth to a child in the United States, it automatically becomes a U.S. citizen. I believe that a child born to an illegal mother is illegal, and both mother and child should be shipped back to wherever the mother came from.
— 2. I believe that all governmental documents, signs and communications should be printed only in English — not Spanish, not Chinese, not any other language.
— 3. An immigrant, in order to obtain citizenship, should be able to speak and write in English.
And as for the immigrants who marched, I was horrified that some carried a flag other than the U.S. flag. If they’re so enamored of their own country, why don’t they return?
These marches particularly disturbed me because it reminded me of how this country originated. It started with the Boston Tea Party and graduated into the American Revolution. Could this happen in our country? It sure could!
If things in the marchers’ country are so bad, why don’t these illegals attempt to band together and change things in their own country?
I leave readers with one thought: “God bless America.” Let’s protect it!
— Jack D. Prosen, Camarillo
Posted by Andrea Howry at 01:14 PM
Ties to Guevara are scary
Re: your May 2 front-page photo, “Thousands rally locally”:
In the crowd was a poster of Ernesto "Che" Guevara, the Cuban revolutionary. What does this say about some of the sponsors of the May 1 marches? Che Guevara was a hard-line communist in Fidel Castro's revolution, which brought totalitarianism to that land.
Guevara said, "Hatred as an element of struggle; unbending hatred for the enemy, which pushes a human being beyond his natural limitations, making him into an effective, violent, selective, and cold-blooded killing machine. This is what our soldiers must become.”
Guevara helped establish Cuba's labor-camp penal system, which would be employed to jail gays, dissidents and AIDS victims. What does this say about those who would choose to align themselves with such a murderous thug? If they tried such a march in Cuba, they would be jailed and possibly shot.
Groups such as A.N.S.W.E.R., a Stalinist organization that supports North Korean dictator Kim Jung Il, are actively organizing these marches. Those who truly believe in freedom and want the best for the illegal immigrants would do well to immediately dissociate themselves from these and other similar groups.
The price of freedom is eternal vigilance.
— Bill Yates, Oxnard
Posted by Andrea Howry at 01:12 PM
Citizenship requires work
My grandparents on both sides of my family came from Eastern Europe and French Canada almost 100 years ago. They had to learn English and give up all they knew to live here. They raised their children to speak English and adapt to the American way.
Protesters showed their true colors by raising flags from their home countries. If their allegiance is to those countries, they should go back.
These people want citizenship without earning it. They feel that, because they work in the fields or clean toilets, as our distinguished mayor said, that gives them equal rights. How many times has the mayor cleaned a toilet or helped in the fields?
You don’t earn equal rights by protesting and taking a day off from businesses that depend on you. If you are not a citizen of the United States, go home and stand in line like everyone else. The president said it right: America is for those who work and add something to this great nation. Those who want to join the United States should learn English and pay taxes, which helps the economy, schools and general growth of this country.
I am a minority, but I have earned my way, serving in the armed forces and paying taxes. I have cleaned toilets and picked fruit. It’s time to give the United States back to its citizens.
The fools who cross our borders don’t realize they are doing to our economy what communism couldn’t: bringing us to our knees because we can’t absorb 30 million illegals.
Between 1975 and 1978, America took in people from Asia. They stood in line and waited; now, the world wants in. We must take care of our own — the hungry, homeless and elderly who contributed all their lives and now live in poverty.
— Jeff A. Goldstein, Simi Valley
Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:37 PM
Citizenship requires work
My grandparents on both sides of my family came from Eastern Europe and French Canada almost 100 years ago. They had to learn English and give up all they knew to live here. They raised their children to speak English and adapt to the American way.
Protesters showed their true colors by raising flags from their home countries. If their allegiance is to those countries, they should go back.
These people want citizenship without earning it. They feel that, because they work in the fields or clean toilets, as our distinguished mayor said, that gives them equal rights. How many times has the mayor cleaned a toilet or helped in the fields?
You don’t earn equal rights by protesting and taking a day off from businesses that depend on you. If you are not a citizen of the United States, go home and stand in line like everyone else. The president said it right: America is for those who work and add something to this great nation. Those who want to join the United States should learn English and pay taxes, which helps the economy, schools and general growth of this country.
I am a minority, but I have earned my way, serving in the armed forces and paying taxes. I have cleaned toilets and picked fruit. It’s time to give the United States back to its citizens.
The fools who cross our borders don’t realize they are doing to our economy what communism couldn’t: bringing us to our knees because we can’t absorb 30 million illegals.
Between 1975 and 1978, America took in people from Asia. They stood in line and waited; now, the world wants in. We must take care of our own — the hungry, homeless and elderly who contributed all their lives and now live in poverty.
— Jeff A. Goldstein, Simi Valley
Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:37 PM
Forbid whatever-Americans
I have a great respect for my immigrant Mexican neighbors — their work ethic, their demeanor and the contributions they make to the United States. They are a big part of what makes all our lives easier and more enjoyable.
I also have a great respect for the country my family and my immigrant ancestors built, along with a society and affluent lifest