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November 30, 2006
WPA was a brilliant idea
Jim Hightower in his November publication, “The Hightower Lowdown,” describes the many wonders former President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and the Democrats achieved with their wonderful program, the Works Progress Administration, better known as WPA.
Camarillo State Hospital was one of the many wonders created by WPA funds. There was a tear in my eye when I recently visited California State University, Channel Islands — formerly Camarillo State Hospital — and saw the beautiful Spanish buildings that comprised the hospital being torn down and replaced with more contemporary-style buildings. A memorable historical complex reminiscent of the era of the Great Depression was lost.
In his publication, Hightower writes, “In 1935, Franklin Roosevelt launched one of the biggest, most successful public-infrastructure program in U.S. history, the Works Progress Administration, which put 3.5 million hard-hit, unemployed Americans to work in every locality in the nation.”
My father was one of the 3.5 million beautifying the parks in Minneapolis, my hometown. The Beverly Hills Post Office has beautiful murals decorating their lobby, painted by WPA artists. The WPA built bridges, airport runways, thousands of public buildings, hospitals, 650,000 miles of roads, 8,000 parks, 4,383 new schools and 9,000 miles of sewer lines at a cost of $11.4 billion, slightly half of the $335 billion that we’ve spent on the war in Iraq. And we didn’t have the terrible deficit in the 1930s that we have today.
—Samuel M. Rosen, Newbury Park
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:51 AM
Being a brother’s keeper
Re: William F. Klepper’s Nov. 29 letter, “It’s not Uncle Sam’s job,” a response to my Nov. 28 letter, “S.V. can do more”:
I wrote about the homeless camp knowing that it would ruffle some feathers. It saddens me that money is the only argument that Mr. Klepper had against aid for the homeless. I never meant to imply that the city should rip his wallet out of his pocket and buy homes for the homeless. I only meant to point out that our city, like so many others, doesn’t address the homeless problem except to make it unlawful. Mr. Klepper’s logic is in the age-old question: “Am I my brother’s keeper?”
Let’s use the “not my problem” logic and stop spending on public projects such as schools, libraries and fire departments. We could save a great deal of tax dollars if we would simply declare these to be someone else’s problem. Those who could afford an education would have an education, and those who could afford a book to read would have a book, and — well, the point is clear. We provide these things because it benefits society as a whole. We all profit from educated citizens and open libraries and, of course, the fire departments.
We have allowed our city to evolve to the point that our own children leave just to find homes. This is because the city isn’t committed to addressing the low-income housing problem that we have here. They need realistic low-income requirements for projects built in the city, with solid rules that would give our low-income citizens access to homes. And, there may come a day when the smiling associate at the local retailer doesn't have to sleep in a car at night. We need to realize that, yes, we are our brother’s keeper.
— Ron Hawley, Simi Valley
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:42 AM
All of CVD threatened
I have lived in the Conejo Valley for 30 years and have been actively involved in Conejo Valley Days for the last six years.
This year, I am on-site chairman and am also saddened by not having a parade and rodeo. However, what a lot of people don't realize is that after our 50th anniversary last year, there was a very good chance that there would be no Conejo Valley Days at all this year. In order for CVD to continue, some decisions had to be made. So a group of people got together and worked many long volunteer hours trying to preserve CVD. They should be complimented, not criticized.
I don't think people should criticize decisions unless they know all of the facts and figures behind them. If you are disappointed, get involved and help us.
I, for one, would like to thank the many people who have worked so hard this year so that we can continue Conejo Valley Days.
— Marty Campbell, Westlake Village
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:33 AM
Stuck for 2 more years
Re: Ed Jones’ Nov. 29 commentary, “Gallegly challenged to step up and address nation’s problems”:
U.S. Rep. Elton Gallegly is perfectly aware that as a member of Congress he is “in the big leagues.” For many years, he has comfortably accepted our money and availed himself of all the perks associated with his job, reserving district face time for election years.
Even Gallegly’s Washington office reflects his unprofessional attitude. A few months back, I called his D.C. office, identified myself as a constituent and asked to leave a public issue comment for the congressman. His office employee replied, “We don’t take those.” When pressed for an explanation, the employee said she thought I was “someone playing a joke.”
Mr. Gallegly is is not an independent consultant. He is an elected public servant. He works for and is accountable to every person in this 24th District. Up to now, we’ve been too reticent and too easy in our oversight of his performance on our behalf. Professor Jones’ candid but somewhat apologetic challenge to his friend Gallegly is, regrettably, too little too late. We're stuck for another two years.
— L. Page Shaffer, Moorpark
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:28 AM
Power play at harbor
The controversy over where to locate the boating center at Channel Islands Harbor is caused by a few greedy people who want to control the harbor to maximize the value of their own property.
I lived and worked in the harbor area for more than 30 years and observed that these contentious people seem to have similar backgrounds. They came up from the big city — Los Angeles — and bought beach property that was cheap for them, and now they intend to take control of the harbor away from the "local yokels" for their own benefit.
Their actual reason for not locating the boating center on the west side of the harbor is that it might cut a few dollars off the selling price of their property.
There is no real controversy about where to locate the boating center. Everyone who has ever sailed a boat knows that getting under way from a downwind berth — the east side of the harbor where the contentious people want to locate the boating center — is difficult, and returning to a downwind berth can be dangerous.
The harbor is for all of us, not a few selfish people.
— Marvin Miller, Oak View
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:14 AM
Need or greed?
Recently, our local cable company, Adelphia, was taken over by Time Warner Cable. Within weeks of the takeover, TWC announced it was discontinuing one channel altogether and moving seven others from the "standard cable and basic broadcast" package to their "basic digital" package. There was no mention of reducing the monthly charge for those customers who stayed with the old package.
The reason given for moving these channels had to do with giving them extra bandwidth to accommodate their digital cable offering — or some such techno-hogwash.
The seven channels deleted from the standard cable offering are HSN, C-SPAN2, The California Channel, Country Music, Animal Planet, Travel Channel and, last but not least, TCM.
Among these seven are some of the channels most watched, especially by senior subscribers. If the real reason for this move was a technical one, why did they choose to take away some of the most popular channels? I see at least 30 less popular channels they could have picked on.
So now us elderly people, mostly living on fixed incomes, have to shell out about $10 a month more to see our old-time movies and the animals. That's $5 a month more for the digital cable and another $5 month to rent the digital box.
One of the installers told me they are very busy these days putting in the digital boxes in people's homes just so the folks can get the moved channels again.
I really think Ventura County should look into this situation. Is it really technical need? Or is it corporate greed?
— Patrick S. O'Malley, Oxnard
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:06 AM
‘Hey, I caught an anchovy!’
Re: your Nov. 26 editorial, “Saving seafood a must priority”:
The disconnect between the scientific community and the practical world is wonderfully illustrated by the concept that “another 8.6 nautical miles would be designated marine conservation areas limited to hook and line for pelagic species such as sardines and anchovies.” I defy them to show us in modern history a recreational fisherman who went out fishing for anchovies with hook and line.
— Peter B. Poulson, Camarillo
Posted by Andrea Howry at 10:53 AM
Questions came too late
Re: Ed Jones’ Nov. 29 commentary, “Gallegly challenged to step up and address nation’s problems”:
It is nice to see this open letter to U.S. Rep. Elton Gallegly from Mr. Jones because it comes from someone who supports Mr. Gallegly and knows him personally. But where were these questions before the election? Why now?
This is a nice letter asking the right questions, but it's too late. Mr. Gallegly will continue doing what he has always done: blindly and obediently support the Bush administration no matter how foolish or dangerous their policies are for America and the world. A new term is not going to suddenly make him do the right thing.
Those of us who did not vote for him are saddened and disheartened to know that we are once again stuck with the “stay the course” mentality of Bush and Mr. Gallegly. I thank Ventura County voters for not changing course and saddling us again with the same old worn-out and tired rubber stamp.
— Carolyn Crandall, Camarillo
Posted by Andrea Howry at 10:47 AM
November 29, 2006
Time Warner a mess
Re: Todd Terres’ Nov. 26 letter, “More cable woes”:
Mr. Terres’ letter is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to complaints about Time Warner cable service.
They have taken away six of my channels, even though they promised to give more.
We have received none of the promised additional channels.
They have taken away the senior discount.
They have upped my monthly charge to $49.25 for non-digital cable.
The reception is quite poor, including five to 10 seconds of black screen, scrambled picture, decreased sound, etc., and they can’t fix it.
Basically, the service has gotten much worse than it ever was with Comcast and Adelphia.
Also, we don’t have the city to go to to help regulate their service because the power over cable has been taken away from the city and put completely into the hands of the Federal Communication Commission. Any complaints have to go through them, and if you want form letters, then try to deal with them. They waste as many trees as the junk mail we get when they respond to you and still don’t give us any help.
— Judy Dwyer, Simi Valley
Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:11 PM
End double standard
Re: Colleen Cason’s Nov. 29 column, “The punch line that never came”:
Does the interview with Kyle Doss, the "victim" of Michael Richards’ outburst at the Laugh Factory, really deserve front-page status? It might be more appropriately contained as a paid advertisement, where Gloria Allred should have paid for her public efforts at shaking down Mr. Richards for hush money.
Nowhere in the article does Mr. Doss ever state that he would be happy with a personal apology from Richards. Instead, he discusses his "victimization" from the comedian's out-of-control rage.
One of the cancers of the modern era is the use of lawyers and the legal system as a lottery to right a host of social and personal wrongs that are out of proportion to the actual damage done. A current example is Tennie Pierce, the Los Angeles firefighter who has shamelessly cried racist in an attempt to extort $2.7 million from honest taxpayers of Los Angeles. This man is a disgrace and a fraud.
Mr. Doss should remember that this association with Ms. Allred will reflect upon him the rest of his life.
In an effort to extort money out of Mr. Richards in a public manner, he is permanently deforming his own image into that of a pathetic victim trying to siphon money off of a comedian's out-of-control and inappropriate onstage meltdown. It is obvious to me that Mr. Doss is not free from racism himself, having referred to Michael Richards as "cracker-ass, mother******." Is this one whit less offensive than the "n" word?
Mr. Doss could easily be part of Richard's public rehabilitation and contribute to a reasoned national dialogue, but instead he has chosen to align himself with an unscrupulous and ethically bankrupt lawyer. If someone did a survey of his CD player and DVD collection, I’d bet he has 20 or 30 CDs and DVDs by black rappers and comedians using the "n" word. It is time to eliminate the double standard for everyone.
— Dan Shapiro, Thousand Oaks
Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:05 PM
Key to learning
Re: Judy Fessenden’s Nov. 22 “On Track” column, “Help your child learn the basics of reading”:
This column should be required reading for all parents and educators. If parents accepted and implemented their responsibility to see that their children are educated to the limit of their abilities, then this article is most inappropriate. Improvements in education start with the concepts present in the article.
—Paul C. Mangan, Ventura
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:51 AM
Teach kids about debt
Recently a segment of the evening news exposed a major problem: debt among 22- to 29-year-olds. Whether through student loans, credit card debt or capricious spending, many owe as much as $170,000 with no clue as to how to reverse it!
A few states have begun offering personal finance courses. I believe that mandatory courses in budgeting and personal finance should be offered at all middle schools. Furthermore, high school seniors should be required to take several courses as a condition of graduation.
Ignorance and lack of professional help is no excuse. Too many are in holes so deep they will never get out. Suze Orman can only do so much, and she’s excellent.
—Gary F. Traxler, Camarillo
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:46 AM
No way to say thanks
Let us please remember the hatred for the United States in the Indonesian islands the next time a tsunami hits that thankful country.
—Joseph Hektner, Ventura
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:44 AM
Mortuary defended
Re: your Nov. 16 article, “Owner of mortuary files defamation suit”:
I was saddened and shocked to read this story about the horrible and allegedly slanderous remarks made about Robert Garcia Jr. and the family Garcia Mortuary. I had not responded to this story because of an illness of almost two weeks.
I got to know Robert Garcia Jr. — and each member of his wonderful family who own and administer the Garcia Mortuary — while administrator of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Santa Paula.
I dealt most with Robert Garcia Jr. I found him to be sensitive, very respectful, very courteous, compassionate, knowledgeable and a faith-filled Christian Catholic. In a short time, we became friends. Had I a son, I would have liked him to be the young man that Robert Garcia Jr. is.
Robert’s parents and siblings are also excellent persons who try to help families who are experiencing the great pain and confusion of not knowing what to do in the death of a loved one. I welcomed this family mortuary, as I did other mortuaries, to distribute information about their excellent service. I also know that the Garcia family has given back so much to the Ventura County community.
I was so impressed and grateful for the service of the Garcia Mortuary to many of my parish families that I changed the funeral plans of my mother and myself so that Robert Garcia Jr. and his family handle our funeral needs.
I hope that this lawsuit and your story will make persons who would want to hurt or destroy the name and reputation of individuals or businesses, think before they would engage in “slanderous remarks”!
—Rev. Arturo S. Gomez, Rialto
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:42 AM
Missing KKZZ format
After all these months, I still mourn the loss of my favorite radio station, KKZZ (1400/1590). I have searched the AM and FM dials, and there are no stations in Ventura County playing music like they did. Immediately after the change to talk radio format, I did find one at 540AM, but now they have gone country.
I enjoyed all of the music on KKZZ, was loyal to their sponsors and felt as if Les Nelson were part of my own family. Now, driving around in the traffic has become even more of a hassle. I took 1590 off my push button. Believe me, the last thing I want is to hear women talking about their troubles, from men to menopause.
I have written to the station and talked with my friends, and we all agree. Please, someone, listen and give us some nice music! Yes, I have CDs, but the variety and new releases were a joy. I want to hear Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Michael Buble, Ray Charles, Diana Krall, Peggy Lee, Norah Jones, the big bands and more.
— Ann Wilson, Oxnard
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:28 AM
Height matters
The Chicago Bulls signed last year's NBA Defensive Player of the Year to a four-year contract to, of course, play a child's game for a living — and, oh yeah, make $60 million while doing it.
Most employees get irritated when their boss clamps down on personal e-mails at work and these employees are making, say, $30,000 a year. Ben Wallace is making what amounts to be about $200,000 per game —or $35,000 per rebound — and he is angry because he wants to wear his headband!
If Ben Wallace were 5-foot-9 instead of 6-foot-9, he'd be flipping burgers at McDonald's for a living. He should show some gratitude!
— Jeff Bellamar, Santa Barbara
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:23 AM
Compassion for dogs
Re: Clive Leeman’s Nov. 28 commentary, “Well-loved Bear missed”:
On Tuesday, we had to have our beloved dog, Pepper, put down. She was 17 years old, and it was time for her long, beautiful life to come to an end.
After the sad task was ended, we came home get on with our lives, and, lo and behold, I read the article by Clive Leeman about the end of his dog Bear's life. The timing of the article and the coincidental age of Pepper and Bear when they passed was uncanny.
As Leeman wrote of the love that his Bear engendered, it brought happiness to me, for Pepper did the same. As I read through tears, I was also struck by the compassion that we were both able to show our respective pets in that we were able to end their suffering humanely. I wish that we would be able to show such compassion to each other if the need arises.
— Fred Lucero, Oxnard
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:16 AM
Save the Wagon Wheel
The Wagon Wheel motel office and restaurant must be saved!
At one time, the City of Oxnard had three unique and remarkable restaurants: The Colonial House, the Tradewinds and the Wagon Wheel restaurant. The first two have been demolished, and now we learn the third will soon join them.
The Wagon Wheel restaurant is not only unique for our county but in all of Southern California as well! During the late 1950s, two themes of restaurants predominated: Polynesian and Western. Most of these restaurants and the buildings they were in are gone. The Western steakhouses were common, with two outstanding examples being the Silver Saddle Inn in Downey and our own Wagon Wheel. Both restaurants reflected the popular California ranch house style. The Downey restaurant is long gone.
Surely the developers of the property on which the Wagon Wheel sits, with the hundreds of millions of dollars they will profit, can afford to save this important architectural gem. We need to save important Ventura County historical properties for future generations!
— Don Shorts, Ventura
(The writer is a member of the Oxnard Cultural Heritage Board. — Editor)
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:11 AM
Stop the name-calling
Re: Colleen Cason’s Nov. 29 column, “The punch line that never came”:
If the "n" word is bad, it has to be bad 100 percent of the time. You can't just pick and choose when it's OK or with whom it's OK to use it. I can really find no instance that that word should ever be used, as it has bad connotations dating back to the pre-Civil War era. But still, blacks use that word to refer to themselves or others of their race.
It's in the music they listen to, movies they watch and media they subscribe to. So how can these young people be that damaged by it, as they contend they are? They really should be desensitized to it. After all, they use it, young and old, constantly.
It appears, having gotten Gloria Allred as their spokesperson, that this is really just a grab for cash. Tell me, how does getting a large sum of money make it OK? Does it really make the hurt go away — hurt caused by the use of that word by Michael Richards? I really don't think so, but it really is just a way to prosper financially.
Michael Richards has publicly apologized several times now. He should not pay out any cash for this transgression. Plus, what is the going price for the use of that word? Should it be determined by the number of times used multiplied by a dollar amount? Also, should the reverse be true? If a black calls a Caucasian, Asian, Hispanic or person of other race or religious belief a derogatory name that is sensitive to that race or belief, do they also have to pay a dollar amount to ease their pain from it, or is the "cash rule" just for people of African descent?
I also feel that there is responsibility on the part of the comedy club. The party of young men should never have been allowed to be seated during a performance, as it does cause interruptions to that performer's act. Is the comedy club liable as well?
Let's all just get along and stop all the name-calling, finger-pointing and use of this perceived terrible word and be done with it.
— Kenneth D. Hower, Port Hueneme
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:04 AM
November 28, 2006
Stay home, Lucy
Re: your Nov. 27 editorial, “A rare chance to gaze at Lucy”:
I would certainly go over to see Lucy, should her bones be exhibited locally. However, I would oppose her making the trip.
Planes still do disappear into the briny deeps, there still is the running sore of terrorism to contend with, and remember the attack on the Pieta?
The recently resurgent Taliban did in fact lamentably make rubble of those Buddhist bas-reliefs in Afghanistan — which were carved in 600 AD — the mighty San Andreas slumbers on, and never underestimate human irrationality.
All in all, Lucy might be safer back in the Olduvai Gorge.
— Dale Peace, Santa Paula
Posted by Andrea Howry at 02:03 PM
Irish or British?
Re: your Nov. 25 article, “Irish radical attempts to storm parliament”:
Is the author of the headline certain the radical is Irish?
If you were to ask the attacker, he would insist he is British and feels so strongly about this that he’s willing to go to these extremes to maintain his Britishness. He is an inhabitant of the island of Ireland, but a part of Ireland that has been under British rule for quite some time. As a Unionist loyal to the throne of England, as opposed to a Nationalist who seeks unification with the Irish Republic, he is a British citizen and culturally British by choice.
But all these complex labels are not the point of this letter. I wish to demonstrate how the media unwittingly propagates anti-Irish stereotypes by labeling this fellow “Irish.” How often do you see “British radical” or “British terrorist” written anywhere? Not since the War of 1812, I believe.
A story comes to mind about Irish-born actor Richard Harris, who, upon receiving an award, was described in newspaper headlines as “British actor wins award.” Not long afterward, he had an inebriated run-in with the police, whereby the headlines proclaimed, “Irish actor in drunken brawl.”
— John McNally, Ventura
Posted by Andrea Howry at 01:45 PM
Which schools should close?
At the last Pleasant Valley School District board meeting, it was decided that a committee would be formed to study the necessity of closing Camarillo schools. The superintendent spoke about the possibility of closing one, two or three schools with a quick mention of possibly selling a school. The deadline for the committee’s report is February so that the board can move swiftly and enact changes before the start of the next school year.
While PVSD needs to save money and cut corners where necessary, I question if closing schools is in the best interest of the students. By closing Los Altos, arguably the first school on the chopping block, the district is in essence creating two mega-middle schools. PVSD’s stated goal for middle school enrollment is 1,000 to 1,200 students. This equates to 400 students per grade. Are 11-year-old children (and even 12- and 13-year-olds) developmentally mature enough to conquer a student population of this size?
The district cites a declining student population as the reason to close and consolidate its elementary schools. But the district should examine the total number of children in Camarillo, not just those enrolled in PVSD schools. Some parents have chosen to send their children to private school, to home school, or to transfer into a different school district. Before closing schools, the district should research the number of students opting out of PVSD, why parents made that decision and, most importantly, how PVSD might entice a wayward family to enroll within its district.
In addition, the district must set reasonable elementary and middle school enrollment goals that are conducive to producing confident students in safe, nurturing schools Furthermore, all PVSD schools must have equitable facilities, funding and district support so that each school has a fighting chance of being selected as a parent’s school of choice.
— Janni Fang, Camarillo
Posted by Andrea Howry at 01:27 PM
Rick Cook says thanks
I would like to take this time to thank the residents of Santa Paula for allowing me to represent them over the past eight years as their elected council member. It has been a pleasure and an honor to represent them, their issues and concerns.
Over the past eight years, I have had the opportunity to make Santa Paula a better place for all of us to live and work. Our town has seen its share of hard times, and we’re still not out of the dark, but with our dedicated employees and staff, Santa Paula will someday soon, I hope, achieve the recognition it deserves as the jewel of the county.
Over the past two years, our town has become divided over an issue that affects us all: development. Trying to reach a happy medium is within our grasp if everyone involved gives a little. We can have the golf course, hotel retreat, medium-income homes, in-fill and jobs if we all realize something may have to be given up to achieve our future.
I would like to thank City Manager Wally Bobkiewicz and all of his department heads who made my job easier. I also give a special thanks to all the employees who work daily on keeping our town clean, safer and beautiful. I thank all my supporters who trusted in me, even when the issues were tough and controversial. And most of all, I thank my wife, Sally, for allowing me to do this for eight years. She has given up many a vacation because of my time spent on city issues and concerns. Without her love and support, I wouldn't have made it.
In closing, I wish the new council the best of luck. The issues facing it are serious and will affect the city for generations to come. The council must remember to think outside the box and of what's best for all of us, not just a few of us.
Thank you all.
— Rick Cook, Santa Paula
Posted by Andrea Howry at 01:20 PM
Doublespeak thrives
The language of 21st century politicians is geared to keeping the constituents in the dark.
For example, the civil war in Iraq is called “a new phase.” Those killed in Iraq are not returned in body bags, but are called “dignified remains.”
The most outrageous piece of doublespeak (George Orwell, move over) appeared in a congressional paper. We no longer address hunger in America. We now call it “food insecurity.”
— Robert J. Pisapia, Westlake Village
Posted by Andrea Howry at 01:00 PM
It’s not Uncle Sam’s job
Re: Ron Hawley’s Nov. 28 letter, “S.V. can do more”:
Mr. Hawley says, "The city has a responsibility to provide adequate housing for its citizens."
Mr. Hawley does a fine job of spending other individuals’ money. If his beliefs are so strong, he should dip into his own pockets, not others’. It’s always good to hear one allocating other people’s money for projects they feel worthy. Does Mr. Hawley have a clear crystal ball that shows how those people whose funds he is taking away may have spent those dollars? They could have been for their child's educational expense or medical bills or other projects that are just as worthy.
Please, let individuals decide for themselves. Citizens have a responsibility to provide adequate housing for themselves, not the government.
— William F. Klepper, Simi Valley
Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:54 PM
Time for inclusion
Re: your Nov. 22 article, “Wal-Mart gay outreach efforts prompt protest call”:
What are the Christian conservatives, represented by the American Family Association and the inappropriately named Operation Save America, really saying in their protest against Wal-Mart's marketing efforts to a portion of the American populace who celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, families and friends; who fight for our freedoms in our wars; save our homes and lives when there are fires; protect us from unlawful acts; help heal our bodies in hospitals and, when accidents happen, comfort our families — all without asking about our religious beliefs, domestic affiliations, marital status or country of origin?
The Rev. Flip Benham is quoted as saying that Wal-Mart is “being extorted by the radical homosexual agenda." Would that more corporations gave thought and acted to include everyone.
The spirit of the holidays is sharing and inclusion. Read The Star and the many organizations that have holiday outreach to those in our communities who have needs. We don't need to bring exclusion to this world and our neighborhoods. There is too much in the world as it is. Measuring society from one narrow vision is a false reality. How a society understands and treats its differences and needs is the real measure of its strength.
— Ronald Block, Newbury Park
Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:45 PM
Why CVD Parade must stay
A teacher at Los Cerritos Middle School gave her students an assignment: to write a letter of thanks to someone. My grandson, Kyler Duran, wrote one to me. This was written before he knew Conejo Valley Days would not be having a parade or rodeo.
"Dear Grandmom: Thank you for everything you've done for me. You have let me come over a great deal. You have let me play with the animals, and thank you for taking me to the parade almost every year. It is fun riding in the cart with Normie, your miniature horse.
“Thank you for letting me come over to your home so many times. I enjoy coming over because there is always something exciting to do. We can play with the animals or help you feed the animals!
“I enjoy playing with the animals especially the chickens. I am sorry that one of the baby chickens died, and that one is missing. I hope the chicken with the bad leg gets better. (It did.) Thanks for taking Chili Pepper and Sea Salt, since we could not keep them. (The neighbors complained.)
“I really enjoyed the times when we were in the Conejo Valley Days Parade with Norman. Even though we had to get up very early, it was fun when some kids sprayed us with Silly String. Thank you for letting me and my brothers go with you! I hope we can do it again.
“Thanks again for everything! Love, Kyler"
I'm so thankful to have Kyler as my grandson. What a gift! These are treasured memories for a lifetime and bring to mind what is really important for the holidays. Thanks to his wonderful teacher for such an assignment. I, too, hope we can do it again.
— Marilee Ullmann, Thousand Oaks
Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:34 PM
November 27, 2006
Just build another fence
Re: your Nov. 24 article, “Gallegly tells concern over dead bear”:
Generally silently, inaccessibly and predictably compliant with the right-wing Republican line, U.S. Rep. Elton Gallegly has taken initiative with regard to the handling of black bears that cross national forest borders into cities in his district.
The one other matter on which he has spoken out on his own is people who cross our national borders. I suggest he apply to bears the remedy he supports in the case of people and introduce legislation mandating the building of a multimillion-dollar fence around Los Padres National Forest.
— Harvey H. Guthrie, Fillmore
Posted by Andrea Howry at 01:06 PM
Rethink bear policies
In a similar incident in 1997 in Meiners Oaks, the Department of Fish and Game put forth a litany of like reasons to justify the killing of an unfortunate black bear. The main excuse, then, as now, was the need to protect hunters — also known as animal killers. While many feel that it would be a tragedy should any hunter ingest bear meat containing traces of tranquilizers, there are probably more who would chalk it up to poetic justice. Maybe it is time for the agency to revisit and revise its policies.
— Marge Hackett, Ojai
Posted by Andrea Howry at 01:06 PM
Don’t lie, even to yourself
Re: Jim Lane’s Nov. 26 commentary, “Self-esteem vital for students’ success in life”:
I am sure Mr. Lane is a nice and sincere man. No reasonable person would disagree that it is better to look at life as a glass half full, than a glass half empty.
However, the idea that speaking a positive message to oneself "even when it is untrue" is yet another reason education in America is in such a dismal state. Self-centeredness and conceit is at the root of virtually every instance that Mr. Lane blames on low self-esteem in his essay.
The honest truth, even when it is not positive, is always the best. Anything else is folly.
— Errol Hale, Moorpark
Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:57 PM
Vote for 7 wonders
There is a site on the Web, www.new7wonders.com, that gives people the chance to pick the new seven wonders of the world. There are 21 choices. This is worldwide vote. I know it is legitmate, since I found out about it from the Smithsonian magazine. It gives people the chance to become part of history in the making.
— Jack Brewer, Simi Valley
Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:54 PM
Gallegly steps in
Re: your Nov. 24 letter, “Gallegly tells concern over dead bear”:
I applaud Rep. Elton Gallegly, R-Simi Valley, for his follow-through with the Department of Fish and Game.
The Department of Fish and Game simply does not get it. The voting constituency of Ventura County and the residents simply do not want wildlife killed at the drop of an impulse, with someone citing some ridiculous law that excuses their behavior.
Approximately 18 months ago, they simply exterminated a wild tiger that was roaming around the hills of Ventura County that harmed no one, even though he had not eaten in two weeks. These actions were rationalized on the basis that something might happened if he were not exterminated.
Now they have done it again, but this time some loophole in the books is used. Really, all of us see right through this.
I read The Star’s original article and felt powerless to intervene. Now, someone has stepped in, and finally something might get done.
The Department of Fish and Game needs to have a protocol on the books, and that is to contain the animal until someone of a qualified status intervenes and decides appropriate action. The Department of Fish and Game has proven twice now that it does not know what to do and needs someone else to make the decisions. After all, haven’t the voters of Ventura County and the respective residents voiced their complaints already?
— Sue Scudder, Thousand Oaks
Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:51 PM
Thankful in America
I wonder why there are so many videos of the so-called "misbehavior" of our boys in blue and never any of the gang shootings that happen so much? Most gang members have video phones.
I am thankful in this Thanksgiving season to live in a country where I can ask this question.
I am also thankful that for the last year, I fought cancer with chemotherapy and radiation and had the solid support of my family and friends. I am now a survivor. I will celebrate the Christmas season this year.
We should be thankful for the Southern California weather, the food on our table, family and friends, and living in a country where we can vote without fear of retaliation.
We should bow our heads and be thankful for all of this. We are the lucky ones.
Merry Christmas.
— Jean Leighton, Simi Valley
Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:42 PM
December 7, 1941
We are approaching Dec. 7, a date in our history that is all but forgotten.
For our youth, it is but a date as vague and meaningless as the last boring history lesson, or as old as Pac Man. But for an older generation, it represents a critical turning point in our history. Dec. 7, 1941: the attack on Pearl Harbor, the beginning of World War II. We turned from an isolationist nation into a war machine.
From a country at peace, we joined together in unanimity of purpose, and at no time in human history was there a greater resolve to join together, to right the unprovoked dastardly attack upon our nation and destroy the evil nations that were seeking to destroy us.
Overnight, we produced planes, tanks, guns, ammunition, weapons of war that only a united and democratic country could achieve.
And after four bloody years, we graciously forgave our enemies, rebuilt their cities and financed their recovery.
We lost more than 400,000 of our youth, and it changed the history of the world.
We who lived it can never forget, nor shall we.
Those who served numbered 16 million. There are about 3 million left. By the end of this decade, many of us will be gone, as we lose 1,200 per day.
This Dec. 7 is the 65th anniversary of this event.
California Lutheran University is sponsoring a Remember Pearl Harbor event on Dec. 7 at the Samuelson Chapel from 10 to 11:30 a.m. The public is invited.
We plan on a patriotic event that will include an honor guard, a Pearl Harbor video, Pearl Harbor vets, noted speakers, swing dancers, a sing-along, “Taps” and an ending poem.
Lest we forget.
— Leonard Zerlin, Thousand Oaks
Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:38 PM
Traffic should be priority
It was good to read that Peter Foy is interested in safety. With the 23rd accident and ninth fatality near the intersection to my neighborhood since January 2005, let’s make sure traffic is included on his list.
The stretch of Highway 118 through Moorpark is a major concern, but traffic flow in the entire county — today, five years from now and 10 years out — should be on every supervisor’s agenda.
The problem is trucks passing through and rampant development, but the culprit is overpopulation in the whole southern part of the state. It’s not something an overwhelmed supervisor can solve alone.
More people distracted by phones, food, makeup and razors are sitting in line behind trucks carrying those commodities to thousands of stores. Under-experienced truck drivers with unmaintained vehicles are pitted against a stressed population in a war that will only get worse.
The 20-year plan to extend 118 from Simi to Oxnard seemed silly 20 years ago. Crickets were louder than the constant roar of traffic back then. At least there was a plan, and a realistic solution to what someone saw coming.
As I wait to turn left onto Hitch Boulevard, with big trucks and mad drivers bearing down on me from front and behind, I am afraid — afraid for my family, my neighbors, my friends.
Can Mr. Foy help make us safe? What will the death toll be when his term is up? We need a supervisor who can work with the state as well as hire competent people to handle the county business that he won’t have time to research. He has powers now that most people who voted for him don’t realize. He can make a difference, and I wish him the best of luck.
— Kim Ramseyer, Moorpark
Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:19 PM
Don’t blame colleges
Re: Jef Kurfess’ Nov. 24 commentary, “Community colleges harm high schools”:
As a community college instructor, I, too, decry the lack of preparation of many who currently seek higher education at the community college level. However, to assert that community colleges actually "cause" the problem through open admission policies is just as absurd as maintaining that automobiles "cause" accidents.
Many parents and most of society have encouraged a teen culture of do-nothing, learn-nothing, be-nothing but always be cool. And always, always, blame someone else for your lack of achievement.
Students, along with their parents, make choices in high school — and even before that — to participate in learning or to participate more in socializing. Look for true causes, Mr. Kurfess, before you cast blame.
— Charlene Arnold, Simi Valley
Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:11 PM
Evictions morally corrupt
The Star did a good job of reporting on the squatters encampment but failed to investigate the reasons for the problem.
The City of Simi Valley does little to create low-income housing and then is ready to run out those poor people who are the victims of their neglect. The city has a responsibility to provide adequate housing for its citizens, but when it fails to do so, it also has the power to make the problem go away by chasing these people out. Their out-of-sight, out-of-mind thinking is morally corrupt. Thank God for the Sonrise Christian Fellowship, otherwise these people would have less than they do now.
By the way, I am taking up a collection to buy Simi Valley City Manager Mike Sedell a calendar with all of the usual holidays on it so he will know if he is evicting people on a holiday. I hope he enjoyed his Thanksgiving dinner in the warmth and comfort of his home.
— Ron Hawley, Simi Valley
Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:00 PM
Moderate — and proud of it
Re: Thomas Elias’ Nov. 22 commentary, “How soon before the governor switches parties?”:
This commentary about Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger being a RINO — Republican In Name Only — is equally applicable to recently elected Democrats in Indiana, Missouri, Virginia and Montana who are DINOs — Democrats In Name Only.
I have been a DINO for about 14 years, ever since the Christian Conservatives usurped control of the Republican Party. Before that, I was a "traditional" Republican.
Traditional Republican principles involved fiscal responsibility, limited federal power and libertarian protection of individual liberties at the expense of government power, according to the Bill of Rights. Robert A. Taft, Everett Dirksen, Barry Goldwater and Ronald Reagan were its advocates.
I still believe in those principles. The federal government's role is to handle national problems, such as national defense, immigration and general welfare of Americans, which includes Social Security and healthcare. Americans should never go to bed sick, broke or homeless.
To support such national needs, a fiscally responsible government must pay from the revenue it collects from its people, and not borrow it.
Regarding individual liberty, the Constitution's drafters knew, from their experience under British oppression, that an individual's right to liberty must not be suppressed in the name of some popular, transient cause, whether based on religion, some perception of morality or even national security.
Although the zealots believe that anybody who disagrees with their ideology is a liberal, I am now neither a liberal nor a conservative; I am a proud moderate, and I am neither a RINO nor a DINO. I will now be a registered "decline to state," and if any candidate wants my vote, he or she must appeal to me. I have voted without fail since 1964.
— Raymond A. Greenberg, Thousand Oaks
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:49 AM
Bilingual guarantee
I am always saddened at the state of our educational system when I read letters to The Star that complain about bilingual ballots or bilingual government.
Do these people truly not know that the treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo, which moved the U.S.-Mexico border south, guaranteed that the ceded territories north of the border would be bilingual? Or do they not believe that the United States should observe its treaties?
— Sandra Sanders, Ventura
Posted by Andrea Howry at 10:50 AM
Class act at Oaks Christian
My son's school, and my alma mater, had to travel to Oaks Christian High School for junior varsity and varsity football games recently. I'm sure no one thought that we had much of a chance against this powerhouse. I was satisfied that the JVs played a very good game and the young varsity team made a valiant effort, but both came up short. We are supposed to raise our kids to understand that it's not whether you win or lose, but how you played the game. As far as that goes then, we won!
My son, grandson and I all went to that away game so that we could say that we saw all of these Oaks Christian superstars play in a high school game. We were not disappointed. I don't know what kind of statistics Marc Tyler and Jimmie Clausen rolled up during this game, but it was well worth the trip to see them.
That being said, it wasn't until after the game that I saw what kind of boys were playing this game. My son and grandson had to come ask me for a pen because Marc Tyler (and there may have been others) was giving autographs just outside of the exit gates from the field! This kid is a senior in high school! Does he not know that superstars are supposed to be stuck up at that point in their lives? And yet, here he was.
I have always been a UCLA fan. I watched Wendell Tyler weave his magic in college. I will root for Marc Tyler, but I will still be a UCLA fan. His parents have done a great job raising him. He’s a class act. I wish him luck at USC.
— Chuck Craig, Ojai
(The writer is an alumnus of Nordhoff High School and a parent of a student there now. — Editor)
Posted by Andrea Howry at 10:44 AM
Lincoln, Bush on same page
Re: Ed Jones' Nov. 19 commentary, "What would Abe Lincoln say about Iraq war?":
Ed Jones writes that President Lincoln was concerned about some of Gen. Ulysses S. Grant's tactics during the very successful Vicksburg campaign. Through convoluted logic, Jones concludes that Lincoln learned to admit his error in trying to second-guess the tactics of his field commander, and this somehow means that Lincoln would admit Iraq is wrong and change tactics.
What Vicksburg actually showed Lincoln was that the commander in the field can have a better grasp of the true tactical situation than someone sitting in Washington, more than a thousand miles away. Even though Lincoln was wrong on the tactics, he never for an instant wavered from his strategic goal of reuniting the Union and freeing the slaves.
History shows that, during the Civil War, Lincoln was constantly hounded by the media and the Democrats to end the war at any cost. As late as a month before the fall of Petersburg and Lee's surrender to Grant at Appomattox Courthouse, the Democrats were pressing Lincoln to initiate peace talks with the Rebels and concede the need to free the slaves. Instead, Lincoln held fast regarding the freeing of all slaves and the restoration of the Union. Lincoln's strategy worked so well that he is considered one of our greatest American presidents.
Therefore, if Lincoln were actually sitting in the White House today, hounded by the media and the cut-and-run Democrats, he would be doing precisely what President Bush is doing: maintaining the need to continue the fight to ensure that Iraqi people can retain their hard-won freedom. The cut-and-run and end-the-war-at-any-cost Democrats were wrong in the 1860s regarding slavery; they are just as wrong today with their policies toward the Afghan and Iraqi peoples to re-subjugate them to evil dictators.
— Richard Svenson, Oxnard
Posted by Andrea Howry at 10:37 AM
November 22, 2006
Help for tenants, landlords
Re: Colleen Cason’s Nov. 19 column, “Doing the right thing goes terribly wrong for mom”:
The city of Ventura receives numerous complaints regarding housing code issues. We investigate those that violate the Uniform Housing Code after the tenant has been unsuccessful in obtaining compliance with the landlord. Unless the violation is egregious, the tenant should notify the landlord first, in writing, and give the landlord a reasonable time to have the problem fixed. The courts usually recognize 30 days as reasonable.
Tenants and landlords should be educated as to their rights and responsibilities. The California Department of Consumer Affairs publishes "California Tenants," which addresses the civil code relative to residential rental properties and should be reviewed by both tenants and landlords. This document is available on the Internet at http://www.dca.ca.gov. Up to five copies may be ordered free of charge from California Tenants, c/o Department of Consumer Affairs, Policy & Publications Development Office, 1625 N. Market Blvd., Suite N-112, Sacramento, CA 95834. It has a hotline, 800-952-5210.
Information, resource and referral services for the city of Ventura on matters of discrimination issues, fair housing complaints and tenant/landlord disputes can be obtained from the housing authority for the city of Ventura at 647-5990.
— Sue Taylor, Ventura
(The writer is the code enforcement supervisor for building and safety for the Ventura Fire Department. — Editor)
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:39 AM
Hueneme towers needed
I live in Surfside III and completely support the towers project. This is the best thing ever that can happen to Port Hueneme. Please support the project. It will make our city come alive. The opponents of the project are misinformed and not knowledgeable!
— Paul Lewow, Port Hueneme
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:35 AM
Tough decisions ahead
The Star recently published two articles regarding the desire of city officials — the city manager and one council member — to have the public help modify the budget to allow an increase in police and fire employment. Frankly, I find this call for help disingenuous.
Surely, the city manager does not really want me and others in his office each day reviewing his decisions and providing "ideas" for his benefit. If he does, we might consider the need for a new city manager.
Apparently, some difficult decisions need to be made. These decisions will not be popular with all constituents. We all know and understand that difficult compromises will need to occur. Get on with it, and stop the whining. The city has had this shortage for several years. No one expects a complete solution tomorrow, but we do expect some actions that will lead to better fire and police service.
— Robert A. Lombardi, Ventura
(The writer is a member of The Star Community Advisory Board. — Editor)
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:32 AM
Election incompetence
It is an absolute embarrassment to the people of Ventura County that two weeks have gone by and we still do not know whom we elected to office. Given the number of years election officials have encouraged us to vote by absentee ballot, how is it that they have so miscalculated staffing needs to get the job done right and on time?
We deserve better. Now.
— Howard J. Smith, Ojai
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:28 AM
85-year-old troop celebrates
Dec. 21, Troop 102 will complete 85 years of Boy Scouting in Ventura. First United Methodist Church of Ventura has sponsored the troop since its inception, and the troop meets in the basement of the present church facility on Santa Clara Street on most Monday evenings. When originally chartered, we were Troop 2, becoming 102 when a number change was made by the council in the late 1920s.
We will be celebrating our anniversary early, Dec. 2, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., in the newly refurbished Trotter Hall at the church. All past and present members of the troop are invited to join us for the event. There will be refreshments, historical displays from the troop’s past, a visit to the basement meeting rooms, sharing of memories and sharing of Scouting fellowship.
Please, if you are one of the alumni, or know individuals who are or were, please share this long tradition with us and pass along the invitation. We are always looking for additions to the troop’s historical collection, and we would appreciate any written recollections, pictures and other related memorabilia. We are also searching for material from the two local camps of Ventura County Council, especially Camp Gray and early Camp 3-Falls, both for troop history and council history.
If you are able to attend, or have material to share, please contact us, either at SM102Vta@aol.com, or the church office, 643-8621 or fumcventura@sbcglobal.net.
The church address is 1338 E. Santa Clara St., Ventura, 93001-3213.
— Wes Fish, Ventura
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:26 AM
Tipping scales of justice
Re: your Nov. 18 articles, "Man sentenced in fatal crash at end of chase" and "Man who stole winning lottery ticket gets 5 years":
I read the article about David Bagai, the man who led police on a high-speed chase in Camarillo that ended tragically when he ran a red light and struck another vehicle, killing the driver. It turns out that the driver, Stephen Aguirre, was a family man with a wife and young children. Bagai was sentenced to four years and four months in prison after being convicted of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence and evading a police officer.
Then I came across the other article, the one about Sam Grair, a Camarillo store clerk who attempted to con a customer out of a winning lottery ticket worth $524,000. Grair was sentenced to five years and four months in prison after being convicted of grand theft and presenting a fraudulent claim to a government agency.
All of this got me thinking. How is it that a man convicted of attempted theft with no prior criminal history receives a longer prison sentence than a man who recklessly kills another person while leading police on a high-speed chase? The victim in the lottery case still got his money, but nobody can give Kristlle Aguirre her husband back, and her young children will permanently suffer the pain of losing their father.
Yep, something is seriously wrong with our criminal justice system.
— Tony Sereno, Simi Valley
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:20 AM
Why buses need seat belts
Re: Anthony R. Miller's Nov. 13 letter, “Buses are safe vehicles," and your Nov. 21 article, “Three girls killed in school bus accident”:
Miller’s letter was in response to my Nov. 10 letter, "School bus seat belts.”
How sad and tragic it was to hear of the three girls killed and the 30 other kids critically injured in Alabama this past week on a school bus that had no seat belts. According to a Huntsville, Ala., fire chief, students were thrown all over the bus.
I believe Miller needs to send his message of support — that buses are safe vehicles without seat belts —to the parents of those young lost souls.
— Jill Scoggan, Thousand Oaks
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:13 AM
Don’t end Conejo tradition
It has taken me several weeks to calm the anger I felt due to the decision to cancel the Conejo Valley Days parade and rodeo enough to sit down and write a letter.
The Conejo Valley has always been a ranching community, and from the very first Conejo Valley Days, there has always been a parade and rodeo.
Who do these CVD planners think they are that they can simply change CVD tradition and destroy two things that trace our community’s heritage? Conejo Valley Days is supposed to be a celebration of our heritage, a continuation of tradition and a support of our local charities, volunteers and local clubs. Does a motocross event support any of these practices?
So, let’s get rid of the two main parts of CVD that really celebrate that heritage.
Why not just get rid of all the nonprofit organizations and clubs? This town’s getting too big for them, I guess. Heck, if I wanted to go to just a carnival, I'll go to Disneyland or Magic Mountain and give them my money.
I have supported CVD for the 20 years I have lived here. My daughter has walked her goats and ridden her horse in the parade. One of the proudest moments for us was when she was given the honor of riding her horse in the opening of the CVD rodeo to the national anthem. And I tell you, I can't wait to see future generations do that on their dirt bikes.
Neither myself nor my family and friends will be supporting this new, scaled-down version of CVD, unless the rodeo and parade are brought back. History shows that if you cancel these now, we'll never get them back. We need to stand up as a community and show our support for our heritage.
My idea for a CVD theme is: “2007 — The Year They Canceled Tradition.”
— Aileen Cabral, Thousand Oaks
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:08 AM
U.S. supports global court
Re: your Nov. 20 editorial, “A courtroom vendetta”:
It is irresponsible, even in editorials, to publish information that is misleading or outright false. In the editorial, The Star attempted to illustrate why the question of United States’ participation in the International Criminal Court "is so unpopular with the American public."
In fact, U.S. public opinion polls show strong support for the ICC. A 2004 study by the Chicago Council on Foreign Relations found 76 percent of Americans supporting U.S. participation in the ICC. A subsequent study of U.S. public opinion by the Program on International Policy Attitudes at the University of Maryland showed 74 percent support. A more recent poll done in February shows support has waned slightly to 69 percent. This still, however, represents a supermajority of Americans favoring U.S. participation in the ICC, contrary to the message delivered by The Star’s editorial.
Discovering this information is as simple as a quick Google search.
— David Powell, Thousand Oaks
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:04 AM
November 21, 2006
Bias for USC, against UCLA
As a fairly recent football fan, I am amazed at the bias toward USC in The Star’s sports section and the lack of coverage about UCLA. I know USC has plenty of fans in the Southland, many with no affiliation to the school that I can tell.
Even when UCLA wins, it's always low key compared to the coverage USC gets. Let's balance the scales a little!
— Debby Ellis, Newbury Park
Posted by Andrea Howry at 10:06 AM
Speak English, please
My family is not racist nor is it we prejudiced against any group of people. We were all aliens at one time.
This is America, and we are tired of being insulted and assaulted by just about every store in Ventura County.
While in a department store the other day, the radio was on a Spanish-speaking station. Even the sales clerk could not speak English. When I asked for her help, she could not understand me. What was even more of a shock was when I tried to talk to her in Spanish, she had no clue of what I was saying. I left the store, never to return.
I find this a total insult. Even the American ballot is in five or six different languages. I find this also an outrage. Would the country these people are from put English on their ballots?
It is time the owners and managers of our stores instruct their help to make sure that they only use the chosen language: English. If you can't speak English, it is your responsibility to learn if you want to be an American.
My father-in-law was from central Mexico, and he spoke English.
— Jan Jones, Thousand Oaks
Posted by Andrea Howry at 10:04 AM
Where’s fast forward?
It appears as if advertisers rule over customers at Time Warner's recently acquired TV cable franchise in the county.
NBC's "Sunday Night Football," when recorded with a Time Warner-supplied digital video recorder, had its fast-forward functions disabled. Thus, the viewer is forced to watch all commercials, a lengthy half-time show, and sit through tedious official play reviews.
Oh Adelphia, where art thou?
— Charlie Malone, Thousand Oaks
Posted by Andrea Howry at 09:43 AM
Fewer channels, same price
I just have to say that I believe our new cable provider in Thousand Oaks doth speaketh with forked tongue when it telsl us its new service will not see an increase in price.
I had a long discussion on the phone recently with a very pleasant and patient Time Warner representative who told me that although their new pricing plan does show an increase, ours will stay the same as long as we do not add an additional tier of service. However, I see on their "Price and Programming Changes" that we will be losing six channels that we now get on the channels 2 through 99 arrangement. Two of these are Turner Classic Movies and C-Span2. In order to get any of these, we have to subscribe to an additional service tier costing $5 or $10.
I do not think this would qualify as "no increase in price," even if you accept the loss of these six stations. A reduction in service is not keeping prices the same.
— Don Volz, Thousand Oaks
Posted by Andrea Howry at 09:41 AM
It’s still better than ‘Borat’
Re: Dick Hawley’s Nov. 21 letter, “Finding the humor”:
The writer uses the old movie classic "Arsenic and Old Lace" as an (appropriate) example of real humor versus that of the current movie "Borat."
Hawley lists two members of that wonderful old movie's cast as Cary Grant and Boris Karloff.
I'm sorry to inform Hawley that Boris Karloff was not in "Arsenic and Old Lace.” Hawley is thinking of the versatile and venerable actor, Raymond Massey. But, I agree that even without Boris, viewing the motion picture "Arsenic and Old Lace" is a wonderful experience.
— O.H. Billmann, Simi Valley
(Karloff was in the opening night performance of the Broadway play in 1941. — Editor)
Posted by Andrea Howry at 09:37 AM
Don’t vote, pay a penalty
The avalanche of money dumped into this last campaign nationwide could have fed, housed and/or treated every wretched soul from New Orleans to Darfur.
Honest candidates who refuse to take big corporate money with payback attachments suffer devastating personal expenses, no matter how many individuals contribute all they can. Also, too many Americans don't vote. Why not have a penalty for those freeloaders who leave the work to the rest of us to decide what's best for our country? Perhaps the names of these so-called Americans who neglect their voting responsibility could by posted in our newspapers or in the town square. They can return an unmarked ballot if preferred, but we should account for every registered voter.
On the bright side, Barack Obama and others are forming congressional ethics commissions proposing free air time to candidates.
We need financial equality for all the candidates chosen by Democrats and Republicans.
— Elinor Gustafson, Thousand Oaks
Posted by Andrea Howry at 09:28 AM
Reduce absentee ballots
A few years ago, three of us knew we'd be out of town on an election day, so we requested absentee ballots. The next voting day, we went to the voting place to vote but were told we were listed as "absentee voters" and could only vote if we brought in our absentee ballots to the voting place and turned them in there. I tried to get back to regular voting but finally gave up. Every voting day, the three of us get absentee ballots, even though we are usually in town.
So, if you want to get fewer than 70,000 absentee ballots, why not send postcards or letters to those receiving the ballots, giving them the option to stay absentee or return to regular voting? This will probably bring the absentee votes to a small number, making them easier to count.
— Jeri Boeing, Oxnard
Posted by Andrea Howry at 09:24 AM
More cable woes
Along with all the other Adelphia cable TV and broadband Internet customers in Camarillo, Newbury Park and Thousand Oaks, I received a package from Time Warner Cable a couple of months back informing me of all the added channels that were coming on Oct. 14 if I switched from the old Adelphia TV lineup. The most prominent of these were some new high-definition channels, including ESPN HD and HDNet movies. So, on Oct. 14, I signed up and switched.
Today I found that I had none of the new HD channels they had promised. When I called to find out why, I was told that "those channels are not available in your area." Since I had a channel lineup in hand that said they were, and the Time Warner Cable Web site said the same thing, I asked to talk to a supervisor.
What the supervisor told me was most interesting. She said that an unknown — to her — portion of Camarillo, Newbury Park and Thousand Oaks was unable to receive these channels due to inadequate bandwidth in the cable installed in our streets. What she could not tell me is why, knowing this, Time Warner Cable told us we could receive these channels and why they are charging us the same fee as those who are receiving them.
— Todd Terres, Camarillo
Posted by Andrea Howry at 09:16 AM
November 20, 2006
Grammar getting worser
Re: Jason Love’s Nov. 19 column, “Designed for distress: Grammar is a big trap”:
Jason Love may rant and rave all he wants about the grammar “sickos” and asking everyone to be more “leni-ANT,” but when I heard a sportscaster on national television last week state, “He should have went farther right,” I had to cringe. Grammar teachers: Keep working on those kids!
— Bob Phipps, Thousand Oaks
Posted by Andrea Howry at 10:38 AM
Mount Clef mansion wrong
On Nov. 28, the Thousand Oaks City Council will hear a matter regarding the construction of a luxury home on a ridgeline bordering Wildwood Park known as Mount Clef Ridge.
For all of my 25 years I have enjoyed this area. Whether it was exploring its Chumash caves, or observing its wildlife, it has always given me comfort in my heart to know that such a wonderful place is within close reach.
I believe without question that such a proposal sets our city back several decades and does not coincide with our city's reputation as a leader in protecting the environment, and Mount Clef is no exception.
Such a backwards step sends a message to other developers that it's OK to promote more ridgeline development in our community.
This issue, like other environmental issues, has been politicized. But in the final analysis, the issue of Mount Clef is not a political one, but rather an issue of right or wrong.
Our city has a duty, a moral obligation, to protect our natural resources, and I encourage my fellow citizens to write the City Council in opposition to this project.
— Clint Matkovich, Thousand Oaks
Posted by Andrea Howry at 10:33 AM
Who was the victim?
Re: your Nov. 15 article, “Deputy shoots, kills man, 25”:
The Star should get the terminology correct or not print an article at all. It sounds to me like the "victim" is the deputy. California Penal Code sections 196 and 197 make homicide justifiable under certain circumstances.
More specifically California Penal Code section 197, section 1, states homicide is justifiable (for any person): "When resisting any attempt to murder any person, or to commit a felony, or to do some great bodily injury upon any person."
The Star should do us a favor and not make officers seem wrong when every person has a right to protect themselves. The unnamed deputy is the victim, and from what it sounds like, he killed someone while protecting his own safety. Please use the correct terminology. I, for one, am thankful that the report did not read "Deputy killed after being run over by 25-year-old man."
It is my opinion that the media has a certain responsibility to report the facts without bias. Reporting the death of a man who seems to have been justifiably shot by a California peace officer, in the manner in which it was written, unfairly points the blame at law enforcement. There are many good men and women out there protecting our streets. They deserve to come home at the end of their shifts the same way they start their shifts: alive.
I trust this officer will be vindicated and hope that he is commended for his actions.
— James Espinoza, Simi Valley
Posted by Andrea Howry at 10:29 AM
Finding the humor
Re: Lisa Padilla's Nov. 15 letter, “Seeing ‘Borat’ is a choice,” a response to my Nov. 10 letter, “‘Borat’ and the election”:
With respect to the implication that my letter was somehow contrary to the principle of "free speech," in which she asserts "I relish," nothing could be farther from the truth. I was exercising that right. I wasn't attacking the movie, I was criticizing the public's taste, and apparently her taste, as being coarse, crude and very disappointing.
Contrary to her speculation, I understand quite well what is at the bottom of the Borat "humor," though she may not fully understand how bitter a criticism of America it is. I would go and see it so I could do more than rely on hearsay evidence, but I really don't like to hear and see profane, obscene and scatological representations. They turn my stomach.
Finally, I'd like to urge Ms. Padilla to take out a CD of "Arsenic and Old Lace," starring Cary Grant, Boris Karloff and others, to see what a really funny movie is like. It may be a little slow, though, because there is no reference to flatulence, no paper bag filled with feces and not even one measly F-word. Pity.
— Dick Hawley, Thousand Oaks
Posted by Andrea Howry at 10:22 AM
Irresponsible parents
Recently, I was out at 6:30 doing my morning run when I came across three young girls walking barefoot up Lynn Road. They were huddled together, wrapped in a blanket, looking tired, frazzled and intoxicated. I asked if they were all right. One answered, “Not really.” I asked if they needed a ride, and they desperately told me they did. I ran back home to get my car.
As I drove them home to Newbury Park, I learned they were Thousand Oaks High School students who had gone to a party the night before, had been unable to contact parents to come pick them up and had spent the entire night on campus at California Lutheran University.
When we arrived at one girl’s home and I asked to speak to her parents, I learned they were out of town for the weekend and that her two friends were staying with her during this time.
As a mother, I want to express my outrage at the irresponsibility of these girls’ parents. Each of the girls shared with me that they don’t have curfews, expressing that “It’s OK for us to stay out all night” and that none of the parents had known where their daughters were that night.
They told me that, as they slept outside on campus at CLU, countless adults walked past them and “just looked at us,” which was also the case this morning as cars as well as others out on their morning walks or runs simply passed them by.
I am dumbfounded by the initial irresponsibility, neglect and carelessness that the parents of these three girls displayed regarding the safety and well-being of their daughters. It takes a village, and I am saddened by those members of our village who did not do their part in this situation.
— Tina Aschenbrenner, Thousand Oaks
Posted by Andrea Howry at 10:14 AM
A crossing guard’s plea
I was working at my corner in Camarillo as a crossing guard the other day, and a fellow stopped and got out of his car to talk to me. He told me that he thought I was doing a good job. He noticed that a few drivers ignored the traffic and crossing signs. I have observed this also.
I would like drivers to be aware that the city of Camarillo has spared no expense to put up “school crossing” signs in fluorescent green to make drivers aware that they are approaching a school crossing and that they may have to stop if there is a crossing guard present. If you observe that the crossing guard is holding up a stop sign and you can stop, please do so.
Just think of it as winning one of life’s little lotteries. There are a lot of lotteries in life that don't pay in money, but in other ways. We are just trying to keep things safe for the children and adults crossing busy streets.
By the way, if the deputy or officer is present, and they observe you going through the intersection or driving through the crosswalk, he or she will write you a very expensive ticket. Please keep that in mind the next time you decide to leave before the crossing guard is back to the curb. Stay stopped as long as someone is in the crosswalk and the stop sign is up.
Please drive safely, obey traffic laws and make things safe for the children and for the crossing guards in Camarillo and all the cities in America.
— John S. Daniels, Camarillo
Posted by Andrea Howry at 10:10 AM
Another conspiracy theory
Nov. 22, 1963, President Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas. Most Americans would know this fact. April 15, 1865, President Lincoln was assassinated in Washington, D.C., while watching a play at Ford’s Theater. Most history books hardly cover who killed these two presidents and their reasons why.
As any inquisitive murder investigator would attempt to answer, what was the motive for their killing? During his presidency, Lincoln had to find a way to finance the war against the South. He approached the powerful bankers of his day to find that their loan rates were exceedingly high. To finance the war and circumvent the banks, he authorized the government to print its own money at a noninterest-bearing rate. These noninterest-bearing notes were given the name of Greenbacks, and $450 million worth were printed to finance the war against the South. They were backed on the gold standard.
During his presidency, Kennedy issued Executive Order No. 11110 to return the power of printing money back to the government. These noninterest-bearing notes were printed on bills as United States Notes, and $4.3 billion worth were printed. They were backed on the silver standard.
These two presidents both opposed powerful bankers. After their deaths, the Greenbacks and the U.S. Notes were pulled from circulation. The interest of the bankers prevailed against the visions of both these presidents.
Is controlling the money supply a motive to kill? If these two presidents had lived to see their visions mature, the national debt and the tax burden on the people would be much less. Today, The United States has a national debt of more than $8 trillion that is an interest-bearing account, and a privately owned bank named the Federal Reserve Bank prints our legal tender.
— Jess Villagomez, Oxnard
Posted by Andrea Howry at 10:05 AM
The Dutch goofed
Re: your Nov. 18 article, “Netherlands to ban burqa for security”:
I don’t understand what security problem burqa-clad Muslim women pose in The Netherlands.
I have visited Amsterdam twice in my life and never spotted any burqa-clad women. It is estimated that about 30 women wear burqas in that country.
The issue here is intolerance and hatred for other religions and cultures. It is so inherent in some people that they do not hesitate to shoot at hijab-wearing women walking with their children in the broad daylight of Fremont.
It is so ironic for any government that claims to be on a high moral ground and civilized compared to other religious and ethnic groups to try to legislate human culture. How would you feel if the U.S. government tried to define safe and secure dresses for its citizens by banning the wearing of shorts in public? Muslims never wear shorts, even in their living rooms. A country may be paranoid because of 9/11, but to express that paranoia by legislating drastic measures against another religion or culture is dangerous.
Think about how the rest of the world hates American culture. I have traveled extensively in many Third World countries and in many European countries. People all over the world believe Americans dress very inappropriately, even when they are in foreign countries. In 1978, when I was in Chittagong, Bangladesh, I, along with many others, was dumbfounded watching a half-naked American woman shamelessly walking in public. But nobody wanted to kill her, nor did Bangladesh pass any law prohibiting foreigners from wearing inappropriate dress.
The action of the Dutch government is not only silly, but also dangerous. It will set a precedent of intolerance around the world and may promote violence against foreigners in many countries.
— Qazi N. Uddin, Ventura
Posted by Andrea Howry at 09:59 AM
Silent majority ‘declines to state’
Re: your Nov. 15 article, “Pollsters see pattern in low voter turnout”:
This story and the pollsters quoted missed the point regarding the growth of "decline to state" registration. The increase is not due to apathy. It stems from disgust and frustration with politics as usual!
I have been a registered and active Republican all my adult life, but the conduct of Congress and the Legislature frequently makes me embarrassed to claim membership in my party. As long as the political scene is controlled by the extremists of both parties, gridlock will continue, ugly, negative campaigns will go on, and the vast majority of citizens will have ineffective representation. Most Republicans and Democrats are moderate, middle-of-the-road, considerate people who used to expect their representatives to act in the best interests of the state or the country as a whole.
As long as extremists control the primaries, the "silent majority" is left with no real choice. The present system fails to allow moderates to advance to the general election and assures that, once elected, candidates must continue to pander to the far right or left in order to get re-elected.
Until and unless we have open primaries, the only way around this problem is to register as "decline to state." That way, if either party presents a moderate candidate, you have a chance to make a difference. Hopefully, if enough moderates register "decline to state," they will force both parties to move to the center. Who knows? Maybe we will someday have some statesmen again.
— Karen Kurta, Ventura
Posted by Andrea Howry at 09:52 AM
‘Self-righteous’ O’Reilly
Re: Bill O’Reilly’s Nov. 18 commentary, “Who will save the babies from ‘Tiller the baby killer’?”:
It occurred to me after reading Bill O'Reilly's commentary that if the word "self-righteous" were applied only to Bill O'Reilly and no one else, its place in the dictionary would be warranted nonetheless.
The "baby killer" in O'Reilly's title is Dr. George Tiller, who's being investigated in Kansas on suspicion of performing illegal late-term abortions. He was the subject of an article in the Los Angeles Times, in which O'Reilly himself discovered that Dr. Tiller has a Web site that informs about his practice, that he focuses on terminating fetuses ("babies" is O'Reilly's word) who are seriously ill, and that he also aborts Down syndrome fetuses. (No! Not fetuses! "Babies!") And, said O'Reilly, aborting Down syndrome fetuses is, in itself, "chilling." Yes, it chills him to imagine actually giving a woman the opportunity of choosing to not have her own Down syndrome child. He's the "fair and balanced" champion of truth, motherhood and morality. Just ask him.
— Wolf Breiman, Ventura
Posted by Andrea Howry at 09:45 AM
Gun-toting teachers
Re: Leonard Pitts Jr.’s Oct. 16 commentary, “Arm the teachers, and other bumper-sticker solutions”:
Mr. Pitts’ commentary against arming teachers in case of school shootings demonstrates his obstinate refusal to understand things — like how crime in Florida dropped permanently when concealed-gun carrying was liberalized in that state. What his commentary calls for is, if I understand him, that the next time there is a school shooting, the teachers and student body should submit to murder — apparently to gratify Mr. Pitts' ideas of how things should be. This is not merely passively murderous on Mr. Pitts' part — this is lunacy! Where is the value of innocent life here? It has clearly not entered into his calculations.
A dead murderer or would-be murderer is, by definition, a de-escalation of the violence. His savagery ends when his brainwave does. Don't we want him to stop? Don't we want him not to start? You do that with such aberrant minds by convincing them that they will die frustrated — not in the manner they intend to. Let teachers and other faculty be armed, without complaining. The problem of school shootings will permanently disappear. Isn't that a good thing?
— W. Reid Ripley, Port Hueneme
Posted by Andrea Howry at 09:37 AM
Beach district disappoints
I am shocked and saddened by the disclosure that so-called elected officials of the Channel Islands Community Service District spent taxpayer money on a small group’s political agenda to stop the boating center from being built on the Hollywood Beach side.
I would certainly hope the county’s district attorney looks into the legality of this act.
I wonder how the residents who pay inflated water and trash rates so their so-called elected officials can support their political agendas feel about this.
Having lived on the Strand for more than 16 years, I now understand why my rates were so much higher than those being paid just one mile away in the city of Oxnard.
I have watched Hollywood Beach houses get built from lot line to lot line and up to the county’s maximum height with no care whose view is blocked. Then, all of a sudden, the boating center comes to town, and everyone is up in arms over a little more traffic and not being able to see the repair yards across the harbor from some new boxlike barn built on the Hollywood Beach side.
It’s time to build the center and, more importantly, have the elected officials of the CICSD pay back residents who are supporting their personal agendas.
— Bob Launius, Oxnard
Posted by Andrea Howry at 09:27 AM
November 16, 2006
Command Center critical
The Command Center. Who are they, and where are they when there is no fire? Where do they get their authority for command and control over such a large and diverse number of units when there is a fire?
The only thing you hear or see in writing at the time of a fire is, “the Command Center." They must have the ability to assemble quickly, organize efficiently and control and direct a large number of diverse units. I remember from the Day Fire reports of the thousands of firefighters, hundreds of fire units and fire trucks, bulldozers, helicopters and other planes — all apparently assembled quickly, dispersed to the most appropriate place and released when the time came.
Why have I never seen anything in newspapers or on TV about this organization? Why is there no praise where it looks like praise is due?
Here’s another important question: Is there any reason why this center could not be assembled and organized for other types of missions in the event of any local or national disaster such as a major earthquake? Should it have other responsibilities and be on standby in the event needed?
— Frank Harvey, Port Hueneme
Posted by Andrea Howry at 10:45 AM
Embrace reason
Re: T. Valson Abraham’s Nov. 10 commentary, “Religious groups under fire in India”:
This commentary shows us another example of violence manifested by religious tribalism.
Religious adherents worldwide and throughout history have abandoned reason and given way to the stifling them-against-us mentality with tragic results. And they just keep doing it century after century.
There is a way out; the Goddess Malea, creator of the universe, has given us humans, through the evolutionary process, the gift of reason that, when applied, can help us develop rational strategies for a more peaceful coexistence on a sustainable planet Earth.
We are only here because of the Goddess Malea. She gave us the ability to think rationally, and, beyond that, she will not interfere with our future. She expects no worship and offers no life after this one. Whether humans continue to evolve and thrive depends on how we proceed.
A good start would be to cast aside religion and embrace reason.
— James B. Rostborne, Fillmore
Posted by Andrea Howry at 10:21 AM
Parents need home time
Re: Michael Moodian’s Nov. 7 essay, “It is time to lengthen the school day”:
I could not disagree more with Moodian. Lengthening the school day is not the answer to improving our students' academic performance. Nor is it the answer to solving the problem of juvenile crime and crime against juveniles, as the bulk of the essay proposes.
Students are getting plenty of good, solid academic instruction during their six- hour-plus school day and plenty more academic practice with the requisite homework. The key to students working to the highest level of their academic potential lies in them having a consistent supportive home environment. Consistent meal times with healthy foods, plenty of exercise and recreation, consistent bedtimes allowing for good rest, and parents' time, attention and love are what is needed for students to do their best in school.
Let's not mask the real problem by introducing yet another stress into our children's lives. An even longer school day with more demands will give students less opportunity to get the basics they need to thrive and perform.
The problems of student performance and crime involving juveniles deserve everyone's attention. The solution lies mainly in educating parents and parents-to-be in the essentials of parenthood and working to support changes in our society that allow parents to spend more time at home with their children.
— Dianne E. Oliver, Simi Valley
Posted by Andrea Howry at 10:18 AM
Applaud bilingual ballots
Re: Gregory Knepper’s Nov. 15 letter, “Why two languages?”
Mr. Knepper questioned why our ballots were in two languages. The reason is that it is required by federal law.
For more than 30 years, the Voting Rights Act has mandated that ballots and other voting materials be provided in languages besides English when census statistics show a substantial population of limited-English proficient, voting-age citizens in a particular political subdivision.
In passing the multilingual requirement, Congress recognized that an "inability or limited ability to read English obviously thwarts any attempt to knowledgeably participate in the electoral process." It also found that "the use of English, as the sole language throughout the electoral process, continues to be discriminatory and has a direct and invidious impact upon the ability of such populations to participate actively in the electoral process."
Anything like multilingual ballots that increases informed citizen participation in our American democracy is something to be applauded, not criticized.
— David S. Ettinger, Oak Park
Posted by Andrea Howry at 10:14 AM
Don’t misuse heroism
Re: Terry Paulson’s Nov. 11 essay, “Soldiers deserve better”:
Why does Paulson, and other Iraq war supporters, willfully conflate opposition to the war with fictional nonsupport of our troops? No one in my fairly wide acquaintance, progressive or conservative, has anything but good to say of those who stand and fight for us. Tell me a person is a veteran or active duty soldier, and I'll shake his hand and offer my warmest heartfelt thanks. We hate the war but love the troops.
Excoriating Sen. John Kerry for a slip of the tongue — his teleprompter version implying President Bush is causing problems because of his gaps in education and experience rings true — seems strange for someone who must almost daily overlook Bush's language gaffes. Kerry's comments at the end of the Vietnam War weren't that far off. In the Iraq war, we are creating tens of thousands of damaged people, and it's not all physical.
Paulson asks, "What has happened to the Democratic Party?" The circumstances of the Iraq war could not be further from his Presidents Roosevelt and Truman examples. Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11. It is an unprovoked, unilaterally inflicted war of questionable value. Nothing is gained from the daily slaughter of this nation's best young people. We're in a quagmire with no good exit options. The Iwo Jima story behind "Flags of Our Fathers" does not overlap the footprint of war in Iraq, except for lots of grisly dying. The parallels end there.
While I agree heroism should be widely recognized and praised, I don't agree soldiers' heroism should be used to promote an ill-conceived, unwinnable meat grinder of a war that will not end until we leave Iraq. Balance the heroism and medal ceremonies with the coffins and horror this war is causing.
— Bob Rust, Camarillo
Posted by Andrea Howry at 10:05 AM
November 13, 2006
Healthful eating is OK
Re: David Martosko’s Nov. 8 letter, “Misnamed organization”:
As a dietitian with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, I want to correct the false and misleading comments made in Mr. Martosko’s letter about our efforts to promote healthy nutrition.
Contrary to Martosko’s distortions, PCRM is a respected nonprofit research and health advocacy organization with more than 6,000 physician members, including such noted experts as Henry J. Heimlich, M.D. Our physicians, dietitians, and scientists publish their work in peer-reviewed academic journals, present their findings before scientific conferences and serve as consultants on government panels.
Martosko’s attack is no surprise. His employer, the so-called Center for Consumer Freedom, was founded with $3 million from tobacco giant Philip Morris and is now bankrolled by the alcohol, junk food and meat industries. CCF hurls abuse at Mothers Against Drunk Driving, PCRM, and anyone else who warns the public about the dangers of smoking, drinking, or eating high-fat foods.
Our physicians and nutritionists educate consumers about the health benefits of a vegetarian diet, including a lower risk of cancer, heart disease and obesity. It may not please the burger chains that fund Martosko’s organization, but schools that are offering healthy, low-fat meals deserve to be applauded.
— Dulcie Ward, Washington, D.C.
Posted by Andrea Howry at 01:04 PM
Report problems at polls
Re: Rick Nolan's Nov. 12 letter, "Poll signs important," in response to my Nov. 10 letter, “How to solve a problem”:
My only point is that if there is a problem with the signs at the polling place, Mr. Nolan should say something to the polling inspector at the time. I also don't have the "luck" of working at the polling site where I cast my ballot. I have a full-time job.
— Connie Gajefski, Ventura
Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:54 PM
Cost-cutting starts here
Ventura City Manager Rick Cole would like to have input from the citizens of Ventura about how to afford more police and firefighters now that Measure P6 has been defeated.
Well, I am holding the four-color, glossy-cover City of Ventura Recreation Guide in my hand. For starters, you could go back to black ink on uncoated newsprint with a black and white cover, which would cost significantly less than the present edition.
One of the great problems of public financing is that each department just spends "only a little more." The problem with that thinking, in the words of the late Everett Dirksen, "a billion here and a billion there and the first thing you know, you've got some real money." Watch the pennies and the dollars will take care of themselves.
There is absolutely no call for spending the kind of money that was spent on this brochure. The same applies to the mailer that comes with our water bill. A simple black ink on white paper broadside is more than sufficient for conveying information to the citizens of Ventura. Yes, yes, I know all the media studies say that people pay more attention to color than black and white, but that's for advertising material trying to get new customers. The citizens of Ventura are already here, and they are more interested in saving money than being titillated by color photos.
— Charles. E. Voigtsberger, Ventura
Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:48 PM
No time for weakness
The Democrats must be very aggressive now. I just see them falling all over themselves to cooperate with the Republicans who completely ignored them when they were in power. The Democrats will endanger the 2008 election if they waffle. Their very weakness is that they were perceived by the voters as being weak.
I want them to demand we get out of Iraq now.
Also, we need more aggressive senators from California. If they can’t do more than protect our endangered cactus, these grandmas should go back to their knitting.
What is our justification for invading another sovereign country and adjusting their politics? We were originally attacking them because they were supposedly responsible for 9/11 and they had weapons of mass destruction. Both were falsehoods.
So what are we doing there? I want to remove our people from harm’s way. The kids deserve a better reason to risk their lives than in this misconceived, bungled adventure.
— Bernard Lehrer, Ventura
Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:41 PM
Face No. 2 pops up
No sooner does Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger get re-elected then he starts his old tactics again. The first is to introduce a redistricting plan, using a special election again if needed.
He doesn't care now because he's in office. He figures he’s safe for four more years and can do what he wants again. It truly is the two faces of Arnold, and one can hope that people learn what really appeals to him: fame.
— Robert Fields, Ventura
Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:31 PM
Veterans Day defined
Veterans Day: That's the day that veterans go to work so they can earn money to pay their taxes so that government employees can take the day off to honor the veterans.
— Roger H. Ransom, Camarillo
Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:27 PM