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January 31, 2007
Only humans shoot and kill
Re: Dan Whelan’s Jan. 8 Letter, “Evolution a belief, not a fact”:
I have yet to hear about an evolved animal that will “shoot and kill each other.” Only humans do that! And, by the way, Carbon 14 dating of fossilized stratum is valid, not a fallacy.
—Norm Andersen, Ventura
Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:44 PM
Think beyond a theater
Re: your Jan. 24 article, “Downtown theater posts loss of $600,000”:
It certainly seems to me there are many other choices of where to see a movie, and apparently residents within the county are really not interested in going to downtown Oxnard. Downtown presents an image that folks are really not interested in experiencing. There certainly is more to downtown Oxnard than the City Hall, police station, parking structure, theater complex and Heritage Square.
The theater operators did not ask for a loan until recently, even though they have been operating in the red. The city could certainly receive a higher rate than the 5 percent by investment, as opposed to letting the theater operation continue to get "loans at 5 percent."
This is not said to be mean, but with the ongoing needs in the city, it would be much wiser to invest and use money earned from those investments to maintain city streets, alleys and sidewalks, enact ordnances preventing single-family residences from being used as shelters for 40 to 60-plus people and deal with the residential parking problem. Stop this crazy overdevelopment just to create more revenue from property tax!
We still have the same water problems, water reclamation problems, traffic problems and the harbor. There’s nothing out there to attract locals, much less tourists.
The newly opened development on Victoria Avenue and Woolly Road is a very nice development for Oxnard. Now, all that needs to be developed in that area would be restaurants, such as a Claim Jumper or P F Chang’s China Bistro.
What is the big new development at the corner of Fifth Street and Harbor Boulevard? More homes and apartments?
— Charles P. Peters, Oxnard
Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:39 PM
El Rio shortchanged
The community of El Rio will be mandated by the state to discontinue use of all septic tanks and hook up to a sewer system. A community meeting was held Jan. 24 at the Rio Plaza Elementary cafeteria. Why there? Did county officials think no one would show up?
The turnout was tremendous. The residents of the El Rio community do care. This meeting should have been held at a bigger place, like the Rio Mesa High School gym or the El Rio community gym. County officials informed homeowners of what it was going to cost to hook up to the new sewer system: $15,000. Who has that kind of money? Where do El Rio property tax dollars get spent? We sure haven’t seen any kind of improvements in our community.
Supervisor John Flynn made an appearance, and that’s all. He didn’t stick around for any questions or concerns.
The people of this community are always on the short end of the stick. They get no help from the county. Now, they tell us to pay the city of Oxnard $3,000 to hook up to its sewer system. This community feels like the unwanted stepchild.
You may qualify for help if you make $30,000 or less for a single person or $35,000 to $40,000 for a couple. In this county, can you afford a house payment with that kind of income? No.
The only way you can afford it is if you rent your garage out to someone. That’s already taking place, and it still isn’t enough. The community stepped up to the plate by going to the meeting and showing it cares about what’s taking place. Now, it’s up to our elected officials to do their jobs, fight and help a community that never asks for too much.
— Joe Esquivel, El Rio
Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:29 PM
Un-American imperialism
Let’s call President Bush’s new action in Iraq what it is: an invasion by American forces — initially 21,000 more soldiers. He is also promoting that the force may need to increase by an additional 60,000 to control the oil fields and other cities during our repatriation. This is similar to the takeover of Germany after its surrender and the implementation of the Marshall Plan. In this way, Bush has put on notice other like non-democratic countries that American imperialism will continue against those nations.
In order to get the 60,000 troops for this effort, we will need to have a draft. Young people: Be prepared to go to war for years to come. Our force will be in constant demand for future military actions.
Is this the direction we want our country and its youth to be going? I hope not. Is there no room for any other method of governing in this world except democracy?
I hope most Americans and our representatives stop this action now, as there is no victory in sight in Iraq except an occupation by us, resulting in universal hatred of Americans. This action is clearly un-American imperialism. We must stop it now for our future existence.
— Leonard Weber, Ventura
Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:25 PM
Stop terrorism: Drill for oil
Whatever you call them – insurgents, al-Qaida, militias or terrorists (I’ll call them all terrorists) — they all need money. Some have uniforms, all have weaponry and all have personal needs that require money. And, their families need money.
Where does the money come from? Most experts now believe that the money comes from Iran. And, Iran has lots of money due to the extremely high oil prices. Iran’s oil reserves are huge. If oil prices were low, Iran would not be able to supply money to the various terrorist groups and take care of its own internal needs.
Why are oil prices so high that Iran can take care of its internal needs and also the needs of terrorist groups? The answer, of course, is that the world supply of oil being produced is low compared to the demand for oil. So, why not increase the supply of oil? The United States has oil reserves in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, in the shallow water of the Gulf of Mexico and off the coasts of California and Florida. Tapping into these significantly large reserves would drive down the price of oil.
This would virtually eliminate Iran’s ability to take care of its internal needs and also fund terrorist needs. Terrorist abilities would be drastically damaged, if not destroyed. And, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Companies would no longer dictate the price of a barrel of oil. Gasoline prices would drop.
But, the United States does not drill for oil in these obvious places. The reason: The environmentally controlled Democratic Party prevents oil drilling and the building of new oil refineries that are badly needed.
The conclusion can be drawn that the Democratic Party is a causal factor in terrorist activities that threaten America’s effort in Iraq and American soldiers there. The United States has a strategic petroleum reserve containing hundreds of millions of barrels of oil, to which the United States is adding 2 million barrels of oil per day. If drilling for oil became authorized, the need to add the 2 million barrels of oil per day to the strategic petroleum reserve would no longer be necessary. Two million more barrels of oil per day on the world market would have an immediate downward impact on the price of oil and on U.S. gasoline prices. Iran would no longer be able to significantly fund terrorist activities but would need the lower income from oil for internal needs. And, OPEC would no longer control oil prices.
—Richard Laquess, Ventura
Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:14 PM
Shades of LBJ
Here we go again! Lyndon Baines Johnson, who is quoted as having said, “I don’t want to be the first president to have lost a war,” kept sending our boys to the quagmire in Vietnam. More than 50,000 of them ended up dying for a cause, which makes no sense when you look at it now.
President Bush has stated the final solution in Iraq will be in the hands of those who follow him in office. So more boys get ground up in the mess of Iraq.
Neither Johnson nor Bush experienced the immediate horrors of war. Johnson finally realized it was a lost cause, announced he would not run for a second term, retired to his ranch in Texas, grew his hair long and lived for a while to regret his continued escalation.
This nation is now serving Bush’s vanity. In his conversations with God, it’s hard to imagine that he is getting instructions to continue to lead the herd over the cliff. There are ample grounds for impeachment.
—Howard Landon, Ojai
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:58 AM
Self-insured face difficulties
Re: Terry Paulson’s Jan. 29 essay, “Healthcare responsibility”:
I’ve never met Terry Paulson, but I learned two things about him from this essay. One, he doesn't pay for his own health insurance, and two, nobody in his family has ever been seriously ill. I do buy my own health insurance, and there has been serious illness in my family. I can tell Mr. Paulson that his assertion that "providers and insurers would compete for your business" is nonsense.
His statement that the market will cure healthcare betrays a fundamental misunderstanding of the health insurance industry. I have a flash for Terry Paulson and President Bush: Insurance companies are not in business to make people healthy. They are in business to make a profit, which they do by not delivering healthcare.
And as for the argument that portability worries are over, Mr. Paulson has never read the fine print that says the company won't pay for pre-existing conditions.
Mr. Paulson says he is ready to take control of his own health insurance. As one who has been in control of my health insurance for nearly 20 years, I am ready to move into the 21st century.
— Gary Olmstead, Ventura
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:55 AM
Ideas welcome
I haven’t heard or read much about solving the existing problem of healthcare here in Ventura. California’s governor proposed healthcare for everyone, and that caused the healthcare experts to express their critical comments without suggestions on how to lower or reduce the cost of healthcare without reducing benefits.
What goes around comes around, and healthcare is reinvented by having on-site medical care at an employment site. For example, Qualcomm, a wireless technology company based in San Diego, has operated a free clinic for its 8,000 workers since 1998. If you were around in the early ‘40s in Northern California, you might remember Kaiser Healthcare started on site at the shipyard and expanded north and south in California and Eastern states. The effectiveness of that service was felt for years by employers and employees. On-site clinics meant gains in worker productivity and lower health-insurance outlays.
The biggest primary care clinic so far opened January 2 in San Antonio, a $9 million medical center alongside a new truck assembly plant.
Taking care of people before they get sick is one option to reduce medical costs to both the employer and employee.
The big healthcare insurers are watching the proliferating clinics, which potentially pose a competitive threat. What is preventing Ventura, like other parts of California, from developing competition? What is the social responsibility of the communities, Chamber of Commerce business members and employee association leadership to jointly solve healthcare costs in Ventura and not for the other guy to do it?
— Bill Harris, Oxnard
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:45 AM
Restraining orders misused
Are people using restraining orders for the wrong reasons, based on lies, to get revenge on innocent individuals?
Also, I believe that people file restraining orders solely to keep children away from parents, to cause grief.
I believe restraining orders should only be granted on solid physical evidence, and not for individuals who are professional liars.
— Robert C. Wiley II, Simi Valley
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:35 AM
How to help veterans
Now here is something people can do to help the war effort without encouraging more war.
At the recent Global Exchange program at the Thousand Oaks Library, we heard from Judith Broder, who has started "The Soldiers Project" that gives free counseling for returning veterans and their families. Experiencing irritability, moodiness, angry outbursts and other post-traumatic stress syndrome symptoms is hard on veterans and their families. Recent studies show that 35 percent of returning veterans seek help. Unbelievably, returning Reservists and National Guard members are not eligible for help. Broder and other mental health specialists now make help free.
Go to http://www.thesoldiersproject.org or phone 818-761-7438 for information or help. You can help returning vets and their families by passing this information on.
— Percy Severn, Newbury Park
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:34 AM
Matheney should resign
Re: your Jan. 31 article, “Chaos in Guardian’s Office is revealed”:
County Treasurer-Tax Collector Larry Matheney is a nice guy way out of his league. It's time he fell on his sword and resigned. A career bureaucrat, Matheney didn’t have a clue as to how to run the county Guardian's Office when elected to that position. Under his watch, senior citizens had their life savings stolen by the very employees Matheney was in charge of. He opened back accounts that allowed the theft to go on, then testified that he forgot about those very accounts. Even after the many crimes were uncovered, Matheney failed to conduct an audit.
To avoid a costly and time-consuming recall, Larry Matheney should step up to the plate and demonstrate courage and responsibility and resign immediately for the good of our county. After the dust has settled, let's hope Greg Stratton will come to the forefront and clean up this mess.
— Louis J. Pandolfi, Simi Valley
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:33 AM
False quotes
Re: Yahya Merchant’s Jan. 30 letter, “Real hidden agenda”:
In regard to his use of quotes from "Zionist leaders," both are false.
Chairman Heilbrun of the Committee to Re-elect Shlomo Lahat, mayor of Tel-Aviv, 1983: "We have to kill all the Palestinians unless they are resigned to live here as slaves." While Lahat was elected in 1983, no record has been found of "Chairman Heilbrun." Lahat attested he has never employed nor even heard of any "Chairman Heilbrun." The quote has been traced to a 1988 book, "The Hidden History of Zionism” by radical Marxist Ralph Schoenman and been dismissed by historians as a crazed conspiracy theorist.
About the Koenig Memorandum, Ian Lustick, in "Arabs in the Jewish State” (University of Texas Press, 1980), writes the actual report itself contains no mention of "terror, assassination, intimidation, land confiscation and the cutting off of all social services.” The report was a private document (1975) by civil servant Israel Koenig, to alter demographics in Galilee to favor Jews. The report was rejected by Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and denounced by all senior cabinet ministers.
After last year's war between Israel and Hezbollah militias in Lebanon, researchers asked Israeli citizens — both Arabs and Jews — if they would rather be citizens of another country. A huge proportion, 88.5 percent of Israel's Jews and 77 percent of the Arab population, said they would rather be citizens of Israel than any other country of the world.
Let's stop brewing up hatred. There's enough of that in the world today. I have attended several peace institutes with Jewish and Arab-Israelis and both sides are dedicated to peace and harmonious living, especially amongst the young people. Many lasting friendships are born at these institutes.
— Gillian Herson, Simi Valley
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:32 AM
‘Thank you. Rest in peace’
Re: your Jan. 30 article, “Thousand Oaks Marine killed in combat in Iraq”:
Mike Melia was killed in Iraq on Saturday. He is the first and, I pray, the last person from Thousand Oaks to give his life in that foreign land. He was 20 years old.
I hope that when he returns home, this city will welcome him in a way befitting a fallen hero.
The people in the small Texas town of Comfort did it, and the people in Irvine did the same.
Wouldn't it be nice if we lined his final path and as he passed, and we thought to ourselves: "Well done, Michael, well done. Thank you. Rest in peace."
— Bob Conti, Thousand Oaks
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:31 AM
Marine killed in Iraq a hero
Re: your Jan. 30 article, “Thousand Oaks Marine killed in combat in Iraq”:
I did not know Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Anthony C. Melia, but I know he is a true hero, along with the hundreds of thousands of men and women who are in our military, along with the tens of thousands who have been wounded and, ultimately, along with the thousands in our military who have paid the ultimate price.
Thank a military service member the next time you see one. Nothing feels better than a stranger saying, "Thank you," when you are home on leave.
I once heard someone say, "All gave some, but some gave all," in reference to the Vietnam War. I'm sure it was not a new quote when I heard it. I'm also sure the person who said it understood war and respected war from the first-person perspective.
I, for one, was "lucky" enough to make it through nearly six years of military service without seeing combat. My calling was greater than I would ever know when I joined the Army at age 19. Now, 14 years later, I can't help but think of the courage it takes young men and women in our all-volunteer military who are ready and willing to sacrifice for our country. After all, we are engaged in active warfare with daily reports of men and women dying on foreign soil. Whether you agree with this war or not, these young men and women are sacrificing more of their lives than many of us will ever know. Their sacrifices run deep. Their sacrifices will last a lifetime and affect generations to come.
Thank you, Anthony, and your family for giving all. The United States can never repay you for your sacrifice.
— James Espinoza, Simi Valley
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:29 AM
Put power plant elsewhere
Re: your Jan. 31 article, “Edison explains power plant plan”:
I am writing this letter to express my concerns regarding the proposed "peaker" generating unit planned for the city of Oxnard.
The city is currently home to two operational power plants. Our community has hosted three regional landfills, and there are currently two liquefied natural gas projects proposed for off the coast. It would appear Oxnard has done its fair share of providing locations for needed infrastructure and utility projects. I am aware of the need for additional sources of electrical energy, especially during peak usage times. However, I am not sure that Oxnard should be the place to locate this plant and urge Southern California Edison Co. to seek an alternate site.
The city has a population of nearly 200,000 residents who would be impacted by this project. Air pollution, the use of highly compressed natural gas that energizes the jet engines and the use of chlorine to scrub the exhaust stacks all pose significant quality-of-life issues for our residents.
I believe the potential dangers inherent in this type of project far outweigh the benefits.
— John C. Zaragoza, Councilman, Oxnard
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:03 AM
Rent control needed
Rent control is sorely needed in Ventura to protect residents from outrageous rent increases. Longtime residents in one particular complex are looking at an approximately 25 percent or more increase in monthly rent within one year. When I asked the management why the rent was being increased so high, I was told it was a corporate decision to bring everyone up to market rate. In other words, a resident moving in to a freshly painted, newly carpeted apartment with upgrades will be paying the same rent as someone who has been renting an older apartment for 10 to 15 years.
The increases are across the board, from laundry facilities, usage of the complex clubhouse, pet deposits and an increase in rent of pet owners, and monthly water bills. On a recent visit to the laundry room, several resident notes of protest were tacked to the wall, with the best one being: “The moving vans will be lined up in the parking lots.”
It doesn’t make sense that rentals should increase when housing prices are decreasing. Hard-working residents and those on fixed incomes should be able to expect normal rental increases to fit the cost of living. If other areas can initiate rent control, why can’t we?
— Carol Lindsey, Ventura
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:02 AM
Twisting history
Re: Susanna Sukiasyan’s Jan. 26 commentary, “Genocide must be recognized by U.S.”:
As a Turkish-American for more than 25 years in the United States, I, as well as many of my Turkish friends, was shocked that The Star allowed misinformation and delusional history, at best, untruth at worst, regarding alleged genocide of Armenians in Turkey by the Ottoman Empire.
Sukiasyan should be thanking this country for graciously accepting her and allowing her to prosper by attending a community college in California where millions can only wish to live.
She, like so many others who live here, bashes this great country. There are many things that can and should be fixed in our country, like all countries, but let’s be grateful for all it has to offer.
Sukiasyan is correct stating that the United States and Turkey have been allies through the Cold War, communism, the Persian Gulf War and now religious fanaticism in the region. Turkey is one of three true democratic nations in the Middle East (Egypt and Israel being the other two) that has stood by the American people when her own interests were threatened or the cost was too high, in the name of friendship and principles. Also, Turkey has been a member nation of NATO and was in the front lines of war against communism for decades.
Now, the fact remains that many Armenians were killed by Turks in the past during many conflicts in the region. Twisting the history to advance one’s agenda, as Sukiasyan has done, isn’t fair to Turkey or to Turkish people.
Please read the history books to get the facts straight: There was no genocide by the Ottoman Empire. Its powerful and, yes, at times, brutal armies crushed many people, and Turks remain apologetic for that page their history.
— Michael Akseven, Port Hueneme
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:00 AM
January 30, 2007
Hanoi Jane rides again
Jane Fonda is once again on an anti-U.S. tirade. This time, instead of sitting on an anti-aircraft gun in Vietnam and simulating shooting down American airmen, she can straddle a nuclear missile in Iran aimed at New York City.
— William Kidder, Camarillo
Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:43 PM
O'Reilly's funny — sort of
Re: Bill O'Reilly's Jan. 27 commentary, “Guaranteed — Al gets Oscar for Best Documentary”:
The Star really should consider adding a section on written humor to accompany the funny pages. Almost everything Bill O'Reilly pens would take pride of place on the humor pages, since it is such a joke. Well, OK, it's really mostly spiteful and mean-spirited hogwash, but we can count on a few comedy standards such as, "There is no question that Hollywood continues to . . . promote a secular society and boost liberal political opinions."
Can Mr. O'Reilly write a commentary without this standard bit of humor? It's funny, because Mr. O'Reilly and his ilk have been whining about a liberal media "conspiracy" for 30 or 40 years and yet, over that time, the media has become more and more monolithic, owned by fewer and fewer huge corporations like General Electric (NBC) and Disney (ABC). Everyone knows that only liberal corporations manufacture appliances and weapons systems.
Let's not forget the other nasty liberal media giants such as Clear Channel Corporation, Rupert Murdoch's Fox Broadcasting or the media conglomerate run by the Reverend Moon. Oh wait, those are conservative media outlets — oops.
If Mr. O'Reilly's commentary actually explained why he disagrees with something, that would be fine. But his pieces aren't about thoughtful disagreement. His pieces are mostly about inciting a knee-jerk response by labeling, misrepresentation and guilt by association. With each version of his so-called "commentary" pieces, Mr. O'Reilly confirms that the real intent of his writing is to foster an Amerika where the only opinions and ideas that can be reported are those approved of by Mr. O'Reilly and his like-minded friends.
OK, I guess he's not that funny.
— Kirk Waln, Ventura
Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:31 PM
Make humans top priority
While I vehemently oppose the blood “sports” of cockfighting and dog fighting, and I back any measures that would severely punish anyone who takes part in these disgraceful events, I can’t help but be outraged at the hypocrisy of Elton Gallegly also despising them.
Here is a man who has supported the “war”-based-on-lies in Iraq from the start and who continues to support it now. This is a “war” that kills human beings (soldiers, Iraqi men, women, and children) every minute that it is allowed to continue, and yet he has no problem with it. Maybe he would oppose it if a peace group had paid for a large and expensive newspaper campaign ad instead of the Humane Society? On top of his support for this “war,” he also championed the torture bill that allows America to perform all kinds of atrocities on human beings.
Gallegly seems to have forgotten the fact that the root word of humanitarian is human.
No, if Gallegly truly wants to be seen as a humanitarian, he needs to think more about humans. He needs to vote to end the “war” in Iraq the only way it will ever end: He needs to introduce measures calling for the impeachment of George W. Bush and Dick Cheney.
— John Darling, Ventura
Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:20 PM
Leave Victoria Avenue alone
Re: your Jan. 28 article, “Ventura leaders to discuss vision for Victoria Avenue”:
I feel outraged after reading this article. The city leaders "have spent thousands of dollars on a draft 'smart growth' vision," and they plan to spend more money on yet another study of the effects of redesigning and reconfiguring Victoria Avenue. We are told that there is no money in the budget to hire more police officers and firefighters, yet there seems to be no limit for funds available for numerous costly studies.
We know that if this vision for the Victoria Corridor Plan proceeds, there will be many more studies to come. Is it not possible to consider utilizing committees of our city residents instead of hiring the services of expensive firms? When we need to increase our police and fire departments, how can they consider such a project as decreasing the number of lanes of traffic on Victoria Avenue?
Where is the responsibility of prioritizing? As a main artery of traffic, Victoria Avenue is expected to be heavy with traffic; however, it usually flows quite well. I don't understand why some think that housing must be included along Victoria Avenue. The businesses located on Victoria Avenue are necessary, and the current configuration is superior to the proposed new configuration. Victoria Avenue is fine as it is, so leave it alone, and use the city funds in a more reasonable and responsible way.
— Patricia Parker, Ventura
Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:16 PM
Get to work, critics
George Bush's plan to send 21,500 more troops to Iraq seems to be too little, too late, but so far I haven't heard any critic say, "Here is my five-point plan (or however many points it takes) to solve the problems in Iraq."
So, my challenge to all the critics is: "OK, let's hear the specifics of your plan; otherwise, shut up and start working on some plan that will be part of the solution and not part of the problem."
Instead of just echoing these sentiments about disengagement, we should be challenging the critics to really come up with a plan. You want to be president? Then you should work out a plan for withdrawal from Iraq, especially since, if you are successful in winning the election, you are most likely going to be stuck with the problem.
— Charles. E. Voigtsberger, Ventura
Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:08 PM
A nuclear overreaction
Re: Randy Weaver's Jan. 29 letter, "Acts of war require same response":
In response to the letter from Randy Weaver, likening the attack of Sept. 11 to Pearl Harbor and asking why we didn't drop a bomb on Iraq like we did on Japan in World War II: After exhaustive investigation, there has been no evidence connecting Iraq to Osama bin Laden and the 9/11 attacks.
Furthermore, if Mr. Weaver will recall, we went into Iraq (allegedly) because it was thought to have the infamous and illusive weapons of mass destruction, as well as to liberate the masses from the oppression of Saddam Hussein. Mr. Weaver’s suggestion for us to use weapons of mass destruction and wipe out the very people we are there to liberate is a bit heavy-handed, not to mention frightening in the extreme. I just hope none of our fearless leaders in Washington share his hair-trigger enthusiasm for nuclear war.
— Rene' Ellis, Ojai
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:59 AM
History isn’t simple
Re: Randy Weaver's Jan. 29 letter, "Acts of war require same response":
I sometimes read the letters to the editor as my morning entertainment, bemused by one writer's inconsequential rage or another's misinformed pomposity. But rarely have I seen the historical ignorance displayed in Mr. Weaver’s letter. His grasp on history, both of this and the last century, is truly incredible.
First, we "dropped a bomb on Japan and brought it (World War II) to a quick end." He's kidding, right? U.S. involvement in World War II lasted three and a half years (not exactly quick), during which the United States lost roughly 200,000 soldiers, sailors, and Marines in the Pacific Theater alone. One bomb? Monthly tonnage dropped on Japan increased from 13,800 short tons in March 1945 to 42,700 tons in July. Only then, in August, did we decide to drop two atomic bombs, which led to Japan’s surrender.
Second, his linking of Osama bin Laden's Sept. 11 attacks to Iraq has no basis in fact. Even President Bush has admitted this, beginning on Sept. 17, 2003, after allowing hints of the improbable link to hang in the air for two years, and even though tricky Dick Cheney continued to insinuate those connections for the Fox News constituency.
History is rarely simple. Its complexities can challenge any student and citizen. And it certainly is not as simple, simplistic or simple-minded as the version espoused by Mr. Weaver.
— Bill Walthall, Port Hueneme
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:50 AM
Iraq not linked to Sept. 11
Re: Randy Weaver's Jan. 29 letter, "Acts of war require same response":
Mr. Weaver's comments are patently absurd. He asked, "What's the difference between Japan attacking Pearl Harbor and Osama bin Laden's group hijacking planes and flying them into the twin towers?"
He follows with, "We dropped a bomb on Japan and brought it to a quick end. Why didn't we do the same to Iraq?"
How can he ask that? Why not ask why we didn't bomb Canada or Romania or Thailand? The answer is the same for all cases: None of them had anything to do with 9/11!
This quote says it all: "We have no evidence that Saddam Hussein was involved with the Sept. 11 attacks." — George W. Bush, September 17, 2003.
I wish Mr. Weaver would tell me why we should attack Iraq. I'd love to hear his rationale for such a ludicrous comment.
— Bruce Marshall, Santa Paula
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:41 AM
Spend war money elsewhere
Re: Randy Weaver's Jan. 29 letter, "Acts of war require same response":
Once again, people like Mr. Weaver who attempt to justify killing thousands, if not millions, of innocent Iraqis by bombs like we did more than 50 years ago in Japan are simply ludicrous at best. It is still a fact that Saddam Hussein and his government in Iraq had absolutely nothing to do with Osama bin Laden's terrorist attacks. So what does President Bush do? He pulls U.S. troops out of Afghanistan, where they were trying to find bin Laden, only for them to get killed and maimed attempting to quell a civil war that came about because of Bush's removal of Saddam, who kept all of Iraq’s ethnic groups under control, albeit by fear.
One thing this war has been extremely successful in doing is becoming the greatest recruiting tool for thousands of new young Jihad terrorists.
Now is the time to bring our troops home and quit wasting money on this unjust war and start taking care of the needs of our own country — like Katrina rebuilding, poverty, homeless, healthcare and highway infrastructure, to name a few.
— John L. Thawley, Santa Paula
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:30 AM
Blabbing war secrets
I’ve wondered for quite awhile why we announce our military plans in Iraq for the world — including our enemies — to hear. The “surge” is a case in point, but it is just an example of informing everyone who is listening about just what we are planning — for example, how many troops we’re sending, where they are being deployed, our strategy for fighting the insurgents, etc. I recognize that we’re a democracy and a free country, but does that mean that the public is entitled to know everything?
I don’t believe it was announced that we would land at Normandy on D-Day before we did, nor were any other important battles announced before we carried them out. What good leader, general or officer would let the enemy know what he is planning and when those plans would be carried out? Our commander in chief is under pressure in this insane war, so perhaps he feels he must take a Knute Rockne stance to solidify his declining support.
In this war, we only seem to hear of American and Iraqi death tolls and the wounded. Most of us don’t want to hear about killing and casualties. In other wars, the enemy’s casualties were always reported. It gave those at home some idea that we were winning. Are we not inflicting damage to the insurgents? It seems not, since we don’t hear of their casualties.
When we see news clips from Iraq, we see soldiers in full uniform and battle gear heading down streets and through neighborhoods. If we can see them, can’t insurgent snipers see them also? I’ve often wondered why our soldiers can’t dress in the garb of the Iraqis, especially robes, where they could hide their weapons. They might not be such “shooting ducks.”
Who’s running this crazy war, anyhow?
— Sidney Cohn, Ojai
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:20 AM
A personal choice
Re: Donna Sorek’s Jan. 29 letter, “Bad location for ‘celebration’”; Tony Lemos’ Jan. 29 letter, “Legacy of lies” and Noel D’Angelo’s Jan. 29 letter, “Criminalize abortion”:
Interesting that Ms. Sorek, Mr. Lemos, and Mr. D'Angelo felt that the "celebration" of the Roe vs. Wade decision was in poor taste. California State University, Channel Islands, is known as a free-thinking and educated site. This "celebration" was in no way saying, “Wow! Abortions are great!" This celebration was about a decision that gave a woman's reproductive rights back to herself and not the government.
If any one of these people had ever worked at Planned Parenthood or learned about what these organizations do besides perform sometimes necessary abortions, then maybe they would be a little more understanding. Planned Parenthood teaches about contraception and abstinence, gives information about sexually transmitted diseases and provides a place for people without the means and who want an unbiased opinion (yes, unbiased, unlike the church, state and other people) to get help.
No one is celebrating abortion, and, as Ms. Sorek points out, it is a life decision. No one is happy when this occurs, and it is the hardest decision a woman has to make. You do not see men facing these decisions, and, unfortunately, for many women, this is their only choice. Yes, they can have the baby and give it up for adoption, but that is truly their decision to make. Most women who face this decision might have had failed birth control, been raped or experienced incest, and some just made a very poor decision. Thanks to the wonderful people at Planned Parenthood, they have many choices, and thanks to Roe v. Wade, they have that choice as well.
Remember it is their choice, not your choice, to make.
— Lisa Padilla, Moorpark
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:14 AM
Insure the law-abiding
Re: Terry Paulson’s Jan. 29 essay, “Healthcare responsibility”:
Terry Paulson may not have wasted an education, but he seems to have missed out on a significant portion of it related to critical thinking skills. I understand that, as a conservative, he finds repugnant liberal reliance on logic, reason and intellect. Otherwise, he would not toss a number of disassociated facts together as if they somehow proved a point.
I give him credit for correctly pointing out Sheila Keuhl's single-payer plan to provide affordable and universal healthcare along with lower medical costs. But then he backs the president's healthcare proposal, which, if implemented, does none of these. So much for solving a "clear and present danger."
Somehow our legal logic says that the government must provide those services to its incarcerated, law-breaking citizens, but those services seemingly should not apply to its law-abiding ones. We should pay to have that occur but cannot use that same method to provide the same benefits to ourselves. Interesting.
— Lynn H. Maxson, Simi Valley
Posted by Andrea Howry at 10:55 AM
January 26, 2007
Skate park piques church interest
Re: Lucy Walker Grace’s Jan. 4 letter, “Oak View needs skateboard park”:
I recently returned to the Oak View area as the new pastor of New Hope Christian Center and have also met quite a few young skaters with no place to go to enjoy their sport. Our church is very interested in working with the community to provide a safe place for these young people and would be happy to convene a community meeting to talk about this issue. Residents of the Oak View community may contact me at 649-2244, if interested.
— Mark Dornbusch, Oak View
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:21 AM
Time Warner unpatriotic
Re: Alan Rosin’s Jan. 22 letter, “Electorate needs channels”:
I totally agree with Mr. Rosin’s objections to Time Warner Cable TV removing C-SPAN 2 and 3 from their basic standard channels. I was shocked when I found my C-SPAN 2 blocked out, as I watch the C-SPAN channels every day to see committee hearings, etc. In order to continue those channels, I am now paying $10 a month more. I feel this is unfair and unpatriotic of Time Warner to deny access to these channels. I encourage more Americans to tune in to C-SPAN instead of watching all the idiotic sitcoms or murder shows. I know sometimes it is boring, but if you really want to know what’s happening in Washington, you will see by watching C-SPAN 1, 2 and 3.
— Earline Randall, Santa Paula
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:15 AM
No nightmare at all
President Bush's "nightmare scenario" in his State of the Union speech, which describes "an epic battle" between Shiite extremists backed by Iran against Sunni extremists aided by al-Qaida and supporters of Saddam Hussein's government, sounds preferable to those groups killing U.S. troops who are trying to keep them separated, as is currently happening.
That "nightmare scenario" would eliminate a lot of the people who represent a threat to the United States. A "perfect scenario" sounds like a more accurate description.
Instead of a troop surge, we need a troop withdrawal. When they have eliminated each other, the moderate Muslims will finally have a chance to successfully govern themselves. Then, we will finally be able to proclaim "Mission accomplished!"
— Tom Mulligan, Newbury Park
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:05 AM
Acts of war
What's the difference between Japan attacking Pearl Harbor and Osama bin Laden’s group hijacking planes and flying them into the twin towers? Aren't they both an act of war? We dropped a bomb on Japan and brought it to a quick end. Why didn't we do the same to Iraq instead of sending all of our troops, putting them in harm’s way?
— Randy Weaver, Ojai
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:02 AM
Molina treated rudely
During the public comment portion of the Jan. 23 Oxnard City Council meeting, Phil Molina was speaking about financial reporting and questioned why the city manager, who is appointed by the City Council, does not release a public accounting statement monthly.
I understand there are some bad feelings between Molina and the city of Oxnard and that he has sued the city because of his termination from his position with the city. What bothers me most was the behavior of Councilman Andres Herrera after Molina had finished his comments. Herrera stated that he was tired of some of the speakers and their attacks, and that this was why some people are no longer employed with the city.
While this may be based in truth, this was neither the forum nor the time for this childish behavior to be displayed. Herrera owes the citizens and specifically Molina an apology, as it is every citizen’s right to state his opinion and to question the practices that he feels may not be in the best interest of the city.
Herrera’s behavior was totally unprofessional and demeaning to the city of Oxnard. He is elected to serve all citizens, and if he is unable to function on the behalf of every citizen, than he should resign his post in favor of someone who is willing to listen and consider every citizen’s voice, not just those who agree with the City Council.
— Richard S. Nick, Oxnard
Posted by Andrea Howry at 10:59 AM
Undermining safety lessons
Once again, the Gideon Bible people are on the loose, undoing the safety message we parents have been teaching our middle-school children for 12 years. They recently stood near, but not on, school property in an effort to entice 11- to 13-year-olds to walk toward them so they could give them something instead of running away from a stranger. The kids didn't know whether the bright object they were handed was pornography, drugs or a Bible. Gideon’s are masters at marketing, using an almost fluorescent orange color and picking their target audience.
Perhaps their conscience keeps them away from elementary schools. High school students ignore them, so they go for the impressionable middle school students. Last year, I witnessed Monte Vista students crossing the street in front of cars to get a stranger’s freebie. They also walked to a car with the trunk open. School administrators say they are unable to do anything because the people were not on school property. The city reports that they don't have to get a permit, but they do. What they don't do is give the schools adequate notice of their presence so parents could be there at the same time to oversee and remind kids that pedophiles and child molesters can be over 60 — and never, ever walk up to a stranger.
This all came just before the incident of two men trying to attract two boys with candy into their white van.
The Gideon people keep saying that they have a perfect legal right to what they are doing, and I guess they do. However, I just wish they could see the moral and ethical issue at hand and stop putting our children in harm’s way.
— Sue Kory, Camarillo
Posted by Andrea Howry at 10:14 AM
Sore site for eyes
I cannot believe the city of Oxnard and developers from RiverPark have not done anything to the abandoned produce warehouse on the 5100 block of East Vineyard Avenue. Coming in from one of the only bridges (Wells Road, Los Angeles Avenue), the first thing you see before you get to town is an abandoned warehouse that is a testament to gangs with all the graffiti. If I were coming from Los Angeles thinking to purchase an expensive home here in hopes of moving to a nicer place, I’d think twice after seeing that eyesore.
This has been a problem for quite some time. I have called the graffiti hotline numerous times, as well as the sheriff, because the graffiti is spilling onto my property, which I cover immediately. I have tried numerous other agencies also, to no avail, including Supervisor John Flynn. It seems as though no one cares about our image.
— Richard Hailer, Oxnard
Posted by Andrea Howry at 09:59 AM
Legacy of lies
Re: Cheryl Rollings’ Jan. 22 commentary, "Reproductive rights must be protected”:
Ms. Rollings’ commentary nauseated me on so many levels.
First of all, celebrating the 34th anniversary of Roe v. Wade and the deaths of nearly 50 million Americans is akin to being Osama bin Laden’s personal cheerleader.
To those who don’t know any better, Planned Parenthood seems like a benevolent organization that seeks to assist couples in planning their futures. This couldn’t be further from the truth. These are the facts:
Margaret Sanger, who founded Planned Parenthood, was an advocate of the eugenics movement, a notion that there was a need to improve the hereditary qualities of a race or breed by controlled mating in order to eliminate "undesirable" characteristics and promote "desirable" traits. “More children from the fit, less from the unfit,” was her cry — a racist and socially hate-filled view that considered the physically, as well as the mentally challenged to be expendable. Life was a commodity to her, not a basic human right.
Sanger's legacy of lies continues today via Planned Parenthood, whose official Web site claims that:
— Abortion doesn’t cause breast cancer. The official answer on the site is “no,” with no explanation. Study after study has proven a link between abortion and breast cancer.
— The fetus cannot feel pain. Again, numerous studies have shown the exact opposite.
— Crisis pregnancy centers “lie” about the medical and emotional effects of abortion to scare the expectant mother from going through with an abortion. Volumes have been written on the subject showing the exact opposite is true.
The facts are out there.
Here’s a statistic for you: In the time it took you to read this article, four children were silenced forever by abortion in the United States.
— Tony Lemos, Simi Valley
Posted by Andrea Howry at 09:55 AM
Farmworkers do get help
Re: your Jan. 20 article, “Assistance urged to help farmworkers stay in area”:
This winter’s freeze was terrible, for both farmers and workers. But, to refute Tom Deardorff’s statement, “We are not providing any benefits or protections for these people” (farmworkers), do subsidized housing, free education and healthcare, food stamps and in-state college tuition rates count? “We” do provide these benefits. What about Deardorff’s farm. Do “they”? He does have a point about the federal immigration policy not addressing the issue — like in enforcing the law and employer sanctions.
— Radu Metea, Ventura
Posted by Andrea Howry at 09:43 AM
Is abortion murder?
Re: your Jan. 25 letters concerning Planned Parenthood and abortion:
This is by no means a statement on my position on abortion; it merely outlines my concerns as to the nomenclature and logic used by both sides of the debate. You cannot deny the reality of this debate. It is the topic of discussion in many an ethics class and, although it appears abortion rights have won in the courts, the moral debate rages onward.
Most who debate this topic have left the real issue in pursuit of blindly supported positions. Morality and law are not matters of hedonism. Our laws, like it or not, are based on our country's moral philosophy. So let me make my first premise regarding abortion.
— Abortion is killing. Scientifically speaking, you are ending the life of an entity. This entity is at least a potential person.
— Murder is defined as the knowledgeable and intentional killing of a person.
— Since abortion is killing, it is possible that it could be an act of murder. How do we determine if abortion is an act of murder? We must determine at which point a fetus takes on the qualities that we deem of a person.
This is a philosophical question that will likely be debated for many years to come. It can be answered scientifically by neural analysis of the sort performed by Antonio DeMasio and Daniel Dennet.
My point is to provide, for further criticism, the moral and legal root of the argument of abortion. If indeed abortion is an act of murder, it should be banned. If it is not, the choice should remain. It is not the government’s position to restrict the reproductive rights of an individual without criminal and moral basis.
— Patrick Allison, Simi Valley
Posted by Andrea Howry at 09:36 AM
Cabrillo Port is a big gamble
Re: Gary Cushing’s Jan. 22 commentary, “LNG good investment for California”:
Too bad that Camarillo’s Cushing and too many other inlanders are so willing to let Oxnard and Malibu be the guinea pigs for the proposed, entirely experimental, liquefied natural gas Cabrillo Deepwater Port. Apparently they fail to realize that they, too, will suffer the increased air pollution and greenhouse gas effects from this project.
According to the Environmental Defense Center, the California Energy Action plan, in effect since 2003, will produce or save 2.5 times the energy that would come through Cabrillo Port. By last year’s rejection of SB426, the state Legislature robbed the public of official evidentiary hearings on the need, or lack of need, for imported LNG. After what happened to U.S. Rep. Richard Pombo, R-Calif., in November’s election, the Legislature might well now see fit to schedule these evidentiary hearings, at which, after all, both sides can step up and make their case. When has the World Series or heavyweight boxing championship ever been awarded to somebody for refusing to compete?
Finally, much has been argued about the extent and severity of a possible accident in the turbulent and maximally busy channel. In fact, any significant accident will immediately stop all LNG from coming in, perhaps indefinitely, depending on the severity of the accident and the public’s willingness to go on with the enterprise.
The only certainty involving Cabrillo Port will be whatever price BHP Billiton will see fit to set for its LNG. We shall truly be locked into that.
—Jerome Hopkins, Oxnard
Posted by Andrea Howry at 09:30 AM
Women’s time has come
After listening to about five minutes of our president’s speech Tuesday, I was grateful for the freedom to turn it off. President Bush’s ignorance makes me ashamed for my country.
I am immediately looking into starting a campaign for a Hillary Clinton/Nancy Pelosi ticket in 2008. They are both brilliant, wealthy women who have already proven their savvy in the political arena. We start with Clinton as president and, when her two terms are up, we can make Pelosi the president. The country will indeed benefit.
I also think we need more women in the Senate and House. Men in these offices have really botched the job in the past and don’t seem to learn anything from the lesson. It is time for the women to take over and to “take arms against the sea of troubles and thus opposing, end them.” I am 77 years old and may not live to see this. My ancestors founded this country, and a member of the family has been called to defend this country in all the wars in the past. Many died, and I am distantly related to two of the past presidents.
It is time to grow and have peace and to learn that wars do not solve anything. May God bless my country!
—Carmita Leila Dickerson, Ventura
Posted by Andrea Howry at 09:22 AM
January 25, 2007
Police needed 24/7
This letter is to protest the city of Ventura Police Department’s new policy of no longer responding to monitored burglar alarm systems between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. unless the alarm has been verified.
This policy is especially threatening to households occupied by single persons who are employed or have their commitments away from home, particularly the elderly who do not have family members to oversee the household during their absences. We need police protection, please!
Now that this new policy has been widely publicized, the intruders and burglars will not hesitate to break in regardless of our precautionary efforts to install a security system. The less-than-wealthy property owner cannot afford to install any sophisticated additional security cameras. We need police protection from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. It is the most effective deterrent!
The city could recoup expenses caused by “false alarms” by charging the households involved for repeated false alarms. My house was burglarized twice before I installed an alarm system and once after the system was installed. The police were most helpful and prompt. It was reassuring that the police responded; it’s reassuring that our police officers care. We need their protection 24/7.
Let’s not give criminals the upper hand. We need police support!
—Cherry Uyeda, Ventura
Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:00 PM
Cable company ‘avaricious’
Re: Alan Rosin’s Jan. 22 letter, “Electorate needs channels”:
Mr. Rosin is by no means alone in his unfavorable reaction to Time Warner Cable’s so-called “marketing” decision to “standardize” its offerings so soon after buying out Adelphia, our previous cable company. Rather than putting the needs and interests of its customers first as promised, Time Warner has consistently cut and/or limited the basic TV coverage previously provided by Adelphia.
I have discussed this matter with numerous other outraged cable users and hereby submit a simple ditty to express our mutual conviction regarding the hypocrisy of Time Warner’s “standardizing” process:
“We doubt that there can ever be
In all the land nor on the sea
So avaricious in entity
As our current cable company!”
Of course, like Mr. Rosin, we very much doubt our ability to have any impact on the future decisions of a company as big and unconcerned about customer interests as Time Warner seems to be. Perhaps the time has come to switch.
—Victor John Okerblom, Camarillo
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:57 AM
S. Paula tough for disabled
One thing about Santa Paula, it sure doesn’t cater to the disabled. You can’t even get in the post office in Santa Paula with a wheelchair or crutches. And on the third of the month when Social Security checks arrive and people need to shop, the Vons in Santa Paula decides to redo the parking lot. Why is all this allowed?
— Betty Hudson, Santa Paula
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:52 AM
A message for bin Laden
As an American Christian, I have this message for Osama bin Laden: If you show us mercy, our Christian father will show mercy to you. This is written in our Holy Bible and spoken by our prophet, Jesus Christ. You must have forgiveness in your heart first before you ask the Father to forgive you.
— David Crow Cope, Newbury Park
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:48 AM
Issues are what’s important
Re: Jack Brewer’s Jan. 24 letter, “Campaigning wastes cash”:
Mr. Brewer’s assertions that “with news so readily available, there is no need for” the millions spent on campaigning and that “our people are well-informed and do not need the barrage of political spots on the radio and TV” is far from well-informed.
The news is definitely not readily available to cover elections. The news, during a presidential election year, devotes an average of only 15 percent of its airtime to covering the presidential election. That’s a pretty small percentage considering a presidential election has the ability to influence the direction of the entire nation for at least four years. When considering news coverage of elections, it must be remembered that the news is part of a business: The more entertaining it is, the more money it brings in, and currently the average citizen in the United States is not very entertained by election coverage.
The high cost of elections is primarily due to the associating of elections with candidates rather than an ideology or beliefs. This association is what has begun to force candidates to run tons of the expensive television and radio ads Brewer mentions in order to be recognized by voters; an ad or image that sticks matters more when it comes to getting votes than issues do.
American citizens lack information because we do not demand it, we do not talk about it and most of us do not care! If we want to lower the cost of campaigns, we must not only demand issue-related information, but we must get involved in politics. Until we stop associating who we are going to vote for based on how a candidate appears, we will continue to see hundreds of millions of dollars being spent on campaigns.
— Tyler DeGroot Simi Valley
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:41 AM
Salute to Neanderthals
Re: your Jan. 17 article, “Skull found in cave shows both human, Neanderthal traits”:
Of course there was interbreeding between Neanderthals and humans. Humans evolved by mutation from Neanderthals. I believe that as firmly as I believe in evolution itself. Evolutionary scientists could have reached the same conclusion long ago, if it were not for human pride in refusing to accept “bestial” ancestors. There is no way around it: Whoever did come before humans were less than human. Period. I salute my Neanderthal ancestors, collectively, for having advanced civilization as far as they did. They laid the groundwork and deserve praise as well as recognition.
— Gilbert S. Bahn, Ph.D., Moorpark
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:28 AM
Lessons from European healthcare
Re: Janine Montoya’s Jan. 21 commentary, “Health insurance, doctors not a right”:
I might have actually been able to laugh at Montoya’s commentary had I thought it was meant as satire. Her statement that doctors can "barely make it on Blue Cross contractual amounts" is black humor if ever I saw any.
Does anyone know of a private-practice physician who is not in the top 2 percent to 5 percent of income earners in this country? Doctors, for the most part, work incredibly long, hard hours and deserve a good income, but to call what most doctors earn a "pittance" is just nonsense.
I am always stuck by the fact that the radical right always points to Britain and Canada with respect to universal medical programs as proof positive of the guaranteed failure of "socialized" medicine. Of course, those countries’ medical delivery systems have largely failed. They exist in class-conscious societies where it is assumed the plebian masses should be happy with whatever they get. They are systems designed to fail.
Montoya notes, “We already have fewer doctors per capita than many nations." If only she had the courage to name and note that those nations are almost, if not actually, exclusively those that have the type of universal healthcare delivery systems she rants against.
Scandinavia, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Italy and Spain all have working, successful medical delivery systems. Lower infant mortality rates, higher life expectancy and efficient, rationally priced medications exist in all these countries. All have predominantly free-enterprise, capitalist systems, which have managed to prosper despite the imposition of social mandates.
There are no reasons we cannot replicate and improve these systems — no reasons except the fear and lack of will epitomized by the arteriosclerotic-thinking of the extremist, radical right.
— Ira Cohen, Oak Park
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:16 AM
Firefighters dedicated
I am a resident of Westlake Village, which was covered in smoke on Monday. Our home backs up to an open area where you could see flames on the ridge from our house, and embers were flying down. Due to the hard work of the 300 firefighters who were out there working tirelessly, the fire was kept under control and eventually put out.
It is to these wonderful firefighters that I would like to say: Thank you. I only wish I had been able to give them some food, water or anything to help them out. I just want to say how much I appreciate their dedication to the work they do.
— Tara Gulrajani, Westlake Village
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:10 AM
Take care near crosswalks
This letter is to all drivers who travel on Lynn Road between Reino Road and Wendy Drive. Please watch your speed. There are two school crosswalks on this stretch of Lynn, and the cars are driving faster and faster. I know this because I am the crossing guard at one of these crosswalks. Every day this week, there has been at least one car that has gone through the crosswalk while I've been in the crosswalk trying to stop traffic.
I'm asking drivers to please slow down and be aware that children may be crossing the street. Our children are precious. Let's keep them safe.
— Paulette Gallimore, Newbury Park
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:08 AM
Bush should emulate Clinton
Tuesday night's State of the Union speech by President Bush sounded more like a man trying to save face with the American people and with the now Democrat-controlled Congress. His tone, in this respect, was one in which he was trying to draw attention away from the cost of the war and the tremendous loss of life and toward issues more reserved for Democrats, like energy and Social Security.
I want to believe that this president can do what President Clinton so brilliantly did in 1995, when the Republicans took back control of Congress and Clinton compromised his principles and worked diligently to balance the budget and reform the welfare system. This is the kind of example that Bush ought to be following. After all, his is the party that advocates individual and fiscal responsibility, as well as less government.
But then, Bush also said some six years ago that he would be a uniter, not a divider. With some two-thirds of Americans wanting out of Iraq — and with this president wanting to send some 20,000 additional troops to where many of his now-removed generals felt they were not necessary — it is high time Bush leave his ego at the door, so that we Americans can once again believe and trust in a president, like we did back in 1995.
— Thomas Larson, Thousand Oaks
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:05 AM
January 24, 2007
Killing, murder, revenge
The California Supreme Court recently ruled that the death penalty via lethal injection is unconstitutional and imposes cruel and unusual punishment. We’ve suffered 35 years with the disaster known as Roe v. Wade. Mercy killing is on the rise in the Pacific Northwes,t and the United States is involved in another disastrous and failed war.
Taking life for any reason is wrong. The death penalty is rationalized by the word “justice.” Abortion is rationalized by the word “choice.” Euthanasia is rationalized by the word “mercy.” And war is rationalized by the word “freedom.”
It does not make sense to be “pro-life,” yet be in favor of the death penalty. It is not rational to be against euthanasia, yet be in favor of the war in Iraq — or, for that matter, any war.
It’s hard for me to understand how a so-called civilized society can so easily accept taking human life and masquerade it with words like “choice,” “justice,” “mercy” and “freedom.”
As John Lennon said, “Give peace a chance.” And Marvin Gaye said, “War is not the answer.” They probably aren’t the best examples to use, but I know that God is merciful, as he did not impose the death penalty on Cain. He gave him life in prison.
And I know that Jesus was against all of the above-mentioned as he asked his father to “Forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
— Jack Kocienski, Port Hueneme
Posted by Andrea Howry at 01:46 PM
Textbook publishers turn a page
Re: your Jan. 16 editorial, “No mystery to textbook costs”:
This editorial failed to provide an accurate understanding of the range of college textbooks that are available.
To help every student succeed, publishers offer thousands of options for textbooks and instructional tools at a wide range of prices. For instance, there are 216 introductory psychology titles currently on sale in college bookstores around the country at retail prices ranging from $24 to $120. This variety allows faculty and students to use course materials that best suit to their needs.
Yet despite these advances, tuition and student fees have increased at a faster rate than the average new textbook price. According to Student Monitor, a student research service, the average college student spent $644 on textbooks during the 2005-2006 academic year, a cost that has remained generally steady for the past three years. And, textbook costs only account for 5 percent of all college-related educational costs, according to the College Board.
At the community college level, a majority of instructors are using new teaching materials, such as CDs, online self-assessment tests, interactive learning tools and online homework, as the editorial noted. This is because a majority of professors say that these supplemental course materials help retain students who might otherwise fail to complete courses or drop out of school, according to a Zogby International survey.
As the cost of higher education continues to escalate, America’s publishers are helping students get the most out of their tuition dollar by responding to changing needs.
— Stacy Scarazzo Skelly, Assistant Director for Higher Education,
Association of American Publishers, Washington, D.C.
Posted by Andrea Howry at 01:39 PM
Why LNG isn’t practical
Re: Gary Cushing’s Jan. 22 commentary “LNG good investment for California”:
Cushing, an obvious shill for the gas industry, alleges liquefied natural gas is our only answer.
He's incorrect, and here’s why:
— LNG operations are horrendously expensive to construct, on the order of $3 billion each.
— Natural gas is a finite fossil fuel. Guesstimates on how much is economically recoverable vary widely.
— Extant LNG operations restrict boating and fishing operations while tankers arrive and depart. Many commercial and private businesses in our area would be severely affected.
— The Bush administration has pulled scientific considerations from the Environmental Protection Agency’s approval or denial of BHP Billiton’s proposal. The offal produced by existing port functions will be enhanced by an annual 20 million tons of environmental hazards anticipated from Cabrillo Port.
— Existing high-pressure gas lines do not exceed 250 pounds per square inch, according to the city's public works manager. Billiton proposes 30-inch pipes under at least 1,100 psi. What will be the effect of one of these lines ruptures?
— Is LNG worth going to war with China? That country has an ever-increasing need for natural gas as it raises its status to first world.
— LNG is a potential terrorist target. A naval base and a port operation make the Oxnard/Ventura area interesting to folks inimical to the United States.
— Southern California's deserts get sunshine every day. Our answer for independent power supply lies in commercial solar power plants.
— Conversion from natural gas to electricity or other power methodology for hot-water, heating, etc., will require at least two decades.
— U.S. chemical firms use more natural gas than our entire state uses for any purpose. Shouldn't we reserve such supply as remains?
Cushing's commentary contains only pure fiction. I suggest he and The Star’s readers study the facts and the science.
— Roger G. Pariseau Jr., Oxnard
Posted by Andrea Howry at 01:24 PM
Finding Christianity
Re: Bernard Lehrer’s Jan. 19 letter, “The farce that is religion”:
As a Christian, I agree with Lehrer about religion being based on fiction if one truth is correct: that God does not exist. I didn’t decide to become a “Christian” because I was looking for something to do. I didn’t wake up one morning and say: “Let’s see, I feel this urge to join something. Will it be the Moose, or the Elks, the Oddfellows, maybe Christianity? Yeah, sounds nice. I think I’ll do that.”
No, what happened to me, and what happens to millions of Christians, is that I encountered the living God through his son, Jesus Christ. I wasn’t looking for such an encounter, nor did I know such an encounter was possible. But it happened, and, being an individual of principle, I can never lie about the existence of Jesus and God, his father. I know what happened and to say anything different would be a lie.”
I know you will pass it off as hallucinations, delusions or whatever. However, you will have to say the same about the millions who have had similar encounters, yet unique to them. You would also have to explain how, as a direct result of this encounter, wrecked and ruined lives were drastically changed.
As for the last comment about “pedophile priests, whoring ministers, and rape, torture, mutilation and massacre of innocents — all in the name of religion,” I am not aware of Jesus espousing this kind of treatment to our fellow man.
However, it was Frederich Nietzsche who commented, after making his famous point “God is dead,” that because of this, the 20th century would be the bloodiest in the history of mankind. He was correct. It was secularism embraced by fascism, socialism, and communism that brought death to hundreds of millions of individuals on this planet.
— Chris Maguire, Oxnard
Posted by Andrea Howry at 01:18 PM
New alarm rule needs work
Re: your Jan. 2 article, “Ventura police, citing lack of resources, cut services”:
I would like to comment on the Ventura Police Department’s no-response policy to alarms between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. unless the alarm has been verified.
Police define a verified alarm “as one whereby the alarm company has confirmed legitimacy of criminal activity.” Video/audio verification or hiring private security are costly options, and having employees, neighbors or family members respond potentially puts them in harm’s way.
In October 2005, there were city discussions regarding this topic. Through my inquires with the Ventura Chamber of Commerce, I was told there would be communication with city personnel, business owners and community leaders to find an acceptable solution for alarm owners and the Police Department. That never happened. Instead, we received a notice Jan. 4 telling us to notify our customers the new policy was going into effect Jan. 15.
We had 11 days to notify 1,500 customers, and our customers had to weigh the options and decide on a solution best for them with no time available to protest these changes and prevent this policy from being enacted. City Council voted 6-0 to approve this without community discussion. Los Angeles recently tried a no-response policy, which was rescinded after an enormous outcry from its citizens. There are many owners who rely on alarm systems to protect their homes while they are at work and businesses that are not open every day from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thanks to the Police Department, criminals now know police won’t be responding to unverified alarms during this time.
I encourage all alarm owners to voice their opinions to City Council and ask: “Why we weren’t given an opportunity to find an alternate solution? Why weren’t we given time to prepare for this change?” As a taxpayer, you have a voice in these matters.
— Mark Draganchuk, Ventura
Posted by Andrea Howry at 01:06 PM
Slowdown means less traffic
OK, so let me get this straight. Oxnard commercial and residential development has basically come to a stop due to the real estate market leveling off. Thousands upon thousands of undocumented workers are left without field jobs due to the recent cold streak. And now Technicolor is leaving Camarillo for Mexico — not to mention that gas prices seem to be on a downward tick.
So what The Star is telling me is that the hundreds of thousands of vehicles on the already overburdened freeway system, bearing the Camarillo Crawl and the Wagon Wheel fiasco, might actually be getting a break? Could it actually be true? Hark, the herald angels sing! Commuters rejoice! There's always a silver lining in that dark cloud!
— Troy Kuhlman, Camarillo
Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:59 PM
Article unfair to doctor
Re: your Jan. 21 article, “County patients often unaware of allegations against doctors”:
In all fairness to our court system and due process, I find it unconscionable to discredit Dr. Wilson Fung prior to his court outcome. The Star neglected to mention the number of lives he is responsible for saving and the number of patients who are very pleased and dependent upon his medical skills. It was only a few years ago that his medical care saved my life.
To place his name along with a domestic abuser and another doctor convicted of illegal distribution of OxyContin is unfair. Dr. Fung will have his day in court to answer charges of fraud. I am certain he will be vindicated of any wrongdoing; however, the damage to his practice has been done not by a conviction, but by irresponsible reporting.
— Richard L. Espinosa, Camarillo
Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:37 PM
Olivas: hot links
At least twice a week, I drove down Olivas Park Drive to look at the progress of the construction of the new Olivas Park Golf Course, and, each time, I got discouraged by what I saw.
As a golfer of more than 40 years, I had had enough. I called the city offices and set up an appointment with Greg Gilmer, the golf services manager for the city. On Jan. 19 at 10 a.m., I met with Greg to better understand what was going on and when I could expect to tee it up on the first tee at Olivas. Greg shared with me the issues of the new type of grass and the poor weather we have been having and then drove me around the course.
At each turn down the new cart paths, I became more and more excited to play the course. There’s the ocean view, great approaches, well-placed lakes and ponds, and traps that protect all of the greens. It is a course that is well worth the wait.
Ventura has long needed a top-flight golf course. Although Olivas Park is no Pebble Beach, it is a course that I look forward to playing again and again as I look forward to retirement and daily rounds at Olivas Links.
— Gary Peterson, Ventura
(The writer is a professor at California College of the Canyons and also coaches men’s and women’s golf. — Editor)
Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:26 PM
Firefighters did great job
As an owner of one of the homes was threatened by this week’s Thousand Oaks fire, I want to convey my family’s gratitude to the Ventura and Los Angeles County firefighters who came to our aid. I have always read about the fantastic job they do but had never experienced it in person until now. Given all the other stories we read, it is nice to see taxpayer dollars going to something that really works well!
Particular thanks go to the helicopter pilots who flew well beyond their usual curfew to douse the dangerous hot spots; the brush fire crews quickly cutting fire lines in the face of the flames and the engine crews protecting our homes. Despite assembling squads from all over Ventura and Los Angeles counties, the attack on the fire was well coordinated by the captains and chiefs.
When I saw the flames cresting over the hill in front of our house, I thought this was going to be bad. However, our home was spared, and to my knowledge no other structure was damaged. It’s unbelievable! I had the chance to interact with many firefighters as they stood guard over our homes, and they patiently explained what was going on. Despite all the trucks and crews, they were always respectful of our neighborhood and home, a stark contrast to the throngs of spectators angling for a better view.
My hat is off to our firefighters. They deserve a raise!
— Brad Armstrong, Westlake Village
Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:23 PM
Whose nightmare is it?
Re: your Jan. 24 article, “Give Iraq effort a chance, Bush says”:
President Bush called the consequences of a U.S. withdrawal “a nightmare scenario.”
Unfortunately, when Bush is long out of office, cutting brush on his ranch, the rest of us won’t get to just “wake up.” Our troops, our babies, our kids, our families, our future – we’re stuck dying in the middle of the nightmare he and his cronies dreamed up.
“Nightmare scenario,” indeed.
— Kathy Smiley, Westlake Village
Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:18 PM
Another ‘if only’
Re: Reine Wiley's Jan. 14 Pulse commentary, "If only":
Yes, if only Wiley could have read Ann McFeatters’ "Bush's gamble of a generation," Ed Jones' "For war dead, we must find a better way" and Scott Lynch's "Beware of seeking ‘Peace in our time,'" which appeared on the same page.
May I further add: "If only" George W. Bush had taken the advice of his father, former President George H.W. Bush; or of former Army Chief of Staff Gen. Eric Shinseki (instead of ending his career) of needing more troops instead of requiring a similar number of troops today after more than 3,000 deaths and more than 10 times that injured; or of all the military and intelligence advisers; or of former Republican President Gerald Ford.
"If only" Bush and his vice president and former defense secretary had served in Vietnam, the president would not have been referred to by another writer as Lyndon Baines Bush.
Incidentally, not to nitpick, but I'm sure that if Jones had more column inches, he would have put an asterisk to his "nations will have to win freedom on their own as we did from Great Britain.” I learned three quarters of a century ago that the American colonists got France and Spain as allies. Also, there were volunteers such as Marquis de Lafayette (a college in Pennsylvania where I taught engineering is named after him), a 19-year-old major general who used his own money to fund the cause and brought his friend, Baron de Kalba, a veteran from Germany; Casimir Pulaski (a highway is named after him in New Jersey) and Thaddeus Kosciusko from Poland; and Baron von Steuben from Prussia.
— Ted Wakai, Oxnard
Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:11 PM
Figures misrepresented
Re: Cheryl Rollings’ Jan. 22 commentary, “Reproductive rights must be protected”:
Rollings deplores that "anti-choice lawmakers are chipping away at reproductive freedom" by passing laws that limit access to abortion. The laws she refers to are parental notification for minors, waiting periods, informed consent and similar legislation. These laws simply attempt to allow a woman considering abortion to be informed of the risks inherent in abortion and of the available alternatives.
Since Rollings is such an advocate of "choice,” why would she object to a woman having the time and information to make an informed choice? She objects to an informed choice because she knows that, when armed with the truth, a woman is less likely to choose abortion, and this will cut into the profits Planned Parenthood Inc. can make. It all comes down to the bottom line: money.
It is very interesting that Rollings quotes teen pregnancy rates and California abortion rate changes, since California is one of the few states that does not keep records on abortions. All we really know is that the teen birth rate has gone down, but that could well be because the teen abortion rate has gone up.
Planned Parenthood certainly doesn't seem to be suffering. But we don't know the statistics, and Rollings doesn't either, since those statistics are not collected. It’s just another way Rollings and Planned Parenthood misrepresent the truth.
— Mary Rollino, Ventura
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:52 AM
Women making better choices
Re: Cheryl Rollings’ Jan. 22 commentary, “Reproductive rights must be protected”:
Rollings decries any limits to abortion and makes misleading and erroneous claims about the success of Planned Parenthood’s family planning and sex education programs in California over the last 10 years.
For example, Rollings states, “California dramatically improved access to family planning and, as a result, has seen a 40 percent decline in teen pregnancy over the last decade.”
The fact is that every state has seen a 40 percent decrease in teen pregnancy rates over the last decade. Experts, including the Centers for Disease Control, agree this is due to a variety of reasons, including the passing of parental notification laws, waiting periods and similar laws that delay abortion. Using this same 40 percent figure, Rollings further claims that “prevention works,” referring to family-planning programs that distribute birth control to teens. Social psychologist Stan Weed, in “The Current National Picture on Teen Pregnancy,” states the drop in teen pregnancy rates cannot be accounted for by increased contraceptive use.
Data from national surveys show a consistent trend that more adolescents are abstaining from sexual activity. There are now more teens ages 15 to 19 not having sex than those who are. According to Weed, this is a more plausible explanation for the drop in teen pregnancy rates. In fact, Weed states that, for unmarried teens who are sexually active, birth rates have increased 31.2 percent despite increased condom use.
Finally, Rollings points to California’s abortion rate, at a 20-year low, as evidence that Planned Parenthood has been successful. The truth is that the nationwide abortion rate is at a 20-year low overall.
Given the above, it is just as valid to state that 34 years after Roe v. Wade, women are making better choices because of pro-life legislation, pro-life education and pro-life alternatives.
— Mary Dillon, Ventura
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:48 AM
Dishonest data
Re: Cheryl Rollings’ Jan. 22 commentary, “Reproductive rights must be protected”:
It takes some doing, but it is possible to peel back all the layers of sophistry, disingenuousness and just plain dishonesty in Rollings' commentary.
Let's start with her claims about the decrease in California's teen pregnancy and abortion rates. California does not collect abortion data. Rollings' 40 percent figure is the decrease in the teen birth rate, not pregnancy rate. Look up http://www.applications.dhs.ca.gov/pressreleases/store/PressReleases/06-34.html. Check with the California Department of Health Services, the Centers for Disease Control or the Alan Guttmacher Institute, Planned Parenthood's own research arm.
Planned Parenthood steadfastly opposes all efforts to require reporting of abortion data. Why deal with facts when you can just make up statistics? By not keeping reliable data on abortion, Planned Parenthood can posit a supposed decrease in abortions in California, extrapolating from the actual nationwide decrease. The nationwide decrease has come about because of abortion restrictions in other states, the very types of restrictions — parental involvement and informed consent — that Planned Parenthood has successfully blocked in California.
There is one type of abortion-related data Planned Parenthood wants collected. Thanks to a law pushed by Planned Parenthood, every year the attorney general publishes a report on “anti-reproductive rights crimes” in California. This 30-page report meticulously slices and dices the data on fewer than 10 incidents of alleged “anti-reproductive rights” crimes, consisting of battery and vandalism. The average convenience store sees more crime in a year than all the abortion clinics in California together.
Finally, Rollings takes aim at President Bush's appointment to oversee Title X, the federal family-planning program. The federal government should not be in the family-planning business, intruding in people's private medical decisions. Let's eliminate the Title X program and pull the rug right out from under Bush and his interfering, “anti-choice” appointee.
— Catherine Short, Ojai
(The writer is the legal director of the Life Legal Defense Foundation. — Editor)
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:45 AM
Turn criticism into assistance
Re: John K. Carter’s Jan. 19 letter, “Roe v. Wade despicable”:
In this nation, the choice to have an abortion is a moral decision, not a religious decision. If we put religion into this mix, we are making the United States a country based upon a certain religion, i.e., Christianity.
The Bill of Rights gives each of us, even Carter, the right to make our own decisions from our own moral compass and where that may take us. But we must not condemn those who have taken another road.
I want to know how many times Carter has supported a 15-year-old girl who is expecting, or adopted some abandoned child or offered to foster an unwanted child. If he has never done so, he should remain quiet.
— Kerrie L. Cortez, Ventura
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:19 AM
January 23, 2007
Help the geese, too, eh
Re: your Jan. 20 article, “Bid to bring skunk home raises a stink”:
Let's see, two people are going to fly to Buffalo, N.Y., to bring back a skunk that supposedly is from Torrance, here in California, but stowed away to Canada. This sounds like a very serious endeavor, so this should not be looked at too lightly.
First of all, how can we be sure that it came from Torrance? Suppose it's a Canadian skunk, eh? Then you can be accused of kidnapping and illegal immigration. Assuming it is from the United States, eh, then it now needs a passport, eh.
Moving along, what these two need to do is to fly an ultralight plane back to Buffalo and escort some of these Canada geese and loons that fly south for the winter. That way they can be of use both ways.
Also, I think their theme song for their trip should not be, "Going back to Cali," but something more appropriate. I can write one for them, and I would borrow the title from Forrest Gump: "Stupid Is As Stupid Does." Hope you don't mind, Forrest.
— Wally Powers, Ojai
Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:45 PM
Relieve Bush, too
Re: your Jan. 20 article, “Commander of nuclear sub relieved of duty”:
The commander of the nuclear submarine, USS Minneapolis-St. Paul, was relieved of command when an investigation revealed that two of the submarine’s sailors died due to a decision made by the commander. It was determined that the incident that caused the two deaths was a poor decision and was avoidable.
I think our commander in chief should be relieved because of his poor decision to invade Iraq.
— Pat McCambridge, Ventura
Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:34 PM
Too many missing links
Re: Richard Smith’s Jan. 15 commentary, “Study of evolution necessary”:
Mr. Smith makes one good point: “that we need to understand the world we live in.” But it ends right there.
Asking questions is what a chemistry and biology teacher should do. For starters, here are two simple questions: What information do I have? What information do I not have?
For example, a paleontologist digs up bones from an extinct dinosaur. The bones are examined and reassembled into a skeleton. What is not recovered are the soft tissues, such as the skin, muscles, internal organs, etc.
The point is that the paleontologist digs up only a small fraction of the total information about the extinct animal. The more complex and interesting information contained in the soft tissues have decayed and are lost forever.
If evolution is true, one could postulate that the majority of evolutionary changes would have occurred in the soft tissues and not the bones. Since the soft tissues are lost, so is any potential evidence for evolutionary changes.
What does the dinosaur look like? We don’t know. After all, no one was around with a camera to snap a picture. We have bones and no soft tissues. What is a scientist to do? You make it up! You take information about soft tissues from present day animals and superimpose that on the dinosaur skeleton, using some imagination and artistry. What you come up with is a good educated guess. It might be close, but it’s only a guess.
Evolution, where one species evolved into another, has not been observed or demonstrated in the laboratory, nor supported by the scant information from the fossil record.
When you don’t have all the information, you don’t have all the facts! And when you don’t have all the facts, it’s easy to reach wrong conclusions about what happened in the past.
What is needed in the science classroom is not evolution, but a dedication and freedom to discover what is true and what can be demonstrated in the laboratory. We need to teach students to ask questions and to be skeptical of claims made by science teachers. This is the best way to help our public school students to understand the real world in which we live.
— Anthony van Leeuwen, Ventura
Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:29 PM
Respect differing view
Re: Jim Barros’ Jan. 19 letter, “‘Deproductive’ rights,” and John K. Carter’s Jan. 19 letter, “Roe v. Wade despicable”:
To all those who would impose their religious beliefs on women by not only denying reproductive choice but vilifying anyone who supports women’s rights: Please, if you are truly Christian, find in your heart understanding and charity towards those who don’t share your every belief and cease from nasty name-calling and pointing to public officials who have the courage to support privacy and healthcare rights for all.
— Helen Conly, Ventura
Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:23 PM
Cursive, handwriting different
Re: your Jan. 22 article, “Cursive: Handwriting gets less attention in computer age”:
Good handwriting matters, but don't equate goodness with cursive.
According to the May/June 1998 edition of the Journal of Educational Research, the fastest, most legible handwriters don't write in cursive. Highest-speed, highest-legibility handwriters join some, not all, letters — making the easiest joins and skipping the rest. They also tend to use printlike shapes — not cursive — for the many letters whose printed and cursive shapes "disagree."
Even the law doesn't require cursive signatures, and it never has. Don't believe me? Ask your lawyer! The notion that "signatures require cursive" apparently began with schoolteachers desperate for some way to persuade children to change their handwriting to cursive after other schoolteachers had just spent a couple of years teaching those same schoolchildren to print. Teachers must do many things in the name of education, but their job cannot and must not include purveying untruth about the law of the land.
Rather than devote curriculum time into writing cursive — a second best, according to the research — teach what really works best: a semi-joined printlike style. Several series of textbooks already exist for this. With the time saved, put an hour or so into teaching the kids to read cursive, for the sake of those folks who still write it.
— Kate Gladstone, Albany, N.Y.
(The writer is the director of the World Handwriting Contest and chief executive officer of Handwriting Repair, a handwriting improvement service. — Editor)
Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:17 PM
Keep abortion safe, legal
No one likes abortion — not the doctors who perform the procedure or the patients who decide their life would be forever torn apart by having an unwanted child. If these well-meaning people who protest this right would work as hard to prevent unwanted pregnancies, the world would be better for it.
Planned Parenthood is not about abortion. It is about counseling to improve women's lives. It's about family values. It's about quality healthcare and the woman's right to make decisions about her life.
We remember a young couple in high school who committed suicide because of an unwanted pregnancy. This is one of many stories before the Supreme Court Roe v. Wade decision. We know of many others, including a friend who went to Mexico. She was a single mom with one child and a minimum wage job and a boyfriend who didn't want the responsibility of a family. The experience was traumatic and has stayed with her always. This woman has gone on to lead a happy, productive life. Would forcing her into a loveless marriage or into the welfare system have been a better result?
We look forward to the day when abortions are no longer necessary. Until then, keep them safe, and keep them legal.
Please, all anti-legal, safe abortionists: Stop and think. Is your position beneficial to humanity?
— Carl A. Melvin & Diana H. Goodrow, Oak View
Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:09 PM
Dumping on south harbor
Re: your Jan. 19 article, “Council OKs leasing of Navy land”:
Isn’t it great that Port Hueneme has chosen to turn the area adjacent to my neighborhood into a parking lot? I don't think those who live in the Hollywood-by-the-Sea and Silver Strand areas realize what Port Hueneme’s move will do to our community. Get ready for 24/7 lights bright enough to light up the harbor, noise, traffic and pollution. Our neighbors in Port Hueneme couldn't steal land in their own city, so they decided to go after federal property adjacent to our streets.
On the north side of the harbor, residents don't want the boating center — primary reasons: views, traffic, strangers, home values — so they want to kick it over to the south side. The residents of the combined communities of Hollywood-by-the-Sea and Silver Strand on the south side are the dumping ground for projects our "neighbors" don't want in order to maintain their quality of life and home values.
How many lanes will we need on Victoria Avenue now? We've already been boxed in by the closure of Navy base gates. Anyone from the beach traveling to Channel Islands Boulevard knows that sometimes the bottlenecks are maddening and time-consuming. In addition, response times for emergency personnel can be affected by the slowing of traffic due to congestion on Victoria. Add the boating center and the new parking and staging lots, and we've got a real mess on our hands.
Wake up Silver Strand! Wake up Hollywood-by-the-Sea! We are in this together. The harbor may divide some of us, but we're the same community. We must stop being used and fight for our rights, or our so-called "neighbors" will continue to dump on us.
— Jason Bland, Oxnard
Posted by Andrea Howry at 12:03 PM
‘Health plan’ is a tax
Re: your Jan. 21 Pulse page, “California healthcare proposals”:
I read with amusement the letters and commentaries concerning our newly minted Democrat governor's "health plan." It amazes me that so few people have any concept of economics and reality. With the exception of Janine Montoya's excellent commentary, they are dreamland fantasies.
It's a shame people can't grasp the simple concept enunciated by the late Milton Friedman when he said that any time any government at any level does anything, it's a tax on the people. Ms. Montoya knows this and clearly stated it another way in her article. Proposers can call their proposals anything they want to avoid the label and restrictions of the word "tax," but any government action proposed by them remains a tax on the people, and that includes the currently popular method of incurring debt: public bonds.
The amusement I get from this situation is the Internet saying that pops into my mind when I read these dreamland letters and opinions: "Anyone who proposes to rob Peter to pay Paul will have the full cooperation of Paul."
— Dick Hawley, Thousand Oaks
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:53 AM
Campaigning wastes money
We now have a raft of people declaring their bid to run for president. This is an election that is two years away and a year away from any primaries.
Millions of dollars will be spent. I know of no other country where this occurs. With news available so readily, there is no need for this. Our people are well-informed and do not need the barrage of political spots on the radio and TV. I really don't think most people pay attention to them anyway and just get turned off. That is most likely why more people are registering as independents.
I am positive this is not what was envisioned at the founding of this country. This problem extends far beyond the race for president. I was once told that a person elected on Tuesday must start raising funds for the next election on Wednesday. This is wrong.
The only people who can fix this problem are those in office, and I don't think they have any desire to do so.
— Jack Brewer, Simi Valley
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:38 AM
Earmarking won’t end
Before the election, the Democrats promised to eliminate earmarks. The new chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, David Obey, now says that earmarks are not inherently bad and that eliminating them won't save any money. His plan is to eliminate only those earmarks that would "embarrass the House" and to reduce the number of earmarks — to only Democrats? Shades of “Animal Farm.”
— George Adelman, Newbury Park
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:35 AM
Unbelievable? Hardly
Re: George Sjostrom’s Jan. 20 commentary, "The imperfect theories of bipartisanship":
Mr. Sjostrom stated, "In a rush to bipartisanship, … Schwarzenegger has made an unbelievable switch from his conservative promises … to this month’s radio address in which he proposes massive increases in the state’s debt."
I don’t think it is an "unbelievable switch." When Schwarzenegger realized there were too many Democrats in California’s liberal Legislature — 60 percent in the Assembly and 63 percent in the Senate — to pass his legislation, he went to the voters with several initiatives. When they were defeated, he realized there were too many liberals among California’s voters to pass his legislation.
If you can’t beat them, join them. He then decided that to be successful, he needed to adopt a liberal agenda, add liberals to his staff and make deals with Democrats in the Legislature. It worked. It also made him popular with California’s liberal majority of voters.
It was not an "unbelievable switch" because he has no socioeconomic principles. He is an opportunist. Power over people and companies is what drives him, not principles. The power he craves is leading California to a more authoritarian society with less individual freedom.
If he had any intellectual honesty, he would switch his voter registration.
— Bill Stanley, Westlake Village
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:30 AM
Bad location for ‘celebration’
I was shocked to learn that California State University, Channel Islands, hosted a "celebration" of the anniversary of Roe v. Wade on its campus. The callous indifference to the 49 million deaths that this case represents is a mark that our civilization has indeed reached the bottom of the scale of decency. Not only will those attending enjoy a gruesome meal over the deaths of 49 million innocent human beings, they will also rejoice in the suffering of all those involved in this terrible devaluation of human life.
In 23 years of post-abortion counseling, I have yet to meet the woman who rejoices and celebrates her decision to take the life of her own child. The greed that drives the multimillion-dollar abortion industry to profit from human misery should not be allowed to gloat over its victims on property owned by the public.
— Donna Sorek, Newbury Park
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:26 AM
Gouging didn’t happen
Re: Jerre Reimers’ Jan. 18 letter, “Don’t allow price gouging”:
I don’t know if price gouging applies here. However, let’s look at oranges as an example. Last week in Simi Valley, small oranges were 25 cents a pound, on sale. This week, they are 39 cents. Is this price gouging? No, they were 39 cents before the sale.
What is Mr. Reimers’ background in food distribution? Mine is three years of retail as a produce boy and more than 10 years in wholesale distribution. Price gouging can be defined as raising the retail price when the wholesale price remains the same or a temporary spike due to a panic run from a natural disaster. Is going back to the same price gouging? Do any of The Star’s readers see gouging from Ralphs, Vons or Albertsons? The day after the freeze, did Simi Valley jack up the prices? Were sales canceled? No. Will the wholesale price rise? Yep.
You can look to see wholesale prices in many newspapers. Since stores get more than one produce shipment a week — we got six a week — the resupplying at the distribution centers will cause a price change.
No justification for a price increase? Give me a break!
— Bob Newman, Moorpark
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:20 AM
Who protects rights of unborn?
Re: Cheryl Rollings’ Jan. 22 article, "Reproductive rights must be protected”:
Ms. Rollings states in her article that a woman's "reproductive rights" must be protected, but women also deserve the truth, and no one's freedom or so-called "reproductive rights" should allow for the death of an unborn child in its mother's womb.
We need to come to our senses as a society and denounce once and for all the cruel, inhumane practice of abortion, which Roe v. Wade brought to our nation in 1973. True choice is not abortion; every person needs to be guaranteed the right to life.
Ms. Rollings states that Roe v. Wade granted women freedom for their reproductive destiny, but what about the children's destiny? Who will protect theirs?
— Jean Berry, Newbury Park
Posted by Andrea Howry at 11:08 AM
Equestrian center needed
I am writing to add my voice to the discussion regarding the Rancho Potrero Equestrian Center — also known as Two Winds Ranch — and to dispel the suggestion that the facility benefits only 60-odd boarding equestrians. Nothing could be further from the truth.
A quality equestrian facility serves many purposes, one of which is setting Thousand Oaks apart from the rest of Ventura County. Simply put, there are no comparable facilities in the nearby area. The loss of this unique facility would leave little difference between Thousand Oaks and, say, Westlake Village or Agoura.
It cannot be denied that redeveloping this land for residential purposes will increase the tax base in the short term. However, our City Council was