Letters to the Editor

Here’s to wine artistry

I t has been our great joy to be residents of Cambria for a little more than a year, so we believe we may now be qualified to make an observation about life in San Luis Obispo County.

People here have a great appreciation for beauty, natural and artistic, both of which are in great abundance. Before we moved from the Midwest, we tried to buy, drink and promote wines exclusively from this region. Being here makes that a lot easier, but it has also been an education to learn what an economic driver the wine industry is. Considering all of this, here is a proposal: When appropriate, put the name of the artist or designer of the wine label, as well as that of the winemaker, on the label. Some of the art and logos are outstanding, and the artists or designers deserve the recognition, very much in keeping with the creative appreciation in this area.

We’ve been to Napa, Sonoma and other wine regions in the U. S. and abroad. What the Central Coast offers is unique, and it is our thought that celebrating the artists and the winemakers in a very simple but appropriate way just adds one more positive element to the “emotional terroir” of our unique part of the planet. Here’s to the artist!

Tom Cochrun

Cambria

Not an elitist criticism

The ins and outs of politics abound with analogies at every level of the social spectrum.

It is natural that the “outs” would commiserate with others in the same boat. Depending on their lifestyle, they might go hunting with buddies. It’s a comfort thing. People raised in a community stay in familiar surroundings where they have known comfort. Outsiders may make them uncomfortable because their lifestyle is not familiar. And when the chips are down, family and friends turn to familiar styles of religious practices for strength to endure what they cannot change. There is comfort in sharing together the consequence of life’s twists and turns.

This is the crux of the meaning of Sen. Barack Obama’s remarks as he made clear in a 2004 interview I saw on Charlie Rose (PBS). It was not an elitist criticism, as Hillary and McCain would label them, but a recognition of a cry for help. A cry Obama believes he is most qualified to answer.

Attempts to mislabel Obama by political maneuverings is an attempt to prevent him from invading what they consider their political domain.

Ken Ramey

Paso Robles

Suggestions for readers

After reading several letters to the editor recently, I have come up with several suggestions for my fellow readers.

First, Ray Dickson (“Dalidio could be a hero,” April 22) and G. R. Flores (“What makes an elitist,” April 22) should offer to buy Mr. Dalidio’s property (at fair market value). Because they both believe that Mr. Dalidio should give away his retirement nest egg and his family’s inheritance, they should also be willing to do the same.

Second, those who support Mr. De Vaul’s unpermitted, unsanitary and unsafe “homeless shelter” (particularly those who do not live in the area around the ranch), should be willing to give up some space in their neighborhoods to operate a similar shelter (complete with convicted sex offenders).

And last, all the unhappy volunteers at the animal shelter should donate money to improve the operations and the quality of the staff to their satisfaction.

Maybe it’s time we stop trying to make decisions about other people’s lives when we would not be willing to make those same sacrifices.

Michelle Tasseff

San Luis Obispo

Stop yellow journalism

Yellow journalism must stop! Media must give people real information that they need on pressing political issues in a democracy.

The ABC News debate between the Democratic presidential candidates in Pennsylvania provided little for Americans.

We needed to hear tough questions about important public policy issues that our country is facing such as the war in Iraq, health care, the economy and the environment.

Instead, Charles Gibson and George Stephanopoulos wasted too much of our time with trivia, manufactured issues and a string of “gotcha” questions designed to entrap the candidates. What a wasted opportunity.

The public owns the airways— the media do not — so they have obligations to the public. Americans deserve better than yellow journalism. Americans deserve quality journalism.

Larry N. Moore

Santa Maria

Follow bicycling rules

eading the explanation for running stop signs and stop lights was very interesting (“Reasoning of a cyclist,” April 16). Give me a break! The very reason for most intersection accidents involving bicycles is the cyclist running the stop sign.

Now, can you explain why while driving down Highway 227 I see groups of cyclists riding three abreast with one on or outside the solid white line of the bicycle lane? Believe it or not, there are a lot of us who drive vehicles and who do not want to get close to you on the road. So use the bike lane as intended and obey all the rules as we have to.

One more thing. Whatever became of the grand jury investigation that came to a finding that bicycles in this county are operated in a dangerous fashion? Another waste of time.

Jeff Beck

Arroyo Grande

Play war documentary

R ecently, Bill Moyer’s Journal on PBS (March 21) featured “Body of War,” a documentary about Tomas Young, 25 years old, who joined the Army after 9/11 and was sent to Iraq. In five days, he was badly wounded, all body functions paralyzed from the chest down. Phil Donahue and Ellen Spiro met him and made a documentary of this courageous young man as he speaks out against this unjust war and for the thousands of young, forgotten soldiers like himself. It was very moving and everyone should see the movie.

I e-mailed the Palm Theater, but they said they had shown it last October, but if enough people requested it be brought back, they would try to do it. The theater can be reached at PalmCinema@aol.com . Another Web site to see is www.bodyofwar.com . Please e-mail the Palm so this movie can be seen in San Luis Obispo County now that more people know about it. Dee Carroll

Santa Margarita

Cut administrators

After reading about the budget cuts, it seems as if all of the local schools have a solution to the problem: cut teachers, cut programs and cut supplies. No one has mentioned cutting administrators. If you have fewer students to teach, you would need fewer administrators to administrate. But that makes too much sense.

Steve Moulter

San Luis Obispo

Careful with definitions

Cal Thomas (April 23) wrote of unborn babies and said some definitions might be helpful. Indeed. The same laxity that allows a fetus to be labeled “unborn baby” would permit labeling a near-death human as an “undead corpse.” Imagine the mischief. Devious folks could argue that money shouldn’t be wasted on the medical needs of a terminally ill grandparent. And why bother with hospice care, etc.? After all — they’re just undead corpses.

Yes, Mr. Thomas, let’s do be careful with definitions.

J. B. Thomas

Arroyo Grande