Letters to the Editor 8/29

Stop the killing

The 10th anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001, will be here soon. With all due respect to those who died, their family and friends — which doesn’t include the long-term death toll from those exposed to toxins in the monster dust clouds — the United States and coalition forces have been at war in Iraq and Afghanistan killing and dying.

I went online to look at casualties in Iraq and Afghanistan; deaths in both countries total more than 900,000, with civilian deaths at least 392,979. Statistics can be twisted, and the media can slant the news, but every day, we continue to add to those numbers.

We need to stop the killing and bring our troops home.

George Sheffield

Los Osos

Right to defend

Once again Israel is under unprovoked terror attacks against targeted civilians. We all have a right to defend ourselves, yet Israel gave time to terrorists to calm the situation while Hamas continued to fire rockets. This terrorist organization receives money and weapons from Iran. Iran, as we know, is committed to wiping Israel off the map.

We need to appeal to the international community to oppose the Palestinian unilateral bid for statehood backed by the United Nations and urge Palestinians to return to unconditional peace talks with Israel.

My information is from The Israel Project, an international nonprofit providing journalists accurate information about the Middle East and unrelated to any government agency.

Rev. Nancy Strickland

Lompoc

Support the Broncos

The Coast Union administration and coaches as well as Superintendent Chris Adams made a wise decision to swallow some pride and have the high school team play a junior varsity schedule this year. For years, our teams have attempted to play with too few players. The results have been severe beatings on the field as well as excessive exposure to injuries because of the lack of reserve players.

Thus, many kids have given up on the game. If the high school had attempted to play a varsity schedule this year, I believe the experience would have soured even more players, seriously jeopardizing the future of football in Cambria. By taking a year to teach the game to the new players, and by playing teams of equal caliber, the staff have given football a chance to survive in our town.

Because of the decision made this year, Coast Union football will not only survive but thrive. With the size and athleticism of the players on the field this year, as well as players coming up through Santa Lucia Middle School, all instructed by an excellent coaching staff, I predict that in two years, the Broncos won’t just field a team but rather will vie for their league championship. Come out and support the kids and coaches.

Kyle Ronemus

Cambria

Caution is prudent

As “Nana” to two aspiring prepubescent quarterbacks, I find myself paying attention to the data and stories about cumulative brain injury in collision sports. A recent Tribune Sports article about Cal Poly’s K.J. Cusack retiring from Cal Poly football after two concussions (Aug. 19) prompts me to write.

According to the Sports Legacy Institute, brain injury in sports is on the increase. Football leads the way in these injuries, but lacrosse is in a rising second place.

The brain cannot be trained to withstand concussive injury, which may be cumulative and usually not visible on brain scans. Despite four international expert consensus statements, there are no scientifically validated return-to-play guidelines. It seems prudent to support a very cautious approach to resumption of a collision sport — “cognitive deficits” are a high price for athletes to pay.

We should support decisions such as Cusack’s and be wary of coaches who may not have a proper concern for trauma to the youthful and still-maturing brains of their athletes. See the CDC’s “Heads Up” program at www.cdc.gov for more information. I hope my grandsons and all young athletes have such informed and concerned coaches.

Ann Hansen

San Luis Obispo

Inspiring achievements

On behalf of the board of directors, staff and clients of Community Action Partnership, I would like to thank Bill Morem for shining a light on what is becoming an increasingly familiar sight in our community — mentally ill and physically disabled homeless individuals. These people have a right to the same services and support we all enjoy, yet all too often they fall through the cracks because of their illness, only to spiral down even further.

The individuals highlighted in the article represent hope for the more than 150 clients who are actively working with the Community Action Partnership case managers in an effort to get off the streets and into a home. This article demonstrates that with professional support and a caring community, a life of stability and self-sufficiency can be attained for these struggling yet resilient members of our community. Their achievements are inspiring.

Sandee Menge

Board member, Community Action Partnership of San Luis Obispo, Inc.

Paying attention?

It seems that we have to suffer earlier and earlier every presidential election. As soon as Barack Obama was inaugurated, the Republican leadership said that their one and only function would be to see that Obama did not serve a second term.

To this end, they’ve either prevented legislation for the good of the American people or given more and more goodies for the rich, and in most cases, both. Republicans are batting at 100 percent, the rich 150 percent and the American people at negative 50 percent.

But why would they want to change presidents? How much more success could they have without Obama? His accomplishments include not ending the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, not closing Guantanamo Bay, continuing tax breaks for the rich while decimating social programs and passing a toothless health care bill while at the same time getting full cooperation from Republicans.

Just wanted to see if you were paying attention; most Americans aren’t.

Rex Farris

Grover Beach

Elephant seals

While we at Friends of the Elephant Seal appreciated the piece by Judy Salamacha (By the Bay, Aug. 22) about our Soupabration fundraiser on Sept. 10, there were some problems with her description of the seals. The pregnant females do not “join to protect their bull and harem.” Rather, they are fully devoted to protecting their pups.

Also, the molting takes place during a different visit to the rookery, in April and May for the females, and they shed a layer of skin and all of their hair.

We invite all of your readers to come to the rookery and see these events for themselves. Be sure to talk with a docent while you are there. More information, pictures and sounds are also available at www.elephantseal.org.

Brandt Kehoe

President, Friends of the Elephant Seal

Not too shabby

Regarding your story of Aug. 21, “Managers head list of Morro’s top paid,” here’s the real rub: Taken together, the top 50 wage earners garnered a total of $4,456,097.90.

That’s an average annual wage of $89,121.95 apiece. Not too shabby for pay in a town of 10,391 people, with hardly any crime, serious or otherwise, and very few fires.

Ask any teacher, or shop owner or restaurant worker or Social Security recipient.

I’m sure the overwhelming majority would be delighted to agree.

John Winthrop

Cayucos

Generosity & kindness

Hospice Partners of the Central Coast wishes to thank the community for making the 9th Annual Hospice “Pardners” Hoedown fund-raiser and the community-wide Hoedown Raffle, held Aug. 6 at the Hearst Ranch, such a success. It was a great afternoon at the Dairy Barn, with good food, good music and good friends. As always, the net proceeds will benefit our hospice patients and their families.

A special thank you to the Hearst Corp. and Steve Hearst for allowing us access to the ranch and the use of the Dairy Barn. Because there were so many who helped us with the Hoedown, we can’t list you all by name in this letter. We send out a huge thank you to all the businesses and individuals who sponsored and donated to make the event a success. And to all the volunteers who helped on the day of the event and all the volunteer Hoedown committee members who spent many hours planning the event, please know that you are our angels.

Thank all of you! Your generosity and kindness touches the lives of many.

Ron McEvoy Event and media coordinator, Hospice Partners of the Central Coast, San Luis Obispo

No fairness doctrine

Bob Cuddy’s piece “Compromise a dirty word for the GOP” (Aug. 14) painted an accurate picture of what is happening.

Yesterday, I sent a letter to my president explaining why I cannot send more money to his campaign: He bends over too often and passes up many opportunities to negotiate from positions of strength, substance and true leadership.

When you ask the question, “Where is the mainstream media?” I have an answer:

At one time in our country’s history, the airwaves were considered the property of Americans. We had a “Fairness Doctrine” that kept the messages being sent over the airwaves from becoming one-sided. If a party bought up too much time to promote its ideology, then the station had to allow the other party equal time.

Today, 92 percent of our talk radio stations nationwide are owned by conservatives with no fairness doctrine in sight. It left the scene during the Bush administration. Hence, the new doctrine (my invention): “The Biggest Liar with the Most Money Wins Doctrine.”

This is a powerful doctrine and took out many of our honest politicians, leaving the rest shaking and bending over.

Your column was bold, well thought out, well-written and on-target.

Norm Jackson

Atascadero

Heartfelt thanks

Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Luis Obispo County extends heartfelt thanks to everyone involved in making the 2011 BIG EVENT, “A Walk down the Red Carpet,” a huge hit!

Graciously hosted by Embassy Suites, the BIG EVENT raised more than $68,000 in support of local youth mentoring. A huge round of applause to our sponsors American Perspective Bank and Business Partners, Morgan Stanley Foundation, American General Media, New Times, Tolosa Press, Paso Robles Press, Atascadero News, TekTegrity, Monarch Dunes at the Woodlands, Discovery Dining, Coast BMW Nissan and Adamski Moroski Madden Cumberland & Green.

Another round of applause for the BIG EVENT sponsors, guests, food and beverage sponsors, donors and volunteers; we appreciate your support of Big Brothers Big Sisters and your commitment to the youth of our community.

Patty Carpenter

Event coordinator, Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Luis Obispo County

Immigrant preference

People say, “I have nothing against Mexicans, but they should come in legally, do the paperwork and so on.”

The thing is that our national laws are stacked against them. Throughout our country’s history, Congress has given preference to people of background similar to their own — that is to Europeans — through quotas. Asian and Hispanic quotas have been kept low or nonexistent.

Only when immigrants from all areas of the world are treated equally can we have a fair immigration system.

What many Americans don’t, or don’t want to, realize is that most new inventions and job creations have come from immigrants and first-generation Americans. By discriminating, we are keeping the new job makers out of our country.

Roy Berger

Arroyo Grande

Done deal

So now it looks like Obama is giving Bank of America full immunity from prosecution in exchange for $20 billion. That comes to a third of a percent of the $6 trillion that homeowners lost and taxpayers are still paying the interest on. Now that this chapter is over, we can all relax and have a cigarette.

Steve Felten

Paso Robles

A memorable line

An article in the Huffington Post the other day had this one-liner, which I thought was worth repeating: “Read my lips ... no new Texans.”

Merl Deena

San Luis Obispo