October 8, 2004

LETTERS2theEDITOR

Reader agrees George Bush and Republicans are dangerous

Editor,
I was reading the “Letters to the Editor” in this week’s edition of the Evergreen Times. I have done research on the Bush administration, especially on Dick Cheney. George Bush and the Republicans in Washington are the most dangerous people in the world.

The Republicans have repelled most of the environmental laws, and their cronyism with big oil, energy and other corporations they have interests in is ruining our environment, health and American democracy.

Read “Crimes Against Nature,” by Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., and you can see how the Bush administration has ruined our environment, just so their cronies can further line their greedy pockets at the expense of hard-working Americans. Robert F. Kennedy is a lawyer for the National Resources Defense Council and is working hard to reinstate some of the statutes and rulings the Republicans have gotten around.

They are ruthless and have gone back as far as the Carter administration after great laws that protect our country, health and jobs. Any middle class American cannot honestly vote for the Republicans if they have all the facts.

Also, I do not understand why the schools always need more money. Proposition K asks for more money so that the schools can make sure the computers are maintained.   Proposition N asks for $94 so that the school’s surplus will not have to be used. With $8 million in surplus, why ask for more money when it is not needed now? Be efficient and save the surplus or use some of it.

It seems like everyone cannot live on a budget, including the school districts, the city, the county, etc. Why can’t these groups look to being more efficient and find ways to save money instead of asking for more all the time?

Homeowners and businesses have to live on a budget. It seems public agencies have not learned anything about proper management of taxpayers’ money.

Don Agnello
Evergreen area

Reader responds to letter’s criticism of Bush

Editor,
I read with “callous” disbelief a letter full of vitriol (look up the word Sistilio) that was in your “Letters to the Editor” on Sept. 25. Now I understand that all newspapers get letters from madmen, and you sometimes print representative examples of these letters, but I would like to respond to Mr. Testa’s letter and will, point by point.

“The whole American system” does not promote ignorance (read conservative). Public schools are full of ideologues like Mr. Testa who preach class envy and liberal dogma every day. So to say his side of political arguments is not represented is a specious argument at best, perhaps even intentional misrepresentation. I say that because I find it hard to believe that a teacher could be ignorant of education’s heavy alliance with liberal causes. Just look up how much money is donated to liberal candidates and causes by the Teachers’ Union.

The United States was not starving anyone “since 1991.” Saddam Hussein was starving his people long before the first Gulf War. Sanctions controlled what he could buy with his oil and how much. There was plenty of food allocated for the Iraqis had they received what was shipped. Apparently the United Nations, France and Russia had other ideas.

The U.S. Government under Democratic and Republican presidents had nothing to do with Hussein’s corruption. I’m guessing that 5000 starving children dying per month was still not enough reason to go into Iraq? Will President George Bush still not receive credit for relieving such innocent misery? Or is that another specious argument? After all if the liberal argument held up then President Clinton stood by and let 480,000 innocent children starve.

President Bush never “gave away the Treasury.” The now age old class envy fable of liberals and Democrats that Bush is enriching his cronies has never held up under scrutiny. Halliburton, one of Bush’s supposed evils in fact had more government contracts under the Clinton administration than they have had under Bush. Their work in Bosnia and Serbia even prompted compliments from then Vice President Gore. The other “rich friends” in the supposed top one percent is another falsehood. Everyone who paid taxes gained on an equal percentage basis from the tax reduction. If you paid more, you got more back; it’s that simple.

I have no idea how the Patriot Act is supposed to allow rich people to do “any damn thing they want.” I don’t know how to address such a mental disconnect except to ask, where in the Patriot Act does it say that the rich have more rights than the poor?

His last mistake in the letter is the assumption that “the world hates the United States more than ever.” Really, the whole world hates us? If that were even possible, it would not negate the fact that the United States as a nation gives more humanitarian aid and support than any other nation or group of nations put together. The billions upon billions of aid, some of that to nations that oppose us like North Korea, is what we as Americans do. If that wins us no friends, we will still help. That is what makes us a great nation and not the imperialists Mr. Testa would have us believe.

After eight years of an apologist administration and the attacks of 9/11, the United States finds itself at war with an enemy that would kill our innocent children in their beds. So it is more important than ever to finally face the reality that the Americans are not as a group evil, bad or imperialistic.

The belief that America is always the bad guy is a form of bigotry from the left that does America great harm. Loyal opposition is not what many on the left practice these days. It is more sedition than anything else.

Lending aid and comfort to nations and terrorists that would harm us is wrong and should not be acceptable behavior. If the terrorists that do hate us ever gain control, like those in Cambodia, the liberals would be the first to die or suffer at the hands of real oppressors.

Sam Brown
Capitol Expressway, Evergreen

Reader amused by letter about President Bush

Editor,
Wow! I had an amusing time reading the letter titled “Reader sees Bush as the most dangerous man in the world” in the Sept. 25-Oct. 8 Evergreen Times. It seems as though somebody over in our wonderful downtown area has a little bit of angst towards President Bush and all Republicans.

It amazes me how someone who claims to be a teacher can label another group “ignorant” or “callous” just because their viewpoint or political affiliation is the opposite. My face turns “livid white with horror” knowing that Mr. Testa probably uses his classroom/school as an instrument to promote hatred, ignorance and any other personal propaganda that he deems fit.

Although everyone in this country has a right to their own opinion, it is people like Mr. Testa, not the American system, who promote ignorance. Moreover, it is the Mr. Testas, the Dan Rathers and the Michael Moores that are the most dangerous men in the world.

It did not take going to school or listening to the media to know that scores of innocent Iraqis perished under the United Nations’ sanctions. It is tragic that so many children died because the country’s former dictator, Saddam Hussein, (not the United States) wanted to be a knucklehead and not cooperate with the United Nations.

However, to say that the deaths of 9/11 “pale in comparison to what was going on in Iraq before the attack on U.S. soil” is an insult to many Americans and especially to those who lost loved ones on that evil day. Mr. Testa, it seems as though you are the one who has become “callous” to the events of 9/11. I personally suggest that you watch the footage of the airplanes crashing into the World Trade Center over and over. . .

As for President Bush “giving the Treasury away to his rich friends” and “the rich doing any damn thing they want” with the Patriot Act, Mr. Testa, I have one final recommendation: go out and vote this November. That way, the rest of the world can despise our country (it’s nothing new) even more. Although the United States is far from perfect, we are fortunate to be allowed to vote peacefully for change … if it is necessary.

Sincerely,
Stoney Jackson
Still on planet Earth,
somewhere in the
beautiful Evergreen area

Educating our children

Editor,
In reference to a previous post in the Evergreen Times about President Bush from a schoolteacher.

I urge all parents; when possible to do so, please screen your schools and teachers before sending your children to be indoctrinated with political banter, propaganda and hate.

REMEMBER WE DO HAVE OPTIONS. Home schooling in California is JUST ONE of those options.

In the K through 12 levels, we want our children to be taught the basics: reading, writing, languages, the sciences, and math. Beyond that we as parents are fully capable and must handle the rest.

Michael Scott
Evergreen

Hinman’s Evergreen Garage not linked to Elliot accident

Editor,
Thank you so much for writing an article [in the Sept. 25—Oct.8 Evergreen Times] about how a car accident changed my life. I appreciate very much that it was explained to my customers what really had happened to me. Many people did not even know why I am not there anymore! The article was written so beautifully, explaining my real feelings. I am forever grateful to the Evergreen Times.

Although I can no longer do massage, I wanted my clients at Healing Lily Massage Clinic to know that I hadn’t abandoned them, and that I plan to be back at the clinic in some way when I recover. In the meantime, the massage therapists who work for me are excellent!

Unfortunately, my mechanic at Hinman’s Evergreen Garage told me that some of his customers misinterpreted the article to read that the brakes he inspected were to blame for the accident. As the article stated, Hinman’s checked the brakes before we left, and they were working fine.

In fact, the brakes were inspected after the accident when the car was towed to Alpine Auto Body, and they also confirmed that the brakes were working perfectly. We had an accident in heavy traffic, which had nothing to do with the brakes.

The mechanics at Hinman’s are the most honest mechanics I’ve ever known. I wouldn’t trust anyone else besides Hinman’s to work on my car, especially from a woman’s perspective. They even give you the old parts that they replace.

We continue to take our cars to Hinman’s, and I hope your readers will do the same!

Liliana Elliot, Owner of
Healing Lily Massage Clinic 
Laurel Canyon Drive,
Evergreen/Silver Creek

Resident disappointed by attitude of Sikh Temple’s neighbor

Editor,
I was disappointed and disheartened to read the letter [in the Sept. 11—24 Evergreen Times] from Evergreen resident M. Jones who was appalled by the size of the Sikh Temples’ opening day celebration and who finished his letter by signing ‘Evergreen resident unfortunate to live by the Sikh Temple.’

First of all, I apologize on behalf of the inconsiderate driver who blocked your driveway and the overwhelming size of this event that caused traffic jams around the area of the Sikh Temple. The Sikh Temple has no plans to take your neighborhood hostage.

I asked my children to read the letter from M. Jones and asked them for their opinions. Both my children responded by saying M. Jones was a very angry person—the kind of angry person who takes exception if even his own neighbor parked their car in front of his/her home. 

Since the opening day celebration, can I ask M. Jones if he/she has been taken hostage by the functions at the Temple? Has there been traffic congestion around his/her home? Has your driveway been blocked again?

I read your letter several times to realize that you have had no intention to welcome the new Sikh Temple in the neighborhood. The new Temple is indeed a large project that is going to attract scores of onlookers and well wishers. I only wish that M. Jones gives this new project a chance and just “chills” in the mean time.

Harjit Singh
Hidden Glen, Evergreen

Resident regrets loss of Pleasant Hills Golf Course

Editor,
I knew it was coming sooner or later. The “it” being the news that Pleasant Hills Golf Course is closing to make way for development. Seeing how the owners let it fall into disrepair, when other courses in the area are thriving, was the signal to me that it wouldn’t be long before that great, open expanse in our neighborhood would be but a memory.

One of the reasons we moved, over 14 years ago, into a neighborhood across the street from the golf course was that is so nice to have that feeling of open space. When more and more new housing developments seem to be stacked on top of one another, the course, which is also home to many types of birds and other animals, provided that much needed buffer that helps keep the area from degenerating into just another congested city.

Watching the family of owls that live in one of my neighbor’s trees fly towards the golf course at night to feed always gave me a reason to feel that the Evergreen area was a special place to live. Slowly, but surely, that feeling is leaving me.

I’ve lived in San Jose for over 38 years and I’m not naive enough to believe that my kids will be able to walk across the street to the cherry orchards like I once did. Those days are gone. I do hope, however, that the area residents will be kept informed of any city council meetings that will deal with future use of this land. I hope the desire of long-time area residents will be heard over the din of developers clamoring to make a fortune developing this land.

Dean Davidson
Napa Drive, Evergreen

Park ‘going to the dogs’

Editor,
Evergreen Park is going to the dogs. I am a dog owner who really enjoys the park with my buddy Indy. The problem is that many dog owners have chosen to ignore our city ordinances and will not leash their dogs or pick up after them. It really makes our outings an adventure as we try to avoid stepping in something or having another dog approach us.

My dog does not do well with strangers or other dogs. He came from the Humane Society at five years old, and I cannot get him to change his attitude. I hear it many times, “Don’t worry, my dog is very friendly.”

Well, my dog is not. Now I feel like I’m the “bad dog” owner, which is why my dog is leashed (not to mention “IT’S THE LAW!). I do not look forward to the day a bite incident happens, but I’ll have the law on my side if the other dog is not leashed, no matter which dog bites first.

The dog stuff is another matter. I have my kids trained to pick it up, for crying out loud. The city provides poop bags, or you can buy a box of 500 bags at Smart & Final for $6 so all of us could enjoy the park without the land mines or the smell. It really gets bad on a warm day. The stuff is toxic and does not “fertilize” the dirt, so please pick it up.

The city needs to start enforcing the ordinances before a child gets sick or bitten. A few “examples” to the rest of the dog owners with some big fines would probably do the trick. Yes, our police have better things to do, but this is really getting out of hand in the park where it follows Park Estates along the creek.

Owning a pet comes with many responsibilities, some not so pleasant, but my kids have found it to be not so bad.

Let’s show our non-pet neighbors that we respect them and appreciate the park as much as anyone.

Bob Schubert
Willow Estates, Evergreen

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