Letters 

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Meth ad is ugly, but it's helpful

Thank you for including the "Meth--not even once" advertisement on page 3 of the Oct. 25 issue. Although the picture was terrifying, it got the point across and provides a community service by referring people to a help line and website.

Colette Joyce

San Luis Obispo

 

 

 

Here's what diversity will bring you

So "Hodin" thinks it is "cute" that white guys were the only finalists for Cuesta College (Oct. 18). You white folks better enjoy what you can because when we minorities take over America the whites will never be in power again in America. Thank you diversity! Thanks to your stupidity and diversity, the gabachos will be the "N" word of the future. You reap what you sow, pendejos.

John Sanchez

Madera

 

 

 

I'm fortunate to live in Pozo

I agree with Jessica Glynn ("Thank the Beanways for great concerts," Oct. 25). When I bought my home in Pozo seven years ago, it was common knowledge that there were at least three concerts a year at the Saloon. In spite of any potential disadvantages, that was a huge selling point for me.

As for trash, after each concert the Saloon crew cleans up both sides of the road for a good half-mile in each direction. I walk these roads daily, and can personally attest that there is less trash on Pozo Road after a concert than any other day of the year. Sad but true.

The road has problems, but more damage is done daily by weather changes, large trucks with horse trailers, agricultural and commercial vehicles, off-road enthusiasts with trucks full of motorcycles, hunters, and commuters (including myself) than by concertgoers. The county does try but simply can't keep up with the damage.

One complaint though: Levi Beanway was quoted as aspiring to 6,000 attendees at a Dave Matthews concert. Last I checked, the Saloon has fire restrictions prohibiting that many concert attendees. Knowing Levi, he was just being a smartass, but Glen Starkey printed the quote as gospel. Glen should have used better judgment and clarified the statement and allowed the Beanways to review the article before going to press.

I am fortunate to own a home in Pozo, and even luckier to have such an awesome concert venue within walking distance of my home.

Emily Coombes

Pozo

 

 

 

Ed. note: New Times doesn't allow any sources to review articles before they go to press.

 

 

 

Nuclear waste will haunt future generations

In the ever-present debate about nuclear power-generating plants, Professor Norman Mehl ("Nuclear is practical," Oct. 25) sidesteps the main issue. Yes, the alternatives like wind power, solar, bio-fuels, etc., all have serious shortcomings, but nuclear is not the answer. Take it from this retired chemistry professor: It is not just the safety issue and the political hypes by groups--perfectly legitimate as a political tool under our U.S. Constitution--that is of concern in establishing the nuclear plants to continue the vulgar opulence of our conditioned society to consume it is the continued devastation of the environment.

Ultimately, all waste, like the "greenhouse gases," must be reckoned with. Yes, you can hide the nuclear waste for your and my generation, but we cannot hide it for posterity. It will come to haunt them. We have squandered precious time and jeopardized the future of humanity forever in the name of economy and convenience. It is time for Prof. Mehl to make use of his knowledge in physics and electronics to think like a scientist--not a politician.

Brahama D. Sharma

Pismo Beach

 

 

 

Tree huggers are mainstream now

Oh, Norman. The freshman debate class appears to be too big a step up for you. In your response ("Nuclear is practical," Oct. 25), you failed to address the main concerns of nuclear power critics--namely the waste. Trucking it away at a later date? Well, if that is your solution, I propose that Diablo's waste be stored under your house until the later date at which an effective method of waste conversion is developed.

Norman, I know it must be horrifying to you, but these "tree-huggers" you refer to? We are the mainstream now. Your generation had its shot, and it left us a horrendous environmental legacy. Please don't stand in our way as we try and develop sane energy production and disposal methods.

Justin Housman

San Francisco

 

 

 

Only fools won't embrace alternative energy

Dear Mr. Mehl, the reason that there were so few responses to your misinformed letter on the nuclear industry ("Nuclear is practical," Oct. 25), other than editing by the paper itself, was that your position was so flawed as to not merit consideration by anyone with an IQ above room temperature. That the United States is sixth behind developed countries in research and development in alternative sources of energy might be a place to begin a discussion. That the cost of nuclear energy, even when offset by tremendous subsidies by the government--which in turn enriches their small circle of crony capitalist friends--is another.

No one source, be it wind, solar, thermal, etc., will be the answer. But when taken in total, alternative energy is not only the least expensive but by far the safest--unless you count waste with half lifes of 50,000 years as the kind of legacy that you want to leave for your descendants.

I came late to this whole green way of thinking and am far from being a reactionary, conspiracy-type person. But unless you live in a cave and refuse to look at the facts, one would be foolish not to embrace as many alternative sources of energy as possible.

And as far as nuclear power goes, just look at the facts and do the research and reach your own conclusions, because you would not believe anything pertinent that I would have to say about it anyway.

Chris Knudson

Atascadero

 

 

 

The verdict is in: Nuclear isn't the best

When attempting to refute arguments against nuclear power ("Nuclear is practical," Oct. 25), and before his next "freshman debating class," Norman Mehl needs to update his information. Wind and solar power have been routinely feeding into energy grids worldwide for years. Adding more "baseload" nuclear plants, which is to say more centralized power stations, adds strain to our strained energy grid a large network of different types of renewable energy sources feeding into the grid, as well as on-site solar, geothermal, etc., relieves strain, is more stable, and eliminates Mr. Mehl's concerns about intermittency and the replacement of baseload power. The International Energy Agency determined in 2005, contrary to Mr. Mehl's opinion, that intermittency is not a problem in implementing renewable power.

The evidence is clear and the verdict is in: Renewables, decentralized generation, and energy efficiency in combination can more than replace the electricity provided by fossil fuels and nukes, and will curb climate change faster, cheaper, safer, and more efficiently than nuclear power.

Andrew Christie

Sierra Club, Santa Lucia Chapter director

San Luis Obispo

 

 

 

Solar and wind power suit us just fine

This letter is in response to the commentary and letters regarding nuclear power in America.

My wife and I moved to Santa Margarita 10 years ago, and it seemed rather bizarre to connect to the PG&E grid (at a cost of more than $50,000) when there was so much abundant sunshine, and our site also had frequent winter winds. When we discovered that installing solar and wind power would cost far less ($12,000), we went with it.

Solar panels take up about 1/15th of the roof space, and the two 36-inch wind turbines are a frequent joy for us, collecting the summer breezes and winter gusts.

First and foremost, we always have electricity, so whenever we hear of downed lines from storms or other grid mishaps, we are usually amused. We are aware of the energy we collect and use and mindful of our needs. Two or three times a year I get up on the roof to clean the panels. Other than that, there's no maintenance at all.

We can add more solar panels if we need more energy, but we seem to be happy with the amount we are getting. I've replaced the batteries once at a cost of $900, and I'm due to replace them again within another year, which means that the energy we use has cost us about $115 per month for 10 years, and it continually goes down the longer we stay here. In another 10 years, it will have cost us $65 per month.

The average home sits on a site capable of collecting four to five times the energy it consumes. If it were mandatory that all new residential construction collect the energy it uses, there would be less need for any type of power generating facilities--be they nuclear or coal--and the cost of such home installations would be even less than what we spent on our home. In addition, there would be fewer wildfires from downed power lines, no power outages, and no rate hikes, just rate slashes.

Eric Krever

Santa Margarita

 

 

 

Thanks for the support and forthcoming privacy

I want to thank everyone who has reached out to me over this last month and want you to know that your support is greatly appreciated and well founded. The District Attorney's office, upon investigating the facts surrounding this issue ("Paul Brown ordered to stay away from estranged wife for three years," Oct. 25), has already determined the allegations not of enough merit to pursue any charges. While I am disappointed with the court's interpretation of the information presented by both parties, I'm not surprised with the commissioner's decision.

I did not abuse my spouse, but can understand why the court does not take any chances in matters such as these. I have no issue abiding with the court order and have no interest in contacting her. I regret that the details of the aftermath of my decision to end the marriage have received the press coverage they have and hope the community can now let my estranged spouse and me resolve the remainder of our divorce proceedings as amicably, quickly, and privately as possible.

Paul Brown

San Luis Obispo

 

 

 

Cuts to public services? Gimme a break!

I recently read that unless more people buy new homes, declines in taxes might lead to cuts in essential public services. Gimme a break!

With median home prices in San Luis Obispo close to $600,000 and apartment rents up to $800 to $1,200 a month, most people simply cannot afford to buy new homes. A small percentage of all local families can afford a median-priced home, much as they want to. Every day, families and businesses leave San Luis Obispo because of high prices.

So who are we to insult residents with threats of public services cuts unless they somehow can buy a new home?

Gimme a break.

Steve T. Kobara

San Luis Obispo

 

 

 

Congress must salvage the Constitution

Have you looked at the United States Constitution lately? Much of the language of our Founding Fathers has been "redacted" by the Bush/Cheney administration. Insider evisceration of our Constitution and the inherent liberties that it provides its citizens is delivering the same results as a hostile takeover of our land.

Congress must use the as-yet un-redacted language of the Constitution conferring Congressional powers of impeachment in order to salvage this document and restore the rights guaranteed to the people. Tell Nancy Pelosi that keeping this action "off the table" and off the floor of the House is unacceptable.

Jim Barbour

Los Osos