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No justice for
life's innocent
A lot of decent people will surely be outraged after reading the New Times article "Devil among us" (Nov. 3-10), but it's a familiar story ... a sociopathic career criminal is paroled from prison again and again only to claim more victims. Rational folks might wonder why this keeps happening, since the solution to the problem of remorseless, sexually violent predators among us is so utterly simple; these mutants need to be eradicated or at least rendered harmless (by surgical procedures I don't have to spell out here).
What we ought to understand, though, is that in the end, society will only protect what it truly values, and innocent life - especially innocent female life - isn't much of a priority. What must be protected at all costs is male power, privilege, and pleasure. It's the sacred social ethos of "I'll do whatever the hell I want with my property, my money, my gun, and my dick." Looked at another way, psycopaths rule the streets for largely the same reason that they direct national policy; they clearcut our ancient forests and tell us that clean air and water are luxuries we can't afford while waging "war without end" for oil and empire, and nobody can stop them.
Anthony Dacayana and his ilk are merely frontline grunts in the Death Machine's war on everything that's gracious and beautiful. Nothing will change and there is no justice for anyone innocent. Not ever.
Jay Bonestell
Los Osos
Devil(s) among us
I read the story about Anthony Dacayana and his violent rapes, including a 13-year-old girl (reared as his sister) and a blind woman.
I read about the juror who voted to turn him loose onto the streets and creeks of San Luis Obispo, bothered that, "despite her belief that he should go free ... ", she worries that "he will rape again - a thought that keeps her up at night."
Yep! The story was aptly titled: "Devil among us." I agree with that statement 100 percent. I even think that Anthony guy might be a psychopath and a devil, too. Just sayin.'
Dan Balicki
Los Osos
Al who?
The Al Franken piece by Alice Moss ("In search of truth," Oct. 27-Nov. 3) was a disappointment. It was like she was interviewing herself, and I learned little about Al Franken.
I hate to give kudos to the Trib, but their interview with Al Franken was informative and fat with meat. In a special box, It also gave easy-to-read information on his lecture at Cal Poly and the free book signing at Borders.
Sharon Eckardt
Los Osos
Keep the stacks
in the landscape
Dear residents of Morro Bay:
I have been reading about some changes that you will be making in the near future regarding your power plant.
I would like to say that whatever you decide to do with the building, I hope you will consider keeping the three stacks in place. I have fond memories of your town and have always associated "The Stacks" and "The Rock" with my many visits. When approaching from a distance it is always the stacks that you see first, and you know you are almost there. It would be nice to keep them and have some sort of historical reference for the generations to come!
R. Ramos
Santa Maria
Morro Bay needs
that Duke money
To my understanding, the Morro Bay City Council has a very important decision to make on Nov. 14, and I would urge all Morro Bay residents to attend or pay close attention to how the votes are cast concerning the Morro Bay Power Plant outfall lease.
The city of Morro Bay has money problems. Serious money problems. Most residents I have spoken to don't understand the problem of the current budget. The city officials I have spoken to are nervous while explaining the budget problems. Residents are divided between liking and disliking the power plant. So, the question you have to ask yourself is, "Do the benefits outweigh the costs of continued operation of the Morro Bay Power Plant?"
Some time last year the Morro Bay City Council approved a budget that would rely on reserves to supplement dwindling revenues, a result of lackluster tourism years and a failure to agree with Duke over the planned modernization of the power plant. Morro Bay will run out of money in Feb. 2006 if it continues spending the way it does.
With the lease agreement approved by the City Council, the city will receive approximately $980,000 per year in revenues after the first year. Continued operation will result in more revenue and tax dollars. All these monies will move us in the right direction in solving the city's budget problems. With a no vote by the City Council, in my opinion we as residents will see drastic cuts in benefits we have come accustomed to.
Douglas Paslay
Morro Bay
Just say no
I keep hearing Democrats, liberals, and a wide range of usually clear-thinking people say they don't intend to vote in this upcoming phony election because it's, well, phony.
Bad thinking. We all need to vote. Trust me, the fascists and the fundamentalists will all be out there voting, and they won't be voting in the best interests of the population.
Do what's right: vote. Then do what makes the most sense for California: vote "no" on everything.
Ron Bast
Santa Margarita
We needed more
voices on GMOs
On Oct. 10, 2005, a leading scientist of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Irina Ermakova, presented her preliminary studies to a symposium organized by the National Association for Genetic Security.
She had completed the first round of feeding tests on female rats, using soy flour from Monsanto's Roundup Ready GMO soybeans. Within three weeks, 55.6 percent of her offspring were dead. This test will be repeated and expanded next year when research money is available.
The SLO Health Commission's GMO Task Force was created six months ago to look at various studies, including test results like the one above. However, the membership was dominated by pro-GMO ag interests with experience in growing crops. Two weeks ago, the Health Commission unanimously agreed to add three more appointments to the committee - a biomedical researcher, a biomedical ethicist, and a public health employee. Thank you, Health Commission, for honoring your mandate.
I'm hopeful that the new members will bring a professional focus on health-related aspects of GMOs in our food and I look forward to whatever they will add to the discussion, that is, if the vice chair ever lets anyone else talk.
Elizabeth Johnson
San Luis Obispo
No love for
Rosa Parks?
As a tribute to Rosa Parks, President Bush ordered U.S. flags to be flown at half-staff for her funeral on Nov. 2, 2005. It is customary for state, county, and city to follow suit.
On the day of her funeral it was noted that flags were not half-staffed at CMC, Camp SLO, Forestry and Fire HQ, county and city of San Luis Obispo, and Morro Bay. Do you suppose they are just inept or do they have something against folks of color?
John Budlong
Morro Bay
Central Coast lacks sportsmanship
Everyone knows that football is a rough sport, but even football has rules to keep players from being hurt. For example, it is illegal to block a player in the back, or tackle him by grabbing his facemask. Serious injury can occur unless players respect one another's safety, and the rules are enforced by the officials.
But this season, having observed many games here on the Central Coast, I am noticing some dangerous trends. I see some coaches on a win-at-any-cost ego trip, allowing and in some cases encouraging their players to do whatever is necessary to beat the other team. I see some referees who are incompetent and untrained to look for and penalize illegal blocks. I see league officials who are arrogant and unresponsive to concerns. This has created a dangerous atmosphere for kids to try to play a good, safe, clean game of football.
I believe we have a choice here:
If the purpose of youth football on the Central Coast is this win-no-matter-what mayhem, let it continue as it is. More kids will be injured, some seriously, and all will learn that good sportsmanship doesn't pay off.
But if our purpose is to teach good football, sportsmanship, respect for other players, and fairness, then some major changes need to be made. We need to teach our boys (and girls) that there is honor in winning only when it is done fairly, and with basic human concern for the safety of others.
Steve Boggan
Paso Robles
Have you no shame, George?
On several newscasts today (Nov. 7) I heard the president say, "We do not torture." Is he drinking again? Where's he been for the last couple of years? Doesn't he ever talk to Dick Cheney? Read the papers? He acts like we've never heard of Abu Ghraib or Guantanamo. Under Mr. Bush we and our children have learned a lot more than we ever wanted to about torture tactics, "rendition" (outsourcing torture), and "black sites." Cut the crap, George. You should be ashamed. Like we are.
Jim Ringley
Atascadero
Advertising is
not a crime
Along with the tobacco ads, could you please remove the cell phone, erotic dancing, hamburger, and motorcycle ads, along with anything else that might possibly harm or offend anyone or possibly contribute to the moral decay of our society?
Give me a break.
Advertise for whatever you want. I thought I was in America. If people want to smoke their lives away, or drink or eat their lives away, for that matter, more power to them.
Tim Drake
Paso Robles
Prop 73 was
questionably worded
I just voted and have to say that on Proposition 73 the wording on the ballot left off what I consider the most important part of the initiative. Under Proposition 73, an abortion is defined as causing the "death of the unborn child, a child conceived but not yet born." That is very strong legal language and it should most definitely have been included on the ballot so that the people are making an informed decision.
Proposition 73 is not just about mandated notification. It's about taking steps to outlaw abortion period. It seems that we now have to be tricked into voting for something that poll after poll shows that the majority of Americans and especially Californians are against.
Adding a definition such as the previous one makes me think that if my wife has a miscarriage she may be charged with murder! Am I wrong? I hope somebody raises a big stink about Proposition 73 and its sponsors and supporters, and I hope it's from the people I voted for.
Jeff Legato
San Luis Obispo
Barbecue does not stink
The Tribune's editorial supporting "the smorgasbord of billowing Bar-B-Q smoke" at Farmers' Market and the City Council's unanimous decision to support "the aroma of particulate matter" produced by Old Country Deli was the only responsible thing to do.
Mr. Giacoletti of San Simeon stated, "complaints (concerning smoke) are numerous, but seemingly not loud nor public enough so that justice, common sense, or business ingenuity prevail."
I suspect he and the other complainants like him might be associated with PETA.
I also suspect that Foster Freeze wanted to shut down Old Country Deli because too many people would rather get a half-chicken and rib with beans than eat another hamburger and fries, when given the choice between the competing air-filled "aromas."
I suggest that Mr. Giacoletti's introspection is self-serving and goes contrary to the majority opinion and that his thoughts are lost somewhere in the ozone.
As far as "smoke-filled arenas" go, I'm reminded that God in the book of Leviticus demanded burnt offerings be made on brazen alters by the priests as "a sweet savor" (pleasing fragrance), unto the Lord.
If "smoke"-filled arenas are pleasing to God, then they're good enough for me!
Myself, I love the aroma of barbecuing meat - any time of the day or night.
Bon appetit!
Roy Kline
Morro Bay