›› LETTERS No pleasure in Dems’ self-abuse An open letter to Senator Boxer and Congresswoman Pelosi: Thank you for expressing your support for President Obama’s stance in Libya. This is the right thing to do for many reasons. First, it’s a humanitarian mission—the U.S. should never stand by while innocents are slaughtered by a tyrannical leader. Second, it’s vital to our standing in the world that we be consistently supportive of democratic movements—particularly in the Middle East. For too long, we’ve been viewed in that region—rightly—as being on the side of the tyrants. For the sake of world peace and our own homeland security, we should do everything in our power to try to correct both the image and the reality. Finally, it’s just plain stupid on the part of Democrats to pile on with attacks against a Democratic president— especially this one who, against all odds, has been doing a bang-up job of hauling us out of a brutal recession, starting the process of reforming healthcare and goading us toward a more environmentally sensible future. Haven’t the Dems noticed that self-abuse doesn’t win elections? Jill Kramer, San Anselmo
Suddenly the song ‘Black Squirrel’ takes on whole new meaning... I’m responding to Jason Walsh’s recent profile of Metallica singer James Hetfield [“And the Abandoned Played On,” Feb. 25]. Hetfield is quoted as praising the “beautiful landscape” of Marin, something I, as a Lucas Valley resident, agree with. That’s part of the reason why I’m so troubled by Mr. Hetfield’s pre-appli-
cation to build a sprawling subdivision off of Lucas Valley Road, something that will significantly alSteward of the land, or developer ter the pastoral from hell? landscape of our beautiful valley, not to mention have untold effects on the environment and animals who will be affected by this project. A recent community meeting demonstrated significant concern among residents about the impact of this proposed development on the Lucas Valley community. In the article, Mr. Hetfield seems interested in portraying himself as “one of the people.” I hope that he is willing to listen to his neighbors and consider how his plans will affect the people and environment surrounding him. H.S., Lucas Valley
You condone always get what you want... Kimberly Clark’s latest letter [“Short, Yes... Not So Sure About ‘Sweet,’” March 18, in which she questions letter-writer Eric Fransen’s defense of Tea Party rhetoric] states that if I was honest I would admit to secretly not complaining about Gabrielle Giffords’ shooting. I resent her a priori implication that I am not honest (“if he was honest, he would...”) and it is fact that the Tea Party never condoned her shooting and publicly condemned it. To support my point shortly and sweetly, I Googled “tea party condones giffords shooting.” Google returned alternate results for “tea party condemns giffords shooting.” The Tea Party must be paying Google off to keep “secret” all of the “condones” results
›› TOWNSQUARE
TOP POSTINGS THIS WEEK Trials where trial belong The President of the United States is not stupid, nor is Attorney General Eric Holder so there has to be some other explanation for their bizarre attempt to try war criminals ... Single: The half-plus-seven-year itch Apparently, the article about Don growing up hit a nerve, because disgruntled men wrote me to protest. Calm down, Peter Pans. If you don’t want to grow up and need to recaptur... Ethnic diversity evades Marin, says census Marin’s the whitest county in the Bay Area, according to the just-released 2010 census figures—and it’s only getting whiter.
Your soapbox is waiting at ›› pacificsun.com and get all of the “condemns” results to the top of the pile... Speaking of the “violent rhetoric” Ms. Clark mentions, anybody catch in late February Democratic Rep. Gordon Hintz yelling “You’re f---ing dead!” in the face of Republican Rep. Michelle Litjens on the floor of the Wisconsin House? Eric Fransen, San Rafael
Yes, but upgrade does include free flight to nearest store... A short time ago I was at Borders buying a CD, and the cashier invited me to upgrade my membership. For $20 a year, I What good is 20 percent could get further off at a store that’s 100 discounts besides percent closed? the occasional 20-percent-off coupons, plus other bonuses from time to time. It sounded good, so I signed up for it. Two days later, Borders made the announcement that there would be many store closings, including the store on Union Square. Last month, I was at Borders again, and asked whether the San Rafael store was in danger of closing. I was told that they do very good business, and they would stay open. Then the other week, I saw on the news that the San Rafael store would be closing in May! Now, I can see a company having to close some stores and lay off some people if business isn’t great, especially in these hard times; but to promote a bogus “upgrade” just before you make this announcement, and make the unsuspecting employees into shills to promote such a sleazy business practice, is completely disgusting to me. So I went back to Borders, with my Borders card (which I cut up and threw into the garbage when I got home), and demanded and received, from some poor harried employee, a full refund (she had only been told last night). I assured her that I had nothing but sympathy for her and the other employees who unwittingly assisted in this bogus scheme and, as a reward, are soon to be laid off. I suspect that this store was targeted for this fake “upgrade” because Borders knew that it would be closing soon. It’s obvious that the Borders CEO has learned a lot from such good teachers as Madoff, Abramoff
and other greedy and unscrupulous sleazeballs. When I unsubscribed online, I was asked to give a reason, and I happily wrote in the box “sleazy business practices.” I hope some other soon-to-be-laid-off employee gets to see it and gets a laugh out of it. Folks, buy your books at neighborhood bookstores, like Book Passage in Corte Madera, Booksmith in San Anselmo, Rebound on Fourth Street in San Rafael, etc. Borders doesn’t deserve your business! Lil Walters, San Rafael
›› Oops! (Welcome to the Dollhouse edition) In this year’s rousing Best of Marin salute to the flapper era [“Roaring Marin,” March 25], we must have been so busy brewing up our own homegrown bathtub gin—for research purposes only, we swear—that we overlooked Easy Street Cafe’s induction into our Best of Marin Hall of Fame. Easy Street was named Best Kid-Friendly Restaurant by our readers five times in a row—earning it a place in the vaunted hall for two years—and we can’t think of a better place for families to go for a relaxing meal. Aside from tasty food at reasonable prices, Easy Street’s true inspiration is its “kids’ section”—a giant dollhouse at the center of the restaurant—where the young ones stay entertained while Mom and Dad watch quietly from their tables a few blessed feet away. Quality time, indeed. Way to go, Easy Street!
›› Oops! (Toys in the Attic edition) On page 73 of our recent Best of Marin issue we incorrectly credited the current Hall of Fame business in our Best Toy Store category. The 2011-2012 Hall of Fame toy store, A Child’s Delight, has been delighting children for years—in fact, it’s delighted Pacific Sun readers so much they’ve voted it top toy store for five years in a row, placing it in the BOM hall for this year and next. Way to keep the kids (and parents) smiling, A Child’s Delight!
Put your stamp on the letters to the editor at ›› pacificsun.com APRIL 8 - APRIL 14, 2011 PACIFIC SUN 7