OpinionCommentary 4
A newspaper with issues
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2008
PUBLISHER
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Ross Furukawa
What’s the Point?
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In support of AA
David Pisarra
ross@smdp.com
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EDITOR IN CHIEF Kevin Herrera editor@smdp.com
Editor:
I am writing in support of Measure AA, the community college bond measure which will fund building renovation, a new math and science wing, and a new career center at Santa Monica College. The college is a much loved community resource; many residents take advantage of the enormously rich and diverse programs at the college, including writing, literature, languages, the arts, and career advancement courses. In addition, by passing this bond measure we will be able to expand much needed career opportunities for the young people in our community. Given our high quality of life, it is fitting that we have a premier educational institution in our midst.
Andrew Walzer Trustee, Santa Monica College
Lacking trust Editor:
It’s election time again, time to decide how to vote. The recent financial meltdown is a friendly reminder that the rich and powerful forces in Washington and the private sector don’t always look out for my best interests. It’s the same way here in Santa Monica. I get the feeling City Council and city staff are stone deaf when it comes to listening to my interests. When everybody west of the Pecos was trying to save the ficus trees Downtown, the City Council answered with chainsaws. I vowed then never to vote for any of them seeking re-election. If I can’t trust the people who claim to represent me to vote to save beautiful shade-giving trees, how can I trust their vote on any issue — like development? The city is very good at conducting focus groups to determine what the public wants when new major construction is planned. I have attended many such workshops. But the reports I hear later from city staff are often a shocking distortion of the conclusions reached at the public meeting. Now I hear that the city has conveniently failed to collect [potentially millions] in developer mitigation fees. What wolves are guarding our hen house? How can I trust the city to approve new construction in a responsible way that represents my interests and those of my neighbors? Measure T is on the ballot only because City Hall hasn’t listened to us. Now the public is taking control, reacting with a step that will limit the amount of new construction for years to come, keeping traffic from getting worse than it already is. No wonder developers near and far are spending big bucks on mass mailings to defeat it. Their money may stuff my mailbox with misinformation but developers only get one vote at the ballot box. And only if they live here. This [Santa Monicans for Renters’ Rights] member is voting yes on T and against the deforesting four: Katz, Bloom, Genser or Shriver. I am voting for Ted Winterer and Susan Hartley because I think they’ll listen.
Dick Orton Santa Monica
TELL SANTA MONICA WHAT YOU THINK!
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Giving his two cents
MANAGING EDITOR Daniel Archuleta daniela@smdp.com
STAFF WRITER HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS ON THE VARIOUS
contests we will face next week. PRESIDENT
Barack Obama. I have been consistently impressed by his calm demeanor, and his obvious intellect. I want a president who is smart, educated and level headed. PROPOSITIONS
1a — High Speed Rail Bond I like the idea, but I don’t like bonds because they cost twice what they are borrowing. Supporters of Prop.1a seek $9 billion in funding, which would cost $19 billion with interest costs. This is a long-term, multibillion-dollar project that we cannot afford. Vote No. 2 — Humane Treatment of Farm Animals We eat animals. It’s a sad fact of life. At least two living creatures must die for our bacon cheeseburgers. That doesn’t mean that we should not treat them well during their lives. Confining creatures in small cages is just morally wrong. It might be good business, but as a society we can do better, and we should demand it. Vote Yes. 3 — Children’s Hospital Bond Act. It’s an emotional topic, and the images are heartrending. Sick children are another fact of life and the question becomes, what is our obligation as a society to them. This is another bond measure, it seeks almost $1 billion for hospitals, and will cost us $2 billion to repay. It will serve the poorest of the poor. If we can’t look out for the weakest amongst us, who can we take care of? Vote Yes. 4 — Parental Notification of Abortion If this seems familiar, it is. We’ve seen this twice before and twice rejected it. If a minor is having sex she should have access to a safe abortion. Telling her parents may not always be a good option. I don’t like abortions, but I don’t like the idea of scared girls trying to do it themselves more so. Vote No. 5 — Non-Violent Drug Offenses This proposition changes the funding and sentencing laws for non-violent drug offenses. It lessens the fines that are imposed for simple possession of an ounce of marijuana. I believe that treatment is better for non-violent offenders than incarceration. Vote Yes. 6 — Gang Enhancements The criminal justice establishment wants more money to deal with gangs. They want to increase the penalties for recruitment and for crimes committed as a gang member. I don’t think that we need to incarcerate more people, we need to educate them. Vote No. 7 — Renewable Energy Generation This just levels the playing field between those utilities that are privately held and the publicly held ones, and it speeds the process to new power plants. We need this. Vote Yes. 8 — Elimination of Gay Marriage. This hot topic has nothing to do with educating the school kids or taking away the taxexempt status of churches. It’s all about whether two adults who love each other
should be treated equally by the state. It’s about love and family. Let two people who love each other create their own family. This is another one of those “reverse language deals” you have to vote no, if you believe that everyone should have the right to a committed relationship. Vote No.
WE EAT ANIMALS. IT’S A SAD FACT OF LIFE. AT LEAST TWO LIVING CREATURES MUST DIE FOR OUR BACON CHEESEBURGERS. THAT DOESN’T MEAN THAT WE SHOULD NOT TREAT THEM WELL DURING THEIR LIVES.
Melody Hanatani melodyh@smdp.com
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Brandon Wise brandonw@smdp.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Bill Bauer, David Pisarra, Meredith Carroll, Kenny Mack, Jack Neworth, Lloyd Garver, Seth Barnes, Taylor Van Arsdale, Dane Robert Swanson, Ryan Hyatt, Steve Breen, Elizabeth Brown, Maria Rohloff, Merv Hecht, Mike Heayn, Brian Hepp Mariel Howsepian, Cynthia Citron, Amanda Cushman, Steve Parker and Phyllis Chavez
NEWS INTERNS Christina Walker, Catherine Cain, Saba Hamedy, Elizabeth Kenigsberg news@smdp.com
PHOTOGRAPHY INTERNS Morgan Genser, Soraya Danesh, Raymond Solano, Rachel Dardashti news@smdp.com
ADVERTISING SALES MANAGER
9 — Victim’s Rights This is another of those emotional pulls; Mother of a murder victim wants to change the system. Painful as her loss is, it doesn’t justify changing the system. It increases incarceration terms by delaying parole hearings. Vote No. 10 — Alternative Fuel Bonds This measure sounds great, but it’s another bond issue, and it is a topic that private enterprise might better handle in the research and development of fuels. Vote No. 11 — Redistricting This is a much needed change to the way we determine our districts, which determines who we have in office. This proposition creates a system that is harder to manipulate, and will lead to more accurate representation of the state’s population. Vote Yes 12 — Veterans Bond Historically the government has helped veterans buy a home through the Cal-Vet program. This is a self-funded bond, in that the veterans who are the beneficiaries are the ones who repay the bond issue and costs. Taxpayers don’t incur direct costs. Vote Yes Measure AA — SMC bond We have supported the college for years, and while I like the college, I think we can take a break from investing in it as we are facing a host of problems in the city and we don’t need to take on more debt. No Measure T — Development Reduction It’s closing the barn door after the horse has left, but we need a plan, and this will help force the issue. Yes DAVID PISARRA is a family law attorney focusing on father’s rights and men’s Issues in the Santa Monica firm of Pisarra & Grist. He can be reached at dpisarra@pisarra.com or (310) 6649969.
Rob Schwenker schwenker@smdp.com
ADVERTISING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Julie Martinez juliem@smdp.com
Robert Hertel roberth@smdp.com
Erin Collins erinc@smdp.com
ADVERTISING TRAFFIC FACILITATOR Amber Kessee amberk@smdp.com
OPERATIONS MANAGER Connie Sommerville connies@smdp.com
PRODUCTION MANAGER Robert Summa summa@smdp.com
CIRCULATION Keith Wyatt Osvaldo Paganini circulation@smdp.com
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The Santa Monica Daily Press is published six days a week, Monday through Saturday. 19,000 daily circulation, 46,450 daily readership. Circulation is audited and verified by Circulation Verification Council, 2006. Serving the City of Santa Monica, and the communities of Venice Beach, Brentwood, West LA. Members of CNPA, AFCP, CVC, Associated Press, IFPA, Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce. Published by Newlon Rouge, LLC © 2006 Newlon Rouge, LLC, all rights reserved.
OPINIONS EXPRESSED are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of the Santa Monica Daily Press staff. Guest editorials from residents are encouraged, as are letters to the editor. Letters will be published on a space-available basis. It is our intention to publish all letters we receive, except those that are libelous or are unsigned. Preference will be given to those that are e-mailed to editor@smdp.com. All letters must include the author’s name and telephone number for purposes of verification. Letters also may be mailed to our offices located at 410 Broadway, Suite B, Santa Monica, 90401, or faxed to (310) 576-9913. All letters and guest editorials are subject to editing for space and content.