Letters To The Editor

Wouldn't the proposed gasoline tax hurt the people that President-elect Barack Obama states he wants to help -- the lower income and middle income?

The column in Vision Jan. 4, "The same old story in Gaza" by Victor Davis Hanson, makes one of the best presentations of the conflict going on today. It should have been on Page 1. If the countries protesting Israel's actions had a neighbor sending missiles indiscriminately into their countries, how long would those countries just take the mayhem and not respond as Israel has done? Rhetorical question; we all know the answer to that.

Kudos to Cal Thomas for having the guts to say what the media and most politicians won't, for fear of being politically incorrect: The aggressor and bully in the Gaza conflict is not Israel, but Hamas and its fellow terrorist organizations.

I also read the article Dec. 23 regarding the gang-rape of a lesbian. I must say I was saddened and hurt. I did not agree with the letter Jan. 3, that stated "this kind of behavior is encouraged by those "good religious" people who condemn the homosexual lifestyle, even though that honestly may not be their intent."

Interesting, when the religious fundamentalists of conservative backgrounds (Christian, Islamic, others) attempt to ram down their narrow-minded beliefs on those who chose to live a differing lifestyle, using fear tactics and blind faith.

On the Dec. 3 Opinion page, you gave a "thumbs down" to people firing off guns at midnight to celebrate New Year's.

I am not in a position to judge the guilt or innocence in the charges against Clovis Unified teacher Douglas Burns (story Dec. 31). But, being in education for over 20 years, I can say it gets increasingly more difficult to interact and engage students without an accusation of some kind.

The U.S. was the only western nation not to sign a declaration that gays should not be executed or jailed for simply being gay. California votes to legally discriminate against gays (Proposition 8). The U.S. defends waterboarding as a form of interrogation. President-elect Barack Obama invites a reverend who discriminates against Jews, women and gays, to speak at his inauguration.

By January 2009, taxpayers in California will have paid $83.1 billion for the Iraq war. 18.6% of California residents, or 6.6 million people, were without health coverage in 2007. California could have covered all of these uninsured people for 5.2 years with the Iraq war budget.

I think it is great that Fresno City College is offering a course for future employees at Pacific Gas & Electric, and that there is such a huge interest, but a starting salary of $70,000? Are you kidding me?

It was a bit of a strain on the eyes because the weather obscured the view. However, I managed to stay in my lane as others were swerving to read the text message on the flickering freeway sign informing us that text messages are now illegal while driving.

Mayor Alan Autry took a parting shot at the building industry recently when he gave our economic stimulus package a "friendly veto." Nothing friendly about it for our industry! I'm trying to save jobs and he thinks he's going to create them in this economy. Wish I knew the manufacturer of his crystal ball, because I need a new one.

What a positive one-two punch to start off the new year in Fresno!

I read in The Bee going on six months ago that there was supposed to be a quiet zone north of Olive Avenue, but at night the train seems to blow its horn right at my back door. I live about halfway between Olive and McKinley avenues.

I am responding to the Dec. 29 editorial, "Closing county mental health center must be done with care." Apparently, during my everyday life, I missed the movement of this plan.

"Consumer confidence at historic low" (story Dec. 31) states a fact without citing as a cause the frustration many feel that those responsible for the financial ruin of thousands will get off lightly.

Regarding the current situation in Gaza, it's difficult for me to sympathize with a group of people who have been, at best, lousy neighbors, and at worst, bullies.

After reading the letter from Andy Hart, "Life without parole" (Dec. 20), I came up with a better idea to save the state some money. First, shorten the appeal process. When evidence overwhelmingly convicts a person or persons -- no appeals; other cases -- one appeal.

I would like to make reservations for 100 U.S. senators at the Small Business Administration workshop about running a business during a time of economic change [story Dec. 31]. It will teach participants how to turn their business around, and improve the bottom line and become profitable.

With all the recent front-page propaganda stories about the unfair treatment of gays since the passage of Proposition 8 and claims of how the religious right has lied about the issues, I was surprised The Bee even carried the article that was buried on Page 7 of the Dec. 30 paper. What are you thinking, telling the truth and reporting the facts?

And the children shall suffer again: A shorter school year is suggested by the governor as a way to save money. Our education levels are already far behind other industrial nations. How are we going to keep up with our needs if the students of today don't receive an adequate education?

While I agree with the Fresno Police Department's actions in getting the DUI drivers off our streets, as well as those who drive without a license or registration, there is another side to the story regarding the towing and impound services.

Several recent letters have criticized the opinions and letters of Christopher G. Tasy. Come on people, he has the right to voice his opinions. His letters are usually interesting, they are sometimes funny, they often contain distortions and half-truths, they are occasionally outrageous, they are sometimes ridiculous, but they are always entertaining.

Last year, I wrote to The Bee in regard to animals in shelters and sanctuaries here in our area. Of course, their plight is unfortunate and heartbreaking. As I understand, the response to the letter was overwhelming.

The morning of Feb. 22, 1932, was cold and snowy in our little town in northeastern Indiana, population 5,280. I was a 7-year-old second-grader and stood on the boys' playground (the girls' playground was smaller) along with all the students in

On Jan. 4, the world celebrated the 200th anniversary of the birth of Louis Braille, the blind Frenchman who developed the system of writing that has become the basis of literacy for blind and visually impaired individuals.

Attorney General Moonbeam is at it again! He will not defend the will of the people (us) over Proposition 8, but he will sue the federal government (us) over a change in the Endangered Species Act.

The horror in Gaza is not an accident or unexpected disaster. It cannot be understood apart from years of U.S. policy in the Middle East. And it is most definitely not an act of legitimate Israeli defense.

As we celebrate the New Year and a new beginning for our nation, let us pray and remember the more than 4,200 men and women who perished in battle in Iraq and Afghanistan, the more than 140,000 soldiers, sailors, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard personnel who cannot be with their families at this time, and pledge our commitment to our wounded warriors so that they may achieve recovery and lead fulfilling lives.

I am a veteran of World War II. We made the invasion of Okinawa, April 1, 1945, at 8 a.m. Easter Sunday.

The question of whether married gay couples qualify as a minority under the California constitution is more complicated than Christopher G. Tasy (letter Dec. 29) would have us think.

I fully appreciate and support Christopher G. Tasy's commentary (Valley Voices Dec. 27), and his letter (Dec. 29). It is not often one reads such logical and clearly stated objective truth presented in The Bee.

As I sat reading the letters Dec. 30, regarding the front-page article "Taken for a ride?" (Dec. 28), I could only agree that I have no sympathy for people who drive without a license or are under the influence, and their vehicle is impounded. After all, they are breaking the law.

In the last 30 years or so, our people have learned to not be responsible for themselves or their actions. Everything that goes wrong is someone else's fault or responsibility. Sorry, but I don't feel bad for people who think the laws are for everyone but them. If your car gets towed because you broke the law, oh well.

On Christmas Eve I called 911. Within minutes, these wonderful people came through the door and filled the room with skill and sensitivity.

I have a question. My mother searches the want ads every Sunday and Wednesday, and it seems that whoever is hiring wants at least a year of experience.

Unequal justice has been the topic of several recent letters. The last suggested that one reason is that the wealthy will hire a private attorney while others must settle for a public defender.

'Being extorted'

Wow, let's see here. Drive without a valid license -- against the law; drive with a suspended license -- against the law; driving under the influence -- against the law. Get the underlying theme? Against the law.

Do you think the international community (which includes the U.S.) would have reacted the same way if the Palestinians killed 400 Israelis?

Mark Grossi's piece Dec. 29 states, without equivocation, that the new no-burn rules are preventing 50 premature deaths in Fresno each year, according to a recent study by David Lighthall. How can Dr. Lighthall come to that conclusion when he cannot compare mortality in previous years with mortality this year because the new 2.5 PM rule has not yet been in force for one year, let alone three years, which his conclusion was based on?

The article Dec. 23 about a lesbian being gang-raped must have been shocking to nearly everyone who read it, and yet this kind of behavior is encouraged by the people who spout ugly talk about homosexuals.

Although the Bush administration continues, in its waning hours, to wreck havoc on the environment and lavish its final gifts on the oil, gas, coal and mining industries, I believe the worst damage is behind us, damage we could never have dreamed possible eight long years ago.

Just before Christmas, I was driving my 34-year-old VW bug home down Herndon Avenue after working a 121/2-hour night shift as a nurse. The throttle cable broke and there I was at Herndon and Fruit avenues, tired and alone in the middle of morning traffic.

Taxpayers cannot trust elected politicians to be watchdogs of our money. Once in office, politicians become incompetent. Politicians don't connect the dots until they start to feel the heat. I am surprised any taxpayer ever believes a government employee, not to mention an elected one.

"Hopelessly naive" is what Pauline Smoke calls Peace Fresno's protesters at the recruitment center a week ago (letter Dec. 30). Calling names. So helpful. Makes me want to respond with, "Takes one to know one."

I thank The Bee for publishing commentaries by Armen Bacon. I so look forward to her columns and wish they were published more often.

'Unfounded claims'

In regard to Bill McEwen's column and Curtis Reeves' letter regarding Judges Lawrence O'Neill and Oliver Wanger as to why these judges commented on matters that are not before their bar: I have always been under the impression that our great country allowed free speech, as Mr. McEwen and Mr. Reeves have exercised.