Letters for October 2, 2014

Thanks, peace advocates

Re “Why CPJC stands with Palestine” (Guest comment, by Chris Moore-Backman, Sept. 25):

Thank you for the guest comment by Chris Moore-Backman of the Chico Peace and Justice Center. It was long overdue, most welcome and oh so true. This tragedy will drag on until the Israeli authorities cease seizing Palestinian land, evicting the inhabitants, demolishing homes and subjugating the Palestinian people to a repressive and often brutal occupation. And then the unforgivable blockade of Gaza. The list of sins against Palestinians goes on and on.

Thank you and thank CPJC for shining a light into Israel’s dark corners.

E. Berns
Paradise

Response to encampment trash

Re “Leaving more than a trace” (Newslines, by Howard Hardee, Sept. 25):

It’s no wonder the amount of trash the homeless leave behind. Like the article stated, “They’re not thinking in the community sense; they’re in survivalist mode.” All they know is that they can camp without fear of being hassled.

In a city where approximately 80 percent of the budget goes to police and fire, why can’t we have people evicting these illegal campers more often? How about deputizing some of these firefighters making six figures a year and having them patrol the parks in groups? Or even better, use a fire truck and hose ’em down once a week.

I understand being homeless is not a choice for many. But many of the homeless in Chico are living a chosen lifestyle of getting by on the kindness of others. They’re just lazy!

I’ve lived in Chico almost 20 years. I love this town. I used to tell all my friends around the country what a great place it is. I’ve been a single, widowed parent for 10 years. My son is 13. I’m tired of driving or walking downtown and having him see all these people begging, drinking, doing drugs, fighting, screaming, etc. I just tell him, “I love you, stay in school, and don’t be lazy.”

W.A. Strom
Chico

It’s complicated

Re “Too many transients” (Letters, by Patricia Kelly, Sept. 25):

Sorry, Chico, there is no immediate fix for the “homeless problem,” other than to invent a time machine and go back 30 years and undo the decades of damage done to our child welfare system, social welfare system, prison system and economic system. (Well, we could also change our Constitution and make “rounding up” people legal—as in a fascist state.)

Officially, there are 3 million “long-term” unemployed; that’s the tip of the iceberg. Underfunded prisons, stripped of rehabilitation programs, have released hundreds of thousands of violent and nonviolent offenders, hardened by years of crowded, degrading incarceration. Millions of families are demoralized by poverty-level wages and the worst wealth inequality in a century. At least 8,000 foster kids “age out” into homelessness every year. The disabled are chronically underserved.

So, dear Chico, I advise that we all stop bitching about seeing trash and tarps and people with backpacks. Let’s put that same energy into being happy for the 10 percent that now own 90 percent of America. And, let’s take comfort in the fact that we were wise enough to see that all we needed was a few decades of hard-assed, Ayn Rand-style social Darwinism to bring out the best in all of us.

Patrick Newman
Chico

Hear, hear

Re “Oh, the irony” (Letters, Sept. 25):

Sherri Quammen nails it regarding “this [global] imbalance toward the masculine, dominator worldview.” I agree with her that this imbalance has “brought about endless wars, famine, environmental degradation, lust for power, greed and a complete lack of foresight.”

I would add to her list a lack of insight—a trait commonly associated with the feminine, but certainly not beyond the reach of anyone willing to develop it. I’m referring to the insight into human nature that understands that looking for points of conflict and addressing them civilly is more likely to result in community-building and consensus than vitriolic response to perceived warfare, particularly when none exists.

We live in a world where words are used as weapons. This has always been the case, but at no point in history do we have access to so many. Words alone cannot do the hard work of rebuilding our shattered world. Our futures do indeed depend on the paradigm shift of which Ms. Quammen speaks. I wish the U.S. would get out of the business of arming other nations, or even ourselves for that matter. But I do not see how the general incivility in the language we use with one another has been, thus far, able to change much of anything, except to polarize people of good will further.

Linda Clark-Borre
Chico

Measure punishes collectives

Let’s end the discrimination. You shouldn’t have to hide or feel ashamed as a medical marijuana patient. We have the right under California law to grow our own medicine, collectively if we choose. Measure A consists of numerous claims of illegal grading, pesticides, upset neighbors and excessive plants. What it fails to mention is that most examples are from illegal grows on private and public lands. Current collectives have up to 16 members that work together and are generally located outside city limits away from schools, etc.

Measure A forces collectives to split into 16 separate locations, only creating more grow sites! Measure A gives anyone, from anywhere, the right to say, “I don’t like medical marijuana and I want the garden removed” without proof of any nuisance to any neighbor. This isn’t about protecting our neighbors anymore. This is about not liking medical marijuana and not agreeing with the voters of California.

Prohibition isn’t the answer. We have come too far forward from the “Reefer Madness” days to start taking steps backward. It is time for our elected officials to stop using scare tactics to instill fear in our community. I will vote NO on A and Yes on B.

Paul Reynolds
Magalia

Boot them out

I refuse to believe there are more than 50 percent of eligible voters in the North State who are either uninformed or deliberately ignorant of the fact of climate change due to human-caused pollution. Yet we continue to send climate change deniers to represent us in Sacramento and Washington.

Sen. Jim Nielsen should be arrested for lying about his residence. Candidate James Gallagher just sounds like another tea party hack. Doug LaMalfa’s proudest moment is feeding at the corporate-farm welfare trough while denying poor families access to food. His first priority as a new member of Congress was to join other idiots in reading the Constitution in a House session. Proving his reading ability is not what we hired him for, but that really is about all he has accomplished so far.

We have three very good options with CJ Jawahar for District 4 state Senate, Jim Reed for District 3 state Assembly, and Heidi Hall for District 1 U.S. House of Representatives. Do you have children? Get off your butt and vote!

Rich Meyers
Oroville

Remembering a friend

Saturday, Sept. 27, Chico and I lost a good friend to cancer. Michael Pike was a Green Beret captain who served two tours in the war in Vietnam. Capt. Pike, after his military service, never gave up on community service. He was involved in our great community, including helping our Democratic candidate for public office.

While I served in Vietnam (1967-68) with the 101st Airborne, I did not know Capt. Pike. But … I would have gladly served under him.

Many of the Vietnam generation that did survive the war (over 58,250 did not) have died since from a lot of war-related causes, at younger ages than others of our generation. But that is the price that many who serve in the military pay.

Just a few weeks ago, Capt. Pike spoke to the City Council, so he was not giving up until he had to. Michael is onto his next “assignment,” and my wife (Jane Dolan) and I will always remember Michael’s help to us and to many others in Chico.

Our hearts go out to Chris Nelson, who lost her husband. Chris over the last two years has shown courage, commitment and devotion to a soldier who survived Vietnam but could not beat cancer.

Bob Mulholland
Chico

More on ISIS

French critics of Islamic State beheadings prefer the guillotine.

Stephen T. Davis
Chico

Lobbying for tax hike

As a resident of this town for over 30 years and a former Paradise police chief, I believe that Measure C will help restore the public safety services that our town depends on.

Our town’s police department is committed to keeping our community safe. Yet, police staffing has been reduced up to 50 percent on some shifts to only two officers. If this temporary measure passes, we will have the revenue to restore some of these reduced services until we see better economic times.

We all want Paradise to remain safe. Safer schools and neighborhoods, and increased business and job opportunities aren’t going to happen otherwise. Our investing 5 cents for every $10 we spend on nonfood items is an investment in a more secure and safe town. And, all of it stays in Paradise to benefit Paradise, rather than going to the wasteful state or federal government.

Our council has committed to priorities that will receive Measure C funding: police, fire, roads and animal services. Not town employee wages and benefits.

With your help, we can restore public safety services in Paradise. Please, join me in voting yes on Measure C!

Chris Buzzard
Paradise police chief, retired

On the assessor’s race

I am very much in favor of Diane Brown for assessor. It appears to me that Bill [Connelly] does not know much if anything at all about appraising property. Diane has the experience, certifications required, and the smarts to do a wonderful job. Vote for Diane in November.

Mark Woodson
Chico

I would like to compliment the League of Women Voters for last week’s candidate forum, which I watched from home. The candidates were treated fairly and questions were asked in an impartial manner.

Of interest to me was the race for county assessor. I have done business with Bill Connelly before and found him to be honest, straightforward and highly accessible. This forum was a real test for him in his bid for assessor. He passed with flying colors. Of particular interest is the fact that the Assessor’s Office has been late in finishing their tax rolls, and that this cost the city of Chico thousands of dollars in loans to cover their costs.

Connelly’s opponent currently works in that office and is a part of this problem. She also admitted that she has supervised only three employees in her 30 years there. As a county supervisor, Connelly supervises nearly 2,500. It’s clear that the Assessor’s Office needs new leadership, and Bill Connelly is an experienced leader. He has my confidence and my vote for this office.

Jennifer Lyon
Chico

Water bond stinks

Gov. Jerry Brown wants taxpayers to spend over $50 billion to build tunnels that will ship North State water south in devastatingly large amounts. The deceptively titled Delta Bay Conservation Plan could bring a total collapse to salmon populations in the Sacramento River and dry wells to North State farmers and residents.

Even worse, Brown, and $5 million farm-subsidy recipient Congressman Doug LaMalfa, also support a natural gas extraction method called hydraulic fracturing (fracking) that requires 4.4 million gallons of water per well, every three to 10 days, 83 percent of it fresh water. This water is mixed with 15 percent reclaimed fracking fluid, sand and toxic chemicals (80-330 tons of chemicals per well) and injected into shale deep underground at extremely high pressure.

Nationwide, residents living near these fracked wells have filed thousands of complaints regarding contaminated groundwater, severe illnesses, air pollution, dead cattle and fish. As of 2012, there were over 63,000 hydraulically fracked wells in the U.S. That’s 277 billion gallons of fresh water a week poisoned by U.S. oil companies with U.S. government approval.

We must stop these politicians from allowing the shipping, selling and poisoning of Northern California water. Vote no on Prop. 1 and no on fracking!

Sherri Quammen
Chico

Trip is too expensive

I have volunteered my entire life for good causes. I have donated money to help those less fortunate.

We have to distinguish what is appropriate and what is clearly taking advantage of the public. I read that the Chico High choir wants to raise $100,000 for a trip to sing in New York and to go sightseeing. While I understand the benefits of extension activities, asking the public to fund something for a select few is not right. If they want to do the work themselves to fund their trip, have at it. The amount they seek would be more than most nonprofits seek for an entire year. Asking anyone to give money so that a select few can go sightseeing is more than inappropriate; it is insulting when so many needy students get nothing.

My neighbor would like a trip to the Caribbean and would like Chico High to fund his scuba diving, and if they wouldn’t mind, throw in more money to help his family eat at the exclusive establishments.

The public is asked to give all the time. Do us a favor and only ask for help when appropriate. This is not.

J.D. Donohoe
Chico

Read the charter

Evidently Israel’s critics are not familiar with the Hamas Charter issued on Aug. 18, 1988. Hamas states in its charter that “Our struggle against the Jews is very great and very serious” and calls for the obliteration of Israel and the creation of an Islamic state Palestine in its place.

The charter continues, “Israel, by virtue of it being Jewish and of having a Jewish population, defies Islam and the Muslims.” Hamas’ enmity toward Israel is because of Israel’s identity and its existence.

The charter tells how it wants to deal with the Jews and the state of Israel. It states, “The prophet, prayer and peace be upon him, said: The time will not come until Muslims will fight the Jews and kill them; until the Jews hide behind rocks and trees, which will cry: O Muslim! there is a Jew hiding behind me, come on and kill him!” In other words, Hamas doesn’t want peace. Hamas wants nothing less than Israel obliterated. If somebody wanted you obliterated, would you lie down and die or would you fight for your survival?

I suggest Israel’s critics read Hamas’ charter. Maybe then they’ll be less judgmental toward Israel. And if Israel’s critics really care about human suffering, where are their letters condemning Russia, Syria, Congo, Sudan, Nigeria, Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala and ISIS causing so much suffering in the world?

Phil Elkins
Forest Ranch

He blames women

I should like to point out that the USA is a matriarchy. American law is based on ancient Roman law, English Common Law and the Chivalric Code. The Chivalric Code says the woman gets off scott free while the guy takes the fall—that’s why up to 93 percent of the people in prison in the USA are male.

In addition, women get the kids 96 percent of the time in a divorce; 91 percent of all grade school teachers are female (in violation of Title IX Gender Equity in Education, so the women control education); women get more bachelors, masters and doctorates than men; women actually make more money, if factors such as men working more overtime, doing 98 percent of the heavy construction labor, etc., are factored in; in fact unmarried, childless women in cities make up to 20 percent more than the single men there. And 51 percent to 60 percent of the vote in any given election is female—women control the vote in this country.

And the result of this matriarchy is that the USA is involved in countless wars, has a $17 trillion debt and has the highest rate of incarceration of any nation in the world.

Mike Peters
Chico

Lobbying for tax hike

Some of our neighbors are calling for the creation of a new state because of the actions of the California Legislature and its effects on the economy and local governmental services. The town of Paradise alone has lost over $7.5 million to date and will continue to lose about $250,000 each year to meet the state’s obligation to fund schools.

California cities and towns are fighting back. Working together through the League of California Cities, they have convinced the voters to amend the state Constitution to block future state confiscation of local revenues. For Paradise, the next step in this fight is to pass Measure C this November. Measure C would increase the local sales tax by one-half cent for six years to provide for local revenue, protected from the state, to maintain our public safety and road services.

Let us join other communities in saying in a loud and clear voice that “I’m as mad as hell, and I’m not going to take this anymore!” by passing Measure C Paradise neighbors are a proud and independent community and will take charge of their own destiny by voting yes on Measure C.

Martin Nichols
Paradise