Letters for June 6, 2002

Hold the Phil, pass the Kings

Re “Phil Jackson for President” by Steven T. Jones (SN&R Cover, May 30):

The cover and ensuing story was, to quote the writer, “inappropriate,” “bad timing,” and yes, even “blasphemous.” While I do not wish to argue with the writer’s viewpoint of whether P. Jackson should run for president—who here in Sacramento right now do you think is interested in knowing the world and political views of the coach of our archrivals at this moment in time? As the Kings battle neck-and-neck with the Lakers (and the referees they have in their pockets) for the West Coast Title, this is arguably one of the biggest moments in Sacramento sporting history. It has brought us all together, young and old of mixed backgrounds across the county. The Kings have awakened a sense of community in Sacramento; they have done us proud! The fans have done the Kings proud! Why didn’t you run a cover story on some local heroes? Surely this Phil Jackson narrative could have waited a while?

GO KINGS!

Michelle O’Donaghue
Sacramento

A vote for Mr. Lucky

Re “Phil Jackson For President” by Steven T. Jones (SN&R Cover, May 30):

Man, I picked up a copy of the latest SN&R and thought, “All right, a satire!” But then I perused the article and discovered that the author was actually serious!

I mean, idol worship is one thing, but come on … talk about a silver spoon! Geez, Doug Collins and the Bulls’ ownership put together a phenomenal basketball team, with the best basketball player ever as its centerpiece.

Then, a basketball team is built by Jerry West, Del Harris and others, with arguably the second best basketball players ever, Shaq and O’Bryant. Well, I can think of two things right off the bat tougher than coaching these two teams … inhaling and exhaling.

What’s Jackson’s next move? I know the author touched on a Bradley-Jackson (presidential) ticket, but I have a better idea … a Jackson-Clinton ticket, the luckiest man in the world as a running mate with the second luckiest man in the world.

It can’t miss.

Richard Copp
Sacramento

The earth is my home, I shall not litter

Re “Preaching Environmentalism” (SN&R Environment, May 30):

How refreshing to hear that religious groups are actively promoting environmentalism. Most religions recognize the inherent value of all life. Just as the home is sacred in many faiths, the earth is home for all of us and should be treated with great care.

It was great to read that many churches are working with SMUD to install their own solar power generation. With all the religious strife in the world today, we need something that can unite all of us toward a common cause.

Paul Kekai Manansala
Antelope

We got teams

Re “You’re In or You’re Out, Man” by Kevin Bowman (SN&R letters, May 30):

Kevin’s response said it well: “Sacramentans love Sacramento. We don’t want to live in Los Angeles.” We all know of the rivalry between Northern and Southern California, especially in sports. Since the arrival of the Kings and now the River Cats, Sacramento folks have had the opportunity to root for our pro home teams and demonstrate how fiercely proud we are of our teams in good times and bad. With all the problems and realities of our daily lives, it’s great to have our home team to root for and show support for!

Real Sacramentans do love Sacramento.

Ken Johnson
Woodland

She wants to help

Re “Out of Africa” by Tom Walsh (SN&R Cover, May 23):

This article about Amos Gbeinter touched my heart so much! I really want to help Amos and his family. I have friends from many countries in Africa that are refugees of African wars. Rape, torture, limbs hacked off as rebels, many children and even infants! They even ate some of their victims. They did this all in the name of diamonds. The wars may be over but the scars still remain! Such a nightmare in reality! Many children were soldiers of war, many children became orphaned, left wandering in the cold and hungry, many fled to refugee camps, and some remain there even today. There are so many people in need of help. There is much to be done.

Please remember to pray for Africa. Pray that those still suffering will receive the help they need to get on their feet, and to bring the people’s lives back to a normal state, as much as possible. If you know of any African who is a family of a refugee, or is a refugee, please contact me. If you want to donate to places in need of clothing and food, even adoption of orphans, please contact me at missteecat@yahoo.com.

Cathryn Hughes
Sacramento

Toasted trees are cash crops

Re “Burning Questions” by Michelle Olsen (SN&R Environment, May 23):

Loaded questions precede Ms. Olsen’s provocative reporting on a burnt forest’s disputed future. Answering the first question, “Should loggers be allowed into a pristine forest?” is easy: Sure, if there’s good reason to take out big or little trees from the place, same as ranchers being allowed to herd cattle and field workers into a pristine asparagus field. But what’s pristine or virgin about the six square miles of the subject National Forest that are filled with burnt, dead trees, and a like area whose trees are nearing death? Whatever “pristine” means colloquially, it’s not part of forestry science. Both good looks and good health will be restored to this burn victim forest a lot sooner with logger-accomplished surgery and Forest Service-directed therapy, than if the burns are left to scar over. There will be a habitat there no matter what happens—the critters move in and out like people do as a neighborhood changes, living where it suits them.

“Or is it just about money?”

Not just, but a lot of it is indeed about money, as it ought to be. The economy that we all enjoy is money-based. The taxpaying public stands to directly gain from this salvage harvest on federal lands, and the loggers and sawmill workers and reforesters all profit, ultimately to your benefit and mine. Fire suppression and public safety improvements are part of economics, too, whether homes are in this forest or not. Once the logging and reforestation have taken effect, then fire mitigation measures consistent with forest health and hiker appeal can be implemented. Who loses? Only those who detest good things happening in forests because someone profits by it.

Charles O. Greenlaw
Sacramento

Did we even eat at the same place?

Re “Food Stuff” by Dan Flynn (SN&R Dish, May 16):

I was inspired by Dan Flynn’s review of the meatloaf sandwich at Old Ironsides restaurant. It had been a good many years since I had had one, and I thought this would be a nostalgic trip down memory lane.

The $6.99 price was enough to whet my appetite for the “thick slab” of meatloaf that had been “jacked up” with garlic and sun-dried tomatoes. I am sorry to say that I was sorely disappointed in the result. There was grilled sourdough bread as mentioned, but the “pesto mayonnaise” was mostly mayonnaise and so little pesto that it was more along the order of oddly tasting mayonnaise than pesto mayonnaise.

Finally, the expected piece de resistance of the “thick slab” of meatloaf that had been “jacked up” with garlic and sun-dried tomatoes turned out to be so thin that it was outdone in thickness by the oddly tasting mayonnaise.

I can only say that Dan Flynn deserves a real meatloaf sandwich. I am sorry that I cannot tell him where to find one in Sacramento; in my opinion, it certainly will not be at Old Ironsides.

Madera Roja de la Secoya
Sacramento