In "The Whore vs. the Bore" (May 30-June 5) John Mecklin likens Governor Gray Davis'' fundraising ability and lack of principle to that of a whore''s.

I understand that prostitution, being one of the least respected professions, (although, historically and currently, the demand seems constant) serves as an easy and graphic metaphor for a politician whose character is questionable. However, I found the repeated allusions to Governor Davis as a strumpet, harlot, streetwalker, slut and whore to be anti-female sentiments cloaked in political righteousness.

To compare whores, one of the least powerful segments of our society, to Governor Davis, certainly one of the most powerful men in our state, is sophomoric and insulting to women.

For the most part, prostitutes are poor, uneducated women, many of whom have been sexually assaulted during childhood by male family members. They are harassed, beaten, despised, used and suffer from any number of sexual diseases. They do not receive six digit salaries, health benefits, private bodyguards, the trust nor the honor of an entire state.

Mr. Mecklin''s comments use these powerless women to incite disrespect and loathing toward the highest elected official of this state-activities for which they certainly cannot be blamed.

To levy a strong, informative argument against Gov. Davis''s re-election bid, compare him to other politicians or men in equally important positions whose lack of judgment and breach of public trust are commensurate with Davis''s, or simply recite to us his voting record-this certainly would be an indictment in and of itself-and leave honest, hard-working women out of it.

Meighan O''Brien/Monterey

Renewable Resources Rock

My brother and I are homeschoolers. Our charter school just recently studied Energy and Natural Resources. We are writing to you in hopes that you will pass on some of our thoughts and ideas about Natural Resources to your readers.

We live in Big Sur and our family uses solar panels for most of our energy. We use a generator once a week to wash clothes and clean the house.

If more people used renewable resources, then we wouldn''t be having an energy crisis. Instead of using coal, oil, nuclear and gas, why aren''t we using solar, water, wind and biomass?

Non-renewable resources are very harmful to the environment, and one day we will have used up these resources. As for renewable resources, they are not dangerous to the environment, are just as effective, and will never be used up. Why are we using non-renewable resources when there is a better way?

Ashley Seefeldt/9th Grade/Big Sur David Seefeldt/2nd Grade/Big Sur

Butler is a Hero

Military personnel are known for putting their lives at stake. But seldom do they put their livelihood, careers and reputations at risk so courageously as Liet. Col. Butler did last week.

Col. Butler was courageous "beyond the call of duty" in his letter (to the Monterey County Herald) denouncing Pres. Bush''s political manipulation of the terrorism of Sept. 11. By using the pen, rather than the sword, Col. Butler fought for democracy and for freedom with the audacity of a hero.

We, the People, must choose which we will support. I support Col. Butler.

W. Mark Poehner/Monterey

Clarification

State and federal investigations into a bond issue involving the City of Mendota, reported in an article entitled "The Incredible Expanding City" in the May 30-June 5 issue of the Weekly, were closed after the city terminated its involvement in the Malibu Canyon Public Financing Authority. The accusations of malfeasance at issue in the investigations did not result in any formal charges being filed against the city or any of the public officials employed by the city, including Zak Gonzales, who was Mendota''s city manager at the time, or Randy Risner and Ruben Moreno, whose law firm then served as city attorney.