Hold Your Water  How far can these measures go toward eliminating our water woes? Probably not far enough as they seem to be insatiable. But they could help a lot. Combined with other conservation measures and ocean desalinization we may still be able to look forward to our daily bath.

There are many other conservation options as well, but the option offered here is comparatively inexpensive, low tech and could commence at once.

The rains of May 18 and 19, 2002, were probably sufficient to fill all of the holding tanks on properties provident enough to have installed roof-gutter run-off systems. If every property in Monterey County and the State of California were to have these systems installed it would go a very long way toward eliminating the need for water rationing.

A building code law can be enacted mandating that all new construction, whether home, commercial or governmental, have approved rain collection systems installed. (Futurists don''t have to wait for governmental regulations. They can start today).

Funds can be set aside for low-cost loans to owners of existing structures who wish to improve their properties and enjoy the benefit of abundant water to care for their gardens and landscapes.

With water rates going up and up, such an investment will pay for itself over time, plus enhance property value. Property tax incentives could also be considered as this will help preserve the beauty of the area and improve fire protection.

As an added bonus, this will help local economies by increasing employment, sales of materials, profit to lenders and increased sales tax. If you think this is a good idea, please tell our county and state representatives.

FRANCES DUELL/MONTEREY

Murder at the Conspiracy Convention

Lt. Col. Butler should get a break. According to the Herald and Associated Press, Pakistan is "Washington''s Front Line Ally In The War On Terrorism." (5/28/02). On June 13, "''Dirty Bomb'' plot suggests Al-Qaida Base in Pakistan." And get a load of this: "Officials said the Al-Qaida Network''s capability to conduct terrorist attacks internationally remains intact." (Also 6/13/02).

I forget where I read recently that in Pakistan rape is a crime-the woman goes to jail for good and Lord help the baby if it''s a girl.

Now I''m not saying that Bush is smart enough to have engineered the whole scenario. But come on, we spend, what, like 30 billion dollars per year for "Defense" and all that money could not prevent low tech successful assaults on America''s two most revered icons nor (most importantly) significantly reduce future threats. It''s just got to make you wonder.

I realize that money is the way one heck of a lot of people get to bring home the bacon. Isn''t there anything they can do to get the bacon that doesn''t boil down to theatrically slaughtering poor people and paying off criminals?

HOLLY KEIFER/PACIFIC GROVE

Meat is Murder

Ray Napolitano does not mince words and I couldn''t agree more with his comments on the less-than-healthful eating habits of so many people in this country.

I am reassured in my choice to be a vegetarian.

One topic that Mr. Napolitano did not mention in his article is the ubiquitous application of antibiotics in the cattle raising industry. Unfortunately, even though I can choose not to eat the unhealthful and socially irresponsible food pushed by McDonald''s and others of that ilk, the adverse effects of feeding antibiotics to beef steers are not restricted to those who consume the meat.

Antibiotic resistance is a very real threat to worldwide health. My message to those out there who eat meat is that as long as you are going to eat it the least you should demand is that it be free of antibiotics. Antibiotic resistant pathogens are are likely to kill us even faster than the clogged arteries and obesity resulting from a fast food habit.

HELEN OGDEN/PACIFIC GROVE