How''s the state of the union?

Yeah, it sucks. It''s taxes. There''s too much of them and they''re too high. It''s like every time you turn around you can''t do much. The law dogs [cops] are always around the corner. The way things are going, no one can make it anymore.

I was in cattle and it seems like the beef industry here in Monterey County has gone down. You''re making 80 cents on the hoof now. The supermarkets buy it at 80 cents then turn around and jack it up.

Plus you''ve got jackass Gray Davis. He makes all these promises but I haven''t seen anything. He''s useless. The schools in Monterey County are getting burned. A lot of that money could be put to good use for books and paper and pencils. The poor families can''t afford it. They''re just barely getting by.

Why is the U.S. threatening Iraq?

Bush needs to wait a little longer. The inspectors need to inspect a little more before we start invading. I don''t want to see World War III. I read a lot of books about World War II and a lot of men went. If World War III starts I''d have to go. I have a three-year-old daughter and I don''t want to go. Hitler hated the Jews. He hated everyone. That''s something I''d fight against. This to me, is over oil. George Bush, he''s the oil man.

What''s happening in Salinas?

Ifthey had more entertainment it would keep the kids from blasting each other. They need video game places, arcades to keep them busy. Sports, games, those kids need more programs like that. I live off Espinosa. It''s quiet. When I go to work I see kids with nothing to do, standing around with their hands in their pockets.

I worked in Yosemite for nine-and-a-half years as a trail guide and a packer. I saw some real pretty country. Now I work for Wal-Mart. I''m an unloader.

Are you afraid of germ warfare?

I don''t think about it too much. I just go day by day. If it does happen all we have to do is launch a couple of rockets and it''s all over. War doesn''t resolve anything.

Ever been out of the country?

I''ve been to Canada twice.

Bought anything major lately?

Nothing. Zero. I couldn''t afford a house right now anyway.

Darell Warren
Amanda Wilkins
Nina Kelly
Stacey Pierrot
Tom Nolan
John Smitherman
Marley Knoles
Dustin Boyce
Cliff DuPaul
Arch T. Allen
Priscilla Griffin
Jose Nunez
Janet Chavez