I Want My Money Back
I had to take a moment to write you and discus your review of Once Upon a Time in Mexico by Marrit Ingman ["Hail of Bullets," Sept. 18-24]. Please! Four stars? My wife and I went to see this movie based on this high review. People were getting up and leaving half way through this so called four-star feature. The only reason my better half and I stayed was because we paid too much not to see it to the very end.

Ms. Ingman must have been reviewing the Latin heartthrobs and not the movie itself. We couldn't figure out why any of these actors wanted to take part in this poor excuse for a movie other than there must not be much out there being produced for Latin actors.

If Ms. Ingman is sincere about her review of this movie, I have no choice but to rate her one-half star as a movie critic.

Jim Williamson | Seaside

Listen Up Bush: Go Home
I would like to thank Eric Johnson for his well-written synopsis of President Clinton's Panetta Institute visit ["Hope's Last Hero," Sept. 18-24]. For those of us in attendance, his piece indeed captured the moment of those 90 minutes with the president.

A wise Thomas Jefferson wrote, "Democracies need educated citizens." Let it be hopeful, educated American voters that send a clear message to this Bush regime in November 2004. No more years!

Name Withheld by Request | Carmel Valley

Clark's Our Man
The Draft Wesley Clark in 2004 movement has been meeting in Monterey County for the last few months. Our first mission has been accomplished as General Clark has officially announced his candidacy for President. General Clark generates tremendous enthusiasm as a candidate. He is an exciting, positive, competent alternative to the incumbent and other announced candidates.

Our Monterey County organization is a group of diverse individuals. We are Democrats, Republicans, Greens and Independents. Our common interest is to support Wesley Clark for President in 2004. General Clark is smart, articulate, well respected at home and abroad. His leadership skills are desperately needed. We will be meeting on Oct. 6 at 7pm to organize our local campaign. Specific details on meeting location available at centralcoast4clark@hotmail.com or by calling 375-1866.

It's time for strong, smart leadership for America. Join our local campaign to send Wes Clark to the White House in 2004.

Clark. M. Coppock | Carmel
Phyllis Meurer | Salinas
Curt Chaffee | Monterey

Welfare Reform Hurts Kids
It is so misleading when government officials claim that "welfare reform" has been an astounding success. Certainly, as far as government expenditures go, there has been a decrease, but for children, more of them are living in poverty, often homeless, hungry, lacking in enough parental supervision, and not receiving needed healthcare.

It seems so strange that our country is so willing to pour billions into Iraq and yet withhold needed financial assistance to struggling American parents.

Pork-barrel projects in our country get an immediate response from Congress when they "create jobs," even for such things as building weapons the Pentagon does not even want. Yet, what job is more important than parenting?

Marjorie Atkinson | Salinas