Way To Go, Scutro et al

Thanks to the Weekly for sending Andrew Scutro to Iraq and thanks to him for the wonderful articles he came back with [“Picking Up the Pieces,” Jan 15-21; “Women at War,” Jan 22-28; “All For Nothing,” Jan. 29-Feb. 4]. They should go into a textbook as examples of “fair and balanced” reporting. They describe Iraq as a real place, full of real human beings—far different from the impressions left by the rest of the media noise.

I can’t imagine living here without your weekly dose of sanity. Keep it coming!

Janet Asiain | Seaside

Peace Out, Yo

Thank you for printing the news of MacGregor Eddy’s arrest at Vandenberg Air Force Base [NewsBriefs, Jan. 29-Feb. 4]. It is important for the public to know the length the government goes to oppress dissent. I was with MacGregor that day and can assure you that in no way did she break the law. In fact when we first arrived at the base, we were greeted with friendliness by a paralegal from the base (also in the photo), who told us we were welcome to park in the lot belonging to the public school across the street. A mere 20 minutes later, as MacGregor stood on the sidewalk in front of the school, the same paralegal and military personnel told her she must leave or risk arrest.

I’m sure your readers will agree that the US government has better things to do with our tax dollars than intimidate peaceful protesters.

Celia Bosworth | Pacific Grove

Territorial Battle, Pt. II

Darlene Dunham is running for Supervisor in the 4th District (Marina, Ft. Ord, Seaside and a little bit of Salinas). Steve Collins is running for Supervisor in the 5th District (Monterey Peninsula, Carmel Valley, Big Sur and a little bit of Salinas). They live in the City of Salinas! If they should both win, four Supervisors would be from the Salinas Valley and one from North County [“Territorial Battle,” Jan. 15-21]. It would make no sense for my Supervisor to be from Salinas.

Ed Leeper | Monterey

Territorial Battle, Pt. III

It seems some folks are unaware that the 5th District was changed in June 2001 when redistricting took place based on the 2000 Census. The County adopted June Map “B,” which moved Steve Collins into District 5, not the other way around!

I find it interesting that the folks on the Peninsula are aghast at the prospect of being represented by someone from the Salinas Valley—and yet have no problem with someone from the Peninsula representing the Valley! Smacks of “let them eat cake” attitude.

Donald Nucci | Salinas

With Friends Like That

It was good to read that Seaside Mayor Jerry Smith returned the Bakewell…hmmm…“donation” [“SquidFry,” Jan. 29-Feb. 5]. Such a musty association is definitely dank for the good mayor’s supervisorial ambitions.

Smith has a lot of support from local residents. Even when I disagree with his unfortunate switch of parties (he would have been better off going Green than the disgusting Republican schmuckery), I recognize his community’s love for him comes from the services he has rendered.

Incidentally, he was not the culprit of the sleazy Seaside Highlands trick. He inherited that deal. Smith eventually stood up for affordable housing at the final FORA decision.

W. Mark Poehner | Monterey