PEBBLE BEACH PLAN MISREPRESENTED

Regarding the Coastal Commission and the Pebble Beach Preservation and Development Plan (Measure A) [“The Missing Link,” March 16-22], the news media, including the Weekly, capitalize on grassroots environmentalists opposing the wealthy Pebble Beach golfers’ and celebrities’ plans to cut 17,000 trees for yet another golf course.

This is not the whole story. I am not a golfer, nor a celebrity. I am not wealthy. I don’t live in Pebble Beach. I’m a Sierra Club member and consider myself an environmentalist. I support Measure A.

Sierra Club has a right to oppose any development. What I object to is the extreme radical tactics Sierra Club is using to promote personal agendas against celebrities and high-end golf courses with slick expensive advertising brochures, annoying pre-recorded phone calls, withholding of important information about conservation easements to the public and spreading misinformation—implying that the golf course will destroy the last remaining native Monterey pine forest. (Actually it would take out less than 1 percent.)

But people believe them, judging from the testimonies at the hearing which were based on emotion, not fact.

True, the new golf course, driving range, etc. would destroy a lot of trees. But Measure A would permanently preserve many times more trees in conservation easements within and outside of Del Monte Forest. Total easements would include roughly 900 acres of Monterey pine forest—about the size of Jacks Peak County Park and Point Lobos combined.

None of this is ever mentioned by Sierra Club, and barely makes the news. —Bruce Cowan | Pacific Grove

POLS: FIGHT BUSH, OR ELSE

Where are the Democrats? Not since the stealing of the Presidency by Bush and Cheney has there been a more opportune time to sound a united voice. Impeachable offense after impeachable offense has been committed by this administration and yet there is only a scattering of criticism.

It would seem that the folks in Washington have turned a deaf ear to their grassroots constituency.

The majority of us—Democrats, Republicans, Independents—disapprove of Bush/Cheney; disapprove of the invasion of Iraq; want the military to leave the Middle East; plead to have our country’s suffering healed (Katrina comes to mind); demand that the budget be wisely planned and used; denounce the specter of fear as a controller; sincerely desire security through diplomacy and peace.

Even Sen. Feingold’s attempt to censure Bush is met with dead silence. Representative Conyers has made valiant efforts to raise the consciences of true statesmen and stateswomen! Where are you?

Our elected Congresspersons should be aware that their jobs are not guaranteed. They can be replaced. —Ann Sherman-Flint | Pacific Grove

FUNNY ‘THOUGHT’ ISN’T FUNNY

I am appalled by Peter B’s large ad in this week’s Weekly. Obviously, it was meant to be funny; however, it’s “Thought of the Week: If you try and don’t succeed, cheat. Repeat until caught, then lie”—is so misguided that I had to write.

Our world does not need more endorsements of dishonesty. Especially for our children, we need to encourage honor and integrity. We need to be better role models, as adults and as businesses in our community. My thought of the week: Peter B’s needs to re-think its marketing strategies. —Danielle Dufayet | Monterey

US IS THE NEW SADDAM

When Saddam Hussein’s overthrow was being discussed under President George Bush “The First,” the main objection was that Hussein held Iraq together, and that deposing him would unleash a civil war.

President George W. Bush found reasons to ignore this counsel. Whether fabricated or bungled, the “intelligence” that G.W. Bush used to lead the nation into war has proved to be less rational than his father’s, or President Clinton’s.

Now that we have deposed Hussein, the majority of Americans recognize our error. After more than 2,560 Americans and 30,000 Iraqis killed, and many thousands more losing limbs, we can look back and see that we replaced Hussein by becoming like him.

Back to the original question: How do we get Hussein out? (Except replace “Hussein” with “us”?)

We need to investigate whether there are impeachable offenses still under cover. Support US House Resolution 645. —Marco Poehner | Monterey