WE’VE MOVED ON TO PARIS VS. MCCAIN

Al Gore’s call to action was issued a month ago. Has it already vanished from our consciousness? It’s time to call it back to active memory, because the success of the project– to get 100 percent of our electricity needs met by alternative energy sources in 10 years– depends on what we do on the personal level, through conservation and energy efficiency. Will I play my part? Do I begin today? Do I talk to family, friends and neighbors about the urgency of taking action? These are the questions we must ask ourselves and act on with urgency.

PERSONAL CHOICE, BUT CONSIDER DIVORCE RATES

We believe everyone in California should be treated equally. And that no one should tell someone else who they can and can’t marry– that is a personal choice. That’s why we support the freedom for gay and lesbian couples to marry. We will be voting no on Prop. 8 to protect basic freedom and equality, and we urge you to do the same. Every vote counts! Please remember to vote no on Prop. 8 in November.

IT’S SYNDICATED IN SO CAL, TOO

My wife and I drove our Prius from Colorado to Monterey this week. We were prepared for the many crazy and cutting-edge things California is known for. We were not prepared for your “Ask a Mexican” column. I can’t imagine what you’re thinking by running a column that singles out and stereotypes a minority. It is obviously focused toward a single group and is only hurting them. What’s next? Ask a honky? We are cutting our visit to this area of the state short and going down to the “enlightened area” known as L.A.

JUST LIKE POISONING BABIES

People who believe nuclear power plants are safe because they are regulated should read up on the history of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The NRC’s traditional role is that of a lap dog for the power industry. Very scary.

The NRC takes the stand that low-level radiation is harmless.

On that topic, read The Petkau Effect: The Devastating Effect of Nuclear Radiation on Human Health and the Environment, which explains how low-level radiation promotes the aggressive formation of free radicals that destroy a living cell’s defenses. If high-level radiation is like a grenade dropped on a baby, low-level radiation is like little bits of arsenic slipped daily into the baby’s milk. The NRC allows that.

Matt Millea is employed by Post Ranch. Last week’s “Food Chain” column [“Heart of the Party,” Aug. 14-20] misidentified Millea’s kitchen. It did, however, correctly laud the work by Millea and other volunteer chefs and kitchen staff at the Big Sur Fire Relief Gala on Aug. 9.