SNAP Judgement


So Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) wants a private group to take a website down (“Congregants take accused priest’s defense to the web,” Aug. 4-10). Amazing how far they’re willing to interfere with other people’s First Amendment rights simply because of an accusation – as yet unproven. But it gets worse – the news media should be asking SNAP at every turn why their top official and a high-profile supporter asked a judge to be lenient with a psychologist named Dr. Steve Taylor in Louisiana who pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography. This includes people like Barbara Blaine and Jason Berry, who asked the judge to consider the shrink’s past “humanitarian” work (bit.ly/p7fwr9) in passing sentence. The hypocrisy is breathtaking. -Thomas A. Szyszkiewicz | Minnesota


SNAP Advice


It is apparent that Edward Fitz-Henry has many loyal followers, but they need to be aware, “what if this priest really is a child predator?” (“Congregants take accused priest’s defense to the web,” Aug. 4-10). Would they want their children to be near him?


Here is the link for those who wish to support their accused priest (bit.ly/qv2K0a).


And hopefully others who may have been harmed will get the courage to speak up and contact law enforcement or an attorney. Do not report your abuse to the diocese. It is a crime to sexually abuse a child. - Judy Jones | SNAP Midwest Associate Director


Defending the Fort


Fort Ord already has so many acres of land covered with asphalt and concrete that are no longer in use (“Petitioners submit signatures for Whispering Oaks referendum,” Aug. 4-10). Why would we cut down beautiful forests to pave over even more? We need better planning! - Sarah McCandliss | via Facebook


I agree, there are many homes and base buildings and barracks that are still abandoned: Renovate renovate renovate! The beauty of Fort Ord, Seaside and Monterey are the lush woods and NATURE that surrounds them! - Raquel Bonnilla | via Facebook


Dollars, Sense


Developers: Stealing our quality of life for personal gain, sliming their way out of agreements (“Former Fort Ord developers owe the district big bucks. So why aren’t they paying up?” Aug. 4-10). I’m sure, if asked, they would claim to be the party wronged. Good job Marina, let’s hand over more of our common goods to these folks! - Fred | via Web


Back to Bach


This year we had the “different” Carmel Bach Festival with 70 percent of the music by 30 other classical and jazz composers (“Even as it closes in on three quarters of a century, Carmel Bach Festival grows more adventurous and accessible in its programming,” July 14-20). Thus it is was not a Bach festival. I attended the St. John Passion concert conducted by our new music director, Maestro Paul Goodwin. It was excellent: He knows how to do Bach. I also heard a musical presentation titled “Bach, Jazz and the Spaces In-Between.” I was glad Bach was in the mix but Dizzy Gillespie and John Coltrane don’t go with a string quartet. 


“Bach, Jazz and the Spaces In-Between” played to a full house and the audience loved it. This means that we will be hearing more of the same in the future and the Carmel Bach Festival will become the Carmel Miscellaneous festival, and that’s a shame. Bring Bach back! - Ed Leeper | Monterey


Foamy Ban


Who will be there to speak in support of a ban? (“Ban on polystyrene foam packaging heads inland to Salinas,” Aug. 11-17.) It is possible that one of the council members will present information about recycling polystyrene foam because they just went on a tour of a dropoff facility in Milpitas that does such a thing. The reality is that almost NONE of the EPS they receive is take-out containers; it’s all packaging material. Why? Because it doesn’t make sense to drive all the way to a dropoff location for the random clamshell soiled with food, which prevents its recycling. Don’t let them deter the issue please! - Megan Tolbert | via Facebook