Second Breakfast


In reference to Dan Hudak’s review (“Peter Jackson plays it out with unexpectedly long journey in latest installment of The Hobbit,” Dec. 13-19), I saw the new film in its non-3D and non-Imax form, and enjoyed it thoroughly.


I thought the culinary troll scene was hilarious in a droll sort of way, and enjoyed the time it took to get to know all 13 dwarves ’round the table. I also enjoy the songs that are sprinkled throughout Tolkien’s books. They describe the history of the characters and give another dimension to the world he created. I have read many of Tolkien’s works, including The Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Hobbit, and seen all the Peter Jackson films.


I thought the 170 minutes or so of this film to be at just the right pace, and a worthy addition to the Middle Earth filmography. I look forward to seeing the next one. The special effects are stunning and seamless. The wargs are genuinely menacing. Of course, Ian McKellen’s Gandalf is perfectly cast, the eccentric gentle wizard was, and Gollum… 


I could describe more, but will not, so Mr. Hudak won’t get bored.


Perhaps I should send him the Cliff Notes version of The Hobbit and he could skim through that. - Arthur Littlehouse | Pacific Grove


Weapons Check


You should be ashamed of yourself! (“New gun store, complete with semi-automatic firearms, slated to open in Marina,” posted Dec. 20.) Claiming that it is a good time to open a gun store is such a disrespect to all of the innocent people who died in Connecticut. - Meegan | via Web


Congratulations, Dave! It’s a huge commitment to get a (federal firearms license) and go through all the regulatory steps to open a firearms shop in this state. The Peninsula has needed a full-service shop for some time. What better person than Dave and 831Shooter to serve this community? As a certified firearms trainer, this is exactly who we need behind the counter offering real advice to people that can be followed up by hands-on training. I know it won’t bother you a bit, Dave, but people like Meegan don’t think anytime is a good time to open a firearms shop. - Rabid73 | via Web


Boooo. - Mark Borde | via Facebook


831Shooter. Can’t think of a more unfortunate name for a business. - Corby Anderson | via Facebook


Is this a joke? Please tell me this is a very bad joke? - Celia Bosworth | via Facebook


Most people would agree that guns are more lethal than motor vehicles. Yet, in the United States, obtaining a gun, even an assault weapon, is a lot easier than obtaining a license to drive a motor vehicle. As a responsible society, it makes no good sense to apply less regulation to the ownership and use of guns than we do for the ownership and use of motor vehicles. If we applied the same levels of responsibility and accountability to both of these activities, we would require potential and current gun owners to prove knowledge of or obtain accredited training and instruction on the safe and responsible handling, use and storage of guns in order to obtain a license to own and operate a gun. 


Just as we have to pay annual registration fees for all of the vehicles that we own and operate, we should have to pay annual registration fees for all of the guns we own. The fees collected would pay for the costs of the license and registration program.


Gun ownership is considered a right. However, it carries even greater responsibility. - Joe Dewey | Monterey


Base Balderdash


As an alumnus of the Presidio of Monterey’s Defense Language Institute [Russian Language ’74-’75] and former city of Schenectady, NY, elected official [councilman ’84-’95, mayor ’96-’03], I am writing to express my concern for a recent policy/budget decision made at the Presidio.


It has come to my attention that, with the exception of the Pvt. Bolio Gate, all Presidio gates will be closed on weekends and holidays due to budget cuts. In my opinion, this is a tragic mistake for two reasons. 


Firstly, the DLI students will be extremely inconvenienced. Is it reasonable to expect students to walk up and down the steep Presidio roads just to enter or exit the facility? What would be the consequence if emergency vehicles could not respond timely to life and death situations, losing precious minutes by having to utilize alternate gates? The gates would be unavailable to emergency personnel, which would definitely impact the quality of life of everyone who lives on and around the Presidio.


Secondly, the retail businesses outside alternative gates will also be negatively impacted from the loss of expendable income of the students and staff of the language school.


As government servants, we are here to serve the community, not be a burden or a hindrance. I am very familiar with shrinking revenues and declining tax bases; the answer is not to blatantly cut line items but to partner with those affected by such a move. My concern is for the good of the people and businesses of Monterey and Pacific Grove, the real stakeholders. Please be mindful that they are the ones who foot the bill.


I have been in similar predicaments on numerous occasions. Presently, it seems that the position of the DLI management is: “It’s our way or the highway! We don’t have the money. End of story.” I say that that’s nothing but tomfoolery. - Albert Jurczynski | via Web


(Editor’s note: Tomfoolery is an excellent word.)


Photo Finish


(“Instagram says it now has the right to sell your photos; policy change has a lot of people ticked off. What do you think?” posted Dec. 18 to Facebook.)


Did we think our corporate overlords at Facebook were really going to let us goof around on their dime? Nevertheless, my protest will be insuring every third photo is an animal butt. - Greg Pool | via Facebook


Could this possibly be market research for Facebook rolling out the same policy??? Hmmmm… .just sayin’. - Bryan Flores | via Facebook 


Something for nothing rarely works with corporations. Shareholder/owner profits come to mind… - Glenn Steiner | via Facebook


(Editor’s note: Facebook, it seems, has wisely backed off of the plan to sell users’ photos. But now they’re talking about charging for messaging. Merry Christmas, Mr. Zuckerberg.)