Letters to the Editor

Warm Words for ‘Dubya & Dick’

Editor: I am inspired to write after reading Joan Huguenard’s column of May 22 entitled, just joan just questions. I saw my opportunity to say something good about President Bush. You can understand my concern. Time was running out. Johnny Cash was right when he sang, “Life ain’t easy for a boy named Sue.” A kind word about this Administration is as rare as seeing Elvis on the Plaza. Bush and Cheney are with us for 240 more days. You may not be counting, but I am. It seems like a dozen lifetimes since they came into office and I have yet to utter a word that could be published in a family newspaper.
Ms. Huguenard mentioned the President’s little brother Marvin Bush. She seemed to have never heard of him. Well I have. I know Marvin Bush. And believe me, he is no Dubya! Marvin runs a hedge fund in Virginia near Washington, D.C. Before I retired a couple of years ago and moved to this special little town I was a competitor of sorts. Well, I like to think I was good enough to be called a competitor of his. Marvin knows better but would never say so because he is a gentleman. He conducted his business in the same manner. He was always modest and humble about his considerable personal success.
So there. It is a matter of public record. I have said something good about President Bush. His little brother is a hell of a guy. Although Joan did not mention Dick Cheney I need to say something good about the man. Dick Cheney has had the courage to do something I have wanted to do for most of my adult life. He shot a lawyer and got away with it.
Joseph M. Aaron
Sonoma

Editor: Would you vote for your neighbor? If he were the kind of neighbor who helped you for an entire day move into the neighborhood? If he were the kind of neighbor who was always there to help you finish your floundering home-improvement project? If he were the kind of neighbor who rescued your wayward terrier right before it reached Arnold Drive?
You have the opportunity to vote for this kind of neighbor for District 1 Supervisor. His name is Dave Reber. He’s offering to be your neighbor, too. Dave was born in the valley, grew up here, raised his family here. He was an outspoken advocate for our children on the Board of Education. He built the first affordable housing in the county. 
He’s the kind of man who will represent us, not supervise us. At candidate forums he committed himself to being our full-time representative. He’ll set up office hours in the valley and return your phone calls when you call him with your county concerns. He has already begun to research our county budget and wants to make us aware of how much of our taxes and fees actually get back to the 1st District. He understands the pressing needs we have for crime prevention and law enforcement, safe roads, sustainable agriculture, effective water access and use and prudent growth that will enhance and not damage the valley’s quality of life. 
In his personal, business, and political life, I have seen Dave make difficult decisions in which his deeply held values have always overridden social or adversarial pressures. As supervisor he wants to hold the county government and bureaucrats accountable to our district. I don’t envy them. Dave Reber is your neighbor, the kind of neighbor who would make us a great supervisor!
Vince Zukowski
Sonoma

Editor: You are to be congratulated for publishing columnist “Just Joan,” a journalist who is not afraid to touch hot issues like the unanswered questions surrounding Sept. 11.
In her column of Thursday, May 22, Joan Huguenard reiterated some questions about Sept. 11 that have long made many of us uncomfortable. The truth is that the reason for our discomfort is that so far we have not found responsible sources in our government or the mainstream media who are willing to acknowledge that these are questions that need satisfactory answers.
Truth can stand the light of day. Falsehood cannot. As soon as these questions are adequately addressed, we the people will rest assured that there are no clandestine forces at work in our democracy. But until such time as we get the answers we seek, we have not only a right, but also an obligation to keep asking.
Catherine Beatty
Sonoma Sun

Editor: We were delighted to see Joan Huguenard’s list of questions regarding the attacks that provided excuses for two aggressive wars that have occasioned countless casualties and costs with no visible benefits, except to military contractors.
In addition to her widely reported questions, we wonder why “real” terrorists targeted the very buildings that their well-insured leaseholder, Larry Silverstein, needed to get rid of. Wouldn’t a serious terrorist have targeted the Statue of Liberty or a baseball stadium during a playoff? And how is it that some of the “suicide” hijackers are still alive? And why are many U.S. citizens so eager to believe the unsubstantiated official accounts of the event when they know the Tonkin Gulf hoax perfectly well. The Great White Father in Washington has spoken with a forked tongue in the past, so why do people still think that a planted report in the New York Times or The Washington Post cannot be false?
The people would naturally like to believe their leaders. It is a pity they cannot.
Thank you, Joan, for both wits and guts.
Pat Spicer
Glen Ellen

Editor: Now Joan is into nutcase conspiracy theories on Sept. 11. It was bad enough when she went into Israel-Palestine issues. I thought the Sun covered local issues in the community and not foreign affairs and loony conspiracy theories.
Dennis Kavanagh
Sonoma

Editor: My heartfelt admiration goes to Joan Huguenard for her courage in confronting some very controversial issues, like Venezuela and Chavez, the horrific criminality of what is being done to the Palestinians, and especially, most recently, her “just questions” column regarding Sept. 11. I have been a Sept. 11 truth seeker since it occurred and am beyond pleased that Americans appear to finally be waking up to the damage done to our freedoms, our environment, our education and economic systems as well as our worldwide reputation. This damage has all been done in response to that momentous “terrorist” attack.
Many of you may attempt to excoriate her for this latest article but, before you do, I would hope you will take a breath, read and truly consider her questions and find the answers BEFORE you close your minds out of fear for what you may find during your search. The truth is readily accessible. It is time for each of us to get involved in turning on the lights and taking our country back from those who have done a very effective job of destroying our fragile democracy. We all could use more of her courage! 
And thank you to the Sun for following the tenets of true journalism by supporting free discussion of issues beyond the machinations of pseudo “celebrities,” the latest fashions and the fake news pulp put out by commercial spinmasters.
Donna Waugh Campbell 
Sonoma

Editor: The increase in mountain lion sightings in Sonoma Valley is ominous. There was a book written about a community in Boulder, Colo. titled “A Beast in the Garden.” by David Baron, a science reporter for National Public Radio. In this book, Baron explains how the lions were once kept at a safe, fearful distance. As the town gradually became more “progressive” and environmentally conscious, these extremely intelligent master hunters observed the changes and moved in for a closer view. Reports of sightings exactly like the one in Agua Caliente last week increased. There is a network of creeks for these big cats to move about the valley unseen. Nathanson Creek would have been the most likely path the mountain lion escaped to after being spotted at the intersection of Broadway and MacArthur last summer at 4 a.m. Our situation exactly parallels theirs. I am not saying we should all go buy rifles and start shooting, but this is seriously urgent. There are several humane options for controlling this threat. While we’re arguing amongst ourselves about raising chickens in backyards or spotting dangerous moths, these mountain lions with no predators are watching our pets and children from tree branches.
Jordan Bragg
Sonoma

Editor: Sonoma families – vote for Mark Leno!
By the time you vote, you might not have met Assemblyman Mark Leno, candidate for State Senate District 3, since he is presently working hard in Sacramento for his constituents. What I want to stress is that Mark is the candidate who cares about our families’ education, safety and future.
The California Teacher’s Association has endorsed him for his devotion to children’s education. The California State Firefighter’s Association is supporting him for his legislation protecting firemen and children from chemicals released in mattresses, children’s bedding and couches, when burning.
Assemblyman Leno and Assemblyman Huffman have teamed up to author numerous environmental bills, from protecting our oceans to our local water issues. Mark has been an environmental champion and has won the support of Friends of the Earth because of his concern about all environmental issues that impact our children. He is also the principal co-author of the single-payer health care bill.
Our high-energy Sonoma County and San Francisco Young Democrats have endorsed Mark and are working on his campaign. For more information and endorsements check out www.markleno.com.
I am sorry if you will not get the chance to meet Mark before June 3, but rest assured that while one of the candidates is able to go knocking door-to-door, Mark is fighting to make education funding a top priority, in lieu of the Governor’s budget slashing, and will continue to do so as state senator.
I have met and spoken to all the candidates and he is a sincere and responsive legislator. Please join other Sonoma families in supporting Mark Leno – our Sonoma family candidate!
Yannick A. Phillips
Sonoma