Public Comment

Letters to the Editor

Tuesday March 21, 2006

BERKELEY UTOPIA 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Berkeley has always had a soft spot in its heart for 1930-style socialism. Berkeley’s current system of either buying an expensive home or living in a proletarian rent-controlled unit for the rest of your life has mirrored that “Utopia” in creating Berkeley’s own Privilegencia. Nothing in the middle. Stalin would be proud. 

Nancy Friedberg 

 

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BART BIKE THEFT SOLUTION 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

I solved the problem of bike theft after walking home in the rain one night from MacArthur BART. I simply don’t use BART anymore. That’s right, horror of horrors, I drive my car to San Francisco. I save time, money and peace of mind. 

Judi Sierra 

Oakland 

 

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DERBY STREET BALLFIELD 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Terry Doran is to be commended for his comments regarding the Derby Street sports field to the effect that the School Board should not be in the business of using resources intended for students to satisfy general community needs (March 17). Here’s hoping he and the majority of the board that he referred to in the same story stay their original course and pursue the full-field option (i.e. closed Derby Street), which includes a regulation baseball diamond. That is the solution that makes the fullest and best use of scarce school district resources for the people it is obligated to serve: its students. 

Phyllis Orrick 

 

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HALLINAN’S MIDDLE EAST ANALYSIS 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Conn Hallinan makes about as much sense now as he did when he edited and wrote for the Communist Party’s publication, People’s Weekly World. While Hamas, the duly-elected Palestinian governing party, maintains their covenant calling for the destruction of Israel and Jews everywhere, Hallinan somehow can’t seem to comprehend why Israeli politicians refuse to speak with those butchers.  

May I inquire, Mr. Hallinan, what part of genocide do you fail to comprehend? 

Dan Spitzer 

Kensington 

 

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ALBANY WATERFRONT 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

I support the Albany Waterfront Specific Plan Initiative which allows for a comprehensive plan for the entire shoreline. For me, this issue is not about tax revenues or even about how Albany will or will not benefit from a big retail/condominium development. The bigger issue is the legacy we leave for future generations. Everywhere I go, there is more and more building—homes, shopping centers, big business complexes, with their attendant parking lots. The whole world is being put under cement. Is this what our children should have to live with? We need to preserve whatever open space we still have because we are fast running out of land, anywhere and everywhere. I am at the Albany Shoreline a lot just to enjoy an environment free of commercialism. 

What about thoughtful planned open space? The Caruso plan suggests only a 2.5-acre open area along the shoreline in contrast to the 45 acres he wants to develop with its attendant parking structure. This is not thoughtful nor responsible as it will generate more traffic on I-80, more pollution, more health problems. A few more years of planning isn’t much to ask when compared to the loss of land once a retail complex is built, but it will give Albany residents a chance to consider an alternative to a southern California style mall. 

I urge every Albany resident to support this initiative and sign the petition to put it on the November ballot. Be proud that you helped to preserve our shoreline. 

Diane Ichiyasu 

Albany 

 

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BUS RAPID TRANSIT 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Marcia Lau suggests in her March 14 letter that there is a better bus route for the planned Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) on Telegraph Avenue. Her point is well-taken. There are routes that could be covered, covered more and covered better all over the East Bay, but most transportation funding goes to infrastructure for the automobile. No wonder we can’t get good bus service; we live in a car-dominated world and are left to fight and scramble for every morsel of funding for alternatives available. However, at this point in time, the Major Investment Study has shown the chosen Telegraph route to offer most “access to major employment centers, major educational centers, connections with other transit, and support for transit-oriented development.”  

Marcia says BRT will be redundant with BART, following the same route. This point has been made before. However, if BRT was redundant with BART, it would have to limit stops to only the same stops as BART. It is true that in order to make the bus ride faster there won’t be as many stops as there are on the 43 line, but there will be numerous stops in addition to the BART stations. The BRT will allow riders to access much more along the route that BART does. If a rider is going from BART station-area to BART station-area, then of course, taking BART makes sense! But, if you need to get off at points in between, BART doesn’t work. 

Similarly, if you live far enough east of BART stations to make walking to the BART station too time-consuming, then the BRT would be a more convenient ride for you. The current bus line—as illustrated by the No. 43, by shear numbers of riders, and the numbers of riders getting on and off at stops along the way—the importance of the bus route. To offer bus service that is even more effective (by shortening the travel time between stops) is to attract more riders who may otherwise be compelled to use a car. 

Dedicated travel lanes for buses, traffic signal prioritization for buses and reduced bus stops will all contribute to reduced waiting times at bus stops, more reliable bus service and a more convenient alternative to the single-occupancy vehicle.  

Bus Rapid Transit on Telegraph will offer a real solution to the problem of traffic congestion, air pollution and global warming. AC Transit is part of the solution. Let’s join them. 

Marcy Greenhut 

 

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NIMBYS 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

I stand in awe of Charles Siegel’s ability to pack so many misrepresentations and misleading statements into one short letter about the Bus Rapid Transit proposal (March 17). Thank heavens that the readers of this paper know from Mr. Siegel’s previous diatribes that he has a strong bias against the use of automobiles in Berkeley. I will comment on one statement in his most recent letter: “As I understand it, a relatively small number of local NIMBYs are against BRT south of Dwight.” That statement is quite misguided, and I am certain it was not based on any research conducted by Mr. Siegel. I have talked with many residents in the Willard, Benvenue, CENA, and LeConte neighborhoods, and have encountered substantial opposition to this drastic and unnecessary proposal. (Rob Wren is the notable exception, of course, who seems to view BRT as a type of fundamentalist religion which must be accepted without question.) 

What’s more, isn’t it time that we conducted discussions about public policy without using the term “NIMBY” to denigrate our fellow citizens? After all, the term NIMBY is nothing but a conscious attempt to marginalize citizens who are fighting to protect their quality of life from imminent threats. Almost any citizen in Berkeley can become a NIMBY overnight due to our current unchecked development mania, and these new projects invariably result in increased noise, pollution, congestion, loss of sunlight, inadequate parking, blocked view corridors, reduction in green space, and loss of public space. It is perfectly understandable for people to try to fight these harmful impacts in order to prevent damage to their health and well-being. Before we criticize any of our fellow citizens who face the prospect of, say, a new four- or six-story building next door, or a huge influx of traffic into their neighborhood, or the loss of the last bit of greenery on their street—or a 50 percent reduction in the traffic capacity of their main thoroughfare—it would be helpful if we actually visited their neighborhood and spent some time talking with them to learn about their experiences and perspectives.  

Yes, let’s put an end to the use of the term NIMBY in our city, and let’s do it in a constructive way. From now on, if you should catch yourself using the term NIMBY, fine yourself $20—and then donate that amount to your favorite charity. You will be helping to eliminate a scurrilous term from our civic discourse, and supporting your favorite cause at the same time. It’s a win-win solution.  

Doug Buckwald  

 

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BRT NOT NECESSARY 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

The Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project has recently become a political football here on the letters page. 

There is already plenty of bus service on Telegraph. The big articulated Van Hool buses on the 40L line have lots of room, and they run frequently. 

But the BRT is supposed to make bus service fun and fast to motivate people to ride the bus instead of drive. The BRT will carry the current riders, plus all those people who used to drive all alone in their car. 

What will provide the motivation for new riders? Those shiny new buses? Faster getting on and off the buses? Maybe AC Transit will use the three doors on the Van Hools to implement some form of pre-paid boarding? Will employers subsidize bus passes? 

Faster trips? Fewer stops? Will the BRT buses get some kind of priority on Telegraph? Will there be bus-only lanes? Will buses have flashing signals telling car drivers to pull over? Will on-street parking on Telegraph be reduced enough to give room to pull over? 

Maybe the shift to BRT-riding will take enough cars off the road so that we get the required space that way. Or is that a chicken and egg problem? 

Is UC Berkeley going to reduce the number of campus parking spaces and offer bus passes to faculty, staff and students? 

I don’t see much of this happening in the near future. 

The bottom line is the question of whether a lot of new people are going to ride the BRT. If this isn’t going to happen, the BRT project really should not be going forward. 

Steve Geller 

 

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ELECTRONIC VOTE THEFT 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Is it time to deal with electronic theft of elections? Hi-tech voter fraud began in Georgia, went on to Minnesota and spread throughout the country in 2004. 

Computer software can be hacked, programmers can alter votes and never be detected, and touchscreen voting machines are manufactured by companies that have close connections with the Bush administration. 

The electronic theft of elections began in Georgia where a popular Democratic governor and senator were both unseated in what media called amazing upsets with vote swings of up 16 percent from the last poll results before the election. In Minnesota, Walter Mondale was also defeated in a large last-second vote shift. And in the last presidential election there were last-second vote swings that gave George Bush victories in states that had been voting solidly for John Kerry. 

I bet if you checked, anti-abortion Republicans have won all suspect and disputed elections in 2000, 2002 and 2004. 

Ron Lowe 

Nevada City 

 

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LOVE AND PEACE 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

By now, we all know that pre-emptive war just doesn’t work, and it makes matters worse. Enough airtime has been used in making up clever insults against Bush and Co. The real cure for war is to think about peace, joy, love; to practice self-love, and kindness towards all humans, and all of life; to meditate and pray everyday, going within to your heart and talking to your Higher Power, God, Goddess, or Creator. This is at the heart of every religion on Earth. Of course, there’s the practical side of doing all the footwork of contacting Congress, showing up at pro-peace rallies. Mother Theresa (or was it me or Jesus?) said, “It’s not enough to be anti-war; we must be pro-peace.” Ma Theresa promised, “The moment there’s a Pro-Peace Rally, I’ll be there.” Posthumously, if necessary. John Lennon has been known to make HIS posthumous appearances. Hee, hee!  

Please turn within to find your power, your love, your beauty. Then you will shine your light before the world. I personally find that if you love yourself and are gentle to yourself and self-nurturing, you’re not going to be cruel or very difficult on other people. I know damn well I can’t force you guys into desiring peace and love, let alone doing the inner work necessary to contact God within you. But I can be the change I want to see, thus effectively embodying Mahatma Ghandhi’s advice. Whatever you do, keep all pro-peace rallies non-violent and be polite. No rude language; it makes them angrier. Yes, it’s tempting to say nasty things about the criminals who stole America, twice! Well, Heaven and Earth and I and the other Lightworkers (saints, shamans, healers, and human angels everywhere) plus all the others who show up to help bring in World Peace Forever, won’t let them get away with it. As Klaus Meines of The Scorpions wrote, “The winds of change are blowing.” Maybe I should sing that song as my personal peace rally. The Scorpion’s “Winds of Change” brought down the Berlin Wall. Come on, guys; the World Wide Peace and Joy and Love Movement will be the next bringing down of the Berlin Wall. This wall isn’t physical, and it ain’t in Berlin. But that won’t stop us. The desire for world peace forever is now the supreme world power, not the darker side of the United States of America. I wish to let the world know, there are many Americans who wish world peace, who want an end to this long and bloody war. We shall prevail. I love you and I forgive you all for not “getting it” sooner and more gracefully. Phew...  

Linda M. Smith 

 

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CIVIL WAR 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

The unfolding civil war in Iraq is eerily similar to the civil strife in India that preceded partition into India and Pakistan, and to the ensuing 60 years of hatred between those states. On the eve of Britain’s retreat from almost a century of colonial domination she encouraged the antagonisms between Hindus and Muslims through discrimination, dispossession, provocation and segregation, presumably so Britain would not appear to leave a united India, disgraced.  

Despite the U.S. government’s hand-ringing about how terrible civil war would be in Iraq, the U.S. may be a main potential beneficiary from chaos and worsening internal warfare. Though the pressure for U.S. withdrawal from Iraq grows, the U.S. intends to keep its several new state of the art permanent military bases there and to control Iraq’s oil. Civil war reduces the chance of Iraq uniting against that agenda although 80 percent of Iraqis want the U.S. out. Civil war shifts the crisis from the destructive and hated occupation to Iraqi sectarianism and the growing murderous strife; it reduces the public relations damage of a U.S. policy defeat. A question: does the U.S. run its own underground killing militia(s) in Iraq?  

Marc Sapir 

 

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CARTOONS AND CHAOS 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Regarding the somewhat recent publications of the still controversial Danish cartoons, I would just like to express a few of my personal thoughts regarding this ongoing issue.  

For one, if college students, or people in general, do not challenge tradition, then progress as a whole would not be very fruitful. Regardless of whether that tradition is science or religion, as time passes on, and new knowledge is gained, ideas, old and new, must be challenged. Facing a huge wave of criticism should be no reason to cease; if so, then many of the ideas we hold so dear today would not be very well known. For instance, the fact that the planets revolve around the sun, and not vise versa.  

Lastly, instead of getting too caught up in the emotion that is dominating this issue over the rights of free speech and respect for religion, I have taken a different and more productive approach. When I look at this controversy I am constantly drawn into the theory of chaos, where order exists in what appears to be complete disorder. Applying this theory to the Danish cartoon controversy I have been making progress in understanding this vital theory, and have been gaining more understanding about how society functions as a whole, which does not seem too much different than the original attempt to predicate how the weather will be in a given day. To better relate to how I view this, just think about the famous butterfly effect, which states something as small as the flap of a butterfly’s wings can bring a tornado in Texas for example, or consider the fox and the hare. As you know, the fox and the hares are in constant conflict, with one taking on the role of the predator, and the other taking on the role as victim to the predator. But without this chaos, or the illusion of chaos rather, order between the two different groups would not exist, as one would become dominate, and as a result, the natural food chain would evolve.  

So instead of looking at these cartoons as world chaos which brings us closer to the brink of a major war, try looking at them as a normal part of the order that brings us together as people in general.  

Curtis Stone 

 

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CAMPUS CARTOON FLAP 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

The self-righteous indignation of the Cal Muslim Student Association over the publication of the cartoons would be credible if the media and textbooks in most Muslim countries were not saturated with racist propaganda against Jews and Christians. For instance, Egyptian public television recently aired a multi-part series treating the anti-Semitic tract “Protocols of the Elders of Zion” as though it were factual. Articles accusing Jewish doctors of infecting Muslim children with AIDS or of Jews stealing children to harvest their organs, routinely circulate in mainstream media in the Arab world. Muslims commonly compare Jews to apes and pigs in daily speech and in the press. Muslims also refer to Christians as “those who incur Allah’s wrath".  

The Cal Muslim Students should stop complaining about our press and look at their own. They ought to petition their own governments and media outlets to stop publishing racist propaganda, and not stop demanding until the Muslim racism stops. Then they ought to apologize to the Jews, to the Christians, and to the Danes. After they have done those things, they might have some credibility, not before. Until then they ought to shut up. 

Jack Kessler 

El Cerrito  

 

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FACE REALITY 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

So Dick Cheney, in his March 19 appearance on “Face the Nation,” thinks that his statements about the United States being welcomed as liberators after the preemptive invasion of Iraq and that the insurgency is in its last throes “were basically accurate and reflect reality.” Perhaps he thinks throwing grenades at U.S. troops is the same as throwing flowers at them. And how many thousands have died in Iraq since his “last throes” statement?  

The VP also criticizes the media for it failure to report on all the positive progress made in Iraq. Maybe the media has a problem reporting how safe it is when reporters get kidnaped and killed when they go out without security guards. And if they are able to report, what positive progress will they report? Will they describe the lack of electricity, drinking water, basic sewage operations, health care, and other failures of the basic infrastructure? Will they report that the country with the second highest oil reserves has to import oil to meet its basic needs? Will they report on the massive corruption in government contracts in Iraq? Will they highlight the high infant mortality rate due to basic health care failures? Just which of these areas of progress should the media report? 

Cheney’s current view of reality ranks right up there with his beliefs about Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction. His “beliefs” are illusions and lies.  

Bush, Cheney and company must go now. 

Recently the South Korean Prime Minister was forced to resign because he was playing golf on the day that a national railway strike began. His golf outing set off a scandal in Korea. 

I think that this should encourage President Bush to consider resigning as well. Bush’s actions from lying to the American people to start a pre-emptive war which has led to the Iraqi quagmire to his inactions around hurricane Katrina certainly deserve a similar resignation on his part. Iraq and Katrina are just two of the top problems created by the Bush regime. 

The world can not afford another three years of Bush, Cheney, Rummy and company. 

Kenneth J. Thiesen  

Oakland 

 

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