Jun 17, 2008

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Daily News

Stanford graduation

Dear Editor: I appreciated your article Monday on the Stanford graduation and the photo of students holding up a big red balloon.

I have fond memories of the book "The Red Balloon" growing up. "THANKS MOM + DAD" was a widespread feeling.

I was one of the fortunate ones to enjoy and appreciate the ever so colorful graduating students. It was a spectacular day with clear blue skies and just the right temperature in the new stadium.

I can remember growing up in Palo Alto, going to the games and Paly's homecomings in the '60s-'70s but this is the first Stanford graduation I have ever attended. I brought an old friend with me and the one criticism she had was about all the balloons (with helium in Mylar and regular) being "let go." Even though it demonstrates a sentimental, old-fashioned tradition, it is time to merge with change at a school like Stanford with studies in environmental science and go green. I think the balloons being let go show a disrespect for our wildlife.

When these balloons are let go, they finally end up in places that are dangerous to our wildlife. The birds and various animals can eat these and die from them.

I think the students should be encouraged and possibly required to hang on to the balloons and properly dispose of them when they are done with them.

Oprah was great. Stanford '08, "Trust your gut instincts in life."

Kerry Thede

Los Altos



Iraqi government

Dear Editor: Have you heard of the very important "Status of Forces Agreement" now being negotiated between the United States and our puppet government in Iraq?

The current SOFA expires at the end of this year. Behind the scenes, Nouri al-Maliki is under tremendous pressure to sign the agreement. Most of the average citizens of Iraq, as well as many members of al-Maliki's parliament, are vehemently opposed to it. Powerful religious leader Muqtada al-Sadr has called for weekly protests against the agreement, which have filled the streets of Baghdad recently.

You will understand why when you know that the so-called agreement calls for a total of 58 U.S. military bases in Iraq (there are now about 30), the right to conduct "autonomous military operations" there, the right to "control airspace over Iraq up to 30,000 feet," the right to immunity for U.S. forces from Iraqi laws and other sovereignty-destroying caveats.

Naturally, al-Maliki is having a dickens of a time "selling" this agreement to his parliament and his people. The Bush administration is shooting for midsummer to have this whole thing wrapped up, so that the next administration will be obligated by its mandates. The approval of our Congress isn't necessary, we are assured.

Of course, both presidential candidates know about this little shell game, but they aren't saying anything. Too sensitive, you see; might affect "negotiations." Welcome to the big chess game - the capitalist, military-industrial, congressional establishment. And you thought Obama might be our "savior." Ha!

Don Havis

San Mateo



Impeachment hearings

Dear Editor: Letter writers have been calling for impeachment hearings on George W. Bush and Dick Cheney in the House of Representatives. Now there are 17 House members who have called for hearings on 32 charges of crimes committed by Bush and Cheney. Articles of Impeachment were introduced last week by Reps. Dennis Kucinich and Robert Wexler.

If you want to support their efforts, go to their Web sites or call your representatives to urge them to hold hearings. Sign petitions at www.democrats.com. If you want accountability by our leaders, then show your support.

Edith Groner

Palo Alto



Cargill Salt

Dear Editor: Your front-page article, "Cargill: Salt making may continue," nicely demonstrates how much we can trust what Cargill and its housing developers, DMB Associates, are telling us, whether it's about shutting down salt-making or their vague and empty "commitments."

Now that they face the reality of Redwood City voters empowered through the Open Space Vote measure, they suddenly decide to announce that if we don't let them fill these restorable former baylands with housing, they are going to take their toys and go home. With their "50/50" scheme, they want us to believe that they have to destroy the open space in order to save it.

Their words obviously mean nothing, no matter how many times they are repeated on expensive glossy mailers and full-page advertisements.

Frankly, speaking as a resident whose backyard is the salt ponds, I'd like to see all suggestions for change cease. Let's all just shake hands, walk away and pretend it never happened. DMB can crawl back under its rock, Cargill can continue manufacturing industrial salt, and I can stop living in fear of 75-foot industrial structures 800 feet off my back deck and unthinkable traffic jams.

Charlene Carpentier

Harbor Village Mobile Home Park