Letters to the editor

Editor,

The problem with single-issue politics and organizations is that, when their point of view has lost, they don’t have anything else to do but try and force their will on others. The result in Redwood City, regarding the Saltworks plan, has been a series of nasty charges being hurled at our city’s leaders, not one of which has any basis in fact. These groups don’t seem to care about the people who live here and raise their families here. They only care about getting their way for their single issue at the expense of any other needs or issues that also deserve attention. Sorry. We settled this in the last election, where the residents of Redwood City voted overwhelmingly to allow the Saltworks Project to proceed. We are a diverse community with a wide variety of needs and, fortunately, our city leaders represent Redwood City as a whole, not just a single group or issue. They have been willing to listen to all sides, and deserve better treatment that the ugliness coming from those single issue detractors!

Corrin Trowbridge

Redwood City

Give me freedom, not oil

Editor,

America can’t afford to continue to rely on unstable, war-torn nations for a dwindling energy source that is ruining our climate. We know the real dangers that face our nation and our economy when we allow ourselves to be held over this foreign oil barrel. If we don’t take the right steps now to manufacture clean energy technologies (wind turbines, solar arrays, etc.) our nation will remain vulnerable to the whims of unstable Middle East regimes. Replacing foreign oil with imported batteries for electric cars does not improve our national security. We must build an independent America by becoming energy independent. This means we need to make it in America.

Tim Linerud

Belmont

Quit it with

the ‘death panels’

Editor,

I was dismayed and appalled at one of the headlines in the Friday, Oct. 30 edition. Below the headline "Health Bill Here” was the subheadline ‘Death Panels’ for Seniors Staying In the Democratic Legislation.” Anyone with an ounce of awareness knows the term "death panels” is a loaded term that is used by the followers of the far-right on the political spectrum. The use of this term in a newspaper that claims, in its mission statement, to be "the most accurate, fair and relevant news source...” represents an abrogation of editorial discretion and an abandonment of journalistic integrity. It is more worthy of a propaganda outlet like the Fox network and its so-called "news” operation. If it belongs anywhere in your paper, it ought to be in the op-ed section where it is rightly labeled as opinion and not fact. A more appropriate subheading would have been "End-of-Life Counseling Subsidies Staying in Health Care Legislation.” What you printed certainly isn’t worthy of an institution that claims to "provide our readers with the highest quality information resource in San Mateo County.”

Stephen Bell

San Mateo

Who is this Keith Kreitman?

Editor,

I just love these "unbiased” columnists in your paper!

Just one time, I would love to see Mr. Kreitman discuss the likes of MSNBC, its parent network, NBC, or any other network news organization other than his hated Fox News.

He has already told us he cannot bear to hear anything but the "Pravda view” from the liberals concerning the "godliness” of President Obama.

Now it is Rush Limbaugh and, God forbid, an alternative point of view to the "goose-stepping” liberal media falling in line to Obama’s every whim.

Unbiased is hardly what we can call Mr. Kreitman. And why not just come out and say that anything Republican stinks in your opinion rather than trying to look bi-partisan?

I knew many, many like Mr. Kreitman during my years in journalism school. All of the same mind and opinion. Wake up Keith and see the other side, which happens to be the majority of your fellow countrymen.

And you might thank your "goddess” Nancy Pelosi for that impressive capitol steps "victory speech” she held for invited guests only last week. These are people so terrified of the general public that they hold "private news events” on government property. You know Keith, property you and I pay for!

Yeah, your side is really "transparent.” What is it that makes you so afraid of anything other than MSNBC and Alan Combes?

Take a walk in the fresh air and breathe in the freedom you try so hard to repress!

Dwight L. Schwab Jr.

Belmont

Free parking

Editor,

Sequoia Hospital is a great hospital to work for and I’m grateful that parking is free and is provided onsite. Sequoia Hospital made a promise to their neighbors that during the construction of the parking garage its employees would not park in the local neighborhood.

Although I did not make the promise, I refrained from parking on Woodsworth Avenue. Now that the new garage is open, I have begun parking on Woodsworth Avenue because I prefer a short walk. That short walk allows me to appreciate nature as I walk underneath the branches of a Birch tree, marvel at the beauty of the Cork Oak bark and listen to the sound of water cascading down before I begin my day at work. I have worked at Sequoia Hospital for 28 years and I have lived in Redwood City for 46 years and I have the right to park on Woodsworth Avenue. Street parking is public parking.

Ana Maria Muir

Redwood City

Balloon hoax or health care?

Editor,

Hearing about the hoax of the boy in the balloon in the media ad nauseum angers me. Why is it stories like this get so much media time and the suffering of Americans without health care gets trivialized? If more media coverage were given to the Americans who suffer from lack of health insurance (like the story of Jenny and her baby who lost their lives due to lack of insurance) or who are underinsured there would be no debate in Congress. Passing health care for all would be a no-brainer. Poll after poll has shown that is what the American people want. Congress, are you listening? If not, we will say it loud and clear in the next election. Insurance companies may buy you, but we put you in office and we can take you out. What kind of a country are we? Health care is a human right and those who have it should not keep it from those who do not and need it so badly.

Genel Morgan

San Mateo