A winery versus redwoods; evaluating Rick Perry; disaster aid and the budget

Redwood fans

Re “A tale of grape vs. redwood,” Aug. 25

If you ever wished for a sneak peek into a businessperson’s understanding of environmental issues, look no further than these two quotes from the article. (Be warned, some viewers may find the content disturbing.): “This is not a plan to build a mall. They’re talking about growing grapes.”

And then the real humdinger: “These forests can be cleared and preserved at the same time.”

A visit to a dictionary is in order; first up, “ecosystem,” followed by “monoculture.”

Kevin Griffin

Los Angeles

Although I enjoy a glass of wine, I could not do so with a clear conscience knowing that redwoods were cut down to enlarge vineyards or to provide estates on adjacent lands. Economic decisions need to take into account the environment destroyed.

The environment is not for our sole pleasure; other life systems depend on a healthy, intact ecosystem. Humans deserve one too.

Thera Jane Mercer

Long Beach

The preposterous name, Preservation Ranch, does not even display an effort to conceal the naked propaganda in this project.

Trading thousands of acres of redwood groves for grapes to make cheaper wine sounds unconscionable, but Los Angeles County recently destroyed an entire grove of century-old oaks and sycamores for nothing more than a dumping ground for debris. At least the county did not try to disguise it with a name like Habitat Restoration Project.

Kathy Harty

Arcadia

Taking on Rick Perry

Re “The problem with Perry,” Editorial, Aug. 28

Your editorial is too gentle. Gov. Rick Perry advocates a revolt against the U.S. Constitution, including the separation of powers and an independent judiciary. To say it in Texas talk: That is downright un-American.

Michael Miller

Los Angeles

I’ll answer your question (“But who is Rick Perry, and what will Americans get if he’s elected?): Someone — anyone — other than Barack Obama as president.

J. Stephen Quinn

San Diego

The editorial was not a journalistic description of a candidate. It was a vitriolic attack. I feel you have a myopic view of our existing political situation, or you have developed a labile memory. You should have replaced the name “Perry” with “Obama.”

Robert Rosati

Simi Valley

This editorial is the best I have read in illustrating Perry’s stated positions on key issues. I think it should be required reading so we can have a better understanding of Perry’s “depth of loathing for the federal government.”

I have just finished two books on the political causes of the Civil War and Teddy Roosevelt’s problems with the great business trusts of the early 1900s, and I find a striking similarity to Perry’s discredited “tea party” solutions to today’s problems and the lead-up to these two great American crises.

This man may become the GOP nominee and get elected; he is truly dangerous to our nation.

The editorial expressed it best in its closing line: Perry’s vision is not a model for the future; it’s a warning from the past.

John Boos

Placentia

Your editorial went too easy on Perry.

Put simply, he is just as crazy as the flat-earth, creationist preachers who populate Sunday-morning television. Gravity, astrophysics, evolution, climate change, paleontology, geology and a host of other knowledge-based disciplines are incontrovertibly true no matter what these people choose to “believe” out of ignorance and/or desperate fear of the known.

Perry is thus utterly unqualified for national leadership, which requires a good grip on reality.

Joe Bonino

Glendale

Thanks for listing all the reasons I support Perry for president. Your anti-capitalism, pro-union points helped to reinforce my position.

Jack Palm

Westlake Village

Not mentioned in your editorial is the single most dangerous problem with Perry: his desire to amend the Constitution to make the judicial branch subservient to the legislative branch, thereby eliminating the separation of the branches of government that has been a fundamental tenet of our form of government since the Constitution was written.

It is hard to imagine a less conservative position.

Whether or not you like the makeup of the Supreme Court, the existence of an independent judiciary able to apply the rule of law instead of the immediate will of the voters is vital to maintaining democracy.

Dictators rule where judges run scared.

Stephanie R. Scher

Los Angeles

It couldn’t have been stated any better: Perry is dangerous.

Chet Chebegia

Long Beach

Disaster relief and the budget

Re “Storm brews over disaster relief,” Aug. 30

Just when we thought we might finally start talking about a jobs bill, the Republicans are now going to make disaster aid an issue. For example, if we want to give relief to those suffering from storm damage, then we are going to have to find cuts in other programs first.

As an alternative, I would like to suggest eliminating House Majority Leader Rep. Eric Cantor’s (R-Va) seat. That would save some money, and so much more.

Actually there are several hundred Republican seats that could be eliminated. These people make a lot of noise, but they are not doing anything about jobs, which is what the Republicans campaigned on in 2010.

I have one question. The next time there is a chance of going to war, are we first going to determine spending cuts? After all, a good portion of our deficit is due to reducing taxes and starting two wars.

Jim Conway

Woodland Hills

Why is it that whenever the government spends money for the benefit of people in this country, Republicans (and some Democrats) want that money to come from cuts in other parts of the budget?

Why is it that we only want to spend money for death — war — but begrudge any money for life?

We send money to other countries for disaster relief/help but begrudge the same help for the people in this country. Isn’t something backward?

Clara Browda

Los Angeles

What a difference in the handling of Hurricane Irene by the Obama administration versus the handling (actually mishandling) of Katrina by the Bush administration. I believe many lives were save by the Obama administration’s working closely with the affected states as compared to the lack of leadership demonstrated by President George W. Bush.

Now Republicans are politicizing the situation by threatening to withhold funds for the recovery efforts. I hope people in the affected areas remember this when they vote.

Richard Nieto

Alhambra

Surfboard safety

Re “Channel Islands Surfboards sued,” Business, Aug. 27

Surfers understand very well the risks of using sharp fins and surfboards with pointed noses, and they accept those risks.

It’s like buying a knife and getting cut using it, then suing the manufacturer because the knife was too sharp.

There are soft fins and surfboards with blunted noses on the market if the surfer wishes to use them.

Steve Pezman

San Clemente