Mailbag - Oct. 19, 2000

Crow killings harkens reader back to younger days

One of the darkest days in my life was when my family moved from Los

Angeles to Costa Mesa in 1963. Shortly after, John F. Kennedy was

assassinated and I remember most of the children in my third-grade class

rejoiced. Third-graders rejoicing over something they couldn’t possibly

have understood.

Obviously, they were mimicking the hate they’d acquired from their

parents. As a child living (should I say “subsisting”) down there, I was

met with constant anti-Semitic remarks, harassment because of my liberal

political beliefs, harassment by the cops and jocks because of my long

hair and hippie attire and harassment by my emotionally and

intellectually unevolved teachers because my thinking did not correspond

with theirs.

One bright day in 1972, I left Costa Mesa to attend college. I’ve

never returned. And, except for a few childhood friends, I’ve never given

it a thought.

When I heard about the recent killing of beautiful crows because their

charming autumnal chatter was annoying certain Costa Mesa households, I

gave it a thought.

Nothing changes in small-minded communities. But how pathetic to take

one’s ridiculous anger and lack of control out on God’s creatures.

I’m sure glad I’m up here in Los Angeles and you’re down there behind

the Orange Curtain. Hopefully the crows have gotten the hint and have

moved up to greener pastures. Cheers!

CHRIS LISSNER

Los Angeles

Columnist should be careful who lectures to his daughter

I am writing in response to B.W. Cook’s article “Society’s prejudices

hit close to home” (Oct. 7).

Initially, I was not going to respond, given that the sanctimonious

and morally superior tone of Cook’s article makes it likely he will view

any disagreement with his position as proof that “hate exists in Costa

Mesa.” However, the article appears well-intentioned and sincere, and so

I respond in a similar spirit.

Cook appears offended by the fact that his daughter attended a

Christian function and, while there, heard an explanation of one of the

faith’s long-standing beliefs.

That seems a very silly complaint to me. If I send my child to a

social function at a religious institution of any kind, I recognize that

some aspect of religion may very well be discussed.

That is the nature of organizational gatherings of any sort, not

merely those of religion. Cook is angry that Christians teach the

exclusivity of Christ as the only path to God. However, my experience has

been that they do not do this because they want to punish or exclude

others, but because their holy book teaches this.

The Jewish carpenter Jesus is recorded as saying “I am the way, the

truth, and the life; no one comes to the father except through me.” (John

14:6).

That sounds pretty “exclusive” to me. It seems to me that, in reality,

Cook is upset because his daughter was taught a religious view that

disagrees with the one he teaches in his home. His world view, religious

or otherwise, rejects the idea that God would redeem only a portion of

humanity.

The Christian worldview takes a different position. All I can say to

that is that Cook should exercise more care in choosing the activities

his daughter attends. Do not send her to any event that embraces an

ideology he would disagree with. Of course, her social life will be

seriously curtailed, but then, maybe Cook could write about that instead.

SALLY BRUYNEEL PADGETT

Costa Mesa

Dad was forgotten in story of girl’s fight against cancer

In response to your story regarding Brianna Olympius, my heart goes

out to her and her family. However, I was saddened again to see no

mention in your article about her loving and supportive father, Todd

Olympius.

The news story leads one to believe Sue Olympius is a lone struggling

single mother.

I personally know Todd Olympius to be a wonderful, child-support

paying dad who has joint custody of his children and has been involved in

every step of Brianna’s recent struggles.

True the focus of any story should be Brianna but if there were to be

another story, I for one would be pleased to see an honorable mention for

her dad. Too often divorced dads are brushed off as bad guys and

non-supportive and in Todd Olympius’ case this couldn’t be further from

the truth.

MARILYN RUSSELL

Costa Mesa