Columnist hits mark on several points

Ila Johnson

Former Costa Mesa Mayor Peter Buffa gives a fascinating account of

the July 15 Costa Mesa City Council meeting (“A council meeting to

remember”, July 21). I attended the meeting but arrived a few minutes

late. It seems that a lot went on in that very short time, so I

appreciate Buffa’s account.

His comments with regard to the demonstration that took place at

Niketown protesting the low wages paid to foreign workers by Nike

were well taken. Of course, the wages those foreign workers are paid

do not compare to standards in the United States, but competition for

those jobs is intense, and the pay is considered a godsend by the

workers themselves. I don’t know, but the cost of living may be

different there also. At least I hope so. Should they be paid more?

Probably, but would consumers be willing to pay more? Personally, I

would like to see the jobs go to U.S. workers. But there you go, that

would mean higher prices. It is a dilemma.

Buffa’s mention that school mascots and nicknames that refer to

ethnic minorities are politically incorrect is accurate. But the idea

is ridiculous and I particularly enjoyed his suggestion for a

nickname and the tongue-in-cheek comment following it that the

“Mighty Chieftains might be an example of such a nickname and clearly

implies that members of a certain group are ‘mighty’ and

‘chieftains,’ which any fool can see is demeaning.” (I happen to be

part American Indian, by the way.)

On a more serious side, (oh, I realize that politically incorrect

mascots are serious to some people, but let it rest) perhaps you

already know, these “self-described anarchists” also protesting at

Niketown have a Web site. Therein they state their firmly held belief

that this part of the country belongs to the Aztecs and must be

returned to its rightful owners. The site also praises the Aztec god

or gods and the Aztec culture that they wish to restore. It should be

noted, if memory serves me right, that the Aztecs participated in the

barbaric act of sacrificing humans to their gods. If I’m wrong, I

apologize and stand corrected.

Like most national boundaries, the southwest boundaries of the

U.S. to which they refer were determined by war and resultant treaty.

To the victor goes the spoils is a sad but true fact.

Advocates of anarchy are dangerous and this group is no exception.

In history, every society in which anarchy has triumphed,

totalitarianism has been the ultimate result.

In the immortal words of Patrick Henry, “Forbid it, Almighty God!”

* ILA JOHNSON is a Costa Mesa resident.