Responses to Nichols show real bigotry I...

Responses to Nichols show real bigotry

I am saddened over the incident surrounding Newport Beach City

Councilman Dick Nichols, not so much with Nichols’ comment, which

could be interpreted as bigoted if one is looking for such a slant,

but more so with the resultant torrent of angry, mean and actually

vile criticism by people who have assumed an undeserved position of

self-righteousness.

The overreaction and degree of hate speech directed at the

councilman is far more frightening to me than his unfortunate remark.

Comparing him to Hitler and Saddam Hussein is not only cruel -- it is

asinine. Calling for his resignation is extreme. Those yelling

“intolerance” and “bigot” are the most intolerant and bigoted of all.

Ironically, everyone can vilify Christian conservative white men

all day long with no fear of retaliation, especially if it is cloaked

in politically correct speech. Just ask Nichols if you don’t believe

me.

KATHERINE WRIGHT

Costa Mesa

Freedom of speech either exists, or government is lost

I would like to refer to the progressing brouhaha over the

descriptive words used by Newport Beach City Councilman Dick Nichols,

which he used while attempting to discuss the feasibility of trying

to maintain long grass in a particular area of public beach in Corona

del Mar. His use of the descriptive word “Mexicans” elicited cries of

racism. As if the very word were forbidden and subject to a gag

order.

Once City Councilman Gary Proctor went so far as to characterize

its use by Nichols as being unconstitutional. Such a mistaken

characterization and attack on words make it appear that we in

California have already lost our right to free speech. Freedom of

speech is freedom of speech. You either have it or you don’t. There

isn’t any in between or almost. It cannot be abridged by merely being

controversial or impolitic. If we cannot exercise it, we have no

means to govern ourselves.

REBA WILLIAMS

Newport Beach

At some point, pet adoptions stopping making sense

Pet adoptions seem great for the paper to promote. But the one

from June 23 (in which the kitten needed $2,500 in surgery) seems a

bit much. For this kind of money, I could find 20 kids in our

neighborhood/community who need to visit a dentist for their first

teeth cleaning.

I love animals, but please help us use our generous resources more

wisely than this.

DANA BINFORD

Newport Beach

Smith mages to capture one reader’s feelings

Steve Smith’s article in Saturday’s Daily Pilot is a true

masterpiece (“An indecent act in a decent city”). He represents my

thoughts and beliefs. He covers it all and state it very well.

MIRIAM BIRNKRANT

Newport Beach

Controversy clouds issue at Big Corona

All of the controversy about Newport Beach City Councilman Dick

Nichols’ statement is clouding the issue. Our beach at Corona del Mar

is precious. More grass, parking or larger buildings will spoil what

is there -- sand and water, which the tides are taking away.

Let’s make what we create there simple and beautiful.

LAURIE KELLOGG

Corona del Mar

Condo project would provide needed Westside lift

Costa Mesa’s Westside has long suffered from a severe lack of

investment. Now, at long last, a condo project is proposed for the

heart of downtown. This is an excellent location for owner-occupied

housing for couples and singles who enjoy being in midst of city life

and not for large, family-style homes.

This project is an opportunity to start a real renewal by inviting

into our Westside the customer base for the supermarket that

residents say they want, and for the normal commercial amenities you

find in the rest of the city. Without new housing, there will never

be a customer base, and without a customer base, there will never be

the investment the Westside desperately needs.

If this project goes down in flames, think what message Costa Mesa

will be sending to developers who may consider investing in the

Westside: “Forget it. Costa Mesa doesn’t want any investment in the

Westside; they want poverty and squalor.”

Let’s not blow this chance and send the wrong message.

ELEANOR EGAN

Costa Mesa

* EDITOR’S NOTE: Eleanor Egan is a former Costa Mesa Planning

Commissioner.