History perhaps gets in the way of...

History perhaps gets

in the way of theory

This letter is in response to last Saturday’s Daily Pilot feature

“In Theory,” which dealt with the topic of preparing our youth

spiritually and morally. The columns written by people of the cloth

expressed deep concern over the recent Barna Group poll that “only 8%

of children were well prepared spiritually or morally for life.” I

read this section regularly and appreciate the thought that each

writer puts into his or her column.

However, last Saturday’s column reflects the assumption that

children of the past were better prepared. I have two thoughts about

that assumption. One, I have never read any poll results taken 200 or

100 years ago about this subject. Polling is a relatively recent

phenomenon. Second, if children were so well prepared spiritually and

morally for life in the past, how do these religious leaders explain

that for almost two centuries, our nation supported slavery and after

that, segregation of blacks, the less-than-moral treatment of

American Indians, the second-class citizenship of women, the

exclusion of Jews from residential neighborhoods and social clubs,

the discrimination against Catholics or the restraints against Asians

in our legal system. The list of injustices could go on. Obviously,

the spiritual and moral education over that time did not include

those issues. Not until World War II did our nation change direction.

Even some churches used the Bible to protest against improving the

status of these groups, especially women.

Maybe 8% is a better figure than we realize. At any rate, the

mythology that moral strictures in the past were more powerful than

today runs counter to much of reality.

Thanks to our spiritual leaders who contribute weekly to “In

Theory.” In fulfilling their roles, I don’t expect them to deal with

history on every level.

HANK PANIAN

Costa Mesa

Former volunteer not

pleased with vet report

I am a Costa Mesa resident and a former volunteer for the Orange

County Humane Society. I have recently completed reviewing the Costa

Mesa police department report into the investigation regarding

allegations brought against the shelter.

One of my main concerns with this report is the fact that many of

the allegations brought against the shelter by former employees,

former volunteers and the general public could only be substantiated

by speaking directly with those who actually witnessed the conditions

and incidents reported. That was not done. The police department was

provided with a list of 40 people willing to testify under oath if

necessary to what they have witnessed. They were not contacted, as

far as I know. It does not present an unbiased view of accusations

when Samir Botros and/or his staff are questioned about allegations

and then are just taken at their word. Does their word hold more

weight than former employees, former volunteers and the public? More

people should have been contacted, especially former employees, who

could have added so much to the investigation.

Another concern of mine is the use of unlicensed assistants in the

veterinary hospital. In the report, I see that Botros was questioned

about this, and his response was that he had two licensed vet

technicians. It does not appear that this was verified through the

state Veterinary Board. This can be easily accomplished through their

online database with the name of the person claiming to be licensed.

In addition, any licensed vet techs working in a vet office must

display their license.

I do hope that the City Council will follow through with the

recommendations presented in the report, especially those concerning

accountability of the spay/neuter fines collected and putting an

oversight committee into place.

CAROL HOLLAND

Costa Mesa