MAILBAG:

Your editorial (“It’s not about the panties,” June 11) suggested I was making light of an FBI report describing interrogation techniques used at the terrorist detainee prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Your assessment couldn’t be farther from the truth. Since when is questioning the FBI’s criteria for conducting the interrogation of terrorists an act of frivolity? It’s dead serious, as were the points I made.

Placing women’s underwear on the heads of alleged terrorists, among other interrogation techniques, is not torture, and permitting the liberal left in this country to claim that it is undermines our efforts in the war against terrorism.

During the hearings, the panties example was not the only tactic I pointed out where the FBI was pompously wrong. However, it was the most absurd and deserved to be mentioned to underscore the dramatic difference between real torture and mere humiliation.

My critics are the ones trying to ignore the gravity of the discussion taking place and continue to frame the issue as if the United States — not the captured terror suspects — were the criminal entity that desires to kill tens of thousands of innocent Americans.

I understand confronting such nonsense can be misconstrued by the same people who think enemy combatants deserve the same Constitutional rights as American citizens accused of a crime, but someone needs to step up and challenge propaganda campaigns such as this. It’s certainly not just about the panties, as your editorial suggested. It’s about protecting the American people.

Your editorial also mentioned my outspoken opposition to the manmade global warming theory.

As a senior member of the Science Committee, I’ve studied vast amounts of peer-reviewed evidence directly challenging that theory. More than 31,000 scientists, 9,000 of whom hold Ph.Ds, recently signed a petition rejecting the idea of manmade global warming. I would say that makes me far from the “final authority” on this issue.

Also, in a Letter to the Editor (“Rohrabacher’s proposal makes waves,” June 12) the writer accuses me of not supporting our local surfing beaches and opposing water testing in Huntington Beach.

Not only is that accusation factually inaccurate, it’s absurd. A few years ago, Orange County Health bureaucrats were demanding local beaches remain closed after an episode of water contamination.

They were going to keep the public off the beaches even though the contaminants had disappeared and the waters returned to a healthy, normal level.

The county health officials wanted the beaches closed until they discovered the source of the former contaminants which meant even though the water levels were deemed safe, bureaucrats could have kept the beaches closed for up to a year during their investigation.

That was completely unacceptable, and I’m glad to have intervened to prevent our people from being denied use of our beaches.

I’ve never opposed water testing. In fact, I am an original co-sponsor of legislation passed into law that not only requires it, but demands results be made public in a timely manner. I am a proud resident of Surf City and will continue to watch out for our people and beaches.

Dana Rohrabacher

(R-Huntington Beach)

United States House of Representatives

Democrat: Rohrabacher has aided family, friends; Cook has not

I’m a life-time Democrat but am supporting and voting for Rep. Dana Rohrabacher. I truly believe that he represents us very nicely. His office has come to our aid (friends and my family) in the past, and we are grateful for his help. On the other hand, Huntington Beach Mayor Debbie Cook supported south county against a much-needed El Toro Airport, and now Huntington Beach residents have planes flying over their heads heading to Long Beach Airport. Remember that when you vote in November.

Signed, a staunch Democrat.

Rachel Hamilton

Costa Mesa

Rohrabacher’s staff shows disconnect with constituents

The “R” in Rohrabacher really stands for “ridiculous.”

That is the general attitude and behavior of his rude and abrasive local staff which spends most of its time either giving constituents etiquette lessons or giving them the boot out of the office. This I have on personal experience.

In addition, his Washington staff is so out of touch with Rohrabacher’s constituents that letters sent to that staff are responded with content bearing no connection to the question or questions asked in the original letter sent by a constituent.

For example, my letter asking about unsafe water being used both in the kitchens and showers of our troops in Iraq was responded to as follows. “I am just as concerned as you are about the Middle East.” Who needs the guy anyway?

Louise Giacoppe

Huntington Beach

Rohrabacher’s qualifications to represent H.B. voters in question

For 20 years Dana Rohrabacher has been a premier example of the alarming stupidity with which Huntington Beach voters must contend. Both his position on global warming and torture are the latest utterings of an imbecilic sot.

His speeches in the House pointedly question his qualifications for an office that represents us all.

Do we need the rantings and saliva-spatterings of a grossly ill-informed imbecile? He needs to be removed from office and a clear intelligent presence put in his place!

Dean Livingston

Huntington Beach

O.C. should offer rebates for folks using low-flow shower heads

I agree with the gentleman’s letter to the editor (“New water sources needed,” May 29). We need new water sources, but we need mandatory water conservation measures to be put in place, as well.

With regard to his observation that the new method of fixing a slab leak (by running pipes overhead) wastes water while your shower water heats up, short of installing a tankless hot water heater you can run a washtub full of water in the kitchen sink to do dishes, water plants, or even flush the toilet.

By the time the tub is full, the shower water will be warm enough to start your shower. Installing a flow reducing shower head will save even more water.

While we’re on the subject of water conservation, why doesn’t the county sponsor a program in conjunction with the water district that will grant rebates for buying flow reducing shower heads?

Michael Di Gennaro