MAILBAG:

So the Orange County Fair wants to pave paradise (the equestrian center) and put up a parking lot.

How ironic, given that the fair touts a “country” theme and is one of the few remaining open spaces in coastal central Orange County for horse lovers to go.

Little by little, this county has been paved over. Once this unique facility is just a memory, children who dream of one day having an equestrian career won’t be able to watch horses, much less learn how to care for them and hone their skills.

Costa Mesa has lost its ice skating rink, its bowling alley, its wild spaces and so much more over the past few years. Board members should consider the wishes of those who actually use the space daily instead of those who visit the fairgrounds once a year.

It isn’t enough that the fair is much longer than necessary. Many families, given the economic downturn, won’t even go to the fair this year. Working with the Orange County Transit Authority could actually reduce the number of cars going into the existing lots. Where are the green alternatives? Is a parking lot really the only option?

If the board ignores the wishes of the community and this space is relegated to history for the sake of profit my family will never attend the fair again. It would be contrary to everything a county fair stands for.

Shame on the board for even considering it.

PATRICIA AND MICHAEL SWEENEY

Laguna Beach

Inauguration boos simply childish

The excitement and pride I felt Tuesday at witnessing the installation of our first African American president was overshadowed by a sense of disgust and shame at the behavior of those spoiled children in the audience who felt it their place to boo and jeer our outgoing president.

It seemed as though our sense of dignity and place, rooted in hundreds of years of American history, was replaced by a petulant sense of gleeful superiority.

Those palpable sneers from the crowd did not speak of unity; they spoke of hatred and individualism.

Former President Bush did not deserve these bellows from rude Americans.

He served his country for eight years through unprecedented calamities and disasters.

It is clear that most Americans are disappointed by their immediate assessment of his leadership, but in a modern civilized culture shouldn’t we voice our dissent through media and discussion, and most importantly through our vote?

Was it necessary to try and embarrass Bush at this most public and solemn historic occasion?

Perhaps we are not as civilized as we’d like to think.

If President Obama wanted to move his constituency forward toward this new and unified America he should have told the crowds at his inauguration that to honor him is to honor the office and to honor the office is to show a little respect for the men who have served America through it.

PEGGY NORMANDIN

Costa Mesa