Bush's decisions aren't easy

Re: John M. Crisp's Aug. 28 commentary, "Impeachment: A good way to say we're sorry":

Since Crisp teaches English, he should confine his writing to English issues, as he knows nothing about history.

The Democratic platform under their candidate Stewart W. McClelland, for the election of 1864, was surrender to the South. Tens of thousands of young men were being killed, and the Democrats had no stomach for the difficult challenges facing the nation. In retrospect, we can see that President Lincoln did the right thing for this nation, even though his decision caused an extremist group of men to attempt the assassination of Secretary of State William H. Seward and Vice President Hannibal Hamlin, and the successful assassination of Lincoln.

It is easy for each of us to throw stones at those who get to make the hard decisions. It is difficult to stick with a hard decision when some of the results are bad for others involved. I am certain President Bush suffers for each life lost in this struggle against those who hate us and the freedoms we enjoy.

— Jim Oliver, Ventura

Why isn't Zaca fire out?

Since July 4, our local firefighters have spent $81 million fighting the Zaca fire — 2,900 folks are fighting the fire with 21 helicopters and five planes — and they haven't gotten the fire out.

A state of emergency was announced Aug. 19. Now access to more equipment is available to fight the fire. It looks to me like the original equipment hasn't been put to proper use at all. Are the firefighters and equipment operators just cleaning up overtime?

— Howard Cottrell, Ventura

Block schedule isn't working

Re: your Aug. 28 article, "School districts have new schedules, buildings":

Though it was nice to see coverage of back to school, the rosy picture painted couldn't be farther from the reality that is the new block schedule.

Oxnard High School Principal James Edwards said, "Our hope is students will take college-level classes or additional electives on our site."

Students are only guaranteed three classes per semester, and sport is counted as a class. The community colleges started last week. Anyone interested in attending now is already behind. More than 300 students at OHS have study hall at first period instead of later in the day, when they might use this time to work on assignments. Seniors and juniors are considered responsible enough to get a waiver to skip study hall in order to cut staffing. Some classes have been cut late due to scheduling issues. As a parent, I have received little information regarding this block schedule other than a "bell schedule."

Unfortunately, none of these issues could be addressed last week during counseling hours and book distribution because the computers were down. Now our kids are subjected to an altered school day with periodic instruction gaps, while parents try to get them to and from school and are forced to try to fill gaps with additional community college classes at the last minute.

Edwards states, "All of the kids will have an opportunity to meet with their counselor."

This turns out to have little impact due to the overwhelming volume of kids thrust at counselors who offer few solutions other than to attend a community college already in progress.

I am nothing but frustrated with "the bugs" in the system and am trying to make up for the lack of instruction my junior son is receiving at OHS.

— Laura Finney, Oxnard

Healthcare is never free

Re: Raymond A. Greenberg's Aug. 24 letter, "Entitlements in disguise":

In rebuttal to Terry Paulson's Aug. 6 and Aug. 20 essays, Greenberg states, "Mr. Paulson should stay away from finance, economics and international relations." Greenberg then asserts: "GM pays $1,800 per car for health insurance for current and retired employees. Toyota pays nothing (my emphasis) because of universal healthcare in Japan."

I cannot dispute that GM pays $1,800 per car for healthcare. I can, however, dispute the claim that Toyota pays nothing for its employees' healthcare.

Healthcare can never be free. One way or another, the Japanese government funds its healthcare system. That means taxes. This may be a business tax, sales tax, income tax or property tax. It makes no difference. All taxes add to the cost of living and that expense is paid for by all businesses through their employee compensation.

It may be true that Toyota pays far less than General Motors for employee healthcare, but to say it pays nothing is impossible and misleading.

Apparently, Greenberg believes the key to global competitiveness lies in a government-managed healthcare system. That is a good topic for debate, but how does one intelligently debate when one is asked to believe that healthcare will be free when dispensed at the pleasure of government bureaucrats? Are the merits of socialized medicine so weak that one must resort to smoke and mirrors to win the debate?

Greenberg cannot assert that universal healthcare is free.

That is simply not true. And he can take that to the bank.

— Dan Siefert, Thousand Oaks

Good parents create leaders

Re: your Aug. 24 article, "Minorities score lower on state test":

First, I have to say that I am a first-generation American, son of immigrants and a Latino. What the report about the discrepancy in scores did not point out was that the Latinos who broke out of the mold are in the top percentages, and many have become business, civic and military leaders. I don't need to mention names. We all read the newspaper.

Someone in the article said the cause for the lower Latino scores was the educators. If by educators he meant parents, I agree. My parents turned off the TV, as did I, and we read books. We hiked, camped and, yes, even prayed together. My brothers and I turned out to be relatively successful, and my children — well, some of you may work for them.

The point I am trying to make is that the parents — two of them — must get involved. How many big tough studs are man enough to get a girl pregnant, but when the time comes to be real men and step up to the plate, they take their tiny little tails and tuck them between their chubby little legs and run to Mama?

If we can again produce nonself-centered brave parents — white, brown, black or even chartreuse — we will again have leaders.

— Jim Barros, Simi Valley

Wrong Murdoch

Re: Chuck Thomas' Aug. 25 column, "How can anyone own the news?"

Thomas needs to check his facts David Murdock owns Lake Sherwood, not Rupert Murdoch.

— Richard A. Barton, Newbury Park

(A correction concerning the column appeared in Tuesday's edition of The Star. — Editor)