Cowardly act on free speech

To the "neighbor" who mailed the hate-filled, unsigned letter to me. You begin by apologizing for writing directly to me, but you should have also apologized for being too cowardly to sign your letter. I signed mine.

You took issue with my response to Terry Paulson's March 17 essay in The Star. I disagree with just about everything he writes because I consider him another right-wing robot. But I did not call him a "fag," as you did me. I did not ask him to leave the country, as you did me. We have a Constitution guaranteeing freedom of speech. Criticizing the government does not constitute treason and is not supporting the enemy, as you claim. We are obligated to speak out when we feel it necessary in order to participate in the political process. Would you agree? I think perhaps you have confused allegiance to a failed president and his failed policies with patriotism.

I understand terrorists constitute a danger, but that my opinions are inconsistent with yours does not mean that I support terrorism. You claim that if a Democrat, or "commie fag," as you put it, wins the White House, we will no longer protect ourselves. How utterly absurd.

Opposing President Bush's first-choice war in Iraq is not cowardice. "Obama Boy" has not proposed a 25 percent tax increase. He has pledged not to raise taxes on anyone earning less than $250,000 per year. I am not in the least negative about my beautiful country. But I am indeed negative about what the Bush administration has done to it.

I like it here. I intend to stay and exercise my freedom of speech. If you don't like them, respond appropriately. Don't hide.

By the way, are you the one who tore off my "Impeach Bush" bumper sticker?

— John Mondy, Camarillo

Senior complex needs help

I'm a senior living at the Mira Vista senior complex in Camarillo, having a great time, living in a great apartment at a great price, with many interesting and caring residents, a five-minute walk from my wonderful daughter, son-in-law and two brilliant granddaughters.

But I'm miserable because of the management of LOMCO of Long Beach. We have lost many residents and employees since LOMCO took over.

My question and plea is why didn't Many Mansions bid on this property-management contract? Isn't there anyone or group of someones from our community with the property-management skills who is willing to step up to the plate and contact the Ventura County Housing Authority? Perhaps there's a potential political leader out there who can influence some legislation to make it easier for local groups to invest in these properties for the good of the community, not for profit.

I'm looking for some answers. Is there anyone out there listening? Is there anyone out there who cares?

— Bob Holtz, Camarillo

Pope addresses molestations

Re: John Sherffius' April 17 Opinion page cartoon:

I was not too happy with the cartoon, "Deeply Ashamed, Pope Benedict XVI." Then the "buts" were added. He is the head of the Catholic Church. He wasn't the pope at the time of the problems. He has at least admitted publicly the situation was poorly handled at the time.

I am a Catholic and a mother of five. My first thoughts when these comments were first made public was of disbelief, then anger. When a priest of my church was accused, I questioned my children if anything had happened to them as they were much younger at the time. Then we found out some of these priests had been moved around to other parishes and that was also unbelievable. What was the hierarchy thinking? I can only speak for myself, but many friends had the same feelings I did. If priests had molested children, they should be in jail. Some went, but not all. The statute of limitations had run out because of the time lapse before being reported.

Unfortunately, all priests were painted with the same broad brush. The percentage of bad priests was low, but even one molesting priest was one too many. I know of Catholics who quit going to church because their faith had been so shaken.

Here in the Los Angeles area, we felt we were not seeing justice in this problem. I don't know all the legal aspects of what was going on. It seems the court portion is completed in our area and the monetary settlements have been allotted.

There will always be criticism of whatever the church does because of this terrible happening, but I, personally, was very proud that Pope Benedict XVI expressed his feelings publicly about this incident in our history.

— Pat Bellinghiere, Westlake Village