Jackson, Sharpton doing well

Re: Harold Goldwasser's March 12 letter, "Where's Jackson, Sharpton?":

Goldwasser must not watch Fox News because the day before his letter was printed, I watched and heard the Rev. Al Sharpton as he mixed it up with the two anchors. I also saw and heard the Rev. Jesse Jackson as he spoke on a recent CNN program. Also, the State of the Black Union was recently on C-SPAN and hosted by Tavis Smiley, and both Jackson and Sharpton were prominently involved in the discussions.

If I am not mistaken, both of these gentlemen have their own radio programs.

Finally, Sharpton is a semi-regular on "The Michael Baisden Show."

Goldwasser has had many opportunities to catch up on what the two reverends are doing.

I am fairly familiar with both of these gentlemen and with Sen. Barack Obama; yet, I have never heard an inkling that either of the two men was poised for a position in Obama's administration should he win the presidency.

Goldwasser writes: "Heaven help us if either of those two anti-everything are given a national platform." I wonder if anti-everything means that they usually do not agree with Goldwasser on important political or social issues. In that event, does that make them anti-everything, or does it make Goldwasser anti-everything? To disagree does not equate to being wrong, it's just having a different perspective. And, everything is so absolute.

— Samuel Carter, Oxnard

The 'coulds' of global warming

Re: your April 8 article, "Global warming health risks discussed":

Wow. After reading all the disastrous effects that global warming could have on humanity, I wish I could have seen this program on climate change in person. It sounds serious. The article has the word "could" in it so many times, I felt like there was a theory being pushed onto the public.

As one who reads and listens to many forms of media, I recall that we have been having record cold winters in parts of the world this year. For example, there has been snow in Baghdad and Jerusalem and heavy snow in China. Since solar activity varies over time, so does the radiation and temperatures in the solar system.

Readers of The Star can get better information by typing "nongovernmental international panel on climate change 2008" into their usual search engine and read what the scientists have to say. You won't likely see the word "could" so many times in the report.

— Mark Ortega, Ventura

Trustee selection disappointing

Re: your March 25 article, "County Board of Education appoints new trustee":

I was not surprised the Ventura County Board of Education picked the least-qualified of five candidates to fill the District 5 seat vacated by Ron Matthews.

Matthews was proud that he tried to push religion and creationism into the classroom. The board said its selected appointee seemed to have the same philosophy as Matthews. Let's hope he will not become a Matthews' clone or one who always agrees with the majority of the VCBOE.

Those who were surprised at the VCBOE meeting were the other candidates for the District 5 seat, each obviously more qualified than the appointee. They seemed sincerely concerned about the future of our children, but they were naive about the agenda of the majority of the VCBOE.

Those who have followed the reckless actions of the VCBOE know they hired two lobby firms with 15-month contracts costing us $292,000. Neither firm has produced results to better education, but each has given political contributions to a local GOP candidate.

A bizarre scheme pursued by one of the lobbying firms was to provide a program for our "at-risk" youth. An Indiana congressman planned to place an earmark on a federal bill for Grace Evangelical College in Indiana to build an $8 million building, where they would provide an eight-week summer program for Ventura County's at-risk youth.

Ramon Flores was unquestionably the best-qualified candidate. I hope he will not be discouraged and will seek the District 5 seat in the November election.

Ventura County voters must pay attention when we select VCBOE members if we want quality education for our children. Begin by attending the next VCBOE meeting on Monday, April 28, at 6 p.m. at 5100 Adolfo Road, Camarillo.

— Kate McDermott, Camarillo

911 fee forces cruel decisions

I have given this a lot of thought and spoke with a number of Ventura city residents who are in the same financial position I am in.

I am a senior and live on a very small, fixed income and cannot afford to spend money on anything but absolute necessities. Therefore, I would be equally judicious when it comes to calling 911 for myself or others.

When I reflect on my more than 63 years of life here, I realize that 90 percent of the times I have called 911 was for the benefit of someone else. Only three times have I called 911 for my own personal benefit. Each time the emergency was for medical reasons.

At this stage of my life, I have to consider what will happen if I call in an emergency for a stranger. Will I get reimbursed? How will it affect my finances for the rest of the month? How can I do it without a cost to me?

These are considerations that I really do not wish to make for strangers. However, these decisions are necessary when one lives on a small, fixed income.

What a terrible position to be placed in by the city of Ventura — whether to report an emergency or hope someone else can afford to report it.

I think it is a terrible idea to charge a fee for doing one's civic duty or to have to decide if one can actually afford to do his civic duty. I think it would be very wise to revisit the wisdom in raising funds for the city in that way.

Those of us who are on fixed incomes and most vulnerable will have to make that decision each time a situation arises for either ourselves or others.

— Chas Boyd, Ventura

Genetic question not answered

Re: April 16 and 17 letters in response to my April 11 commentary, "Science points toward intelligent design":

I wanted to take the time to thank those individuals who took the time out of their busy schedules to respond to my commentary. I must admit I'm quite humbled. One person even took the time to look up my address and mail their response to my home. Praise God.

I was hoping, however, someone would be able to answer my main question. If natural selection and evolution are truth, then they must be able to explain the scientifically proven fact that no two people on the Earth (or in the history of mankind) have the same fingerprint, the same dental record, the same eye print or the same heartbeat.

Since each genetic line has no bearing on other genetic lines, at some point there would have to be duplication. Yet, there is no duplication in any of these areas. We are all unique. This simple fact would seem to fly in the face of natural selection and toward intelligent design.

If anyone is able to truthfully and logically answer my question, I will respectfully listen to their explanation.

But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

— Ken Raduechel, Ventura