Mailbag - July 31, 2001

Paper putting its conscience to sleep

Showcasing a favorable article on bull riding at the Orange County

Fair was a picture of an innocent bull being stabbed by the rider’s spurs

(“Riding the bulls,” Sunday).

A spectator was quoted as saying “I kinda feel sorry for the animals.

But I guess I just put my conscience to sleep when I watch the show.”

How many people, from fair organizers to spectators to journalists,

must put their consciences to sleep to allow needless cruelty to continue

in the name of fun?

The bulls and horses ridden at rodeos have done no harm to anyone and

are in no danger of doing so. They must be tormented so they appear

aggressive. Naturally, they want to eliminate their pain by throwing

riders off. What must they be thinking, being harmed needlessly and

regularly?

Surely, humans should have the mental capacity and moral obligation to

abhor, punish and eliminate cruelty. Calling such behavior sport and

ignoring its reality is a disgrace.

RICK CARDIN

Costa Mesa

Koll Center expansion project situated in perfect location

OK, OK, I am basically a no-growth, and at times am a slow-growth,

advocate for Newport Beach. I want Newport Beach to retain the wonderful

charms it offers to residents, guests and tourists alike.

Having said this, the proposed expansion of Koll Center is a good

thing. Come on, people, this isn’t Balboa Island we are talking about.

This isn’t Lido Isle or the peninsula. For goodness sakes, this is an

area (Jamboree Road and MacArthur Boulevard) that is ideal for business.

And the traffic will be minimal in Newport Beach. Most of the people

working there will probably be going the other direction.

Although I voted for the Greenlight Initiative, and I believe in it

and support it, I believe I can be pragmatic and still do what is good

for Newport Beach and vote for the Koll Center expansion project.

PAUL JAMES BALDWIN

Newport Beach

Columnist will find answers curling up with a grook

Joseph Bell’s column (“Remembering the past a name at a time,” July

12) reflecting on his visit to World War II sites in Normandy was a

moving piece about the horrors wrought by Adolph Hitler. It’s writing

like this that keeps the past alive and relevant.

Bell ends with some questions:

“And so the question: Is it better . . . to make sure that succeeding

generations remember graphically how it was? Or is it better that the

anger and hatred that grew from those times be allowed to dissipate with

fresh generations, free to form new and different bonds? Or should there,

perhaps, be some of each to make sure that it doesn’t happen again?”

An appropriate blend is suggested in the grook “Presence of Mind” by

scientist/poet Piet Hein. Grooks were created originally during the Nazi

occupation of Denmark. They began life as a sort of underground language

just out of reach of the understanding of the Germans.

“You’ll conquer the present suspiciously fast if you smell of the

future -- and stink of the past.”

TOM EGAN

Costa Mesa

Reader finds faults in letter regarding councilman

Michael A. Glueck, normally a pleasant voice of logic and reason, in

his comments to Pilot readers (Mailbag, “Steel criminal case should be

thrown out,” Wednesday) must have been having a migraine when he dredged

up the silly arguments he used regarding Costa Mesa Councilman Chris

Steel’s case.

Steel’s motives for disregarding election laws and guidelines, Glueck

asserts, was rooted in his empathy and sensitivity to the hardships of

blind persons, and the community really owes Steel something just south

of a ticker-tape parade. Please. That nonsense wouldn’t even pass the

giggle-test at Sid Soffer’s house.

How would Glueck like trying to survive in a community that only

pursues “heinous crimes against humanity,” as he put it.

GARY DRIES

Costa Mesa