Mailbag: The time before widespread vaccinations was devastating

Re. “Commentary: Not vaccinating is an act of selfishness,” (Feb. 6):

Being older, I can share living-proof knowledge.

In the 1950s I was in grammar and high school. I will never forget the two people I knew who had polio.

One was a close friend who had developed extreme upper-body strength to enable him to get around. He had steel braces on both legs that just enabled him to stand and drag his legs by using crutches. He was mobile only because of physical ability and extreme determination to be so.

My other friend was not so fortunate. She was much younger, and I didn’t see her as often. She was destined to stay in a wheelchair and was very weak. She developed pneumonia and died at an early age.

I know several parents who purposely have withheld vaccinations from their children. They are younger parents who probably have no firsthand experience with the illnesses that we all thought we had eliminated. I worry about Ebola, but I am more fearful of the devastating illnesses that can result from the lack of vaccinations in the U.S.

To the parents who are focused on not vaccinating their children, please study the downside very carefully.

Larry Courter

Costa Mesa

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Oppose ‘under-grounding’ utilities

A petition is circulating in Newport Heights to have the utility lines put underground. If 60% of the property owners sign the petition, Newport Beach would hold an election in which only 50% of property owners would need to approve.

Homeowners would be obligated to pay thousands of dollars, plus the cost of undergrounding service from their homes to the street. These are private utilities, not publicly owned, so we would be giving these corporations a gift. This is an ill-conceived plan for corporate welfare.

James Young

Newport Beach

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Bag ban is overly intrusive

Re. “Harper trying to repeal state ban on plastic bags,” (Feb 6):

Banning plastic grocery bags is simply another intrusion by the sanctimonious left on the lives of everybody else. Moreover, plastic bags are not single-use. We reuse every single one, for storage, for trash, even for keeping food in the refrigerator.

During hundreds of days at sea, I have never seen — nor have I heard of — any marine animal harmed by a plastic bag. My wife and I pick up litter just about every day and almost never find a plastic grocery bag. Have some independent tests done, and this will clearly be proven.

John Jaeger

Irvine

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Rally for police, firefighters a success

On Feb. 3, a rally showing appreciation for Costa Mesa firefighters and police was held outside of City Hall. A former mayor, Arlene Schaeffer, and a former police chief, Roger Neff, along with a wonderful group of residents, were enthusiastic with their praise of our first-responders.

Hundreds of people in cars honked in solidarity. It was a Costa Mesa kumbaya moment, with great signs, balloons, Girl Scouts, a thank-you note table, refreshments, handouts and a real spirit of community. Our councilwomen, Sandy Genis and Katrina Foley, along with Assistant City CEO Rick Francis, joined the rally before going to the regular Tuesday council meeting.

Who was missing? Councilman Gary Monahan and Mayor Steve Mensinger did not have the grace or good judgment to come to the rally and demonstrate their support for our first-responders. The message sent by them was loud and clear: Our first responders will never get a fair shake.

Mary Spadoni

Costa Mesa

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Honor our first-responders instead

Much has been said about Councilman Gary Monahan’s now-canceled wake for a fugitive from the law, a person who allegedly spent years hiding from authorities who said he was wanted in two other states for alleged embezzlement and sexual penetration of a minor.

Pilot columnist Barbara Venezia questioned the motivation of Monahan, a sitting elected official, to support this person, who died in a shootout with police. Some accused her of not having compassion.

A few thousand years ago, an apostle named Paul went to a city, Corinth. He had heard some disturbing accusations about these citizens. They were full of pride and excusing of sexual immorality. They used their gifts not for good, but for personal gain, and wantonly twisted Christian doctrine as justification. Paul wrote these people a bunch of letters in a compassionate effort to show them a better way to live.

Last week in Costa Mesa, I believe compassion was indeed shown, and in fact properly shown — for those who deserve our compassion. Instead of a protest at the wake for Monahan’s friend, a rally of support grew for the good men and women who chose a vocation of compassion. The good citizens of Costa Mesa showed their support and joy for their first-responders.

Do not be deceived. Bad company ruins good morals.

Teresa Drain

Costa Mesa

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No nuance to terrorists’ actions

Re. “Commentary: Gaining context on Paris shooting from the streets of Morocco,” (Jan. 27):

I gather the writer is blaming the Western world for Islamic terrorism. I disagree with her call to recognize “nuances” in the Paris murders. Do we have democratic principles or do we not? Do we support freedom of the press or not? There are no “nuances” in terrorism.

Debby Koken

Costa Mesa