Letters to the Editor 11.29.18

Hold Your Fire

Thank you for your article by Congressman Jimmy Panetta about guns (“We can curb gun violence and still honor the Second Amendment,” Nov. 21-28). I will take the following suggestion to his office in Salinas: Let’s push for legislation to treat guns like cars. Guns should be licensed, registered and insured. Owners/users should pass tests to show they know how to use and store guns safely. Steve Eklund | Salinas

There is no such thing as “gun violence.” This is a buzzword to create an imaginary bogeyman as the main anti-Second Amendment propaganda tool. There are people who commit violence with guns, but there are many more people who commit violence without them. And, since the term “gun violence” is a catchword/cliche, the title suggests an unattainable goal. People have been robbing and killing other people, using the weapons of the day, since the beginning of man on this planet, which identifies the real issue – controlling criminal impulses in humans, not the otherwise legal instruments they use to commit crimes. Anyone who doesn’t acknowledge this isn’t thinking, s/he is “feeling,” and our liberty cannot depend upon what anybody “feels.” Rich Seibert | Reading, Pennsylvania

I too am a combat veteran. To compare a civilian’s semi-automatic rifle to a military-grade rapid-fire assault weapon is grossly misleading. Frankly, I am disappointed that you would seek to hinder our citizens’ rights under the Second Amendment to defend our Republic against enemies both foreign and domestic. Criminals do not adhere to gun laws.

You spoke of mass shootings at our schools, but you fail to address the lack of action to harden our schools. Would-be terrorists already have weapons that can murder scores of children before the police can intervene.

I constantly hear from the Democrats, of which I was a former supporter, that “sensible gun control” is your goal. No sir, your goal is to deprive citizens of the right to repel a government that seeks to undermine our constitutional rights. Frank Calamia | Salinas

Scoot Over

I’ve visited two communities recently that have these scooters littering sidewalks and walkways. I don’t think this will go well (“Peninsula cities are mixed in reactions to scooters and bike sharing,” Nov. 15-21). Trish Sohlé | via Facebook

The users are often unsafe: either almost hitting pedestrians on the sidewalk or swerving into vehicular traffic. Three of them cut right in front of me in a roundabout by the VA clinic. They need to figure out the safety rules. Celia Madison | via Facebook

I’m a tech advocate, but to think that CSUMB students spilled Limes all over Marina is laughable. The company has placed dozens of the scooters neatly aligned in different strategic locations across town with their mini-truck. Marina should confiscate the whole lot of them and demand 5 cents a ride. If they’re going to experiment on our collective body, we should have a say in what goes in and out – and be paid for it. David Gorman | Marina

Carmel banned them, citing narrow sidewalks – they are motorized and supposed to be in the street. Carmel, with its truly small-town size, congested streets and limited parking, is ideal for [electric scooter] use. Glenn Woodson | via Facebook

Companies need to find a workaround for all of the regulations cities will come up with. The kids are using them, so that speaks volumes. They are needed. So find a way to make them work! Heidi Linkenbach Short | via Facebook

Love vs. Hate

How very sad this is (“Civil rights activists turn out to show prosecutors they’re paying attention,” Nov. 15-21). Jody Hutchinson | via Facebook

It looks like their drunken racist behavior has branded them for life here on the Monterey Peninsula. Thank you, Weekly, for exposing them! Chris Sierra | via Facebook

Speak up and speak out! When we turn our backs and ignore this kind of hateful behavior they become more powerful and emboldened. Shame them because their behavior does not show respect. Kelly Shaddox | via Facebook

Sip and Save

I see far more cigarette butts on the beach then I do plastic straws (“Monterey bans plastic utensils and straws for foodservice in a nod to ocean health,” posted Nov. 21). In my opinion, this is kind of ridiculous. Teri Jones | via Facebook

You’ve got to start somewhere. Crystal R. Strachan | via Facebook

Long-Term Battle

And the greedy short-term rental owners are still taking this to court? (“Pacific Grove charts new territory after short-term rental restrictions win at ballot box,” Nov. 21-28.) We voted, we don’t want STRs in our neighborhoods. What’s really annoying is the majority of the STR owners don’t live in P.G. They don’t care at all what the actual residents say. Brittney Vaughn | via Facebook

Out-of-town STR owners who bought houses for investment will need to sell or consider long-term rental options. It may provide an uptick in housing inventory for full-time residents. Scott Cunningham | via Facebook

Home Studio

Found this place by accident driving by, and I was smitten at first sight! (“How a Sears kit house in Moss Landing became an arts hub – and a work of art in and of itself,” Nov. 21-28.) I took lots of pictures that I enjoy revisiting often. Kimberley Mae Werr | via Facebook