LETTERS to the EDITOR 12.28.17

A Birthday Wish

I would like to thank you for being my friend. As I have more memories I think about why I am Me. I have been deeply rewarded by the contributions you have made to help create my life story. I chose you for a friend because you were better than I was in ways I valued. I have borrowed some of that from you and incorporated in my very soul as I worked to become a better person. This is a select gathering of knowledge, talent, creativity and fun and I encourage you to find some new friends during the evening. I extend a special welcome to the children and apologize for what we have done to your planet. I am now working on intergenerational justice.

My bionic hearing fails in situations like this so pardon any incoherence in conversation. My recent excursions into holism and cognition have led to my appreciation of a type of understanding that goes beyond causal analysis. John Wheeler told us: “If you are not completely confused by quantum mechanics, you do not understand it.”

This in a more profound way applies to our minds. I now know that I perceive 40 bits-per-second sampled from hundreds of ongoing millions and must be thoughtful to create meaning. I love you all but I must give special thanks on our 39th [anniversary] to my best friend, Susie, who was a great birthday present and structured meaning into my existence. With my love and appreciation for my friends. Chuck Baxter | Carmel Valley

Editor’s note: Baxter is a former biology lecturer at Stanford’s Hopkins Marine Lab, and one of the four key instigators who helped create the Monterey Bay Aquarium. His 90th birthday was Dec. 20, and he sent out this birthday note to friends, reprinted here with permission to share with the greater community.

Starring Big Sur

Too bad he shows an illegal campfire in it (“Jack Johnson releases a music video ode to Big Sur,” posted Dec. 21). In poor taste for the area considering how big of an impact fires have had here. Just in 2016 we experienced one of the worst fires in history here, started by an illegal campfire. Kyle Evans | via Facebook

So what? This guy and his music suck. Maxxine Langowski | via Facebook

Don’t worry about [them], Jack. The rest of us love you AND Big Sur. Mackenzie Little | via Facebook

Thin ICE

Using one case to scare people about immigration is ridiculous (“Sheriff to end practice of hosting ICE agent at Monterey County Jail,” posted Dec. 18). They need to stop criminalizing people and spending money on doing so. This is a good step. Denica De Foy | via Facebook

I’m not surprised by this decision. I am dismayed and disappointed. The illegal has far more rights and privileges than the citizen, and has for a good many years. By the way, they are not “undocumented immigrants.” They are ILLEGALS. Geri Lynn | via Facebook

Business Boom

An interesting concept (“Monterey Incubator nests inside former factory for fledgling entrepreneurs,” posted Dec. 14). I hope the paper will look into them in several months to see how plans have progressed. Joseph W Borawski | via Facebook

Hope it works out for them. I personally feel that there is not enough critical mass in the area for it to take off. Greg Hamer | via Facebook

Toning it Down

I find it quite ironic that those that are peace-loving and environmentally friendly are burning a flag that is emitting more carbon into the air (“Local protest planned if President Trump fires Robert Mueller,” posted Dec. 18, with a photograph of a June 27 protest). Seriously, everyone relax. Or have you forgotten that when Mr. Obama was in office, the other half of the nation wasn’t happy, but they didn’t act like children? Michael Silva | Monterey

Top Cop

OMG the video was upsetting and hard to watch! Good for Abdul Pridgen for exposing this horrible unnecessary incident (“Seaside selects Abdul Pridgen of Texas to become police chief,” posted Dec. 20). As our new chief, I’m sure he’ll make sure under his command this will never happen with his officers in our fine city. Congratulations on your new job as Seaside cheif of police. Chris Sierra | via Facebook

Editor’s note: Pridgen was demoted after being accused of leaking another officer’s bodycam footage from a racially charged arrest that made national news. Pridgen denies leaking the video, and is suing Fort Worth over his demotion.

Lump Of Coal

Three generations of my family have contributed big bucks to Peninsula charities. No more thanks to you (“P.G. assesses a homeowner $50,000 after seven years of neighbor complaints,” Dec. 14-20). “It’s Christmas… whatever it takes, make it merry.” Even though you spoiled it for my family! Anne Bethel | Pacific Grove

Stage Time

RIP to one of the greatest (“Looking back through our best photos of 2017; Charles Bradley performs at the Monterey International Pop Festival 50 at the Monterey County Fairgrounds in June,” posted Dec. 22). Phil Benson | via Instagram

That was such a great performance. Liam Hay | via Instagram