Dear Editor, In response to Ms. Madrid’s letter, in which she
exercises her first amendment right to give her opinion that
citizens who wish to Tea Party in Downtown Morgan Hill are like
”
warts
”
in this beautiful town, I wish to give the perspective of one of
its attendees.
Tea Partiers are only seeking to pursue happiness
Dear Editor,
In response to Ms. Madrid’s letter, in which she exercises her first amendment right to give her opinion that citizens who wish to Tea Party in Downtown Morgan Hill are like “warts” in this beautiful town, I wish to give the perspective of one of its attendees.
My children and I LOVE downtown Morgan Hill, too! We visit the same library, dog park and community center that she does. We go to the Third Street Promenade and enjoy the sound of the fountain and the pleasant shade. We buy goodies from vendors at the concerts and dances. We frequent downtown businesses. We stroll, we smile, we chat … we even pick up trash. In short, we “pursue happiness.”
Our Saturday morning splash of red, white and blue … and yes, even some rather poignant signs (yet I have not seen the one she eludes to), are about us giving up a little of our weekly personal time to preserve both your and our right to continue to pursue happiness.
Often, Tea Partiers are “steeped” in U.S. history, and perhaps have stronger sensitivity to the decline in this nation. We are concerned. We are diverse. We have various backgrounds, beliefs, convictions, and opinions. Yet one thing we love is the American Ideal of low taxes, vast opportunity and personal liberty. This nation, predominantly (yet not exclusively) due to the current Obama Administration, is in massive debt.
However, if Ms. Madrid had called for a Bush protest during his time in office, I’ll guarantee you that many a Tea Partier would have been there! Maybe you have missed one of my signs: “From King Bush to Dictator Obama?!” Do not make assumptions that we are a group of lock-step partisan groupies. We have been so gratified by the warm response given to us in downtown Morgan Hill. Many people honk their approval, roll down their windows and shout, “Keep it up!” or “Thank you for doing this!” There are a few who scowl, flip us off, or my favorite – yell, “Get a life!” Exactly. That’s what it’s about … life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness!
Thank You, Morgan Hill! Let’s vote out the big spenders and liars in November, regardless of party affiliation.
Jan Comstock, Morgan Hill
Editor’s Note: The Golden Quill is awarded occasionally for a well-written letter.
Why not build a liquor store at the site of a drunken driving accident?
Dear Editor,
Having read several opinions regarding the placement of a mosque in Manhattan, or elsewhere, it seems that the topics of religious freedom, the foundations of the Constitution (American) and legal accountability are at the very nerve center of such debates.
I think the issue is more of eminent domain, or what is best for the greater good. Will the building of a Mosque at the site of the 9/11 attack help to heal our nation, or not.
I think this area is somewhat “special” in American history, and as such deserves the extra scrutiny for any project proposal. We have made similar areas memorials, sites to honor those who lost their lives, parks if you will.
I cannot recall a proposal to build a religious project at Gettysburg or the Alamo for instance. The only analogy (for building a Mosque in Manhattan) that comes to mind for me, would be to build a liquor store at the accident site where a drunken driver killed a bus load of children. Somehow the request and the result would be equally insensitive.
Rob Lake, Morgan Hill
Study links induced labor with risk of cesarean surgery
Dear Editor,
A “new” study published in the July 2010 issue of the medical journal Obstetrics & Gynecology links induced labor with a greater risk of cesarean surgery.
The study, which looked at 7,804 first-time mothers giving birth in U.S. birth centers showed that women who had their labors induced were twice as likely to have a c-section than those women whose labors started naturally. “Labor induction is significantly associated with a cesarean delivery among first time women at term for those with and without medical or obstetric complications,” the authors of the study noted.
Now really, how many times do you have to do a study on this before something is actually done about the epidemic of inductions? Women are led to believe (falsely) that induced labor is safe and preferable, not to mention that they are lulled into believing that cesareans are as safe as normal, physiological birth. Both induction of labor and cesarean section carry increased risks to both the mother and her baby.
Once again, I ask about the medical credo – First, Do No Harm …
Jeannie Batacan, Morgan Hill
Mike Wasserman is the right choice for county supervisor
Dear Editor,
Morgan Hill and Santa Clara County get along very well, and it is important that they continue to do so. Their operations and futures are intertwined at every turn. It is essential that we elect a county supervisor for District 1 who will continue the tradition of mutual cooperation and trust that we have enjoyed with Don Gage.
After serious consideration of all candidates in this non-partisan election, I am endorsing Mike Wasserman. As mayor, I want to work with Mike Wasserman because I respect and trust his leadership. I believe he will have the best interests of Morgan Hill at heart.
There should be no party lines to cross in local elections. We find the candidates best able to serve and, hopefully, we elect them. I will be voting for Mike Wasserman and I urge everyone in Morgan Hill and South County to do likewise.
Steve Tate, Morgan Hill Mayor
AARP safe driving course was refreshing, in more ways than one
Dear Editor,
My wife and I recently took an “AARP Safe Driving Class” with Ms. Camille Bounds as the volunteer certified instructor.
We highly recommend her class. Her sense of humor and relaxed, stress-free, entertaining approach made this a pleasurable experience with invaluable safe driving information. Here is one dedicated lady that has a no nonsense, sensitive and patient approach to teaching while treating her student as adults in a classroom setting.
I hope she knows how appreciated she is for making a boring subject enjoyable.
Pastor Gabriel Otero, Bethel Baptist Church, Morgan Hill
Blakeslee victory makes a statement: no more tired old ideas
Dear Editor,
Sam Blakeslee’s victory over John Laird was a repudiation of the tired old socialistic mantra of “big government solves everything.”
The voters in this election looked at what John Laird’s policies did for the City of Santa Cruz and said “not for me.” The voters looked at what John Laird did (get $130,000) for a once attended meeting and said “he is not who we want representing us.”
Sam will get us back to the innovative state that once led the country in jobs and education.
Bob Hewitt, Morgan Hill
The shoe is on the other foot
Dear Editor,
For years conservatives have been quoted out of context. People like Rush Limbaugh, Sarah Palin, Sean Hannity, Glenn Beck and a host of others are demonized regularly. It is unfortunate that Shirley Sherrod was a victim of the same. The good news is that getting the whole story is more important the getting the story first has become obvious.
Why is it acceptable to quote conservatives out of context? Why is it not acceptable to quote liberals out of context? Whatever happened to fair and balanced?
Keith C. De Filippis, San Jose
