Support those who fight the wars

2-12
To the editor:
Re: The inevitability of war
"Like flowers, birds and red-haired women, war is an inevitability of life!"
For as long as there has been a history, history has, itself, been the verifier of the truth of that statement.
From a monkey with a mallet to a major with a missile, history tells us that war is inevitable.
It may, or may not, be tomorrow with Iraq and/or North Korea. But, you can bet your last pack of Juicy Fruit that, sometime in the number of years in a lifetime, words of, "How did it start?" - "When will it end?" will be spoken, screamed and prayed.
Therefore, like war itself, questions about starting a war and supporting
the continuance of war once started, will always be asked.
Having been in war and in peace, I will say that everything you have read, seen or heard about both, are true.
Peace argues that many lives will be lost if we do.
War argues that many more lives will be lost if we do not.
Pick a side and stick-to-your-guns, so to speak. Question the other!
However, we can never, never, never, I'll say it again, never, question supporting those who fight a war. Because they are all of us and we are them.
***
I am a cowboy from just south of Oklahoma.
I am a farmer from just east of Omaha.
I'm the banker from the midtown of Manhattan.
I'm the fisherman from Minneapolis/St. Paul.
I am your father, mother, sister and your brother.
I am the kid next door and the girl across the street.
I am the uncle that you only see at Christmas.
I'm the stranger that you have yet to meet.
I was a soldier in the war of Revolution.
I was a sailor in the war of Vietnam.
I have marched through the Halls of Montezuma.
I have flown above the skies of foreign lands.
I am a miner from just west of West Virginia.
I am a waitress from the Rocky Mountains high.
I am a teacher from the bay of San Francisco.
I'm an Indian from the Montana Big Sky.
I am a fireman from coal fields of Kentucky.
I am an oilman from the fields of Spindletop.
I am a surfer from the shores of California.
I'm a writer from the shores of Old Cape Cod.
I was a soldier in the war of Revolution.
I was a sailor in the war of Vietnam.
I have marched through the Halls of Montezuma.
I have flown above the skies of foreign lands.
I was a soldier on the North and South of Honor.
I have sailed on wooden ships with iron men.
But there's just one thing I'd ask you to remember,
remember me now and again, and remember me to God when you can.

Al Westcott
Ojai

Media has let America down

2-18
To the editor:
This last weekend something happened that has no precedent in world history. Several million citizens expressed their opposition to a potential international war in countries on every continent in the world. In effect, the world said no to war. In the past we have seen isolated incidents of opposition to wars by citizens of governments about to conduct wars. We have seen the peace movement during the Vietnam War help to bring that conflict to an end, but we have never before seen a pre-emptive peace movement of worldwide proportions. Many countries with the largest peace marches this last weekend were countries whose governments have strongly supported a rush to war. The media is reporting that in many of these countries the support for the war among the citizens is at 10 percent or lower.
I am fortunate enough to have access to media outlets outside of the United States and have been able to see the foreign presses' reports on America's rush to war. The BBC interviewed a representative of the Saudi government on Feb. 17 and he made it clear that if the United States takes unilateral action with a "collation of the willing" it will be viewed as aggression throughout the Arab world and exacerbate the problems in the area. I did not see this interview anywhere on the major American outlets. Likewise, the corporate media presents one retired general after another to "inform" the American public about our strategies to win the war, but omits interviews with serious, articulate leaders of the peace movement.
If I was only aware of corporate America's media presentation of the need for this war, and their "cheerleader" approach to the government's position, I too would be frightened and insist that Iraq is a serious threat. I would be calling for an attack on Iraq! I ask my fellow citizens to ask why this peace movement is so large. Ask why so many countries with as much to lose as we, are opposed to this war?
The mass media in the United States is behaving like state-owned media and not like the free press it was intended to be.

Dennis Daneau
Ojai

'Lysistrata' raises money, awareness

2-24
To the editor:
On Monday, March 3, the Lysistrata Project will present worldwide readings of Aristophanes' bawdy ancient Greek anti-war comedy, "Lysistrata." To date, 694 play readings are scheduled in 41 countries and in all 50 U.S. states to voice opposition to the war on Iraq; those numbers increase hourly. Readings will raise money for charities working for peace and humanitarian aid in the Middle East. Ojai will be joining with other communities around the world at 7 p.m. in the Chaparral Auditorium, 414 E. Ojai Ave. Ojai's event is free, but donations will be accepted.
"Lysistrata" tells the story of women from opposing states who unite to end a war by refusing to sleep with their men until they agree to lay down their swords. Powerless in their society, with too many of their sons and husbands being slaughtered in battle, the women take the only tactic available to them: a sex strike.
Fast-forward 2,400 years - swords are now weapons of mass destruction. Faced with the prospect of massive loss of human life, both Iraqi and American, the Lysistrata Project participants worldwide take a new tactic and add their voices to the mounting clamor of global anti-war protests.
We hope to see you there.
In peace and community,

Carol Grier
Ojai

Saddened by loss of treasure

2-21
To the editor:
I am very saddened to learn of Jimmi Clapp's passing. She truly was a unique individual, lived a very colorful life, and was so very generous to the community. She will be missed.
Jimmi Clapp was a truly remarkable woman, full of joyous spirit, generosity, wonderful stories and a truly infectious laugh. I treasured her friendship and know she will be truly missed by many thoughout Ventura County.

Kathy Long
Supervisor
Ventura County

Elder care crisis shows priorities

2-24
To the editor:
Recently, I appeared on the "Lee Fitzgerald Show" and spoke about the fact that the state-funded Medi-Cal program has not adequately addressed the increased costs we have at Acacias Care Center for energy, utilities, liability insurance, workers' compensation, new regulatory required practices, and the worsening shortage of nursing professionals willing to work in long-term care facilities.
I did not have an opportunity to communicate my thesis to Lee Fitzgerald that the state of California finds it cheaper to "burn the witches who provide long-term care at the stake" than to raise Medi-Cal reimbursement to adequate levels.
I must report that following the airing of the Fitzgerald program, I was visited by a "random" surprise inspection conducted under the California Attorney General's Office. The "guardian team" who visited me was made up of members of the Bureau of Medi-Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse, in cooperation with the inspector general, local law enforcement and district attorney offices. They arrived at 7 a.m. and summoned my immediate presence.
Their visit was not totally unexpected. Our governor, who has advocated cutting Medi-Cal payments for nursing home residents by 10 to 15 percent, is calling for additional prison construction. It's been reported that the prison guards union has given the governor $3.4 million and has received pay hikes totaling 37 percent during his term in office. Doesn't the attorney general report to this governor? Maybe we should prepare to transfer our infirm elderly and disabled to maximum security prisons where the funding is growing.

Larry A. Oshinsky
Acacias Care Center
Ojai

Watershed linked to community

2-25
To the editor:
Re: "Return of the Native"
I wanted to thank you and your staff for putting together the special on the steelhead trout. I thought it was exceptional, and rare for a newspaper to tackle such a faceted subject. I thought it was packaged well in the several different articles which made the complexity easier to digest. I especially liked the Alasdair Coyne of Keep the Sespe Wild and Casitas Water District biologist Q-and-A face-off.
A healthy watershed is paramount to a healthy community, so thanks for keeping us well-informed on such a timely and important subject. I would encourage the OVN to continue in this necessary and underutilized - and very thorough - style of reportage.

Bennett Barthelemy
Ojai

Refreshing change from 'gloom '

2-17
To the editor:
Seeing Bradigan's and Wiiliams' photo by Ruth Miller and reading the article of both Bret's and Neva's accomplishments and future wedding plans, honeymoon and place to reside, was, to me, extremely refreshing, especially in these days of uncertainty along with a lot of people's overall attitude of "doom and gloom" regarding global challenges and war.
I can't express, too much, or too often, how much I'm enjoying the Ojai Valley Newspaper since under new ownership and since my landlord was kind enough to give me a six-month subscription! (Delivery is excellent). I'm even considering sending a subscription to my mother in Hollywood Hills as a birthday gift, to enable her to enjoy the goings-on in her grandchildren's little community, as she is not able to travel here, due to a fatal illness she is battleing. Since she has more time at home, I thought the Ojai Valley News would be delightful reading. I love the colored back page on "The Arts of Ojai," and the "Youth in Ojai" section.
The paper, in my opinion, is getting better and better, week by week, I read it from front to back. I even encourage friends and family members to read it (kids also).
The photo and brief three paragraphs, (Bradigan and Williams), simply showed, to me, love, class and accomplishment between two very happy people. Even though I do not know these two people personally and, truthfully, never had heard of them before, I picked "all this" up from the beautiful photo and the informative, well-written article. I even showed it (article) to my 12-year-old daughter, as an example, of what I'd like her life to be similar to when she grows up to be a young woman.
With so much negative everywhere, articles and photos of such positive (role models) is what we need more of. So we can, show and know, things "can be" and "are good."
And if we all pray/meditate and/or visualize on peace within (ourselves) and be aware of challenges, but not consumed by negativity, we each, as individuals "can do" something very powerful toward peace on Earth. And, in my opinion, it all starts with each one of us.
Bradigan and Williams are a basic, good example of one way to contribute to goodness in our community, thus leading to more goodness everywhere.
Family, love, being accomplished and ambitious and snappy dressers is a good way to start!
More power to the people! Right on!

Laura Lee, C.M.P.
Ojai

© 2003 The Ojai Valley News

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