Guardian dogs seek good home

8-22
To the editor:
Three years after leaving the Ojai Valley to move east, I am still amazed at how many times that four-lettered O-word shows up in my world. Being a computer professional and a goat farmer, I am on several Internet lists in regards to raising goats. Livestock guardian dogs are an integral part of livestock herds and are regularly discussed online. Imagine my surprise when the headline on a popular list read, "Ojai, CA - Anatolian Shepherd Dog (ASD) females need rescue owner died."
As a former board member and volunteer of Ojai's very own National Disaster Search Dog Foundation, I have come to understand a great respect for working dogs. The ASD is a member of the Livestock Guardian Dog family which is large, independent dogs that have been bred to guard livestock as well as their family. They are collectively referred to as "gentle giants" because of their non-aggressive behavior despite being a guarding dog. Unlike other popular large breeds, LGDs routinely live into their mid-teens and exhibit few hereditary maladies.
I lived on Foothill Road where coyote, bear and mountain lion were regular visitors in my back yard. These dogs have been bred for thousands of years to defend their "pack" against predators. LGDs regularly work in pairs. Mona and Lisa, are two 6-year-old female ASD sisters currently at the Ojai Valley Humane Society. I just wanted to point out to all you ranchers that this would be a great opportunity to provide a great home for a pair of dogs as well as protect your investments. As a member of a local sheep and goat cooperative in the central Atlantic region, I can attest to the fact that ranchers (we call ourselves farmers, though) in my area who have Livestock Guardian Dogs have had zero livestock losses due to predators.
Ojai is one of the most dog-loving towns in which I have ever lived. I hope someone can provide a good home for these two dogs.

Sandra Kay Miller
Newburg, Pa.

Proud of Ojai for its hospital

8-26
To the editor:
Bigger is not necessarily better.
I have been an in-patient at Community Memorial Hospital and Ventura County Medical Center on occasion. Recently, as a resident of the Ojai Valley, I chose to have surgery at Ojai Valley Community Hospital instead of going to Ventura where my doctor is also on staff.
From the detailed admitting procedure to the final period of recovery, I was in capable hands. The personal concern for my comfort was also demonstrated by nurses and doctors and I feel proud of our community for making possible a qualified hospital so close to home.

Ann Bedau
Ojai

Remember foes of Bill of Rights

8-28
To the editor:
On Aug. 26, Santa Barbara became the 158th city in the United States to defend the Bill of Rights against the assault on civil liberties contained in the USA Patriot Act and the Homeland Security Act. Resolutions like the one passed in Santa Barbara now protect 6 million Californians, about 20 percent of our state's population. Sadly, the citizens of Ojai are not among them, since our City Council voted down a similar resolution presented to them last month.
When election time rolls around, please remember that two of our council members, Mr. DeVito and Ms. Hanstad, chose not to stand up for due process and protection from secret government searches and surveillance. Their statements and votes ensured the defeat of the Ojai proposal.

David Howard
Ojai

Bush motives no longer in doubt

9-2
To the editor:
If you ever had any doubts about the motives of the Bush administration, consider this. The Bush administration's Justice Department has filed a "Friends of the Court" brief on behalf of the petroleum and gasoline engine industries in an attempt to roll back strict smog controls in the greater Los Angeles basin.
The Los Angeles Air Pollution Control District has instituted tighter smog regulations that are aimed at clearing up the air in Los Angeles, a noble action if there ever was one. They won a court appeal filed by the above-named industries, who then took the case to the U.S. Supreme Court. The case is set to be heard in December.
As we all know, smog is one of the primary triggers of respiratory disease and is particularly hard on children and the elderly. What federal administration in its right mind would try to inhibit the implementation of strict smog controls that will result in better health for Americans?
I hope everyone considers this action when deciding how to vote in upcoming elections.

Richard Handley
Ojai

Reckoning likely to be deep, dark

9-2
To the editor:
The killing of Ayatollah Muhammad Bakr al-Hakim, a gifted Iraqi leader who would have been capable of bringing genuine peace, security and prosperity to Iraq, is a disaster for Iraq, its invader and occupier, the United States, and the Middle East.
Ayatollah Hakim was a man of peace. In his first speech on Iraqi soil after returning from exile, he said: "We don't want an extremist Islam We don't want a Taliban brand of Islam. We want an Islam of independence, justice and freedom."
Here is the response of the Pentagon and the United States Central Command to his death:
"Officials condemned the attack but said it had come as no surprise and would not alter the American-led military mission on the ground" (The New York Times, Aug. 30, 2003).
This callous attitude of contemptuous indifference is typical of the hubris-ridden stupidity of the U.S. administration.
What have these fools in Washingon wrought? They have no idea how dark and deep the historical reckoning will be.

Clive Leeman
Ojai

Watchdogs miss gas price gouging

9-2
To the editor:
I see that some politicians are asking the Federal Trade Commission and other government bodies to look into the extreme increase in gasoline prices. Of course, the fat cat oil companies simply say that they needed the increase because of a pipeline break in Arizona, and, of course, there was this blackout! We are to believe that two minor things amounted to such a cost to the oil companies that they jacked up the price of gas 40 cents per gallon? I think not! I think it is simply gouging as they usually do, rip off a few billion from the public, then when people really start to bitch, they drop the price, but - not as fast as they raised it.
Where is responsible government? Where are the supposed watchdogs for the public? Why are oil companies, health insurance companies and a myriad of others allowed to simply rip off people without any reason other than to fill overfilled pockets?
I think it may well be overdue for voters to really vote this year, and start changing government, elected officials, and start getting this country turned around. Let's try this year, to vote for real people, who have real skills, aptitude, background and education to be an elected official, not because they made movies, are/were married to someone in politics! Just some of my thoughts.

Ray Houle
Ojai

© 2003 The Ojai Valley News

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