Apr 18, 2008

Letters

Open space debate

Dear Editor: Thanks to Ralph Nobles for expressing the importance of protecting open space in his April 4 opinion piece, "Let voters weigh open space protection." I share his concern over the fate of the 1,433-acre retired Cargill salt ponds.

Under the guise of "community outreach," Cargill and its development partner DMB have waged a costly, aggressive and often misleading campaign to build support among Redwood City residents for housing development on the land. Now, claiming that they have listened to the concerns of residents, they are blanketing our mailboxes with beautifully designed fliers, asking for feedback on what they are calling a "50/50 Vision" - a vision of hundreds of acres of open space permanently destroyed.

The developer offers no specifics on the development planned for the property. The graphics in the fliers show people kayaking, hiking on trails amid lush natural habitat or walking on a wildflower-studded boardwalk. One picture shows just the tops of a few homes discreetly screened from view by large trees. Conveniently left out of the literature are the potentially 10,000 housing units (along with shops and restaurants) and the effects that could have on our quality of life - the environment, water supply, traffic and pollution.

Open space issues are far too important to be determined by feedback cards to a megacorporation. I plan to work for the Open Space Vote Coalition so that residents' voices can truly be heard. For more information, go to www.redwoodcityopenspace.org or call (650) 365-8326.

Marianna Raymond,

Redwood City



Architect

Dear Editor: I see no reason for the Palo Alto Unified School District to ask its contracting architectural firm, VBN of Oakland, to replace its project manager here when the logical and ethical choice is to either let matters stand as they are or dismiss VBN.

The district itself claims, "In this capacity, Darrell James Jackson performed his duties faithfully and did quality work." It's a shame to rebuke a man for mistakes he did not make. It is more honorable and mature to stand and defend him against a nattering mob.

If Mr. Jackson performed poorly, and the district is too embarrassed to admit it, then it makes no sense to continue with VBN.

Remember this is a district that will be coming to us, hat in hand, in a little more than a month asking for a $387 million bond measure. I for one am reluctant to trust it with any more of my money until I see it start to get its act together.

Michael Goldeen,

Palo Alto



Iraq report

Dear Editor: I was dismayed by the shallow report on Iraq delivered last week by Gen. David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker.

What are our indications of measurable progress both from military and political standpoints? How does Petraeus define progress? Is it in the number of casualties, military and civilian, is it the number of hours per day when power and water are available to the civilian population, or is it the average rounds of ammunition used in a day? Ambassador Crocker was even more vague about measuring progress or, ultimately, success. President Bush's goal of achieving democracy in the region is too vague and too general. Indeed, that might just take 100 years.

Perhaps even more troubling was the fact that those responsible for managing our resources, indeed those we look to for achieving these unspecified goals, are the same individuals presenting the report on our progress. I'm not suggesting that either Petraeus or Crocker is dishonest. But when you ask the project managers to give the project report for which unlimited financial resources seem to have been allocated, you can expect possible exaggeration of positive aspects and some diminution of the negatives; it's only natural.

What the American people want is an honest statement of quantitative objectives, an assessment of our progress toward these objectives and a statement of possible alternate approaches. The president, with Congress' concurrence, can appoint such a commission of military and political experts and request an independent report within three months and prior to any planned troop withdrawal. If we don't do something like this, how will we know if we've succeeded or failed?

David Negrin,

Menlo Park



Torture of prisoners

Dear Editor: The brutal treatment of prisoners is again in the public spotlight with the declassification of the 2003 torture memo.

According to British attorney Philippe Sands' article in Vanity Fair ("The Green Light"), John Yoo and other high-ranking administration attorneys helped craft interrogation methods used at Guantanamo, Abu Ghraib and secret CIA prisons. Pentagon attorney Diane Beaver stated that the interrogation techniques used were modeled on the TV program "24."

Many prisoners may well be innocent of any crimes.

The administration, recognizing the potential war crimes charges it could face, hastily adopted legislation in the Military Commissions Act granting immunity to those engaged in torture. Also, buried deep inside a bill currently before Congress is a startling provision which would grant Bush and other members of his administration retroactive immunity from war crimes (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHQ7Prwh7Gc).

Tej Uberoi,

Los Altos



Crossword puzzle

Dear Editor: I've been reading your paper since the very first issue and enjoy it a lot. However, if at all possible, could you please bring back the Newsday Crossword Puzzle you carried since the beginning? The substitute you've had lately just isn't up to snuff for those of us who enjoy working them.

Mal Schoen,

Menlo Park