Letters to the Editor

McCain in bed with nukes

J ohn McCain’s plan to build 45 new reactors by 2030 demonstrates more about his connections to nuclear industry lobbyists than to any real concern about addressing climate change.

The experts at Rocky Mountain Institute have pointed out that nuclear power provides far less climate protection per dollar than any of its competitors. RMI notes that “spending a dollar on new nuclear energy instead of energy efficiency has a worse net effect on the climate than spending a dollar on coal-fired electricity instead of on nuclear electricity!”

Moreover, because nuclear power is so expensive, only massive taxpayer and ratepayer subsidies would enable the construction of new atomic reactors. Such investment would divert the resources from those solutions that really work. Renewable energy, energy efficiency, cogeneration, smart grids and distributed generation are the clean, affordable means to reduce carbon emissions and meet our energy needs — not nuclear power.

Clean energy sources don’t produce lethal radioactive waste, don’t require massive security, don’t make residents live in fear of a meltdown and don’t enable the spread of nuclear weapons. The choice is easy. But Sen. McCain has made the wrong one.

Jill ZamEk

Arroyo Grande

Beraud’s disservice

The recent dissenting vote by Ellen Beraud proves that she is not a fit public servant. Ellen has her own agenda and is not on the Atascadero City Council to represent the people of Atascadero. At least the rest of the council saw the light, although it has been painted dimly at the end of the tunnel. The vote on this issue in November must be the final word; let the citizens of Atascadero decide what will be and put this issue to rest.

Edward George

Atascadero

Childish communciation

It’s time for people to stop berating each other and calling each other crude names such as “knuckle-dragging Republicans” and calling people liars because they have a different view on a subject. We as citizens of this country need to learn to be civil in our dealings with each other, and we need to do our best to compromise, listen to the will of the people and learn from our mistakes. Most of all, we need to move forward instead of engaging in name calling and pouting until you get your way.

I cannot ever remember a time when calling each other derogatory names and being an ignorant, stubborn horse’s behind made the opposing party want to engage you in compromise (do you respond well to insults?). We can be better citizens if we try to have some class.

Paul Wissler

San Luis Obispo

Otter observers will harm more than help

In response to the sea otter population article (June 18), I feel the need to correct a couple of the impressions that were given.

First, as the wife of a crab fisherman, I can honestly state that in the 48 years our family has been fishing various crab species we have never had an incident of a sea otter in our traps. Never, not one, zero, zilch, zip.

Many fishermen have been unwilling to give out information on their operations because in the past it has been used to shut down healthy, sustainable fisheries. The general feeling is why hand over a knife so that our throats can be cut?

Observer programs equal expensive insurance costs that are just not feasible in this age of rising costs and heavily restricted fishing. Another problem: many boats are just not equipped to handle a non working person, especially of the opposite sex.

Lori French

Morro Bay

Letter

Veterans memorial depends on dollars

The Central Coast Veterans Memorial (to be at Morro and Portola roads, near Atascadero Lake Park) needs a little more financial support before completion.

If just 500 more brick pavers can be purchased for $100 each, this important memorial can be built soon. Each engraved paver from a county resident will represent and honor someone who has provided service to our country — militarily or otherwise. Three lines on each paver can contain 16 letters and spaces.

Besides the Pathway to Freedom paver walkway, this memorial will have a Heroes Wall listing county people who have given their lives in described U. S. conflicts from World War I on. Nearby will be an 8-foot-by-11-foot bronze statue, “The Faces of Freedom,” by Mark Greenaway, nationally recognized local artist.

Please help in honoring our county’s veterans and others who have served our county and country. Please donate soon and encourage others throughout our county to do so. One can check the Web site at www.atascaderoveteransmemorial.com; send e-mail to veteransmemorial @ msn.com; call 462-1267 or 423-5482; or write Atascadero Veterans Memorial Foundation, P. O. Box 1466, Atascadero, CA 93423-1466.

Thank you very much!

Mary Jo Wallace

Atascadero