Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor (September 09, 2005)

Negative reporting hurts kids

Editor,

Not exactly the article I was hoping to see when Jeb Bing interviewed me at the Sports Park over the weekend. "BUSC Loses Out at Summer Classic" as the headline sends the wrong message as to what the Summer Classic soccer tournament is all about. BUSC put on a quality soccer tournament for 132 youth soccer teams. How did BUSC "lose out" here? You article implies that BUSC "lost" because none of our teams finished in first place? As Board members, coaches and parents we try to tell our soccer kids that while winning is nice, it's more important that they learn about the game of soccer, give 100 percent effort during the match and honor the game by playing fair. Note that nowhere do we emphasize winning as it isn't as important. Two negative sentences hurt the article: "Unfortunately, teams fielded by the Ballistic United Soccer Club weren't among the winners," in the first paragraph and "Although all teams were guaranteed four games, most BUSC squads never made it past the quarter finals last Saturday," in the second paragraph.

We need some better reporting for future articles. Marty Florian BUSC Summer Classic Tournament Director Hurricane tragedy cause for impeachement

Editor,

Like many Americans, I watched with horror at this government's mishandling of the Gulf Coast tragedy. I read about evacuated people being ordered to leave their beloved pets (some choosing to quickly euthanize them), the calls from loved ones pleading for help over cell phones as they drowned days after the catastrophe began. When Castro of Cuba was faced with a similar situation, he evacuated people and pets in an orderly fashion, on time. Not one life was lost. Some of you blame the victims. Bill O'Reilly says, "They wanted to stay. They enjoy chaos." Rush said, "What kind of people don't have a car?" This administration shows over and over again its disregard for the lives of ordinary people. I don't want to trust my life to these callous people anymore. Please join me in calling for the impeachment of this administration for gross criminal negligence, lying about the war, endangering undercover CIA agents and on and on ... Go out on September 24 with a sign, join the protests, write letters. Get these dangerous people out of their leadership positions now before they put more of us in harm's way. Paulette Kenyon Adobe Ct. Pombo articles miss the real story

Editor,

In this week's Weekly, there are two articles featuring stories about our Congressional Representative Richard Pombo, yet we get only part of the story. While Pombo's recent visit to a large local corporation should be noted as the usual business of a Congressman, the other article sounded like a retelling of a press release from Pombo's office, highlighting what he sees as his own accomplishments.

It must be noted that Mr. Pombo has the lowest rating among all of Congress for his poor environmental voting record. His pro-growth stance has helped make the Central Valley's air quality among the worst in the nation.

He also is proud of securing funds for studies for two new freeways. The article neglects to mention that none of this money goes to widening highway 205, which is supported by a large majority of Tracy voters. In fact, Pombo and his family stand to profit in land values if either of the other two freeways are built.

A large article in the August 24 East Bay Express outlines Pombo's unethical, if not illegal, profits from his stances and votes in Congress. We read that two men may run against him in 2006. Surely, either or both are likely to be far better. John McDonald Pleasanton

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