MAILBAG - March 1, 2007

Need new response to police violence

This week marks six months since the police shooting death of Ashley MacDonald. How the incident has become resolved and become only a footnote is by no means surprising.

I have waited on this letter, pondering for a little while, trying to best put into words opinions on the matter, and I have noticed that one of the amazing things about Ms. MacDonald’s death is that, regardless of whether one thinks the police officers were justified or that it was excessive, I have hardly found anyone who was shocked that this happened in this city.

The powers-that-be in Huntington Beach are funny, for this is a city of roughly 200,000 residents, roughly the 100th most populous city in the country, located in one of the largest counties in the nation, in the largest state, and Huntington is part of one of the biggest metropolitan areas in the world. Yet it is run like a small town, one which likes to turn away from issues. I was surprised — proudly, pleasantly surprised, no offense — that the Independent ran back-to-back headline stories on the MacDonald incident at the end of 2006. Police brutality is part of a much greater illness, a global fixation on violence. From Stephen Biko to Rodney King and everyone in-between, from the Gunfight at the OK Corral to Ashley’s street and everywhere else, too, controversial police violence is nothing new. What could be new is the response.

Several weeks back in the city of Irvine, there was a news story of a man covered in blood, holding some type of weapon, who was subdued by police officers using nonlethal means. It turned out that this person had killed another. I could not help but think of the out-of-whack parallels to our city. On the sides of Huntington Beach police cars is the phrase “serving with honor.” Well, actions speak louder than words.

If Ashley MacDonald must be a martyr then so be it. At least her death was not in vain; she was not the first victim of Huntington tragedy at the hands of police, but I hope by the good graces of our Lord she will be the last.

MASON MALUGEON

Huntington Beach

Political comments belong in editorials

Dave Sullivan uses Jerry Person’s column (“Standing at the altar of freedom,” Feb. 15) as a springboard to voice his support and deeds in support of our military forces in Iraq (“Patriotism lives in our city,” Mailbag, Feb. 22). We should all support our troops in Iraq in spite of the stupidity and deception that got them there. That, however, is not the point of my letter. Two issues: Why does the Independent allow the use of a column on Huntington Beach city history for the use and dissemination of neocon political propaganda? Such comments belong on the editorial page.

I vehemently disagree with Mr. Person’s inflammatory language about persons disagreeing with the Iraq war. He seems to forget the 1st Amendment to the U.S. Constitution in this matter, yet he uses it in the publication of his column. We deserve better — much, much better from the Independent, Mr. Sullivan and Mr. Person. Shame on you all!

EDUARDO MORGA

Huntington Beach

Playhouse deserves city’s support

Yes, I think the City Council should give the Huntington Beach Playhouse a financial break (“Theater curtain to rise again,” Feb. 8).

The playhouse has been serving the artistic and cultural needs of our city well and deserves civic support.

The playhouse should not have to suffer the financial squeeze it has been put through by the city with the Central Park Library Theater situation.

Our local government should be less concerned with solving its revenue problems on the back of community groups like the playhouse and more concerned with the cultural quality of life for of its residents.

There’s more to Huntington Beach than surfboards, tourism and economic development. We need to show the outside world we have a heart and a soul as well as a head for business in running our city.

TIM GEDDES

Huntington Beach