MAILBAG - March 8, 2007

Ruling will affect Poseidon plant

The decision by the U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals will certainly affect the Poseidon plant (“Cooling ruling heats up plant war,” Feb. 15). At a minimum it will slow it down and possibly present the opportunity for Poseidon to resubmit a project plan that will respect the beaches and ocean life off Magnolia Street. I wouldn’t want to be Poseidon management at this point in time.

PAT GOODMAN

Huntington Beach

Neighborhood looks like war zone

I had no big issue about the palm tree removal on Bolsa Chica Road between Edinger and McFadden avenues because some were dying, and I could see some safety issues despite the fact that most of the larger palms were alive and quite elegant.

But you would have thought that the city would have had a plan and finished the job they started by at least grinding the stumps out and replacing the trees.

Now what do we have? It looks like a war zone, with stumps sticking up and orange cones on them. Is that what you call neighborhood improvement? If there was enough money to start the job, why do they not finish it instead of leaving this mess for all of us — especially visitors to the city who go down Bolsa Chica from the freeways to get to the beaches — to see day in and out for more than a month? That does not say much for trying to put our best foot forward for this gateway to our city, let alone neighborhood improvement.

DREW KOVACS

Huntington Beach

Lent inspires vegetarian diet

This week marks the beginning of Lent, the 40-day period preceding Easter when Christians have traditionally abstained from meat and dairy products in memory of Jesus’ 40 days of fasting and prayer before dying on the cross. With religious devotion giving way to self-indulgence in recent times, Christian denominations gradually receded to meatless Fridays, then even fewer dietary restrictions.

Yet, Jesus’ powerful message of compassion and love for all living beings still applies in our time — now more than ever!

It’s a time when animals are raised for food under abject conditions of caging, crowding, deprivation, drugging, mutilation and manhandling. They are trucked to the slaughterhouse for days without food or water, then bled, skinned and dismembered while still conscious. Wastes from factory farms foul the water we drink and the air we breathe. Meat production accounts for 18% of greenhouse gases responsible for global warming. Most chronic killer diseases are linked to consumption of animal products.

Each of us has a personal choice to make. We can continue to subsidize these sins against nature with every food purchase or we can show our respect for Jesus’ message by accepting a wholesome, nonviolent diet of vegetables, fruits and grains first mandated in Genesis I-29.

Lent provides a splendid opportunity to explore the rich variety of meat- and dairy-free foods at our favorite supermarket.

HAROLD UNDELL

Huntington Beach

Compliments to the columnists

I have been meaning to write to you for some time to compliment my three favorite columnists in the Independent: Vic Leipzig, Lou Murray and Michéle Marr. I look forward to their columns and never miss reading them. I don’t think that I have ever read an article by them that I haven’t enjoyed — they are consistently excellent.

I had the pleasure of meeting Marr at a Greater Huntington Beach Interfaith Council meeting last year and was able to thank her in person for her sensitive, timely and tolerant writing. As an environmentalist, I have learned much from Leipzig and Murray, who have encouraged my husband and me to get out and explore our local natural areas more often.

Congratulations on your excellent paper. Our only difficulty is finding it (it seems to be gone very quickly at Drug Emporium, 9062 Adams Ave., at Magnolia/Adams and at the Park Bench Café, 17732 Goldenwest St.). We would be interested in subscribing to it and understand that may be possible in the future.

MARY MARTIN

Huntington Beach