Letters to the Editor: ‘I don’t see liberty and justice for all in my country’

Writer Steve Smith assumes that the athletes who take a knee do not actively fight for injustice, racism and discrimination (“It’s one thing to take a knee and quite another to get involved with social justice,” Daily Pilot, Oct. 2). Rather they collect fat paychecks and go home. That is an unfair and dangerous assumption. He does not know what action these athletes may have taken to support social justice.

I am a Caucasian grandmother of eight who has chosen not to salute the flag because I don’t see liberty and justice for all in my country. I see liberty and justice for white men — particularly wealthy white men. Yet, I also understand that our democracy is not only “for the people” but also “by the people,” and I have volunteered to support and improve our government throughout my adulthood.

In my 20s I spoke and debated throughout the county on behalf of equality for women. I have lobbied in Sacramento on behalf of higher education. I have gathered signatures for causes I supported. I have worked at the polls on Election Day, and most recently, I spent a year serving on the Orange County Grand Jury. Other than a car allowance or a small stipend for the cost of working, these efforts were all volunteer.

It is my experience that those “patriots” most critical of my decision have never lifted a finger for their country for which they were not handsomely paid. They believe democracy is an opportunity for unfettered capitalism.

I applaud the athletes and others who are opting to take a knee. They have a large audience who may actually begin to think about the words they mutter as they sing the anthem or recite the pledge. These fans may be inspired to contribute to our democracy and to work toward making a nation that lives up to its slogans.

Janice Horn

Costa Mesa

To disparage air show is ridiculous

We were shocked to read former Costa Mesa Mayor Eric Bever’s commentary complaining about the Breitling Huntington Beach Airshow (“JWA noise is one thing, but that H.B. air show shattered the quiet in Costa Mesa,” Daily Pilot, Sept 28). For about a million spectators, it was a wonderful, exciting, inspirational and patriotic event. The sounds of the jets just made it more thrilling. To disparage our Blue Angels almost seems sacrilegious.

Greg and Shirley Reinker

Newport Beach

Why we need a dog park near Harbor High

My name is Adam Faludi. I am 16 years old, and I am a dog owner. I live near Newport Harbor High School, and when I walk my dog I barely ever take her off the leash because there is no place to do so. You could let your dog off the leash at the schools but if the police see, you either get a ticket or you get a warning.

It would be nice for the community to have a dog park in the area where I live because the closest one is next to the Orange County Fairgrounds, which is a 10-minute drive, or, if you feel like walking over, it would take more than an hour to get there.

Another reason that it would be nice to have a dog park in my community is because, when taken off the leash, most dogs either run away from their owner or stay next to them. That is why we need a dog park, because the dogs would be fenced in so you don’t have to worry about them.

These are just some of the reasons why we should have a dog park in my community.

Adam Faludi

Newport Beach

Short-term rentals keep us in our home

I’ve been following your coverage of the housing crisis in California — from the recent granny flat legislation to short-term rental concerns. When my husband lost his job, it was very challenging for us to pay our bills — especially our monthly mortgage payment.

One of the best things that happened to us was discovering Airbnb because we’ve been able to generate much-needed income by renting out spare bedrooms in our home to travelers. We wouldn’t be able to cover our monthly payments and live our normal lives without that income.

We live in Huntington Beach, where there is a ban on short-term rentals. I am opposed to the ban because I know there are many residents like me who are able to earn extra monthly income to help remain in their homes.I hope that as you continue to cover affordable housing issues, you will think about people like me, who are able to stay in our homes thanks to the extra income we make from home sharing.

Kathryn Levassiur

Huntington Beach

I will miss OCMA if it moves from Newport

Not some 20 years ago, I braved traffic on the 405 from Orange County to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art to take in a once-in-a-lifetime retrospective of the greatest pop artists of the 20th century. It was amazing.

If a deal is reached, our beloved Orange County Museum of Art could be forever shutting its doors and relocating. Currently outside Fashion Island, the museum is expected to one day be near the Segerstrom Center for the Arts.

A few words must be said, in that this smallish building has allowed tens of thousands of people — over the years — to see the works of everyone from Robert Rauschenberg to Claes Oldenburg, to Andy Warhol; everything from lectures to group-participation activities.

Most of all, if they do not move with OCMA, I will miss the courteous and friendly staff, some of whom volunteer their time, as well the wheelchair they always provided free of charge (I am limited-mobility). Although, you will be in a different place, my friend — you will be sorely missed.

Ralph Freda

Newport Beach

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