Thursday's Letters to the Editor

<p class="bold allcaps">No defense</p> <p>EDITOR: Really? Nicole Bradley has been granted another day in court to defend why she blasted James Strickler in the head with a sawed-off shotgun? (“Bradley's second trial in '96 killing gets under way,” Saturday).</p><p>As far as I am concerned, if you have a shotgun pointed at someone's head, and you accidentally pull the trigger, you go to prison. You cannot give me one good reason why you would have a loaded shotgun pointed at someone's head unless, of course, it is in self-defense, which clearly was not the case. She is wasting taxpayer's money yet again. Lesson to be learned: You buy the ticket, you take the ride.</p><p>PAULA FIORI</p><p>Santa Rosa</p><h3>Artist's view</h3> <p>EDITOR: I'm the artist who built the obelisk in Santa Rosa.</p><p>The primary criticism has concerned decadent spending during tough times. There is a common misunderstanding regarding public art. Most of the money went directly back into the community — local concrete, local steel suppliers, local building materials, local welding supplies, etc.</p><p>The funds allocated were mostly put directly back into the community. During the Great Depression, the Works Progress Administration created jobs for artists, carpenters, craftsman and construction workers. The Santa Rosa Percent for Art program is a modern equivalent of the WPA.</p><p>In my opinion, a healthy society is comprised of a balance between cultural and economic growth.</p><p>MARK GRIEVE</p><p>Petaluma</p><h3>No Boehner</h3> <p>EDITOR: Monday's paper included a letter endorsing Jim Judd as an improvement over Rep. Lynn Woolsey (“Voting for Judd”). Perhaps for another office, Judd would be a reasonable candidate. However, the point that Zachary Britton omits is that Judd would vote for Republican John Boehner to replace House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Never drink antifreeze when you are thirsty.</p><p>JOE BOYLE</p><p>Rohnert Park</p><h3>Israel besieged</h3> <p>EDITOR: Here is a group of misguided people who are confused about the conflict between Israel and the the Palestinians (“Local group offers different view on Israel,” Close to Home, Aug. 28).</p><p>The Palestinians are determined to destroy Israel. From the late Yasser Arafat to their youngest generation, this goal is being pursued relentlessly. Any accommodation, especially the creation of a Palestinian state, serves only one purpose: Make it ever more difficult for the Israelis to defend themselves against the onslaught of enemies, including a pro-Arab Europe and world.</p><p>Yes, there could be peace in Palestine if all people would accept Israel's existence and refrain from all acts of violence against Israel. This would deprive Israel of all excuses for retaliation and occupation. Israel is fighting for its survival and its only friend, the United States, under its present administration, is putting additional pressure on Israel to give in to the demands of its enemies.</p><p>I am not an Israeli, or a Jew, but I realize a besieged people are being badgered by people who fail to understand the reality of this conflict.</p><p>GERARD BLUM</p><p>Sebastopol</p><h3>Pyrrhic victory</h3> <p>EDITOR: James Pera (“Credit for Bush,” Letters, Sept. 3) claims that we “won” in Iraq. Tactically, yes, but strategically?</p><p>Before the invasion, Iraq was a check on Iranian power in the Middle East; now it's virtually an ally of Iran, our greatest enemy in the region. The Iranians are the real winners. The war in Afghanistan was neglected (Gen. David Petraeus recently said as much); the result is that the Taliban, the allies of al-Qaida and our mortal enemies, are resurgent. Iraq was supposed to become a shining example of democracy in the Middle East; instead, it's a corrupt, dysfunctional state that seems headed toward a Shiite dictatorship.</p><p>I have nothing but respect for our troops. They were put into an impossible situation and yet acted with courage, honor and self-sacrifice. But the Bush administration did not give them the support they deserved (remember Donald Rumsfeld and his excuses?).</p><p>The surge only confirms President George W. Bush's critics, who argued that too few troops were sent in the first place. How many lives could've been saved if not for the arrogance and incompetence of the political leaders who sent our troops into an unnecessary war without the proper backing?</p><p>God help us if we achieve any more Pyrrhic victories like this one.</p><p>DAVID STRAIGHT</p><p>Windsor</p><h3>The inn crowd</h3> <p>EDITOR: Would it have been possible to include bed-and-breakfast inns in the same breath as hotels in your Sunday article “Tourism rebounding, but not roaring back.”</p><p>These inns are a valuable part of the local hospitality industry and a very different experience from hotels. Though ranging from a few rooms to around 20 per property, they account for 300-plus visitors per night spread across Sonoma County. Their unique accommodations attract tourist visitors who frequent restaurants and wineries in greater numbers than do hotels.</p><p>Bed and breakfasts pay transit-occupancy taxes and generate revenue for the county. Our small business owners bring much needed economic activity to our region. We deserve our place in the record of the coming recovery.</p><p>JACKIE THRESH</p><p>Owner, Melitta Station Inn</p><p>Santa Rosa</p><h3>Barrett's record</h3> <p>EDITOR: With enthusiasm and encouragement to all Petaluma voters, I am writing in support of Teresa Barrett's re-election to the Petaluma City Council. Her intelligence, history of broad service to our community and many years of experience, especially on the Planning Commission and Zone 2A Flood Advisory Committee, are truly needed.</p><p>With Barrett making decisions on behalf of the people of Petaluma, I feel certain our City Council will continue to move Petaluma in a direction that's competitive and appealing for economic development.</p><p>Her record on the City Council shows that she wants Petaluma to continue to be a great place to live, a place of fascinating history, a place of prosperity and a place where people have appreciation for our natural resources including parks, open spaces, our river and our wetlands tidal marshes. </p><p>Please join me in voting to re-elect Teresa Barrett and continue Petaluma's being a great place to live and a great place to visit.</p><p>KATHLEEN O'CONNOR</p><p>Petaluma</p><h3>Islamic neighbors</h3> <p>EDITOR: I was pleased to see your feature article on our Muslim neighbors (“Islam next door,” Sunday). It is heartening that these good people are receiving some coverage to offset news stories that feature terrorist violence from a small segment of extremists who claim to be inspired by Islam.</p><p>Islam is a religion that seems to me, a Catholic, to share many tenets similar to my own, such as a faith in one God and a call to act in charity and peace.</p><p>We in this country and in other countries are often manipulated by politicians and others who seek to get or keep power by enflaming bigotry and hatred. Thus, opportunistic diatribes about the placement of a mosque in New York City can lead to violence against any mosque in any city or town. And the freedom of religion for all of us is endangered.</p><p>Thank you for your series highlighting Islam, one of the many forms of spirituality practiced by people of good will in this wonderfully diverse Sonoma County.</p><p>MARGE THOMAS</p><p>Sonoma</p>