Editor:

During one of his coronavirus presentations Trump was asked what parents should tell their kids who need to stay home. He said, “Tell them that they should be proud to be Americans.” I told my 3-year old that and she said ”what is an American?” So, I don’t think that helped much.

Larry Etod

Breeze:

Those who believe Trump has no responsibility in this Pandemic are wrong. Trump and his base have treated Covid-19 as a political problem. Covid-19 is a Public Health Problem!

Trump and his administration were warned by world wide scientists in November of 2019 of this problem. Trump called it a “Democratic hoax” and “fake news”. In March, “it’s under control”; add these comments to his more than 10,000+ lies!

The inaction of this Administration has led to more deaths and increased the economic fall out.

This Pandemic has forced our Country to finally expose the weakness of employer based healthcare. I support Biden’s plan to include Medicare as an option as a prelude for Universal Health Care in the US.

We are all in this together; let us vote to make both political and policy changes so we can “Make America Great Again”!

Judith A. Beay

Dear Editor,

As we all see hopeful signs of opening up the Country again, I know there are many people who will think its a bad idea and we should wait until the Covid-19 virus is gone and we have a vaccine or this, that and the other happens first and we’ll all be safe and no one will die again from this terrible plague. Right now we are living in a great Country that has not suffered a food shortage for at least 100 years. That could change if we do not make every effort to safely open up all businesses as soon as reasonably possible. Farms, hardworking farmers and their crews are where the food supply starts. Farmers have been able to provide a surplus of food and livestock products for this Country for decades that, even though you see some shelves empty at the stores now, you can be assured those products are still on their way thanks to the food supply chain that again, starts with farmers.

Without demand for food products from restaurants, schools, colleges, sporting events, hotels, theme parks, cruise ships, concerts, holiday celebrations, etc etc, farmers will not have a big enough market to sell to that allows them to make a profit that sustains their ability to continue to operate. You may have seen the coverage of dairy farmers having to dump milk down the drain or other farmers plowing fields of lettuce back into the ground as demand has dropped significantly with the closer of our entire Country and in fact, the world. What you are not seeing are the grain silos, potato cellars and the many warehouses still full awaiting demand for those and many other farm products. If the demand does not come soon, or at least the signs that it will come soon, Farmers will not have a reason to plant more crops this spring and we could start going down that terrible road of food shortages. Think about this: “The Virus” has taken many lives, but without food, we will lose more lives of all ages than we will have lost to this plague. Let us all be smart, safe, and be very courageous; support the gradual and cautious re-opening of our great Country because doing so will save millions of lives and livelihoods, also – all over the world!

Patty Jenkins

Editor:

We are now in the throws of the Coronavirus Pandemic and the death count grows with alarming regularity for the nation and the world with each passing day. But, we must remind ourselves that, like all pandemics in the past, this will end in time.  In 1918 450,000 Americans perished of the Spanish Flu (100,000 in the month of October alone).  Our knowledge of viruses and health is many times greater now than a century ago., we shouldn’t expect those kinds of numbers today. Estimates of 60,000 may well be too high as fewer cases than expected are reported.   The lockdown has impacted the numbers and bought us time to discover new ways to treat the sickness and excelled work on a vaccine   that will control this new influenza.  Some have suggested the lockdown should continue on for as long as four to six months.  That would reduced the nation to a staggering depression that would pull the whole world into starvation and political ruin. This would be worse than the great Depression of the 1930’s that saw the rise of fascists  and stimulated a World War. That would not be a welcome solution.   The lockdown will end, in stages, with those at risk staying home, and those who have had the sickness returning to work. The key is in testing. Germany and South Korea has pointed the way in the use of tests and  lowering the death rate.  I believe, with quick and easy testing, this lockdown and the pandemic could be ended in a month, perhaps as soon as the 5th of May.   If it is everyone will have a reason to celibate Cinco de Mayo. The drink of choice?  Corona Beer!

Richard Senate

Today’s public figures can no longer write their own speeches or books,
and there is some evidence that they can’t read them either.
~ Gore Vidal

Breeze:

Each government program appears to be mandated that it be identified by an acronym. In 2008 the country initiated TARP, the troubled asset relief program. Subsequently, between 2008 and 2012 the federal government instituted the quantitative easing  QE1, QE2 and QE3 programs. I suggest that the recently enacted financial legislation be called SOAP. First, because we are reminded, as a personal exercise, to frequently wash our hands. Second, because it might be a more suitably appropriate acronym as a Save Our Ass Program.

Roy E. Colbert
architect

Breeze:

By calling the coronavirus the China virus Trump is being a racist. If it started in Germany he would not have called it the German (or the French) virus. Trump blames the Chinese for his slow reaction because they didn’t tell him. This is the same country that he always says lies so he can’t believe anything they say so if they told him he would have just said it was a lie and that they are just trying to sell us a bunch of stuff we don’t need like ventilators.

A 30-year-old videographer in Syracuse, N.Y., said he was still shaken from a trip to the grocery store last week, when the man ahead of him in the checkout line shouted at him, “It’s you people who brought the disease,” and other customers just stared at him, without offering to help. That same day, he said, two couples verbally abused him at Costco.

Lai Ching Ojai

Breeze:

In 1933, The German Reichstag adopted the Enabling Act, which effectively granted Adolph Hitler dictatorial powers.

Fast forward to these past years when our own GOP has mostly by default, or non-action, effectively granted our President and Senate dictatorial powers!

They’ve used their dictatorial power to give tax dollars to the superrich, deny Medi-Cal to uninsured people in the GOP controlled states, and, now to give one or more trillions to corporations, where many CEO’s earn millions each year in salaries and perks.

Do you agree that US tax dollars should go to Cruise companies that are mostly owned (on paper) by foreign companies? The Cruise companies can then avoid paying all of the US taxes.

The only way to change our US History is to vote, vote, vote out of office this dictatorial President and Senate. It’s beyond my comprehension how millions of ordinary people blindly follow leaders who repeatedly pass legislation that enriches corporations and the 2-3% wealthy.

Judith A. Beay Ventura

PS: Hi, Sheldon

I really liked your editorial in the Breeze re: Scientology. I liked your analogy about a “wait and see” when a new neighbor moves in. Perfect response!

Green with Envy

Never approach a bull from the front, a horse from the rear or a fool from any direction.
~ Ken Alstad

Dear Editor:

The national news on TV is, finally, presenting a picture of Trump, that I have been grousing about for months. Of course, who he is, what he is, has been evident to everyone, ever since he took office. He is not a me-too. He is a me-only. 

The worst person in the world to have charge of a country. A country, especially, a Democracy where, everyone, feels somewhat responsible for everyone else. 

With the most, disinterested, and, disgusting, president at the helm.

I know a lot more people actually voted for that person, than are willing to admit at this time. Shame on all of them. His character was no secret. Not at any time.

Can’t wait for this term ending, and the people, once again, have a chance to right a terrible wrong. 

Sincerely, E. Cole, Ventura

Dear Community Caregivers – what I call the other front line responders

The public recognizes the sacrifices made by doctors, nurses, EMTs, firefighters and other emergency response personnel across the country for which we are all grateful and owe a huge debt of gratitude, however there are millions of Americans risking their lives in grocery stores, gas stations, post offices, banks, laundromats and the like (most without proper protection) who we need to send out our biggest heartfelt gratitude as they are risking their lives every single day for the basic needs of every American. Please be sure to thank them for their sacrifice! #ThankYouCommunityCaregivers

Cindy Summers

Dear America,

It is time for you to stop and take a breath.  No matter who you are, where you are, or what situation you are in, it is time to stop for a moment to look around you then ask yourself: Is this my country?  Is this how I want it to be?  Is this how we proud Americans were raised?
You see people fighting over toilet paper in the grocery store, not helping those in need, distrusting everyone because they “might” have COVID-19.  Now ask yourself again: Is this my country?

My presumption is that the vast majority of us would say no, this is not my country.  They would go on to say they are ashamed of America at this moment.  It is this vast majority that needs to step up now and show our children and our world what kind of people we really are.

No doubt, COVID-19 is scary but that is only because of all the unknowns that surround it.  Where did it come from, how is it circulated, will I survive this pandemic?  Right now there are no answers to any of these questions but I have faith in our scientists, our doctors, and the rest of our dedicated health professionals.  I know they will find an answer and when they do all of these fears will disappear.

But what will be left is the question.

The answer to that depends on how we act now.  If we continue as is, America will be changed for the worst but if we act like kind, rational, caring individuals, we will come out of this better and stronger than ever before.

Pray for this if you will and work for it no matter what.  Remember, you are America, you can be the greatest country on Earth once more and the time to start earning that designation again is today.  Tomorrow may be too late.

Regards,
John Darling

Breeze:

Like most Venturans I am totally amazed at the panic buying I see taking place, particularly toilet paper. As an English person born at the end of WW 2 I was used to privations, ration cards and many realistic apects of post war Europe, As a child I played on bomb sites and was warned “not to touch or pick up anything metal or round”  –  my toilet was an outside privvy with torn up strips of newspaper for toilet paper.

As the pandemic gets more serious I imagine I may have to tear up my latest edition of the Breeze and use it for toilet paper. With that in mind I have a request for you – could you please print future editions of the Breeze on softer more gentle paper please.

Sincerely yours

Paul Whitehead

Paul: Our current paper is the softest that we can print on. Sorry if it scratches you.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade Canceled

It was with great disappointment that we had to cancel the Ventura Elks Club’s 32nd County Ventura St. Patrick’s Day, planned for Saturday, March 14, due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus.

We are truly sorry to have disappointed all the young families and the young at heart who come out every year, for the past 32 years, to cheer on and take part in this big, iconic holiday parade on Main Street in downtown Ventura.

We are deeply thankful for every one of the parade sponsors and participants who were ready to go on, right up till the last minute; they make this remarkable community event possible every year.

To those who paid to take part in this year’s parade, know that while we will not be returning funds this year, you are prepaid for next year. We will see you all then!!

Thank you as always for your wonderful ongoing support. Visit venturastpatricksdayparade.com for additional parade information.

Nan Drake, Jim Monahan and Brian Brennan
Co-chairs, County Ventura St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee

CORRECTION:

In our last issue there was a wrong date for Saturday April 12 it is April 11.Ventura Botanical Gardens is announcing two photography tours, both Saturday mornings on March 28 and April 11.

This is a world of action, and not for moping and groaning in.
~ Charles Dickens

Opinion:

Who wrote the Scientology front page story? Let me guess: Scientology.

The use of “never-ending “ to describe a swell of expansion would be better used to describe a never-ending swell of controversy.

And the balloons apology to the city of Ventura is just the first local example.

Tracy Lehr

Breeze:

I thought Ventura had strict signage dimensions downtown and in the Victoria corridor to keep our community tasteful. Now there is a gigantic structure going up by the auto mall that looks like an airport radar installation!  It may belong in LA, but Ventura?  How did that get past all the people who are supposed to care about aesthetics? 

Cheryl Garrison 

Cheryl:
Was controversial when submitted but it was approved by city departments that govern sign designs.

Breeze:

I hope no one thinks that Barack Obama is endorsing Michael Bloomberg.  As a media mogul he is using footage of Obama in his commercials.  Barack Obama has not endorsed anyone yet, and does not plan to until much later.

Thank you,
Mary Volpe 

The tragedy of a man’s life is what dies inside of him while he lives.
~ Henry David Thoreau

Dear Editor:

Trump never ran for President. He ran for Dictator. He has always envied and admired Putin.

Trump is not just trying to take over the Justice Dept. and all other Government functions. He wants to be anointed. He wants his own country, ala Putin.

He not only admired Putin, he envies Putin. He wants what Putin has. Trump wants to own the United States of America. And every day, in every way, he gets closer and closer.

And his flunkies and followers and enablers, day by day, gleefully give up hunks of our –our — Country. It still belongs to us, but we’d better be on the lookout, for sneaks, taking big hunks out of what we think we own.

Es Cool Ventura

Editor,

I support Mayor Matt LaVere for County Supervisor.  He was elected to the Ventura City Council in 2016, and has served our community with energy and responsiveness. After the Thomas Fire, LaVere showed leadership and compassion as he worked with impacted residents and Ventura city staff to ensure communication and effective policies to assist fire victims. Working with Mayor LaVere, I have been impressed with his depth of knowledge and ability to bring consensus on complicated, sometimes controversial, issues. I admire his respect for Ventura’s heritage, our coast and rivers and hillsides, and his understanding of environmental sustainability factors in decision-making. Matt’s intelligence and enthusiasm and deep commitment to our community will have a positive impact on Ventura County government and our quality of life.

Christy Weir
Ventura City Councilmember

Dear Sheldon,

In regards to your mention of the conversion therapy for minors, please know that this is not a choice as you say at the end. This is not a preference either. It is how we are born. It’s in our DNA. The only choice involved is whether we are going to be open about being gay to our family and friends, or not. 

Allen Chinn

Ventura

Allen: I apologize for not making my thoughts more clearly. I absolutely agree with you. I didn’t make the decision one day to be heterosexual it was the way that I was born exactly the same as a gay(or any other) person is.

Sheldon

OOOOPS: In our last issue we stated that Steve Bennett was running for Ventura County Supervisor a position he now holds. He is running for State Assembly in the 37th District. Other candidates are: Cathy Murillo, Charles Cole, Jason Dominguez, Jonathan Abboud, Elsa Granados and Stephen Blum.

The art of being happy lies in the power of extracting happiness from common things.
~ Henry Ward Beecher

Breeze:

I took my puppies to the Jersey Mikes at the Von’s shopping center at the corner of Telephone and Victoria today. We planned to share the sunny day using the outdoor table and chairs. I forgot that all of the tables and chairs there, including the ones under the newly installed pergolas have been removed They have replaced with armed guards because our police are letting demented and drugged vagrants are using the parking lot as their private preserve.

A friend of mine was menaced there one night. A vagrant pounded on his car window looking for a hand out.

At the shop that I have had my hair cut for years, I was told that the workers there are afraid to park behind the shop if there are people hanging out. One told me her husband asks her to confirm her safe arrival if she has to go to work after dark.

One of the guards kindly gave a contact and phone number to call the landlord. They told me the guards are necessary because our police fail to respond to complaints.

Sheldon, this is serious and I’m happy to have a local paper like yours on the job.

Thanks Steve Hurst

The Breeze sent this on to the Ventura Police Department that contacted Steve. We received this from Steve. This is what a local paper is all about.

Sheldon:

I did receive a phone call from a police officer named Arroyo.  He was aware of the problem and assured me the police have responded to numerous complaints sent to them.  It was a reassuring conversation that showed exemplary concern.

Thank you for contacting the authorities. What would you suggest we do next?  Perhaps you could contact the landlord and suggest they replace the seating in the pergolas. Perhaps the tenants should express their concern to the landlord individually, thanking them for the extra security coverage that has been provided.

I would be happy if you publish my original letter, your response and my satisfaction with the police response. That way the public will know what has happened rather than keeping the affair behind closed doors.

Thank you again for working on this.  This is how journalism is supposed to work.

Best Wishes, Steve Hurst

Friends of CAPS

Last evening (few weeks ago) the Ventura City Council unanimously approved an agreement that will allow CAPS Media to continue to serve the Ventura community for five years.

All of us at CAPS are extremely appreciative to everyone who expressed their support in letters, emails, videos and personal appeals to the City. The overwhelming expressions of appreciation were instrumental in demonstrating CAPS’ value to the community and securing the contract.

Thank you all for your tremendous support.

Patrick – echoing the sentiments of the Staff, Members and Board of Directors

Patrick Davidson Executive Director CAPS Media

Dear Sheldon,

Thank you for allowing me to write for the Ventura Breeze.

Its been a pleasure writing articles for over seven years. I’m also happy/pleased that you focus on articles that are positive along with highlighting community events and organizations. May the paper continue to be a beacon of hope within Ventura.

Thank you!,

Carol Leish

Editor,

I have heard a lot about Ventura suing Ojai Valley residents regarding their use of water in the Ventura River Watershed.  I have heard a lot about the over $4 million dollars of tax money they have spent, so far, to do this.  I have heard a lot of pleas from the city asking me to restrict my water usage since we are running low.  

What I have heard nothing about is why the city keeps issuing building permits so monstrosities like the one being built on the bluffs overlooking Highway 101 can be erected.  How much water is being used to build it?  How much water will the residents use in the future if anyone can afford the rent there?  

These conflicting messages are coming from a muddled City Hall and Council headed by Mayor Matt LaVere who now wants to be a County Supervisor?  Why?  So he can do the same kind “planning” on a countywide basis?  

We can do better as a city by replacing all of the current City Council and voting for a write-in candidate named Trevor Quirk.    

Respectfully,

John Darling

John: Be honest, what do you think of our City Council? What are Trevor’s qualifications?

I’d rather risk an ugly surprise than rely on things I know I can do.
~ Helen Frankenthaler

SENIORS SHOULD READ THIS

Dear Editor:

Just got a new twist on old scam. Now the caller asks if I know someone named, and they name one of my grandsons. I never give any info. I know all these calls are scams, especially when they call an old lady. Lucky for me, I’m old, but not dumb.

Please pass this info on to your elderly audience.

Esther Cole

Hello Sheldon,

I am just now reading the Wednesday edition and your Editors columns.

If the strange helicopters were from the “Government”, they would have been a shiny black with black tinted windows.

I think the signing of documents in cursive is dying because with the evolution of mankind and his opposable thumbs all that is needed to write a note are two thumbs.  (Who said evolution was the Devil’s work?)

I don’t think we need worry about future generations learning how to communicate in cursive, by the time handwriting becomes a dead art the Robots will do all the communicating.

Writing of Homelessness, we both attended a grand opening of a shelter down near the harbor a couple of years ago.  The shelters were made by Tuff Shed.  I have noticed for several years a large chunk of deserted land along Harbor Blvd. that looks like it was intended for family dwellings.  The land has remained unused and would be a very nice location for a county homeless shelter for hundreds of homeless.  But, only if they elected to use the shelter.
The land is about 4.3 miles South/Southeast of our Harbor, on the Eastern side of Harbor Blvd.

Michael Gordon

Note: Michael is a contributing photographer to the Ventura Breeze

Ventura Breeze

It’s my understanding that none of the Republicans will stand up to Trump because they are fearful of losing their House or Senate seat!

I have the solution! All those with gonads or kahunas’ should band together and not only convict Trump, But remove him from office! They will save their jobs as there will no longer be a Trump threat, and would also restore the Republican Party to a saner place.

My political savvy friend, Trish Parker, has the perfect winning ticket for the Dems; Biden for President and Obama for Vice- President. Can you imagine the Republicans reaction? They would all be apoplectic! Speechless! Dumbstruck!

Could someone please contact Obama and persuade him to return to DC for just 4 years?

Judith A. Beay Ventura

The Trump impeachment train is running out of stream

The manic cry’s for a vote to impeach President Donald Trump in December have morphed into the stem winding speeches of January in a mind numbing impeachment trial in the US Senate. As eloquent as the house team can reach is isn’t enough to rise to the level of so called “high crimes.” Even if all the Democrat team has alleged was true it is still without the foundation of legal fact to throw out a sitting president. Still, the trial goes on, inching towards its inevitable outcome. The President will be exonerated and the Democrats will charge a cover up. It will be a talking point for the rest of the year. The impeachment has and will fail like a steam engine lacking coal—it will slow and go no where. While the Congress is locked into this sham trial, President Trump is still acting in the best interests of the American People.

Richard Senate

Each morning I say to myself: I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy and I’m going to be happy today.
~ Groucho Marx

Breeze:

I’ve heard it said that the electorate deserve the leader they elect. But, I don’t accept that statement anymore. I know a lot of people voted for The Trumper, but I don’t believe that all were deserving of what we got.

I’m convinced he had his first temper tantrum at age two, and no one told him such behavior was unacceptable. He’s been feeding that ego and lack of personal responsibility ever since, and, unfortunately, for the people of the United States of America, he’s been manipulating, the office of the Presidency, for his entire term.

Now he wants a war to assure his re-election. He cares nothing for the damage he does to our own military, nor the collateral deaths of innocent civilians. 

He is an abomination, and should be removed from office, after a trial by the Senate. I’m sure not all Senators are in favor of keeping him in office now.

But, he will be gone. At a point, not too far distant, he will be gone.

Colene Hertse

Trump supporters:
We welcome your opinions regarding Trump. What are you waiting for?

The Trump administration will soon roll out a new plan to slash drug prices.

In 2018, the administration proposed pegging the price of certain advanced drugs to the prices paid in other developed countries. Now, the administration wants to go further, setting U.S. drug prices equal to the lowest price paid anywhere else in the developed world. 

This plan might trim the costs of today’s medicines. But tomorrow’s medicines would never make it to the market, as such a scheme would obliterate our research industry.

The administration’s proposed rule, which is expected in the coming weeks, would apply to advanced physician-administered medications covered by Medicare. Currently, these drugs cost 80% more, on average, in the United States than in other developed countries. 

The administration says this plan will level the playing field between the United States and countries like Canada and the United Kingdom, which use price controls to keep drug spending artificially low. These tactics are unfair. They force Americans to shoulder a disproportionate share of the global research burden.

Price caps would slash research companies’ revenues and dissuade them from funding future drug development projects.

Close to 90 % of experimental medications fail in clinical trials. It can cost over $2 billion and take more than a decade of research to bring a new medicine to market. 

The resulting medical breakthroughs save millions of lives. In the United States, cancer death rates have declined 26 percent since the early 1990s. Almost three-quarters of these survival gains are attributable to new treatments. HIV-related deaths have decreased by almost 90 percent since the introduction of antiretroviral therapy “cocktails” in 1996.

Price controls in the United States would derail research into new treatments. In the long run, forfeiting these treatments would cost the government far more than it’d save.

Drew Johnson

To correct these dogs that were in the last issue they are Certified Therapy Dogs, not Service Dogs. A Service Dog is trained toward specific symptoms of one individual to aid that one person. Certified Therapy Dogs are highly trained and have to be recertified every year, as do their handlers.

My dad believes in reincarnation, so in his will he left everything to himself.
~ Barry Goldsmith

There’s no cure for birth and death save to enjoy the interval.
~George Santayana

Breeze:

I was saddened to hear that the Catalina Casino (Avalon Theater) will stop showing movies, according to your publisher S. Brown.

I must confess that I never actually supported the place by viewing movies there, mainly because it is a long swim from Ventura to Catalina, even when the ocean is calm.

But I have a very fond memory of seeing a movie at that venue: It was l966, and 20th Century Fox took me out to the Casino–which was a magnificent edifice and an architectural landmark.  I felt like I was stepping back in time and was at some regal theater in a European capital. The ocean views were spectacular–but alas, the film “Morituri” was not too terrific and frankly was a bit of a box office flop.

But on the same evening after seeing the film, we got the opportunity to meet and chat with  a scruffy looking gent, who was surprisingly amiable: A fellow named Marlon Brando, who I believe made a handful of movies that really did well and was considered a rather good actor!

Ivor Davis

Ventura Breeze

Starting Jan. 22, 2020, the T.S.A. will ask all travelers who don’t have a driver’s license from a compliant state or a state that has been granted an extension to the compliance deadline (this means that residents can continue using their noncompliant license for federal purposes while the state continues working to be in compliance) to provide an alternative form of acceptable identification. Travelers won’t be able to pass through security without this acceptable identification.

And, as of Oct. 1, 2020, all air travelers will be required to have a Real ID-compliant driver’s license or alternate acceptable identification to fly domestically.

Thanks

Mike Merewether

Dear Editor:

Just caught the President discussing toilets. I think he has discovered how useful they are. I’m not sure he knows, that men, and women ,use them differently, but he is concerned, about the lack of discipline, in how many times, and how often, toilets get flushed.

He is worried about wasting water during our climate change worries(he said people flush 10-15 times each time). He wants us to be aware of how much water is wasted, by flushing more than we need to. 

I’m not sure what he is recommending: how many flushes are needed for sit-down uses, or stand-up uses. No matter. Watching how much water is used, during our bathroom breaks, is important, and it behooves, all of us, to be frugal, anytime, we

need to use the “potty:”

I am so relieved that the President is talking about important stuff. 

Relieved, but frugal,.
Esther Cole, Ventura,

If you don’t like the way I drive, get off the sidewalk.
~ Lotus Weinstock