Page One

Powell may not help ease tensions 

Editor: 

Pundits are saying that Colin Powell will be very good at solving international conflicts, for instance in the middle East.  

As a boy, Powell worked for a Jewish grocer in the Bronx and learned to understand and speak Yiddish.  

This will please Netanyahu and friends, but it is doubtful that the Arabs will be greatly impressed.  

Max Alfert 

Albany 

It’s in the First Amendment – read it 

Editor: 

From the start of Michael Yovino-Young’s letter of Dec. 16 & 17, you’d think he was avid civil libertarian with an inkling of an understanding of constitutional law.  

However, by the end of his letter, it is clear that Osha Neumann, who Yovino-Young complained about, has an understanding of the Constitution far greater than, say, Yovino-Young, who doesn’t understand who should or shouldn’t practice law or what “fascism” means.  

Neumann also has one thing going for him that Yovino-Young doesn’t seem to have; the lawyer has actually read the first amendment.  

“Congress (note the emphasis) shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people to peaceably assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.” 

Too bad Yovino-Young hasn’t read any of the large body of juridprudential literature explaining what those words functionally mean.  

While the mainstream reaction again the Netanyahu demonstration is discouraging, not only because of people’s misunderstanding of freedom of speech but also because of their failure to see the war criminals among us and the subjugation that our government and major media are a part of, it sure is great to see lucid voices, like those of Joseph Anderson and Steve Wagner. And to see the staff of the Berkeley Daily Planet printing them.  

Oliver Luby 

Berkeley 

Feliz Navidad 

Editor: 

It's the Season of delightful music and lights, eating too much, and sharing joy with families and friends.  

As I stood in line waiting to buy that perfect gift for my husband, I found myself making a list of New Year wishes for this wonderful city.  

So here are some wishes that I invite you to join me in making come true.  

• Heading the list – cozy, affordable housing particularly for the elderly in danger of losing their homes and the working poor struggling to keep their families together.  

• Councilmembers that will put aside political maneuvering and work with all their colleagues for the good of the entire city. 

• Health care for everyone. I am happy to have helped 900 Berkeley residents get health insurance this past year, but this is a national problem that can't wait. 

• Safety for the South Berkeley neighbors who are fighting so hard for freedom from drug dealing, shots in the night and assaults on their children. 

• An excellent education for all of our youth. It is unacceptable to be afraid in school, deprived of adequate playing fields, to drop out or be denied training or work experience. As their Village, we must nurture them with love while setting limits to guide them. 

• Recognition that Berkeley needs and depends upon a vibrant business community to provide jobs and pay taxes which fund the services we all want and expect. 

• Support for my pre-natal through pre-school program which seeks to ensure that every Berkeley child is healthy and motivated to learn when entering kindergarten. 

• Improve the quality of life for everyone by fixing potholes, repairing sidewalks, and expanding parks.  

And, wouldn't it be nice if all the traffic slowed down and everyone was polite? 

Well, this is my wish list for the New Year and it's achievable, if we all work together! 

Mayor Shirley Dean 

Berkeley 

Save the Derby St. farmers’ market and save the neighborhood  

Editor: 

I am writing to you about the Derby Street Field. I strongly oppose the Derby Street Field trying to be built there. 

I do support the plan that would provide regulation soccer and softball fields, a tot lot, larger garden for the new alternative school, safer streets and spots to play for children, and for the Farmers' Market to stay there.  

Because I'm a 10 year-old I don't want to have to have bright lights and noise during the night and traffic problems. And also I love the Farmers' Market;I go over there every Tuesday after school. And it would be really bad if there was a huge stadium on Derby and not the market.  

People in the community should decide what happens and almost everybody in the community doesn't want it, but they think that nobody will listen to them.  

Thank You, 

Rio Bauce Berkeley 

Noise, traffic is for those living near new Beth El site 

Editor: 

This is with reference to Charles Meyers' letter to the Editor in the Planet's 12/23-25 issue. 

Mr. Meyer states that he lives "about a half-mile" from Beth-El; just far enough to view the proposed project from a lofty, unaffected attitude, i.e., not having to deal with heavy traffic, noise, parking problems and all the other issues imposed by this project which is inappropriate to an already highly urbanized neighborhood.  

When Mr. Meyers lives next door to such a project as I will, then perhaps I will be able to take his cavalier comments seriously. 

Carol Connolly 

Berkeley