Public Comment

NEWS BLACKOUT IN GAZA 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

There’s a news blackout about the siege of Gaza in the United States. I am writing you to request a more critical, in-depth coverage of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. 

Since 2006, Israel has controlled the flow of goods, food and fuel, access to health care, and freedom of movement of all 1.5 million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. In the past four months, Israel has intensified this siege by reducing imports of food and medicine to a trickle. Despite the lack of clean water for the people of Gaza to drink, Israel bars the delivery of water filters. 

Half of the people of Gaza are children under the age of 18. Growing up in this environment, they must be “shocked by the miserable things” they see, as UN humanitarian affairs official John Holmes said he was. Holmes also blamed the siege for the collapse of Gaza’s economy, which has left 80 percent of the population dependent on international food aid. 

Since 2000, over 2,680 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed by Israeli violence. While Palestinian militants have been illegally firing rockets into southern Israel, killing 11 people since 2000, collective punishment of the Palestinians by Israel will neither bring about an end to the rockets, improve the security of ordinary Israelis, nor open the path to a viable and just peace. Water filters, food, medicine, and clean drinking water in the hands of Gazans are not security threats. 

The United States, which provides Israel with the economic, military and diplomatic support that makes Israel’s history of violating the human rights of Gazans possible, has a moral responsibility to use its influence to stop Israel’s siege of the Gazan people. Instead, it is currently pursuing a policy of fomenting civil war in Gaza, as recently revealed by a groundbreaking report in Vanity Fair. 

Anne White 

Alameda 

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SIMPLISTIC THINKING 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Jim Harris’ op-ed piece (Planet, 4/4/08) equates the war and U.S. occupation of Iraq with the Israeli occupation of the west bank, and calls on Barbara Boxer to condition aid to Israel on its immediate withdrawal. While I’m sure he has his followers, this kind of simplistic thinking in support of a political agenda can get us into trouble (as if we need more). Anyone possessed of reasonable analytical ability and a rudimentary knowledge of history can see the situations are not remotely comparable, as Ms. Boxer well knows. For Harris, history conveniently begins forty years ago; had he chosen to go back a little farther he would have understood that from its inception Israel has been engaged in a war for survival among hostile governments that have included at one time or another Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait, Algeria and Iran. Israel occupies the west bank as a result of its victory in the six-day war, a war it did not seek, at the end of which it also found itself in possession of the Sinai peninsula. Perhaps Harris’ selective view of history does not permit him to recall that Israel returned the Sinai to Egypt in exchange for a peace treaty that has more or less held up. Unfortunately, other governments in the region continue to maintain the objective, by whatever means necessary, of the complete destruction of Israel. Or, as it is called by the current gang that passes for a government in the west bank, “the struggle.” 

Evelyn Giardina 

Walnut Creek 

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FRAUDULENT TITLE 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Pardon me all to hell. I was naively of the opinion that the title of a piece should bear a relationship to its substance. Instead, we readers were confronted with a bait-and-switch. Regardless of whether we saw Mr. Sapir’s original title, or the truncated DP title, we could correctly call the title a fraud.  

I have the quaint notion that if we waited for the troops to rebel before the war can be ended, we will be waiting till judgment day, will have gone to heaven, and St. Peter’ll be the straw boss then (to borrow a phrase or two from “Talking Union”). Instead, some of us (including the Progressive Caucus of the CDP) have been striving to use political pressure to end the war—and we seem to have convinced several candidates to take that position. If Sapir wants to propose programs to KPFA, let him do so without involving the rest of us in his attempt. I have no dog in that fight. But I for one am tired of Sapir’s faction in KPFA taking its fight public—and seeking to use adherence to it to be the test of political orthodoxy. Give it a rest, please. 

For the record, my name is spelled as below, and I am only the co-chair of the Progressive Caucus. The caucus is a home for many progressives inside the California Democratic Party; it is not an attempt to appropriate to ourselves the exclusive use of the term “progressive.” Organized in 2005, we have put into the platform of the CDP single payer health insurance, out of Iraq, public financing of elections, and other progressive measures. We are proud of our accomplishments in a few short years, but realize we have a long way to go. If the DP were less fixated on Berkeley land use, KPFA and Bates-bashing, it might have noticed the caucus. 

Mal Burnstein 

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BUS RAPID TRANSIT 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Looking at the packet for this week’s joint Planning-Transportation Commission meeting about Bus Rapid Transit, I see eight letters from the public supporting BRT and a grand total of three letters opposing BRT. 

A few opponents have claimed that there is widespread opposition to BRT in Berkeley. The tiny number of opposing letters in the packet of this major commission workshop shows that the opposition is just inches deep. 

There are a few people who are fiercely opposed to BRT, but the great majority of the criticism that we hear is just the usual negativism and kvetching that is the inevitable response to any proposed change in Berkeley, however small or however beneficial the change may be. 

Charles Siegel 

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RAPID BUS PLUS 

Editors, Daily Planet: Berkeley’s April 9 Planning and Transportation Commission hearing seemed like a turning point in discussion of AC Transit’s misnamed Bus “Rapid” Transit (BRT) proposal. 

Speakers opposed bus-only lanes by about a 2:1 ratio. And several BRT opponents spoke on behalf of whole neighborhood associations or merchants’ groups. 

Some 20 BRT opponents signed a letter offering two pages of alternatives to AC Transit’s plan. 

Apparently, opponents were heard. AC Transit’s Jim Cunradi said the agency would be willing to study a “Rapid Bus Plus” package like the one presented in that letter. 

Perhaps this bus has turned a corner. We may no longer be reacting to a plan solely of, by, and for AC Transit. We may instead have an chance to shape a broader transit plan that will really serve Berkeley’s goals over the next generation. 

Michael Katz 

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RELIGIOUS SECT? 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

None dare call it what it is! Texas state troopers have rescued 400 children, mostly girls, from the compound of the Fundamentalist Church of Latter Day Saints. Where are all the boys and what is so saintly about this religious sect?  

Why is this End Times sect popping out so many children when they believe an Apocalypse is right around the corner? Could it be this was more of a ranch of prostitution to satisfy the pent-up sexual desires of male egos? 

And what really boggles the mind is why Republicans, including John McCain, continue to pay homage and pander to fundamentalists who have infiltrated, hijacked and found a comfortable home in the GOP? 

Rob Lowe 

Grass Valley 

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FOLLOWING HESTON 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

What did Charleton Heston always say? “From my cold, dead hands...!” Well, it’s time. Time to enact some real gun control so an 18-year-old can’t buy a gun from K-Mart like bubble-gum, with no background check, fingerprinting or anything. Guns are for only two things, killing and practising killing, so convenience must step way back for safety. To idiots parroting “If guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns” I say: No, stupid, the police will too, whom you support, and who always advise against taking the law into your own hands! And to sicko hunters I say: Where’s the thrill in shooting an unarmed animal? Be men: hunt each other! 

J. Andrew Smith 

Bloomfield, NJ 

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POSTER CHILD 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Many people want to demonstrate against China at the Olympic Torch run in SF because of its policies re: Tibet and Darfur. But who are we to protest? Here are some posters I would love to see at the demonstrations: 

“China! Stage your own ‘free’ controlled elections on Tibet with proven voting machines of Diebold, ES&S, Sequoia and Hart. Remember, bad exit polls only prove election fraud in OTHER countries.” 

“China! Create your own 9/11 psy-ops event as we did to then ‘bring democracy’ to any oil country you choose!” 

“China! Trouble controlling your people? Create your own 9/11 event as we did! Then you can start your own phony ‘war on terror’ and use it to suppress dissent!” 

“China! Problems with Tibet? Have you tried the humane American approach of waterboarding and renditions!” 

“Free Tibet! Free Darfur! Free U.S. from lying election thieves! Free Guantanamo! Free our good young boys from learning how to torture. Free our press!” 

“FREE America! Impeach Bush and Cheney!” 

Richard Tamm 

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FREE TIBET, FREE CHINA 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

I stood on the Embarcadero for four hours, immersed in a crowd of Chinese Americans waiving flags of China as we waited for the Olympic torch. My “Free and Independent Tibet” sign jostled with their flags as we tried to position ourselves for maximum media exposure when the torch would pass us by. 

After half an hour of this low-grade competition, we started to talk, and more importantly, to listen to each other. I learned they felt “Tibetan independence” was an insult to China’s national pride. Several people told me stories they believed about Tibetan slavery, ignorance and poverty. I told them the stories I’ve heard from my Tibetan friends, stories of Chinese oppression, repression, and brutality. We agreed that most news outlets were untrustworthy. 

We didn’t change each other’s minds, but we did hear each other, respect each other, and we did deeply appreciate this country, in which people with opposing politics can stand peacefully alongside one another. 

Was I disappointed that the torch was rerouted? Not really. It was four hours well spent. The way I see it, the torch ran away from the people who were all gathered at the appointed place. The Chinese government wants everyone to follow the Olympics, but today, the Olympics evaded the people. 

Bruce Joffe 

Piedmont 

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OLYMPIC IDEAL 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

We are inspired by the tremendous international dialogue taking place regarding the spread of democracy, protection of human rights and the Olympic Ideal as the theme of the 2008 Olympics: 

“Reaffirming that the Olympic ideal promotes international understanding, particularly among the youth of the world, through sport and culture in order to advance the harmonious development of humankind ... Noting with satisfaction the increasing number of joint endeavors of the International Olympic Committee and the United Nations system, for example in the fields of development, humanitarian assistance, protection of the environment, health promotion and education, in which the United Nations Development Programme, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the United Nations Environment Programme, the World Health Organization and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization have participated ... —Building a peaceful and better world through sport and the Olympic ideal.” United Nations General Assembly, 25 November 1997: 52/21. 

As the host country, China, in recognition of the Dalai Lama being honored with the U.S. Congressional Gold Medal (The White House, Oct. 17, 2007), is enhancing global education initiatives about the plight of Tibet and this global leader who was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1989. 

Stephen Michael Apatow 

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SUSPICIOUS LOOKS 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

If Senator Obama were to visit North Berkeley unannounced, sans retinue and in street clothes, I’m sure he would enjoy the same suspicious, scrutinizing glowers that I have since purchasing property here a few years back. 

Zac Morrison 

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SKATE PARK 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

So, the five-year-old city skateboard park “that was to cost $200,000 and ended up costing four times that amount is splitting at the seams.” (Judith Scherr, Berkeley Daily Planet, April 8–10) 

Reportedly, cracking was noticed at least two years ago. That suggests that the skateboard park was showing problems a mere three years after being constructed. 

Now, in addition to the original cost of $800,000, plus on-going weekly repairs, and a scheduled $40,000 “facelift” planned for the end of the month, Deputy City Manager Lisa Caronna contends that “It is not out of line to ask voters to rebuild the park” ... to the tune of another $2.2 million via a bond issue on the November ballot. 

Ms. Caronna justifies this expense as, “This is our reality. It meets the needs of small and big kids and adults. We can’t walk away from something so popular.” And she disingenuously asks, “If there were errors, should the city not be able to have a skate park?” 

Just a moment! Whether or not a skateboard park is popular, Berkeley taxpayers are in NO way responsible for the faulty design, materials and/or construction that appear to be causing the cracking. Ms. Caronna and the city need to drop any idea of socking it to Berkeley taxpayers and hold accountable the original engineers and contractors. It is their responsibility—not the taxpayers—to make the necessary repairs or re-construct to acceptable standards. 

Rather than inappropriately using her current office to lobby for taxpayer money to fix this fiasco, Ms. Caronna might accept responsibility for her own part in it. After all, as reported in that same article, she was head of the parks department when the project was built. 

Barbara Witte 

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NORTH SHATTUCK PLAZA 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Is anyone besides me upset about the proposed North Shattuck Plaza Plan as describd recently in The Planet? 

Less parking, which would hurt businesses like Black Oak Books. A lovely place for people to sit, like anybody has time or inclincation besides the old timers now content to sit before the French Laundry.  

The planners want to goad us to walking. Have they seen some of us using canes these days? I’m counting the days until I get mine. 

Block off parts of Vine? Ugh. 

It’s a beautiful architect’s dream, just like some of Adolf Speer’s and Adolf Hitler’s for a coming paradise that somehow didn’t come off. 

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. This is one of the few areas of Berkeley now working. 

Avis Worthington  

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PAYPAL BOTS? 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

I am wondering whether PayPal is managed by humans or whether the robots have taken over. I am being held hostage from using PayPal’s much vaunted online payment system which is preventing me to pay for pre-booked holiday accommodation in Europe. I am compelled to use PayPal because it is the only system of payment used by the accommodation agency. PayPal’s payment website every time pops up an an error message that claims that my password or email address is incorrect.  

I am totally unable to get any human to respond to my request that I be contacted to sort out the problem. My guess is that there are many equally frustrated persons among your readers because of PayPals automated responses, promising that someone will respond, but no one ever does. How can an organization like PayPal that has a major impact on people’s ability to do online transactions refuse to communicate in person with the public. If there is a human among the robots at PayPal, please, please please contact me! 

Rembrandt Klopper 

Gillitts, South Africa 

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ZAPATISTA WOMEN 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

People from Berkeley, Oakland, San Francisco, Santa Rosa and Chico, California attended the Comandanta Ramona Gathering of Zapatista Women with the Women of the World in the Lacandón Jungle of Chiapas, Mexico during the last week of December 2007. A report on this amazing experience will be presented to residents of the Strawberry Creek Lodge on April 17, 2008 at 7:30 p.m.  

Some 3,000 people from around the world attended this gathering dedicated exclusively to the Zapatista women and their experience and struggle for equality within their own revolutionary organization, the Zapatista National Liberation Army. They discussed their history as serfs on plantations and their coming to voice in women’s collectives after the 1994 Zapatista Uprising. They also explained their roles in the civilian self-governing (autonomous) structures.  

The Zapatistas rose up in arms on January 1, 1994, the day that NAFTA went into effect, and declared a truce 13 days later. That truce has held for 14 years as the movement declared itself nonviolent, while maintaining its weapons only for self defense. Since the 1994 Uprising, the Zapatistas became known all over the world for their analysis of neoliberalism (corporate globalization) and for their construction of a civilan alternative to big government and political parties.  

We invite you to join us on Thursday, April 17 at Strawberry Creek Lodge, 1320 Addison Street , Berkeley, 7:30 p.m. for this report and slide show 

Mary Ann Tenuto Sánchez. 

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PEACE WITHIN 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

We need peace within to enable peace in the wider world. All our efforts to bring forced friendliness and democracy will not have a positive outcome. I hear how we have lost international standing because of our style of dealings with other nations. I don’t believe in forced understanding. I like to talk things over with the people involved and wait patiently for good results to emerge. War creates fear and leads inevitably to retaliation. We should devote our attention instead to learning about other people’s thought process. Let us also practice staying centered in our own lives and resolving our personal problems with patience. The influence of our peaceful way of resolving small conflicts is bound to ripple out to the wider human community. 

Romila Khanna 

Albany