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The Berkeley Daily Planet received this letter addressed to Berkeley Mayor Shirley Dean: 

Although I live in Mill Valley and I am not one of your constituents, I feel the need to write in support of Dona Spring. I have never been more disappointed in a local elected official as I am with you. Your reaction and stance regarding Spring’s resolution is something I would expect from a Republican or a big business corrupted Democrat, nor from someone with your reputed foresight and intelligence. 

Spring’s resolution is a call to end the destruction and assault against a group of people that live in abject poverty and have suffered years of civil war and Soviet occupation. Simply, the resolution requests the end of misguided and sadistic violence as soon as possible. 

Politically should be ashamed of yourself, pandering to right-wing war mongers and flag wearing reactionaries calling for blood. When President Bush announces the need for low-yield tactical nukes, will you support him and his genocide? Berkeley is the one place where I expected a reasoned response to the tragedy. 

Instead its mayor is preoccupied with threatened economic boycotts while the Afghan people are exterminated. 

You are complicit in Bush’s maniacle destruction. 

As far as I am concerned you have committed political suicide. History will not look favorably on you. 

As for the supposed boycotts, it is unlikely that the type of person who threatens boycott would not have patronized a Berkeley business to begin with; rather they are in the Central Valley attending John Birch Society meetings. 

I understand the need to protect business interests. 

Also I understand the importance of being politically astute and as far as I am concerned you have failed miserably. 

In response to threatened boycotts, I vow to patronize Berkeley business instead of local Mill Valley businesses up through the Christmas season. I will make every attempt to purchase goods at Berkeley shops and I will make a point of telling the staff and management of every store my reasons for doing so. 

You have no political or moral spine. You should be recalled. My deepest sympathies to your political career. 

Robert Young 

Mill Valley