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Voice Mail
September 2003
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The Takoma Voice welcomes all correspondence. We remind
readers that the opinions expressed here are those of
the writers. Letters may be edited for length or clarity.
While we strive to print every letter, we reserve the
right to refuse any which we deem inappropriate for
a community forum. Name, address, and phone number must
be included.
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Send correspondence to
The Takoma Voice
P.O. Box 11262 Takoma Park, MD 20913
fax: 301-891-6747
e-mail:
voice@takoma.com
Citizens: Arrive early and be organized
Recently I attended and spoke before the Takoma
City Council during its public hearing regarding the construction
of a new commercial office condominium complex at the Adventist
Hospital.
I was shocked by the large turnout of hospital
employees, most of whom are not residents of Takoma Park.
They all arrived at the same time and signed up to speak
before the citizens' City Council.
On one hand I believe it is praiseworthy that
our City Council is open to hearing the views of non-citizens
and citizens alike. But I must say that I was dismayed by
the way the Adventist Hospital leadership arranged to have
all of its employees arrive early, nearly en masse;
sign-up back-to-back on the check-in sheets and then speak
sequentially before our council about how important the
hospital is to our community.
I expect that we will likely see a repeat
of this public relations performance in the county venue
as well. Citizens take note.
–John Rogers,
Takoma Park, Md.
Mikulski did not vote smart on energy
Many thanks to everyone who contacted Maryland
Senator Barbara Mikulski calling on her to
reject Bush's dangerous national energy bill and
to move forward with a smart policy that would curb global
warming by making our cars and trucks go farther on a gallon
of gas and producing more of our energy from renewable sources,
like wind and solar.
Unfortunately, the Senator ignored the avalanche
of constituent comment and supported powerful corporate
interests in their efforts to accelerate global warming
through disastrous public policy. Mikulski voted WRONG on
two key amendments. She voted AGAINST the Durbin fuel economy
amendment–this would have saved a couple million barrels
of oil a day, reduced global warming pollution and saved
consumers money. She voted FOR the Levin/Bond amendment–which
makes it harder for future administrations to raise fuel
economy standards.
Despite Mikulski's irresponsible votes, the
dangerous Bush energy bill was stuck in an impasse in late
July and appeared deadlocked. Sadly, in a last minute deal,
the Senate resurrected its failed energy bill from last
Congress–a bill that gives billions of dollars in subsidies
to dirty coal and oil, and dangerous nuclear power; increases
America's oil dependence; includes virtually no progress
on renewable energy; and eliminates safeguards that protect
consumers from Enron-like manipulations.
Passage of this bill sets the stage for a
conference with the House-passed bill, which is even more
environmentally damaging and polluting, and calls for drilling
in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. With this maneuver,
the Senate has cut short needed debate on America's energy
future and failed to provide a responsible energy policy
for the nation. The Senate neglected to adequately debate
and vote on important issues such as reducing global warming
pollution; closing the light truck fuel economy loophole;
requiring increased use of clean, renewable energy sources;
and providing consumer protections against energy market
manipulation.
By passing this polluting energy bill today
the Senate bowed to special interests and failed to adopt
solutions that would reduce America's oil dependence, save
consumers money and protect the environment. The Senate
entrusted the nation's energy policy to a conference committee
where special interests are likely to rule.
—Mike Tidwell
Chesapeake Climate Action Network
Takoma Park, MD
Voice from Iraq
I thoroughly enjoyed Abby Bardi's article
about our
President Bush. During my first three deployments to
SW Asia I spent my off time listening to BBC TV to escape
the blinder style, right wing reporting of FOX News. Incidentally,
FOX is the station of choice of military installations for
obvious reasons. It's one thing for a political commentator
to blast an interviewee, but when the so-called unbiased
reporter slams any view counter to the conservative agenda,
we enter the realm of propaganda.
As a Democrat working with a whole bunch of
Republicans I recognize that the left is way too soft spoken
compared to conservatives. My associates know where I stand
and have mostly given up on debating politics with me.
Bush's rich buddies are taking us to
Hell in a handbag, but any criticism is labeled Un-American
or un-patriotic. I wish I had the answer. Maybe some of
the candidates will take off the gloves for the sake of
our democracy, not to mention our economy.
I just had to vent.
–Tom ‘Padre' Wilson
332 Expeditionary Combat Search and Rescue
Group
via Internet
PS: I'm headed to Asia again in a few
days. The guys and gals patrolling the streets in Iraq need
our prayers.
Voice from California
I would like to comment on your article "Montgomery
County pushes for Matricula Consular IDs" [June
2003]. Mexico is extremely strict about their immigration
laws yet feels that the U.S. should take on the burden of
illegal aliens from their country?
Since we are a sovereign nation, why are we
allowing a foreign nation to manipulate our immigration
laws to suit their agenda with these Matricula ID cards?
Mexican ID card have been deemed unsecured
and unsafe by our FBI and undermine ourimmigration laws.
Illegal foreigners should be deported, as they are a burden
to our communities.
–Priscilla Espinoza
Nuevo, CA
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