Letters for July 26, 2012

Letter of the Week

Re “What a fraud” by Christopher Arns (SN&R Frontlines, July 19):

Thank you for your story about blue disabled-placard fraud. I just finished paying off my $1,000 fine for using my mother’s placard. I thought I couldn’t afford the parking garage, but now I’ve paid for my street parking ($50 a month until it was paid off) and continue to pay for garage parking at $110 a month.

I guess I can afford it if I’m still eating and going to the movies.

This is a horrendous problem. Many more people are abusing than are getting busted for it, if the numbers reported are accurate. I know of at least two people in my office alone who have disabled license plates because of spouses, but come to work without their disabled spouses. I won’t turn them in because of the bad karma, but people should be held accountable.

L.W.
Sacramento

Be willing to change

Re “‘Reusable’ bags are garbage” (SN&R Letters, July 19):

I’d like to share some suggestions with the letter writer who sounds like she’s given up on reusable bags.

Grocery Outlet sells a great reusable bag—huge and paper grocery-bag shaped. Also, the Trader Joe’s bags are excellent and stylish. My best investment yet is the ChicoBag, which has its own “stuff sack” attached, so it balls up to a tiny-sized item that I always keep in my purse now.

As for the double uses at home, for Kitty Litter scooping, try bread bags; produce bags; cereal-liner bags; tortilla bags, etc. Anything that comes in a plastic bag that doesn’t have vent holes will be fine for Kitty Litter scooping.

I’m sure there are dozens of solutions out there that were used before our modern throw-away convenience days. This is the crux of our environmental problem: Our own willingness to change. The ban idea has obviously arisen because of the serious threat to our environmental health, not just to inconvenience us in our daily lives.

M.S. Ahbra
Sacramento

Poor observation skills?

Re “The reckoning of Carmichael Dave” by Nick Miller (SN&R Feature Story, July 12):

Carmichael Dave, when you were at the radio station, didn’t you notice that the hallways were filled with liars, thieves and snake-oil salesmen?

Patrick Powers
Sacramento

The impoverished will sacrifice most

Re “Shift happens” by Cosmo Garvin (SN&R Frontlines, July 12):

I truly comprehend these concerns, but here is mine: Who will have to make the most crucial sacrifices? The poor, of course! Meanwhile, wealthy, “important people” will continue to be flown around on private jets, enjoying their money and resources to the fullest.

T. Garcia
Sacramento

Grim outlook

Re “Shift happens” by Cosmo Garvin (SN&R Frontlines, July 12):

Thank you for the fine article about Geerat Vermeij, et al, and their work on climate shift. He has nailed the problem: The unholy alliance of population growth and climbing per-capita consumption are the fundamental drivers of global climate change.

With world population growth at 200,000 a day, and profligate consumption, the future looks grim, indeed.

Evan Jones
Sacramento

Cabaldon’s baseball argument weak

Re “Three strikes for Think Big” by Nick Miller (SN&R Frontlines, July 12):

Mayor Christopher Cabaldon of West Sacramento deeply prides himself on his intelligence, and he should be commended on the positive steps he has taken for his city.

But the basic argument “no fair” is weak and about the worst strategy for any public-policy consideration. Life isn’t fair. Step up and figure out a more compelling platform to dispute Mayor Kevin Johnson’s proposal.

Matt Gray
Sacramento

Mountain lions and deer

Re “Predator or prey?” by Alastair Bland (SN&R Green Days, July 12):

Thanks for [the] Green Days column on mountain lions. As someone who has contributed to cougar-management plans in other Western states, I’d encourage resource managers in California—and the public—to consider the growing scarcity of cougars’ primary prey, black-tailed deer, when determining management of America’s second biggest cat.

Throughout the West, black-tailed deer (also known as mule deer) numbers are plunging, which can result in the cats seeking other prey sources. This is particularly the case for juvenile cats looking to establish new territories. The oddness of the Nevada City attack suggests that this was a young cat who hadn’t figured out his job yet.

This close link to deer can also help explain the increase of cougar sightings back East—white-tailed deer there are booming.

If you come across a cougar while outdoors, pick up little kids, make yourself look big and shout like a banshee. In the meantime, let’s do what we can to improve habitat for black-tailed deer—for the sake of the deer, the cats and people.

Jon Schwedler
Sacramento

Rent a cabin, for God’s sake!

Re “Predator or prey?” by Alastair Bland (SN&R Green Days, July 12):

Though I am a “nature lover,” I decided years ago—after shocking black-bear attacks that could have turned mortal to my friends’ campsites in Lake Tahoe—to never sleep out [under] the open stars at night again in a tent. For God’s sake, spend the extra money to rent a good protective cabin if you must stay overnight in a wooded area.

Michelle Kunert
Sacramento

Correction

In “Slanted and enchanted” by Becky Grunewald (SN&R Scene&Heard, July 19), Renny Pritikin was incorrectly listed as the curator for Flatlanders on the Slant exhibition on display at the UC Davis Richard L. Nelson Gallery. Joy Bertinuson was the guest curator. It has been updated online. SN&R regrets the error.