Letters for February 8, 2007

Vote on rail—soon!

Re “2 hours to L.A.—why not?” by Melinda Welsh (SN&R Feature Story, February 1):

With the problems of air pollution, global warming and dependence on foreign oil, an energy-efficient mode of transportation like high-speed rail is needed now more than ever. I have also traveled extensively throughout the state on planes, trains and automobiles and my experiences reinforce why high-speed rail is essential.

For example, when dense fog rolled into San Diego last year, it prevented airplanes from landing the night before, causing numerous delays the following morning as Southwest struggled to fly planes in just to fly passengers out. A high-speed train could have operated with minimal or no interruptions and would not have wasted as much fuel. Speaking of fuel, airports around the country, including here in California, came close to running out of fuel a couple of summers ago. In regards to air quality, California is in danger of not meeting EPA standards and more people are developing asthma and other respiratory problems leading the state to spend millions on health-care costs.

In addition to being a convenient mode of transportation that consumes less energy and emits less pollution, high-speed rail would provide more connections to communities as the state’s population continues to grow and age. Europe and Japan have had high-speed rail, as well as innovative transit systems that connect to them, for decades. Instead of making excuses, if high-speed rail was developed years ago the costs for it wouldn’t have been as great as it is now and we might not be as concerned about gas prices and air quality today. If it’s postponed again, the costs could then be prohibitive.

Let’s try and improve California’s air quality and reduce our consumption of foreign oil by getting the opportunity to finally vote on the high-speed rail project in 2008.

Randell Hansen
Sacramento

Boxer’s got cojones

Re “The party’s over” (SN&R Bites, January 25):

It was good to see Bites point out that women (white and otherwise) politicians also speak with forked tongue. Doris Matsui, in particular, was re-elected in our district without engaging in a public debate on the war. Certainly Dianne Feinstein and, regrettably, seemingly even Nancy Pelosi have waffled on Iraq.

However, it was unfair to put Senator Barbara Boxer into that camp. She was one of only 23 U.S. Senators to vote against the original Iraq War resolution. I, for one, am proud to be represented by Senator Boxer, who has shown more cojones and sense than most of the male Democrats!

Tony Branch
Sacramento

Yeah, something stinks

Re “The party’s over” (SN&R Bites, January 25):

Cindy Sheehan’s personal hate of George Bush sent her over the edge a long time ago; currently, she is about as credible as Hanoi Jane Fonda (that would be “not very”).

Yes, she suffered the tragic loss of her son. And, yes, she is very much entitled to her opinion. However, there are other parents that suffered the loss of their sons, too, and they do not have the same views/opinions as her. So she hardly has the “absolute moral authority” that some liberals have bestowed upon her.

I do agree with her on one point, though: She is like stink on shit (as she said she will become to George Bush once he is out of office).

Dennis Johnson
Sacramento

Making transmission possible

Re “Transmission: impossible” by R.V. Scheide (SN&R News, January 25):

The California Independent System Operator runs the power grid for most of the state, and we share the concern expressed in R.V. Scheide’s article that California needs additional transmission capacity to handle all of the new renewable-energy resources that are “on the drawing board” in places like Tehachapi.

The ISO is taking steps to address this issue. Recently, our board of governors approved a major transmission project in the Tehachapi region. This is just one step in this project’s life cycle—Southern California Edison has said they hope to file for approval with the California Public Utilities Commission soon—with final approval possible about a year after that.

We also recently filed a plan with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission that addresses the very issue Scheide mentions in this article—small renewable generators often lack the financial resources to pay for the transmission lines needed to move their power to the grid.

Our request for a declaratory order from FERC is seeking approval in concept of a plan that would allow a new financing mechanism for long, “multi-user resource trunklines.” We are asking FERC to approve this in concept, and give us some guidance on a few outstanding issues.

The California ISO is committed to working with utilities, state agencies and other stakeholders to approve the transmission capacity renewable resources need to move their power to the grid.

Armando Perez
California Independent System Operator

Runty Kiefer?

Re “Joe Carnahan’s crossroads” by Jonathan Kiefer (SN&R Feature Story, January 25):

This article is very strange, like Kiefer himself perhaps. Staying true to his hater-critic style, he’s crafted the art of the ad hominem to such a degree that he’s able to throw mud and stay clean. He reminds me of the South Park episode where pompous hybrid-vehicle owners love to look down on society while sniffing their farts in wine glasses.

Kiefer hides his sentiments behind others’ with statements like, “as one observer puts it, ‘He’s breaking bread with the wheels, keeping company with major muscle. And it goes to his head in a big way.’” Dude, if you’re gonna throw a punch, put your own power behind it. Furthermore, who is Kiefer talking about? Carnahan or the main character from the movie?

Kiefer goes on with, “A decade ago, Carnahan was a nobody,” and “In the final analysis, maybe he’s just a small-time operator reaching too big.” Still think I’m reaching?

And my favorite, when Kiefer, who obviously hadn’t seen the movie yet (and wrongly stated that it was in theaters everywhere when it didn’t release until a day after the article went to print), states that “This feels familiar. Not because Smokin’ Aces, now in theaters everywhere, rips off half a dozen other movies, as many pissy critics already have said that it does, but because of the weird, maybe deliberate resonance this pathetic character has with the guy who made him up.”

Well, there you have it: Other critics said so, so it must be true. I didn’t see Kiefer at the pre-VIP reception (a benefit for a local education nonprofit) he spoke so terribly about. I called the Sacramento Theatre Company to inquire about his attendance because I didn’t see him, however, his non-descript runt stature allows him to easily hide, which he did well because they confirmed that he did get in.

The bottom line: Don’t listen to haters. Carnahan gets it right with, “And remember, if critics could do, they’d do. They can’t. I told a guy, a critic who I had sparred with over Narc, that at the end of the day, my life will be spent making movies. Your life will be spent writing about mine.”

Ché Perez
Sacramento

Editor’s note: Our letter writer is in error: Jonathan Kiefer had seen Smokin’ Aces not just once, but twice before writing “Joe Carnahan’s Crossroads.” Critics also had been reviewing the film prior to its worldwide opening on January 26. Read Kiefer’s capsule review of Smokin’ Aces.

Fix the parks, lose the herds

Re “Edifice complex?” (SN&R Letters, January 25):

Mr. Lauszus condemns Ray Kerridge for not meeting with neighborhood groups. However, in my experience, these groups are full of people who just sit around and bitch but never solve anything.

The parks are a good case in point. The reason that our parks are habitually filled with “herds” of homeless/street people is that they are uninviting—mostly just lawn, a children’s playground and a few shaggy trees. If these neighborhood groups are serious, they could start by creating better neighborhood parks. They could hold fund-raisers to add new flowerbeds, trees, art, benches, fountains, etc. and volunteer to help plant plants and clean the parks regularly.

Who ever said that it’s only up to city hall to solve our neighborhood’s problems?

Mark Sharp
Sacramento

Becca’s fresh

Re “Pop, jump, clap, party with it” by Becca Costello (SN&R Nothing Ever Happens, January 25):

I’ve read quite a few letters denigrating Becca Costello’s column, but I just wanted to say that I personally find it quite amusing. I usually read it right after the cartoons.

I would like to add that SN&R is cool for the events—calendars and stuff—but I really do mostly like the regular columns: Becca Costello, Joey Garcia [SN&R Ask Joey], and the back page [SN&R 15 Minutes]. I hardly ever read that Jackson dork’s music column, though; I got tired of reading about Jackie Greene and the True Love Coffeehouse every week.

Keep up the good work.

Gary Lee
Sacramento

Corrections and clarifications

In the story “Anthrax scare at SN&R” by Chrisanne Beckner (SN&R News, February 1), the Sacramento Metro Fire Department was incorrectly cited as the first on the scene. The City of Sacramento Fire Department responded first. This has been corrected on the Web site.

In “Stocking up” by Kel Munger (SN&R Scene&Heard, February 1), Time Tested Books employee Scott Soriano was incorrectly identified as Steve Soriano. This has been corrected on the Web site.

We regret the errors.