North Coast Journal Reader

Editor: I’d like to commend Mr. Mendes on the highly relevant, insightful and darkly funny Bayshore Mall articles (“Bayshore Mall before … and after Wal-Mart,” June 21). I have spent equal amounts of time as a Borders wage slave and explorer out at Devil’s Playground, a homeless jungle and graffiti haven behind the mall. I […]

Editor: Good article on organics (“What’s Organic?” June 21). It is wonderful to see the chains like Costco and Safeway expanding their selections and mainstreaming such an important item. Worth noting is a label Safeway uses in its produce department. “Local,” the sign says, but when this gardener wondered how any local fruit was available […]

Editor: While reading “OB-Gyn Turmoil at St. Joe’s” by Carrie Peyton Dahlberg (Blog Jammin’, June 21,) regarding a near-ban on sterilization for the chain of hospitals which includes St Joseph and Redwood Memorial, I became angrier and angrier at the gall of those people in administrative jobs making these decisions. According to the article, “doctors […]

Editor: Well the day has come. Wal-Mart is here (Blog Jammin’, June 14). Are we better for it? Hell no. We have heard the arguments about what they do to Main Street and our communities. They are true. We have heard that their labor practices are abominable. And that is also true. What more can they do to be offensive?  […]

Editor: I thought the article about the fantasy train idea was great; local journalism at its best. I also thought it treated Mr. Barnum, if not his plan, with rather surprising respect, since Barnum seems to be entirely in either denial or the dark about the plausibility of a project involving the expenditure of billions […]

Editor: Thank you, Marcy Burstiner, for covering my free speech lawsuit against the City of Arcata for its (ironically named) Aggressive Panhandling Ordinance (Media Maven, June 7). I don’t see how Arcata can suggest that the simple act of holding up a sign, which is the most passive form of panhandling, can qualify as aggressive; […]

Editor: It was both amusing and depressing to read your Blog Jammin’ piece in last week’s Journal (June 7) regarding Rex Bohn, the winner of the 1st District supervisor race. It appears to have been a rather slippery exercise for you in attempting to get some straight answers from him regarding the campaign mailers and […]

Editor:         Beginning with the article’s title, “Choo-choo Fantasies” (May 24), Ryan Burns seeks to trivialize the concept of an east-west railroad by ridiculing its potential supporters. This approach mirrors one used by our county’s troglodytes (cave dwellers) to any proposal that might increase economic activity and prosperity. Another is to swamp it with “practical” objections. […]

Editor: Discernment, not. Spinning the Journal’s integrity? Yes. ?(“We’re Not Stenographers,” May 24) The Eureka police practiced deliberate torture on demonstrators occupying the Caltrans building. A Times-Standard videographer was present, filming, but the Times-Standard declined to report this highly significant aspect. Did the Journal blow their cover? No way. No, Burstiner was all bent by […]

Editor: The residents of the newly fashioned 2nd Congressional District have the uncommon opportunity to send a truly brilliant candidate to Washington, D.C. (“Go Solomon!” May 17). Norman Solomon brings to the table a rich history of policy analysis, innovative leadership and coalition building. He is an independent progressive Democrat, beholden to neither party agenda nor […]

Editor: I agree with east-west railroad proponent Bill Barnum (“Choo-Choo Fantasies,” May 24). To heck with the naysayers; we men of action should dream big. Personally, I’m into those moving sidewalks like they have at airports. So it would be really nice if Dave Tyson would rent a car and drive down to Ukiah, Santa […]

Editor: The Astronomers of Humboldt would like to thank all those who joined us at the Kneeland Airport on May 20 and supported the annular eclipse viewing event (“Ring of Fire,” May 17). We had no idea that so many people in the area had such an interest in astronomical events. The club especially appreciated […]