North Coast Journal Reader

Editor: Deidre Pike’s article, “Waiting for Chinn” (Jan. 3), was excellent. It was good reading journalistically as well as very informative. She wrote so compassionately about Mrs. Chinn, the homeless and even Mr. Davenport, who must tidy-up after them. The beauty of conflict resolution is nonviolent conversation. This article presented the pro and con views […]

  Editor: While it is crucially important (or all commerce will cease) that “I” and “me” get their proper due (“Lord Is It Me?” Dec. 27), there is a set of modifiers that are so misused that communication is compromised. To deal with this debilitating state of affairs, at the beginning of each semester I […]

  Editor: A heartfelt “attaboy!” to Mr. Bennett in his article about his own gun collection (“Confessions of a [Liberal] Assault Weapon Owner,” Jan. 10).  Whatever disagreement I might have had with his critique of Les Miserables, I bow to his open-heartedness in his letter. And, it did, indeed, sound like a confession. Unfortunately, for […]

I don’t usually agree with John Bennett’s film reviews, but he got it right-on with Mis (Filmland, Jan. 3). My daughter was visiting for the holidays, and when I asked her to go with me I got: “No Dad, it’s boring!”  I should have listened to her. It was beyond boring. Victor Hugo’s classic has been filmed many […]

Editor: Having picked up the last issue of your paper and noticing the negative spin suggested on the cover for the movie Les Miserables, I immediately went to the review written by John J. Bennett. I feel that everything about his review is misguided. I usually take such critiques with a grain of salt, but […]

Editor: I always enjoy Barry Evans’ columns, and am envious of his ability to make even as unpromising a subject as pronouns (“Lord, Is It Me?” Dec. 27) entertaining, especially right after writing a column on hell — a tough act to follow. He’s so right — most of the time. Nobody I know would […]

Editor: In the article about the Point Reyes oyster farm (“Oyster Ouster,” Dec. 20), it failed to note how many times the operators were cited for operating outside of established laws and regulations. As to the backing of Sen. Feinstein, she has proven over and over not to be a friend of the environment through […]

Editor: Barry Evans confronts our confusion over the proper use of English, particularly in regard to pronouns (“Lord, is it me? [Or is it I?]”, Dec. 27). He reminds us that according to traditional grammar, “I” is a subject pronoun, while “me” is the corresponding object pronoun. Saying “me” in the wrong place could mark […]

Editor: Loved “The Signs and Wonders” page (Dec. 20). Thanks to Rex and Mark for the photos. Nanc Frazel, Eureka

Editor: I would expect an educator like Sallie Hadden (“Taking Charge in Loleta,” Dec. 13) to be able to express herself clearly. Her remark concerning the committee members being of a specific nationality are problematic. “‘Oh, they, a lot of, several of them are Hispanic parents,’ Hadden said. ‘You know, good people, but, you know.’” […]

  Editor: In reference to Barry’s gem on the “place downstairs” (“A Brief History of Hell,” Dec. 13): There seem to be more art masterpieces depicting Satan’s world than the holy place above. Maybe art curators or critics can set me straight on that trivia. A good glimpse of the universe below might be viewed from the […]

   The recent “expose” of school bonds (“The Big Borrow,” Dec. 6) in quite a few local school districts begs a few questions. How is it that a school board composed of well-meaning community volunteers is given the responsibility to make such far-reaching financial decisions without any mandated oversight? Are there not any laws in […]