October 14, 2005

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Classifieds

Palo Alto Online

ReaderWire

I learned that a hate letter (from an unidentified source) was recently placed at the front door of the UNA Center on Emerson Street in Palo Alto.

This store is the "gift shop" of the Midpeninsula Chapter of the United Nations Association, and has been at this location for many years. I believe this is the first time such a communication has been found at its doorstep.

As a life-long supporter of the United Nations and a member of the Midpeninsula Chapter, I find it sad that some people feel that the United Nations is an organization that represents a threat to their beliefs, their ideas, their feelings and their way of living.

In my opinion, the real threat to the letter writer(s) is the one faced by everyone these days. It is the specter of increasing feelings of desperation coming to people throughout the world.

Now more than ever it is clear that we all need to work together, through the United Nations, to deal with the problems which cause deprivation of food, housing, health, education, employment, healthy ecosystems and political freedom.

Here in Palo Alto, the UNICEF store is a favorite among many shoppers, who know they can find what I call "toys and joys," including one-of-a-kind, handcrafted items from member countries, clothes, jewelry, hats, scarves, bags, games, musical instruments, tapes and CDs, and special UNICEF cards.

There is, I might add, also a large assortment of beautiful stationery, perfect for those who are inclined toward "letter writing."
Doris Dahlgren
Sheridan Avenue, Palo Alto

Bayfront rip-off?

So the plan is to take Bayfront Park away from the people and give it to developers for a golf course that just happens to be adjacent to David Bohannon's proposed hotel?

Clearly this would be a bargain for Bohannon and a rip-off for the public. Stop this plot. Preserve Bayfront Park for the physical and spiritual renewal of human beings and a home for the wildlife that nest there.
Grace E. Vilez and John Beverley Butcher
Hedge Road, Menlo Park

Supreme problem

Does President Bush honestly believe that our country is completely filled with idiots? By nominating Harriet Miers as a Supreme Court justice, he is insinuating just that.

Miers is ridiculously underqualified, with her star quote being that President Bush is the "smartest man (she has) ever met."

This woman is a great judge of character.

Also, simply the fact that she has never served as a judge should disqualify her off the bat. Supreme Court justices should be the best of the best with years in the practice, but the first choice is an attorney from a down-South, heavily Christian law firm?

I just don't know where this country is going.
Claire Lesikar
South Court, Palo Alto

Knowledge is power

The strength of a democracy relies on an informed citizenry. With the recent selection of Harriet Meirs by President Bush, we have very little to go on since she has no record as a judge, her qualifications are paper-thin and we have no information forthcoming from the administration on her relationship to significant constitutional issues.

In the Senate-confirmation process, much needs to be revealed for her to even be considered. The American people deserve to know more about her.
Karen Harwell
Dana Avenue, Palo Alto

Curb cronyism

It's time that George W. Bush stop the blatant cronyism, such as the nomination of Harriet Miers to the Supreme Court.

His hiring record during his terms has shown nothing other than this practice. Ms. Miers may be an "excellent trial lawyer" but she has never been a judge nor has she had any recorded opinions on important constitutional issues.

The only apparent qualification is being a close and long-time friend to President Bush.
Belinda Rosales
Glen Way, East Palo Alto

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