Letters to the editor

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Aug 14, 2008 | by Letters to the editor

Time to recognize unsung heroes

I want to write about an unpublicized gem in Oakland, the city of Oakland Department of Recreation Swim Teams. Specifically I want to acknowledge some unsung heroes in our city, the coaches of these swim teams.

This summer, my daughter and I were lucky enough for her to have Jason, Vanessa and Brian as her coaches for the Live Oak Swim Team on MacArthur Boulevard.

Every day of swim practice and racing on the weekends, Jason, Vanessa and Brian guided these children, supported them and, most important, believed in them. They tapped into the talent in every child. They made the kids want to do better, not out of fear, but from a magical place of inspiration.

Before this, I have never seen competition promoted in such a fun, good spirited way. Jason, Vanessa and Brian inspired all of the children and families to create a Live Oak community.

The coaches showed us all, kids and parents, it is all about heart and spirit. As the weeks of the summer went on, my 10-year- old daughter would go to bed at night singing to herself, "I want to be a Live Oak swimmer, kick some butt and be a winner."

Thank you to all of the coaches and staff from the city of Oakland Department of Recreation for creating hundreds of winners. These are not jobs where people are getting rich. I am sure each of them could make lots more money doing other things. Thank you for your inspiration, commitment and spirit, it has brought much joy to our beloved city. Go Live Oak!!

Debra Grabelle

(mom of

Leah Grabelle)

Oakland

Here's list of Third World cities

In response to Fortus' letter in the Aug. 8 issue of The Piedmonter and her question about other Third World cities where trains run through the center of town: A few Third World cities that come to mind are New York, London, Paris, Chicago and Berlin.

Patrick Mason

Oakland

Wonder whether we'll survive as species

It's now at a point where I wonder whether we're going to make it as a species. Watch Congress debate the energy crises and bog down in selfish politics. Watch the clean energy tax credit and other government incentive programs expire at the end of the year due to inaction. Watch politicians relinquish their stand on offshore drilling to quell our oil addiction, (instead of constructing programs to help us adapt and change.) It makes you wonder whether our species can really plan its future. At what point does the collective survival instinct kick in?

We need immediate consensus so that all efforts go towards an economy of innovation and clean, affordable energy. Everything we do from here on out. It's one voice for change, or bickering until we perish.

Lauren Kahn

Oakland

Animal welfare issues at State Fair

The California State Fair begins Aug. 15 and runs through Sept. 1. Some animal welfare issues remain unresolved.

At the 2004 fair, a rodeo bull suffered a broken back when struck by a mechanical contraption called the "Cowboy Teeter-totter." Euthanized?

No, the animal was simply trucked off to the Flying U Rodeo's Marysville ranch, where he was shot to death the next day. Not acceptable! Ever since, animal protectionists have been pressuring the fair to adopt an immediate, on-site euthanasia policy for fatally-injured rodeo animals, as so determined by the attending veterinarian. Seems little to ask.

Reportedly, county and city animal control officers will monitor this year's rodeo, and they have the authority to confiscate injured animals.

At the 2007 fair, two Mexican fighting bulls escaped their pen, knocked a heroic security guard into a coma, broke her ribs, trampled a horse, and nearly trampled a bunch of kids. These animals were to be used in yet another nonsensical event called "Bull Poker," in which four or five cowboys sit around a card table, and bear the brunt of the charging bull. Last man sitting wins the jackpot. A man was killed in this event at a Kentucky rodeo recently, and his widow and three orphans are suing the fairgrounds for millions. Both of these events should be banned outright, of course, for the protection of animals and cowboys alike. Neither is sanctioned by the PRCA.

On Aug. 16-17, the fair features two nights of "Bull Fest" with six bull rides, plus the inane and dangerous "Cowboy Poker" event. Please contact the fair to express your concerns: Norbert Bartosik, CEO (genmgr@calexpo.com); Board of Directors, Marko Mlikotin, Chair (calexpoboard@calexpo.com), 916-263-3000.

Eric Mills

coordinator

Action for

Animals

Oakland

Concerned with airline fuel safety

I recently read an article about airline pilots alarmed at their airline's insistence on flying with minimum fuel supplies.

As a private pilot and as a frequent flyer on airlines, I was more alarmed by this article than anything I've read on terrorist threats to aviation. I was frightened by the FAA saying, "We can't dabble in the business policies or personnel policies of an airline" that punishes its pilots for speaking out professionally about being forced to fly with minimum fuel reserves.

Of course, we expect airlines as big businesses to take risks to make a buck, including jeopardizing their passengers when their peers all do the same thing. That's called "staying competitive." But we should expect the FAA to do its job of regulating the airline industry to make sure minimum safety standards are fully met to protect the public.